Red Sky Performance

Red Sky Performance Led by Sandra Laronde, Red Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.

Red Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performing arts and culture in Canada and worldwide. Founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Sandra Laronde.

In She Holds Up the Stars—how would you describe the presence of the horse in the story, and what does it represent for...
06/19/2026

In She Holds Up the Stars—how would you describe the presence of the horse in the story, and what does it represent for you?

"The horse represents a spirit that can never be conquered or dominated. He is deeply connected to the land and, in many ways, represents both the land and the Indigenous spirit itself.

What makes the relationship between Misko and the horse possible is not control, but understanding. The horse feels Misko's love. He feels seen and understood. From that place, trust can grow.

Yet even then, the horse remains wild at heart. That wildness is essential. It is part of his power, his freedom, and his spirit."
— Sandra Laronde, playwright and director

Photo: Mike Shara (Mr. Desjardins), James Gerus (Thomas), Dayna Tietzen (head), Troy Feldman (heart), and Brad Cook(hind), with Trevor Wilson (conductor) and the TSO, photo by David Hou.

SHE HOLDS UP THE STARS SHINES BRIGHT WITH 8 DORA AWARD NOMINATIONS!With 8 Dora Award nominations, we're over the moon to...
06/03/2026

SHE HOLDS UP THE STARS SHINES BRIGHT WITH 8 DORA AWARD NOMINATIONS!

With 8 Dora Award nominations, we're over the moon to be this season's most nominated production in Toronto!

It's an honour to share this recognition with the extraordinary artists, creative team, and partners who brought this production to life.

Nominations include:
• Outstanding Production — She Holds Up the Stars

• Outstanding New Play — Sandra Laronde

• Outstanding Direction — Sandra Laronde

• Outstanding Performance by an Individual — Julia Davis, Marsha Knight, and Mike Shara.

• Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble — Dayna Tietzen, Troy Feldman, and Brad Cook.

• Outstanding Achievement in Design — Nick Barnes

We extend our gratitude to our commissioners and partners: the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, TO Live, National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts' National Creation Fund, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Thank you to the Toronto theatre community, the TAPA Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts Dora Awards jury for this acknowledgment.

We are all so thrilled and grateful!!!!

05/13/2026

We're deeply grateful for the extraordinary world premiere run of She Holds Up the Stars, which reached more than 16,500 audience members at Roy Thomson Hall.

Written, Created, and Directed by Sandra Laronde, She Holds Up the Stars, blends contemporary Indigenous storytelling, theatre, large-scale puppetry, and live orchestral music into a powerful experience for audiences of all ages.

Performed live by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the production featured Music and Sound Design by Eliot Britton under the baton of Trevor Wilson, with large-scale puppetry designed by acclaimed UK Puppet Designer Nick Barnes and Puppetry and Movement by Scarlet Wilderink.

At the heart of the story is Misko — a young girl whose courage and resilience remind us that young people can stand up for what is right and just.

She Holds Up the Stars stands as a bold example of the scale, power, and artistic possibility of contemporary Indigenous storytelling.

Thank you to our commissioners, partners, funders, artists, crew, and audiences for helping bring this ambitious new work to life.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra TO Live National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts's National Creation Fund and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario Toronto Arts Council TD Scotiabank

In video: Horse - Dayna Tietzen (head), Troy Feldman (heart), Brad Cook (hind) - Mike Shara (Mr. Desjardins), James Gerus (Thomas), and conductor Trevor Wilson with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Today is Red Dress Day — and we offered the Healing Dress Dance (now widely known as the Jingle Dress Dance) performed b...
05/05/2026

Today is Red Dress Day — and we offered the Healing Dress Dance (now widely known as the Jingle Dress Dance) performed by Rylan Bomberry, Hope Osawamick, and Madison Noon in honour of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

This day calls on all of us to focus our attention on ending the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and communities across this country—so that Indigenous sisters are valued, recognized, respected, and safe.

04/30/2026

Here in Toronto, Red Sky Performance is grateful to be part of a meaningful gathering honouring the Māori King Movement (Kīngitanga) and its monarch, Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, from Aotearoa (New Zealand), hosted by the First Nations Major Projects Coalition

Since taking on the role in 2024 after her father, Kiingi Tuheitia, she continues a powerful legacy of leadership. Her speech was deeply moving, followed by Māori cultural protocol—an experience rooted in connection, respect, and building relationships.

Backstage: She Holds Up the Stars featuring some of the core creative team including writer/director Sandra Laronde, con...
04/27/2026

Backstage: She Holds Up the Stars featuring some of the core creative team including writer/director Sandra Laronde, conductor Trevor Wilson, and composer/sound designer Eliot Britton.

SHE HOLDS UP THE STARS: In the Globe and Mail today - "The multimedia theatrical experience from Red Sky Performance, Sh...
04/23/2026

SHE HOLDS UP THE STARS: In the Globe and Mail today - "The multimedia theatrical experience from Red Sky Performance, She Holds Ups the Stars, is deeply personal to writer/director Sandra Laronde..."Misko is up against a world that is both beautiful and cruel...She keeps searching. She keeps connecting and she never gives up. That's where the hope is."

Throughout the story, Misko's resilience anchors the narrative. Laronde would love for audiences to see that "young people can stand up for what they believe is right and just. The world extends far beyond that which is human." And for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audience members to leave with "the understanding that Indigenous stories are powerful, exciting and expansive."

Red Sky's productions have appeared on stages around the world, including sold-out shows in Mongolia. Laronde hopes that the "expansive, rich and deep" She Holds Up the Stars will travel the world and continue her goal of "changing the the future of Indigenous storytelling on the orchestral stages of Canada."

At the world premiere, She Holds Up the Stars reached over 16,500 audience members at Roy Thomson Hall.

Photo: Red Sky Performance performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall. Julia Davis (Misko), Dayna Tietzen (head of horse), Troy Feldman (heart of the horse), Brad Cook (hind of the horse). The horse is designed and built by Nick Barnes Puppets.

Thank you to our commissioners and partners: Toronto Symphony Orchestra, TO Live, National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts's National Creation Fund, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Thank you to our funders: Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, Toronto Arts Council City of Toronto Culture Scotiabank and TD.

Eight performances. Extraordinary audience responses. Over 16,500 people in attendance.She Holds Up the Stars, written b...
04/22/2026

Eight performances. Extraordinary audience responses. Over 16,500 people in attendance.

She Holds Up the Stars, written by Sandra Laronde, resonated deeply with so many people. At Red Sky, we are driven to create bold, imaginative work that touches the heart. Through collaboration across disciplines, we bring performances to the stage that are emotional, inventive, and alive.

(A Red Sky Performance production: Julia Davis with Grayson Bird, Sequoia Cooper, Kehew Buffalo, and Jainee Fernandez and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra / photo by David Hou.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts TO Live Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario Toronto Arts Council City of Toronto Culture

Two more standing ovations yesterday for She Holds Up the Stars at Roy Thomson Hall. She Holds Up the Stars met audience...
04/20/2026

Two more standing ovations yesterday for She Holds Up the Stars at Roy Thomson Hall.

She Holds Up the Stars met audiences and they rose to meet us too! After 8 shows, more than 16,500 people have now experienced our world premiere.

Thank you for showing up and for leaning into the story, puppetry, and music - and for being a part of this incredible journey. So glad to see so many of you there!

Thank you the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, TO Live, National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts's National Creation Fund, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

(photo: (head of horse), Feldman (heart of horse), and (hind of horse) and actor Gerus. Design and build of the horse, Nick Barnes Puppets / photo by David Hou).

Chi miigwetch to Teme Augama Anishinabek Temagami FirstNation for coming to see She Holds Up the Stars. It meant a great...
04/18/2026

Chi miigwetch to Teme Augama Anishinabek Temagami FirstNation for coming to see She Holds Up the Stars. It meant a great deal to have you in attendance at Roy Thomson Hall here in Toronto.

Thank you to the extraordinary educator Patsy Turner for making this possible for the youth—it was also wonderful to see elder Millie White.

We know that you had to travel across ice, come down a gravel access road, and then along Highway 11 to see this show and then return. We are so grateful that you were here—and that you were able to come backstage and meet some of the performers.

These are the kinds of moments that stay with us for years to come. This work is made for you, and for youth and families like yours.

Address

401 Richmond Street West, Suite 420
Toronto, ON
M5V3A8

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 6:30pm
Thursday 10am - 6:30pm
Friday 10am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+14165859969

Website

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