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Luminato Festival Toronto presents Ian Kamau’s Loss, produced by The Theatre Centre

Loss is a deeply honest, live retelling of an intergenerational family story, written by Ian Kamau and his father Roger McTair.

happening now

still from a video: hands rest softly on a yellow floral patterned dress.
Jun 12, 2023 -
Jun 25, 2023
gallery
Ian, a Black man with a cropped beard, sits on a chair holding red hibiscus flowers planted inside a cracked kintsugi bowl. He is wearing a Black sweater and red hat in front of a white photo backdrop.
Jun 14, 2023 -
Jun 18, 2023
Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay West)

news

Ian stands sideways as he closes his eyes. Ian is a Black man with a cropped beard and shaved, black hair. He is a wearing black sweater.

Residency: Announcing the World Premiere of Loss by Ian Kamau

The Theatre Centre is thrilled to announce Loss by Ian Kamau, featuring poems by his father, writer & filmmaker Roger McTair, music composed by Bruce A. Russell, Kamau, and Njo Kong Kie, video by award-winning filmmaker Tiffany Hsuing, and environmental design by acclaimed installation artist Javid Jah.
Akash smiles as she scrapes icing from the mixer. White brick wall is filled with cooking gear in our tiny café kitchen.

Announcing our new Baker In Residence

Please join us in welcoming Akash Swar as The Theatre Centre Café's new baker-in-residence! Akash's beautiful pastries are available at our café right now, and we are so happy to welcome her to the team.

In conversation with Rimah Jabr and Dareen Abbas

Developed in Residency at The Theatre Centre, Broken Shapes is a collaborative hybrid performance constructed of visual installations, videos, and performance. We connected with co-creators Rimah Jabr and Dareen Abbas during rehearsal to talk about notions of space, blurred lines between grief and healing, and the process of bringing Broken Shapes to fruition.

our community

“The freedom and the emphasis on process over product are freeing and low pressure and it leaves room to be creative in a way I’ve never experienced before.”
Brandon Ash-Mohammed
Comedian-in-Residency
“The Theatre Centre’s programs allow artists like me to take major risks. It is an essential bridge between the artistic community and the audiences who seek to experience experimental and deeply personal works.”
Hannah Moscovitch
Residency Alum
“Working in the Incubator space these past two weeks was transformative... Being hosted at The Theatre Centre made us feel held, safe, and included...Your support and trust literally made our workshop possible.”
Jill Connell
★★★★★
“Great coffee house. Great coffee. Great theatre. Great staff. Really gives you the vibe of an amazing city! Love it! Also their coffee reward system is awesome. After 5 coffees you get one free, after 10 coffees you get a free theatre ticket!”
Debbie Roopnarain

where we are

The Theatre Centre resides on stolen land in Tkaronto — a gathering place that has been home to the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit; the Haudenosaunee; and the Wendat since time immemorial. We offer our gratitude to all past, present, and future generations of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples that care for Turtle Island. Tkaronto is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum, an agreement forged between the Anishinaabe Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to peaceably share resources; and Treaty 13, an alleged agreement between settlers and the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Like many arts organizations, The Theatre Centre has directly benefited from settler-colonialism throughout its past to the present day. By making our home in Tkaronto, we take on a role that comes with responsibilities to the land and its stewards. We are committed to using our voice and platform to support those already doing the work, but we know we still have a long way to go.