Red Sky Performance

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.

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).