RUTAS International Performing Arts Festival presents
A Nightwood Theatre production in association with Aluna Theatre
Created and written by Shahrzad Arshadi and Anna Chatterton
Verbatim text translated by Shahrzad Arshadi
Directed by Beatriz Pizano
Original Co-Design by Anahita Dehbonehie and Niloufar Ziaee
Set Adaptation and Lighting Design by Trevor Schwellnus
Stage Managed by Erika Morey
Poetry translation by Raha Javanfar
Assistant Directed by María Escolán
Featuring Parastoo Amanzadeh, Shahrzad Arshadi, Anna Chatterton, María Escolán, Nyiri Karakas and Aida Keykhaii

OCTOBER 6 at 7:30 PM – SOLD OUT!
OCTOBER 8 at 5:00 PM – SOLD OUT!
OCTOBER 9 at 12:30 PM – SOLD OUT!
OCTOBER 9 at 4:00 PM – SOLD OUT!
Theatre Passe Muraille
(16 Ryerson Avenue)

Children of Fire returns to the stage after its stunning outdoor World Premiere in June of 2022. This powerful piece offers an intimate portrayal of the Kurdish female freedom fighters that hosted Shahrzad Arshadi and Anna Chatterton in the mountains of Kurdistan in 2018. Co-created with a mix of verbatim theatre and first-person confessional, this play follows the journey and layered relationship across cultures between Shahrzad and Anna, and asks what is at the heart of living bravely as a woman and activist.

“Freedom needs daring. If you want Freedom you need to have courage to go after Freedom.” “Medya” – Freedom Fighter

Content warning: while this show does not include any physical depiction of violence, it does include verbal recounting of violence, mental and physical torture, assault, and genocide.