Niizh

Written by Joelle Peters
Produced by Native Earth Performing Arts

APRIL 12 – 30, 2023

AKI STUDIO

“I hope I never forget this place. Even more, I hope that it never forgets me.”

Niizh, written by Joelle Peters, is a coming-of-age comedy. Set on a reserve in Southwestern Ontario, the play follows the youngest of the ‘Little’ family, Lenna Little, who prepares to leave home for the first time. In the midst of this she meets Sam Thomas, who has returned to the reserve after many years away. Is there a meet-cute? Is there a fish fry? Is there a sax solo? You’ll have to wait and see!

Cast & Creative Team
Showtimes

CAST
Lenna Little – Theresa Cutknife
Sam Thomas – Kole Durnford
Billy Little – Jason McDonald
Jay Little – Aren Okemaysim
KC Thomas – PJ Prudat

CREATIVE TEAM
Playwright Joelle Peters
Director Desirée Leverenz
Set Designer Nancy Perrin
Lighting and Projections Designer Hailey Verbonac
Sound Designer Jenna Geen
Costume Designer Nishina Loft
Head of Props Sarah Yuen
Stage Manager Jessica Campbell-Maracle
Assistant Stage Manager Dylan Tate-Howarth
Costume Design Assistant Halle Turner
Choreography Consultant Aria Evans

“Joelle can write the rez. Conveying the history, the hardship, but more than anything the humour and the beauty of our complicated communities. And to see those spaces on stage is a powerful thing.”

“In Niizh, Joelle Peters offers up a profound love and simultaneous longing for family and community. She stages generational strengths – humour, caring and insightfulness – alongside generational wounds that can keep our dearest at arm’s length. This disarmingly simple story is artfully crafted with dialogue featuring a uniquely Peters-ian dry wit. Niizh is a celebration of the joys, beauties and challenges of a young and fiercely capable Indigenous woman.”

“I was excited about this play the first time I read it. It's smart and funny, and it's exactly what we need right now.”

Header Visual by Chief Lady Bird

Niizh

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT