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.”
In 8 performances, She Holds Up the Stars reached over 16,500 audience members at Roy Thomson Hall.
Photo: @redskyperformance performs with the @torontosymphony at Roy Thomson Hall. @juliaulayok (Misko), @tietz (head of horse), @troywfeldman (heart of the horse), @bradjwcook (hind of the horse). The horse is designed and built by @nickbarnespuppets
Thank you to our commissioners and partners: @torontosymphony , @tolivegram , @nac.cna National Creation Fund, and @vsorchestra
Thank you to our funders: @canada.council Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, @ontarioartscouncil@torontoartscouncil@cityofto@scotiabank and @td_canada
What a week ✨
Our world première of She Holds Up the Stars, created by @sandra.laronde.official and @redskyperformance , welcomed over 16,500 people across eight performances at @roythomsonhall last week.
From the music to the original story and the unforgettable visuals, this was something truly special to share together. Thank you for being part of it 💫
Photos by David Hou
It’s She Holds Up the Stars week at the TSO ⭐️
School concerts are already underway, with students from across Ontario discovering the story ahead of our Young People’s Concerts this weekend.
👀 Here’s a glimpse of this powerful new production from @redskyperformance and creator @sandra.laronde.official .
Through an unexpected bond with a spirited horse, a young Indigenous girl discovers courage, resilience, and long-buried family truths. She Holds Up the Stars, written, created, and directed by Sandra Laronde and based on her award-winning novel, makes its World Premiere in this striking multidisciplinary production.
Blending immersive theatre, masterful puppetry, and live orchestral music, this contemporary Indigenous story is a deeply moving and powerful experience for audiences of all ages.
It was an honour to perform at the @ocil.ila Global Indigenous Languages Summit in Ottawa. The energy was electric — we brought people to their feet and felt the love. Chi miigwetch for sharing this unforgettable moment with us, and for the joy of sharing the stage with such incredible Indigenous talent.
This monumental gathering brings together language champions from around the world and some of the most powerful voices in Indigenous arts and culture.
https://commissionforindigenouslanguages.ca/commission-activities/office-of-the-commissioner-of-indigenous-languages-announces-waves-2025-global-indigenous-languages-summit/
#WAVES2025 #IndigenousLanguages #indigenous
We had the honor of opening the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in Ottawa @ggpaa_pggas at the National Arts Centre @nac.cna What an unforgettable night!
Happy International Dance Day! This week we’re celebrating beautiful dancing with 6 performances at the First Nations Major Projects Coalition’s 8th Annual gathering and 8 performances with the @torontosymphony at Roy Thomson Hall. The Excitement Builds!
Experience the electrifying performance of dance, acrobats, music, and cutting-edge AI visuals as @redskyperformance and @the7fingers take the stage for an unforgettable Opening Night at @hannover_messe in Germany!
What an incredible few days in Virginia! We had not one but two masterclasses back-to-back at Washington and Lee University @wlunews@wludance in #Lexington, Virginia USA with the amazing Eddie Elliott, Kehew Buffalo, and Kirby Buffalo. Thank you to all who joined us — it was an unforgettable experience!
On Orange Shirt Day – September 30 – we come together to honour the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
This is a day to remember the countless Indigenous children who never returned home and to recognize the strength and resilience of survivors of the residential school system.
It’s a time to learn the real history of Canada – to understand the stories of Indian Residential Schools and Indian School Days, and to confront the ongoing systemic impacts of colonization that still affect Indigenous communities today.
It’s a day to listen, learn, and act. To reflect on what reconciliation truly means and to take action.
It’s a day to wear orange not only on the outside - but inside too.
It’s a day to start to make a difference.
(photo: image from “Miigis” directed and choreographed by Sandra Laronde, performer Daniela Carmona, photographer: John Lauener)
