Loss
by Ian Kamau
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.
This multi-media performance begins as a mirror into a winter of depression, then slowly unravels the mystery surrounding the death of his paternal grandmother Nora Elutha Rogers.
An orchestration of memories using live music, video, and storytelling — Loss is an exploration of grief in Afro-Caribbean communities, and an immersive experience towards healing shared with the audience.
Loss was developed in Residency at The Theatre Centre. Residency is generously supported by:
Ian Kamau, Creator and Performer
Ian Kamau & Roger McTair, Writers
Tiffany Hsiung, Filmmaker
Jeremy Mimnagh, Video Designer
Bruce A. Russell, Music Director & Composer
Javid Jah, Environment Designer
Shawn Henry, Lighting Designer
Aislinn Rose, Dramaturge
David Mesiha, Co-sound Designer
David Heeney, Co-sound Designer
Cat Calica, Costume Designer
Dennis Passley, Tenor Saxophone
Tara Mohan, Stage Manager
Dyheim Stewart, Guitar
Hazel Moore, Assistant Stage Manager
Rachel Penny, Producer
Beth Wong, Producer for The Theatre Centre
Daniel Bennett, Production Manager and Technical Director
Maya Royer, Associate Production Manager and Technical Director
Bruce Ramsay, Outreach Coordinator
Ty Harper, Contributing Videographer
Developed in Residency at The Theatre Centre
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Why Not Theatre, School without Borders, and TO Live
From June 14
to June 18, 2023
Tickets are All Tickets Pick Your Price: $80 / $50/ $30/ $15 — Prices include HST & per-ticket fees, per-order fee will apply
Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay West)
June 14, 2023 at 8 PM
June 15, 2023 at 8 PM
June 16, 2023 at 8 PM *
June 17, 2023 at 8 PM
June 17, 2023 at 2 PM
June 18, 2023 at 2 PM
*Please Note: June 16 at 8 PM is a Black Out Night in collaboration with Just Us Events Toronto! The night will feature a red carpet captured by Kwasi Kyei, a special performance by Shi Wisdom and talk back after the show with Ian Kamau and Felicia Christmas.
Just Us Events is dedicated to creating exclusively Black events, spaces and experiences for Black identifying folk. We love and appreciate our Non-Black POC and white partners, allies, family and friends, but if you are not a part of the Black community, we welcome you to attend a performance on another night.
ASL Interpreted Performance on Thursday, June 15 at 8 PM
Relaxed Performance on Saturday, June 17 at 2 PM
Ian Kamau is an artist, writer, and designer from Toronto. He has released seven music projects including the self-produced album One Day Soon (2011) and has published articles, short stories, and poems in publications by Vice, Coach House Press, and Book Thug. The son of pioneering filmmakers, he was the founding executive director of Nia Centre for the Arts, has a Bachelor in Design and a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, and a Masters in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University. His research includes cultural production, storytelling, and critical city building with a focus on mental health and actualization.