Photo: Jason George
She Holds Up The Stars
This concert is recommended for ages 8–12
World Première/TSO Co-commission
Red Sky Performance, a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance, returns to the TSO with She Holds Up the Stars. Created and directed by Sandra Laronde and based on her award-winning novel, this groundbreaking production blends an original Indigenous story with life-sized puppets, movement, storytelling, theatre, visual design, and Eliot Britton’s orchestral score.
She Holds Up the Stars follows a young Indigenous girl searching for her mother’s truth. Through an unexpected bond with a spirited horse, she finds courage and resilience in a world shaped by beauty and cruelty, and the deep pull of land and family.
This concert lasts approximately 55 minutes with no intermission. Ticket Prices: $33 - $47.
PRE-CONCERT LOBBY ACTIVITIES
Enjoy free activities an hour before the show, like trying out instruments at the Instrument Discovery Zone or having fun at the Music Playground. Plus, don't miss your chance to meet artists from Red Sky Performance and ask questions in a special She Holds Up the Stars Q&A panel discussion, happening from 1:00pm to 1:20pm and 3:30pm to 3:50pm in the North Lobby.
Buy Tickets
If you have already subscribed to the 2025/26 season, please visit TSO.CA/Login to log into your account to add tickets for this performance. To learn more about subscriptions and how to become a subscriber, visit TSO.CA/Subscribe. Join our TSO Email Club to receive special offers, access to ticket pre-sales, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Performers
Red Sky Performance
Trevor Wilson
Red Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.
Since its creation in 2000, Red Sky’s vision has been to lead in the creation, elevation, and evolution of contemporary Indigenous performance and make a significant contribution to the vibrancy of Canada and the world.
Now in our 23rd year of performance (dance, theatre, music, and media), we continue to be guided by our mission to create inspiring experiences of contemporary Indigenous arts and culture that transform society in meaningful ways.
We are an Indigenous-led company. The vision of Red Sky Performance derives from its creator, Sandra Laronde—Misko Kizhigoo Migizii Kwe, which means “Red Sky Eagle Woman” in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language—from the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water). Her vision is to elevate and expand contemporary performance informed by Indigenous worldview and culture. Laronde plays a pivotal role in the ongoing cultural resurgence and shines a light on Indigenous ingenuity, beauty, and powerful new work.
Laronde’s concept of performance explores the relationship between movement, live music, theatricality, and image. Her engagement in these disciplines involves collaborations with dancers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, actors, writers, designers, researchers, and culture keepers who are integral to Red Sky Performance’s distinct productions. “Story” is paramount to Red Sky because Laronde sees stories as the embodiment of Indigenous voice and ethos, and key to empowerment.
We provide unparalleled opportunities for emerging and established artists as they hone their artistic practice through a collaborative Indigenous process, offering unique opportunities for these practitioners to thrive creatively and professionally.
Touring since 2003, we have delivered close to 3,000 performances across Canada and internationally in 21 countries on four continents, including at two Cultural Olympiads (Beijing and Vancouver), the World Expo in Shanghai, the Venice Biennale, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Kennedy Center, among others. At the same time, we remain deeply rooted and regularly perform in urban, rural, and reserve communities across Turtle Island.
We are the recipient of 17 Dora Mavor Moore Awards and nominations, two Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, three International Youth Drama Awards from Shenzhen, China, and the Smithsonian Expressive Award, among other recognitions.
More than Dance, We Are a Movement.
Visit redskyperformance.com
