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Three actors, dressed in identical period female clothing, navy dresses with white undergarments, gaze at us. The actor in the middle is hunched over slighting, reaching out to us with her right hand, her left hand pointing upwards. The actor on the left holds her right hand up beside her face in a claw-like position. The one on the right rests her hand on the elbow bend of the one in the middle.
Three actors, dressed in identical period female clothing, navy dresses with white undergarments, gaze at us. The actor in the middle is hunched over slighting, reaching out to us with her right hand, her left hand pointing upwards. The actor on the left holds her right hand up beside her face in a claw-like position. The one on the right rests her hand on the elbow bend of the one in the middle.

Secrets & aches Secrets & aches

A house vibrating with revenge in a multisensory ASL/English performance.

Home Events Performance To a Flame

To a Flame

From Tuesday, September 22 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 – 1s1 Theatre and Nightwood Theatre present the world premiere of To a Flame, a groundbreaking new work by Governor General Award-winning playwright Erin Shields. Presented in association with Modern Times Stage Company and Why Not Theatre at the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre.

A haunting, multisensory performance in ASL & English

To a Flame is an explosive theatrical feast of image and language that pulls the audience deep into a Victorian Gothic Horror. Three confined women await the conclusion of their stories in the ancestral home of the man they call Father. Secrets burn to be revealed, aches of the past refuse to be suppressed, and the very house itself vibrates with desire for revenge.

The performance intertwines American Sign Language and English with vibrant movement and live music into a haunting, multi-sensory performance that brings Deaf and hearing audiences into a shared theatrical experience through its bilingual artistic design.

Directed by Josette Bushell-Mingo, the ensemble cast features Deaf performer and cultural leader Dawn Jani Birley, with Nickeshia Garrick and Juliana Monk, accompanied by cellist Beth Silver.

To a Flame was originally commissioned by Nightwood Theatre. It was initially developed by Nightwood Theatre and later 1s1 Theatre, with further development support from Why Not Theatre. It also received a reading as part of the Heidelberger Stückemarkt in Germany (International Theatre Festival) in May 2026, where it was awarded the International Author’s Prize. This premiere presentation is also produced in partnership with Modern Times Stage Company.

“Social justice conversations must include audism. When a form of discrimination remains unacknowledged in society, so too are the experiences and barriers it creates – we cannot challenge what we do not recognise. To a Flame offers a rare opportunity to witness multiple systems of oppression converge on stage, as three women from different backgrounds and lived experiences come together in a shared space to recognise one another’s realities and struggles. The production invites audiences to question what true solidarity requires of us.”

– Dawn Jani Birley, performer

Three actors, dressed in identical period female clothing, navy dresses with white undergarments, gaze at us. The actor in the middle is hunched over slighting, reaching out to us with her right hand, her left hand pointing upwards. The actor on the left holds her right hand up beside her face in a claw-like position. The one on the right rests her hand on the elbow bend of the one in the middle.

(Photo credits: 1s1 Theatre & Nightwood Theatre, in association with Modern Times Stage Company & Why Not Theatre. To a Flame. Left to right: Nickeshia Garrick, Dawn Jani Birley & Juliana Monk. Photo by Dahlia Katz. Costume design by Jung-Hye Kim.)

 

Event details

Presented by: 1s1 Theatre & Nightwood Theatre, in association with Modern Times Stage Company & Why Not Theatre 

Type of event: theatre performance

Written by: Erin Shields 

Directed by: Josette Bushell-Mingo 

Performers: Dawn Jani Birley, Nickeshia Garrick & Juliana Monk, accompanied by cellist Beth Silver 

Dates: Tuesday, September 22 – Sunday, October 4, 2026 (opening night September 24). Mask-mandatory show on Saturday, September 26 at 2:00 PM ET. Engagement events TBA.

Start times:

  • Tuesday – Saturday evenings @ 7:30 PM ET
  • Saturday & Sunday afternoons @ 2:00 PM ET

Duration: 90 minutes (no intermission)

Cost: Prices do not include fees & HST. The September 24 opening is sold out.

  • Previews (September 22 & 23) – General Admission: $30.00
  • Previews (September 22 & 23) – Subsidized Admission: $15.00
  • General Admission: $65.00
  • Subsidized Admission: $30.00 (available in limited quantities for arts workers, students & seniors in financial need)
  • Low-Income Admission: $15.00 (available in limited quantities to anyone that needs a more affordable ticket option)

Location: Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre, 877 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M4W 3M2

Video: Watch the show announcement video here

Booking link: Book your tickets here

Contact details: Nightwood Theatre, 877 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Toronto, ON, M4W 3M2, Canada; (416) 944-1740, ashley@nightwoodtheatre.net, nightwoodtheatre.net

 

Content warning: For audiences 14+. Mature content. To a Flame recounts experiences of audism, racism, misogyny, violence, captivity and medical torture. The show contains projections of violent imagery and non-graphic depictions of sexual activity.

Accessibility: The performance includes ASL and English. There is a staff-operated elevator that you are more than welcome to use to enter the space. The usher at the front entrance will lead you there upon request. They’ll have relaxed entrances and exits, with ushers to guide the way, and a quiet zone equipped with water, fidget toys and comfy chairs for every show. Venue guide. Access guide coming soon.

Health & safety: There will be a mask-mandatory show on Saturday, September 26 at 2:00 PM ET. They’ll require all patrons and staff to wear masks throughout the duration of the performance. Clear masks will be available on arrival.