A Punctuate! Theatre Production, Presented by Soulpepper Theatre Company
TAKWAHIMINANA BY MATTHEW MACKENZIE HAS WORLD PREMIERE IN TORONTO
[“TAK-wa-HI-mi-na-na” A Cree and Michif word for chokecherry]
Toronto, ON – Punctuate! Theatre is thrilled to announce the world premiere of Takwahiminana by award-winning playwright Matthew MacKenzie (First Métis Man of Odesa, Bears). This innovative cultural mashup will debut at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre from Apr 30–May 11, 2025.
TAKWAHIMINANA is a darkly funny exploration of love, identity, and cultural collision. It follows Sharon, a Métis woman born in India, who returned to her ancestral home in Alberta as a teenager, forever caught between cultures. Now an adult, she finds herself at a lavish foodie dinner party hosted by her longtime paramour, marking the unofficial 20th anniversary of their extramarital affair. But as the evening unfolds, simmering tensions boil over—her Indigenous knowledge is both appropriated and fetishized. In the face of erasure and exploitation, can her Kohkom’s teachings guide her toward healing?
The production is directed by Mike Payette (Artistic Director, Tarragon Theatre). Blending biting satire with mesmerizing Bharatanatyam choreography by Anoshinie Muhundarajah (Pan Am Closing Ceremony, Canada’s Got Talent)—an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and influencer with close to 50,000 followers—this world premiere marks her theatre choreographic debut. Known for pushing boundaries by fusing traditional Bharatanatyam with contemporary styles like hip hop, Muhundarajah brings a bold, dynamic vision to the stage in a theatrical feast you won’t soon forget.
Starring celebrated Métis actor Michaela Washburn (Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for her performance as Métis leader Louis Riel in Confederation & Riel), whose commanding presence brings depth and nuance to the role of Sharon, and who is returning to a Toronto stage for the first time in five years.
“This play is different from anything we’ve done before,” says Matthew MacKenzie, playwright and Artistic Director of Punctuate! Theatre. “When you blend a family history from India and Alberta, there’s a lot of tension—and comedy! It’s very much my style like Bears and The Particulars—one central character speaking in third person, while an electric chorus of dancers transforms the stage into something that is both intimate and epic.”
Punctuate! Theatre has gained national recognition for its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking theatre that challenges audiences and sparks conversation. The company has received multiple Dora Awards, including Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Play, and Outstanding Direction for First Métis Man of Odesa, as well as Outstanding Production and Outstanding New Work for Bears, both written by Matthew MacKenzie. With Takwahiminana, the company continues its mission to produce work that is artistically daring, socially relevant, and deeply engaging.
TAKWAHIMINANA (World Premiere)
by Matthew MacKenzie
Performances: Apr 30-May 11, 2025
Soulpepper Theatre Company – Tank House Theatre (50 Tank House Lane, Toronto)
CREATIVE TEAM
Playwright: Matthew MacKenzie
Director: Mike Payette
Choreographer: Anoshinie Muhundarajah
Set Design: Dawn Marie Marchand
Costume Design: Jolane Houle
Video Design: Amelia Scott
Lighting Design: Andre du Toit
Sound Design: Aaron Macri
Composition: Noor Dean Musani
Set Design Consultant: Daniela Masellis
Costume Design Consultant: Bharathy Vivekanantham
Creative Producer: Andy Cohen
Stage Manager: Lore Green
Production Manager / Technical Director: Trent Crosby
Assistant Production Manager: Erik Richards
Marketing & Communications: Alyson Dicey
Production Support: Kathy Le
STARRING
Michaela Washburn
FEATURING
Prithvi Castelino
Vanessa Mangar Dance Captain
Kajaanan Navaratnam
Swetha Pararajasingam
Naveeni Rasiah
When: Apr 30 – May 11, 2025 at 7:30pm (Mondays are dark). Wed, Sat, Sun matinees at 1:30pm.
Preview: Wednesday April 30, 2025 at 7:30pm
Opening Night: Thursday May 1, 2025 at 7:30pm
Community Night: Saturday May 3, 2025 at 7:30pm
Where: Soulpepper Theatre Company – Tank House Theatre (50 Tank House Lane, Toronto)
Approx. Runtime: 80 minutes, no intermission
Price: Tickets start at $30
Connect with Punctuate! Theatre:
Instagram: @punctuatetheatre
Facebook: /PunctuateTheatre
YouTube: /@PunctuateTheatre
Website: www.punctuatetheatre.com
