A remarkable new stage production is set to debut in Toronto this spring as Red Sky Performance collaborates with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to present the world premiere of She Holds Up the Stars. The immersive performance will take place at Roy Thomson Hall on April 19, 2026, with shows scheduled at 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm. Special school performances will run from April 13–18, 2026, offering students the opportunity to experience this unique theatrical event.

Commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in partnership with several arts organisations, the production blends storytelling, theatre, large-scale puppetry, and live orchestral music to create a rich and engaging experience designed for audiences of all ages.

From Award-Winning Novel to the Stage

She Holds Up the Stars is written, created, and directed by Sandra Laronde, who adapted the story from her acclaimed young adult novel of the same name, published in 2023. The book received the Horace Mann Upstander Award and was also recognised among CBC Books’ Best Canadian Books for Young Adults.

The story centres on a young Indigenous girl searching for the truth about her mother. During her journey, she forms a surprising bond with a spirited horse that helps her discover resilience and courage. Through encounters with both beauty and hardship, the character learns more about her identity, family connections, and relationship with the land.

Laronde drew inspiration from her own childhood experiences growing up as a Teme-Augama Anishinaabe girl in northern Ontario. Her goal was to create a story that authentically reflects Indigenous culture while exploring universal themes such as belonging, curiosity, and personal growth.

Puppetry and Music Bring the Story to Life

One of the most striking elements of the production is its large-scale puppetry. The central horse character is brought to life through a life-sized puppet designed by acclaimed UK puppetry artist Nick Barnes. Three performers collaborate to animate the horse as a single character, combining breath, rhythm, and precise movement to create the illusion of a living creature.

The stage will also feature a playful puppy puppet that adds moments of warmth and humour throughout the performance.

Music plays an equally important role. Composer Eliot Britton has created an original orchestral score performed live by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under conductor Trevor Wilson. Pre-recorded vocals from Jen Brousseau and Don Kavanaugh add further layers to the soundscape.

An Innovative Stage Experience

The production also introduces a distinctive staging concept inspired by Indigenous spatial traditions. Instead of the typical orchestra arrangement, musicians will be positioned in a configuration that allows performers, music, and storytelling to interact more fluidly. With the conductor facing the audience and the orchestra angled across the stage, the result is intended to create a dynamic and immersive performance environment.

The cast includes a blend of Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers portraying characters who help shape the young protagonist’s journey.

Celebrating Indigenous Creativity

Red Sky Performance, an internationally recognised Indigenous arts company, has built a reputation for creating innovative works that combine dance, theatre, music, and multimedia. The organisation has presented thousands of performances around the world, bringing Indigenous stories to global audiences.

With She Holds Up the Stars, the company continues its mission to celebrate Indigenous creativity while offering young audiences meaningful stories that reflect diverse voices and perspectives.

Tickets and additional information are available through Red Sky Performance and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra websites.