For three performances only – from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, 2025 – Native Earth Performing Arts presents Black Ballerina, created and performed by Syreeta Hector, at Aki Studio.
Hector brings an unbridled energy to the stage
Based on Syreeta Hector’s Blackness and Indigeneity in relationship to her experiences in classical ballet, Black Ballerina is a powerful exploration of the nuances within one’s identity, and the unconscious ways that we all try to fit in.
The 2019 performance of an earlier version of Black Ballerina was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award in Outstanding Performance by an Individual. The piece also gained recognition at the SummerWorks Festival and won the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Creation.
“Black Ballerina can be for anyone that has struggled to fit into society or a particular community. It’s not just about race, it is also about reimagining what we can do for the sustainability of dance performance in our future.”
– Syreeta Hector, creator & performer
Native Earth presents Black Ballerina as Pt. 2 their Niimi’iwe Dance Series. Describing the series, Artistic Director Joelle Peters says, “In past seasons, we presented Niimi’iwe as a double-bill evening of dance. This season, we chose to expand the offerings to each hold their own space in our season, and so that we can honour the individual stories that both contain. Each piece works on its own, but in connecting them in our Niimi’iwe Series, we are inviting audiences to explore the nuances of Indigenous identity stories and highlighting the importance of self-expression in dance. It’s extra special for us too, as audiences will experience the first full, live runs of these shows in t’karonto at our Aki Studio.”
(Photo credits: Syreeta Hector. Photo by Noah Sharon. From the Calgary Springboard YMCA Civic Tour, February 2025.)
About Syreeta Hector
Syreeta Hector is a Mi’kmaq, African-Canadian and French Acadian dance artist and educator based in Toronto, ON. As a highly accomplished performer, Syreeta has worked for internationally recognized companies like Adelheid Dance Projects, Danny Grossman Dance Company, Peggy Baker Dance Projects, Political Movement, and Toronto Dance Theatre. She is a proud graduate of The National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program, The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and has achieved her Master of Arts in Dance Studies from York University. Syreeta has been commissioned to make ensemble works for Mocean Dance (NS), ProArteDanza (ON), and most recently will create a new work for Kittiwake Dance Theatre (NL). Although performance and creation endeavours remain a priority for Syreeta, she derives an equal measure of inspiration by teaching movement and choreography. She is an Assistant Professor in the Theatre, Dance, and Performance Department at York University.
About Native Earth Performing Arts
Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous performing arts company. Currently in their 42nd year, they are dedicated to developing, producing and presenting professional artistic expressions of the Indigenous experience in Canada. Through stage productions (theatre, dance and multi-disciplinary art), new script development, apprenticeships and internships, Native Earth seeks to fulfill a community of artistic visions. It is a vision that is inclusive and reflective of the artistic directions of members of the Indigenous community who actively participate in the arts.
(Photo credits: Syreeta Hector. Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh. From the Calgary Springboard YMCA Civic Tour, February 2025.)
Event details
Hosted by: Native Earth Performing Arts
Type of event: dance performance
Created & performed by: Syreeta Hector
Dates: Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 25, 2025
Start times:
- Friday & Saturday evenings @ 7:30 PM ET (Friday evening: post-show talkback)
- Sunday matinée @ 2:00 PM ET (post-show talkback)
Duration: 45 minutes (no intermission)
Cost: Sliding scale: C$15.00, $25.00 & $45.00
Location: Native Earth Performing Arts, Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St. E., Toronto, ON, M5A 2B7
Trailer: Scroll down to watch the trailer.
Booking link: Book your tickets here. Please note: The Niimi’iwe 2025 Dance Series Package cannot be used in modifying existing ticket orders.
Contact details: Native Earth Performing Arts, 585 Dundas St. E., Toronto, ON, M5A 2B7, Canada; Box office: (416) 531-1402, boxoffice@nativeearth.ca, nativeearth.ca
Content warning: Music with coarse language. Haze. Baby powder (organic) particles in air.
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible venue and bathrooms. Venue is on main floor, street-level entry. More info here.
COVID-19 policy: Masks are welcome.