Encountering Ukraine: Readings in Solidarity

War. Witness. Heroic resistance. From the early 20th century to today, Ukrainian playwrights have epitomized their fellow compatriots' distinct grit, humour and imagination through challenging and troubling times. Curated by Ukrainian-Canadian artist and activist Andrew Kushnir, this reading series of plays-in-translation represents some of the best of Ukraine's theatre and showcases how artists help define and defend the culture of a people.

Bad Roads by Natal’ya Vorozhbit (2017), translated by Sasha Dugsdale (2017)

An often darkly comic, unsparing and ever-surprising portrait of how women fight to sustain their humanity in times of war, Bad Roads is a seminal work from one of Ukraine’s most brilliant contemporary playwrights. Vorozhbit’s own film adaptation of the play was Ukraine’s submission to the Academy Awards in 2021.

Ensemble includes: Alon Nashman, Brenda Robins, Eva Foote, Justin Otto, Karl Ang, Mariya Khomutova, Ryan Boyko, Sophia Walker, Tim Campbell

Audience Advisory: This reading includes graphic descriptions of violence and sexual violence. Recommended for audiences 18+.