About Us – Red Sky Performance

Red Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.

Since its creation in 2000, Red Sky’s vision is 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 24^th year of performance (dance, theatre, music, and multimedia), 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 often involves collaborations with dancers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, actors, writers, designers, researchers, and culture keepers 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, ethos, and key to empowerment.

We provide unparalleled opportunities to 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 4,000 performances across Canada including international performances in 22 countries on four continents, including two Cultural Olympiads (Beijing and Vancouver), World Expo in Shanghai, 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.

Download Red Sky_brochure. (PDF, 8.4MB)

2023 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Music Composition & Sound Design for Miigis: Underwater Panther

2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Music Composition & Sound Design for AF

2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Production for AF

2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Choreography for AF

2020 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer for AF

2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Choreography for Trace

2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Sound Design & Composition for Trace

2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Production for Trace

2019 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Lighting for Trace

2018 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer for Backbone

2018 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Score & Sound Design for Backbone

2018 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for Outstanding Lighting Design for Backbone

2018 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation for Miigis

2017 Shenzhen (China) Youth Drama Month Awards (3 Awards) for Best Script, Director, and Props Design for Mistatim

2016 Dora Mavor Moore Award nomination for Outstanding Production of Mistatim

2014 Premier's Award for Excellence nomination

2014 Vital Ideas: Toronto Community Foundation

2012 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nomination for The Great Mountain

2011 Smithsonian Institute's Expressive Arts Award

2010 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Tono

2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (2 awards) for Tono

2008 Hohhot International Arts Award (China) for Tono

2007 Paula Award for Red Sky's family programming

2006 Dora Mavor Moore Nomination for Shimmer

2004 Dora Mavor Moore Nomination for Dancing Americas

Red Sky Performance acknowledges our creative home on the sacred and traditional territories of the Anishinabek, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. We recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous people, and that Toronto (Tkaronto) - which means “where there are trees standing in the water” - continues to be home to many Indigenous nations.

Red Sky supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and is committed to fostering the strength and diversity of Indigenous art forms, practices, and cultural expression.

What inspired Sandra Laronde to create Red Sky Performance?

“I saw a big vacuum in Canada. I wanted audiences to feel the electrical charge of stories and feel larger than when they walked through the door in the first place”, says founder Sandra Laronde. “I wanted people to experience Indigenous stories which give them vitality, hope, inspiration, and energy. I was hungry for these kind of Indigenous stories. After all, we are the DNA of Canada and we are the heartbeat of Canada. I felt the profound urge to make something happen - that’s why I started Red Sky Performance.”

Where did Red Sky Performance get its name?

“Red Sky” are the first two words of our founder Sandra Laronde’s spirit name.

How do I donate to Red Sky?

There are four ways to support Red Sky. You can donate by phone, email, mail and by online payment. To learn how to donate to Red Sky, please visit:

https://www.redskyperformance.com/donate/

Yes, all contributions will receive a charitable receipt.

Can we take pictures during Red Sky performances?

There are no photos, audio or video recording allowed prior to, during, or after Red Sky performances. Authorized photos require previously written permission from the company and the venue in which they are taken.

What is Red Sky’s most successful performance in terms of attendance?

In 2008, Red Sky toured Tono to China and Inner Mongolia. After a director saw one of our performances at the cultural programming of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we were then asked to perform as part of the Closing Ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The performance was held at the prestigious Great Hall of the People’s Republic of Beijing, a venue which can seat up to 16,000 people. Tono was also performed in Toronto, Montreal, Banff, Calgary, Vancouver, and Whitehorse. It’s international life continued at the State Theatre of Ballet & Opera in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, World Expo in Shanghai, Minzu University, Hohhot School of Song & Dance, and the Shanghai International Arts Festival. An excerpt of Tono also opened the Indspire Awards on national television. Tono has had an exceptionally big life. It was one of the most thrilling projects that Red Sky has ever done.

How many performers are involved in Red Sky’s shows?

The average size is approximately 12 – 13 performers for our dance shows and approximately 3 – 5 performers for our children’s show. When we work with orchestras, there are approximately 30 – 80 people on stage (including the musicians). We do have core performers who work with our productions on a continual basis, but the size of our cast varies based on artistic vision and scope of our project.

I’m an artist and am interested in working with Red Sky, how can this be made possible?

Red Sky posts job listings on job search databases, and websites such as Work in Culture, Canadian Actor’s Equity Association, and we post on our Work with Us page on our website: https://www.redskyperformance.com/work-with-us/

Where is Red Sky located?

We are located in one of Toronto’s best cultural hubs in the downtown area.

Red Sky Performance, 401 Richmond St. West, Suite 420, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8, Canada

We are located on southeast corner of Spadina and Richmond Street West.

Where does Red Sky usually perform?

Toronto is our home so we perform often in Toronto, and we perform in every province and territory in Canada, and around the world.

We’ve been fortunate to tour to 21 countries and counting. Our biggest love is to tour right here on Turtle Island (Canada and the USA). We should mention that we’ve performed at major world stages including Venice Biennale (Italy), Kennedy Center (USA), Jacob’s Pillow (USA), Shanghai International Arts Festival (China), and two Cultural Olympiads (Beijing and Vancouver). At the same time, we regularly perform in urban, rural and reserve communities across Turtle Island (Canada and the USA).

Where can I purchase tickets to the show?

Ticket Information is found on our What's On page.

Do you do workshops on tour?

Red Sky offers lively and inclusive workshops that introduce children, youth, and adults to the world of theatre, dance, music and voice. Each 60 - 80 minute workshop is attuned and responsive to the interests of the participants. Our interactive workshops get people on their feet and having fun with movement, voice, and music while introducing elements of First Nations culture.

Is the entire company Indigenous?

Red Sky is an Indigenous-led company with an Indigenous artistic director and Indigenous people at its core, although we work with people from all backgrounds on various projects.

How many employees are there at Red Sky’s office?

Currently, we have 3 full-time staff members and 1 part-time staff.

Can you recommend any films, books, plays, articles, documentaries and other resources?

At Red Sky, we have often been asked to provide resources for people to learn more about Indigenous arts and culture in Canada. This is our response to those requests. Our list is ever-evolving and we will continue to build and refine it.

ABOUT RED SKY PERFORMANCE

At the forefront of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.