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Searching for Aimai

by Coleen Shirin MacPherson

a Cahoots Theatre Production

A woman is about to give birth but can’t hear the songs of her ancestors. Forced to confront her self doubt, she locks herself in the bathroom in a surreal attempt to reignite the sacred fire. She is pulled toward her great grandmother, and into the tangled, half-erased threads of her mixed-race lineage.  Inspired by the gap between what we see and what we know, Searching for Aimai is a poetic solo play that wrestles with the limits of belonging. Through physical theatre and visual storytelling, Coleen Shirin MacPherson’s deeply personal play investigates the complexities of identity and belonging – it is a call for us all to see each other anew.

Credits

Playwright & Performer – Coleen Shirin MacPherson 
Director – Raha Javanfar
Stage Manager – Alysse Szatkowski
Sound Designer & Composer – Janice Jo Lee 
Set & Props Designer – Shannon Lea Doyle 
Lighting Designer – Lilian Adom 
Projection Designer – Laura Warren
Production Manager – Jadi Darawi
Dramaturges – Tanisha Taitt and Raha Javanfar
Producer – Samantha Vu
Social Media Manager & Associate Producer – Tessa Bourchier

February 15
to March 1, 2026

Tickets are Regular: $42.05, Arts Worker: $34.14, Student/Senior: $30.75 (All prices include taxes and fees)

Venue

BMO Incubator

Performance Dates

Sunday, February 15, 2026 – 2pm (Opening)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 7pm
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 – 7pm
Thursday, February 19, 2026 – 7pm
Friday, February 20, 2026 – 7pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026 – 2pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026 – 7pm
Sunday, February 22, 2026 – 2pm
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – 7pm
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – 7pm
Thursday, February 26, 2026 – 7pm
Friday, February 27, 2026 – 7pm
Saturday, February 28, 2026 – 7pm
Sunday, March 1, 2026 – 2pm (Closing)

This performance is 75 minutes with no intermission.

Lindy smiling at the naming event to close the capital campaign
November 25, 2025
From Artistic Director Aislinn Rose“We, and the artists and community who have found a home at 1115 Queen Street West, shall be forever grateful. Thank you Lindy.” Lindy Cowan and Chris Hatley being celebrated at the naming event for The Theatre Centre’s Franco Boni Theatre in 2016, and the closing of our capital campaign.I first met...