TO A FLAME
Photo of Nickeshia Garrick, Dawn Jani Birley and Juliana Monk by Elana Emer. Set and Costume design by Jung-Hye Kim. Lighting Design by André du Toit. Projection Design by Laura Warren.
A 1s1 Theatre and Nightwood Theatre co-production
In association with Modern Times Stage Company and Why Not Theatre
Written by Erin ShieldsÂ
English to ASL translation by Dawn Jani Birley
Directed & Choreographed by Josette Bushell-Mingo
Dramaturg and Associate Directed by Birgit Schreyer Duarte
Assistant Directed by Andrea Donaldson
Starring Dawn Jani Birley, Nickeshia Garrick, and Juliana Monk, accompanied by cellist Beth Silver, Substitute Cellist Jillian Sauerteig
Set and Costume Design by Jung-Hye KimÂ
Lighting Design by André du Toit*
Composer and Co-Sound Design by Deanna H. Choi*
Co-Sound Design by Jenna Geen
Projection Design by Laura Warren*
Assistant Projection Design by MacKenzie Cornfield**
Stage Managed by Sally Roberts
Assistant Stage Managed by Michelle Soicher
Production Managed by Maya Royer
Technical Direction by Micah ChampagneÂ
Carpentry by Dale Sharp Jnr.
Nightwood Theatre Shadow Resident in Lighting Design – Dylan Carter
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**The services of MacKenzie Cornfield were made possible through the Design in Action: ADC’s National Assistant Designer Program, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.
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To a Flame was inspired by workshops involving the following collaborators:
Dawn Jani Birley, Josette Bushell-Mingo, Lisa Karen Cox, Anna Hardwick, Birgit Schreyer Duarte
September 22 – October 04, 2026
Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre – Performance HallÂ
(877 Yonge St.)
To a Flame is an explosive theatrical feast of image and language that pulls us 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.
This groundbreaking work intertwines American Sign Language and English with vibrant movement and live music into a haunting, multi-sensory performance for Deaf and hearing audiences. Featuring celebrated Deaf performer and cultural leader Dawn Jani Birley, internationally-renowned director Josette Bushell-Mingo, and vivid text by Governor General Award-winning playwright Erin Shields, with the support of the company, this theatrical experience is not to be missed.
Performance time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission.
TICKET INFO
Prices plus fees + HST
PREVIEWS
Previews run September 22 & 23, 2026
PERFORMANCES
Performances run September 24 (opening) through October 04, 2026
Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 pm.
We want to make sure that To a Flame can be enjoyed by as many patrons as possible. Between the intensity of any play and the heavier themes referenced in this piece, we are putting in place the following initiatives to proactively tend to our audiences’ needs.
Content Warning:Â
To A Flame recounts experiences of audism, racism, misogyny, violence, captivity and medical torture. The show contains projections of violent imagery, and incidents of flashing lights (not exceeding 5 seconds), loud sounds, haze and fog.
Relaxed Environment:Â
We want everyone to feel comfortable responding how they need to during the play. We will have relaxed entrances and exits, ushers to guide the way, and a quiet zone equipped with water, fidget toys, and comfy chairs for every show.
Mask-Mandatory Show:Â
We will require all patrons and staff to wear masks throughout the duration of select performances.
Venue Guide:Â
Our great friends at the Disability Collective have crafted a wonderful Venue Guide for the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre. Here you can find details about how to find us and what to expect once you’re in the space. Check out the guide here.
Access Guide:Â
Coming Soon!
 To a Flame: Engagement Events
Join us for a series of post-show conversations, artist talkbacks, and audience chats exploring the creation of To a Flame, its themes, and the experiences it brings to the stage.
September 25 | Discussion: Producing To a Flame
What does it take to bring a bilingual ASL-English multidisciplinary theatre experience to life?
Members of the multi-company producing team join To a Flame artists to discuss the collaboration that brought this show to life and share the learnings, challenges, and opportunities discovered along the way.
Panelists: Meredith Potter, Dawn Jani Birley, Naz Afsahi-LeBlanc and Modern Times Stage Company representative
September 26 | Post-Matinee: Audience Chat
Let’s chat! Join leadership from Nightwood Theatre and 1S1 Theatre after the show to share your experience of To a Flame and hear a little about how this show came to be.
Panelists: Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Birgit Schreyer Duarte, and Sammi Hatfield.
September 29 | Artist Talkback
Stick around after the show for a post-show talkback with the artists of To a Flame.
Panelists: Actors from To a Flame, hosted by Naz Afsahi-LeBlanc.
September 30 | An Evening with Erin Shields and Dawn Jani Birley
Playwright Erin Shields and performer Dawn Jani Birley discuss how the bilingual script of To a Flame came to be.
Panelists: Erin Shields and Dawn Jani Birley.
October 2 | Discussion: Audism, Legalities, Realities
Join 1S1 Artistic Director and performer Dawn Jani Birley and guests for a frank discussion about the realities of audism: discrimination, bias, or prejudice against Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
How does this lesser-discussed form of discrimination affect Deaf individuals in our society today?
Panelists: Dawn Jani Birley and guests.
October 3 | Post-Matinee: Audience Chat
Let’s chat! Join leadership from Nightwood Theatre and 1S1 Theatre after the show to share your experience of To a Flame and hear a little about how this show came to be.
Panelists: Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, Birgit Schreyer Duarte, and Sammi Hatfield.
October 3 | Post-Evening Show: Artist Talkback
Stick around after the show for a post-show talkback with the performers of To a Flame.
Panelists: Performers from To a Flame, hosted by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster.
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