Children of Fire

June 27 – July 2, 2022

Prairie Drive Park

WORLD PREMIERE

A Nightwood Theatre Production with support from Aluna Theatre

Created and written by Shahrzad Arshadi and Anna Chatterton

Verbatim text translated by Shahrzad Arshadi

Directed by Beatriz Pizano

Co-Designed by Anahita Dehbonehie and Niloufar Ziaee

Stage Managed by Erika Morey

Production Managed by Tamara Vuckovic

Production Assistance by Reva Lokhande

Featuring Parastoo Amanzadeh, Shahrzad Arshadi, Anna Chatterton, Nyriri Karakas and Aida Keykhaii

Children of Fire is 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 an activist.

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

Photo of Kurdish Freedom Fighters, 2015, by Shahrzad Arshadi

Additional Details:

Seating: As this performance is happening in a park, we encourage folks to bring a blanket or a camper chair with them. If you require special assistance please email [email protected].

Directions: The closest subway station to Prairie Drive Park is Victoria Park. For transit please take the 67 or the 67A bus from Victoria Park Station to the Ph*rm*cy Ave at Teesdale Place stop (approximately 3 minutes). Or folks can walk south along Victoria Park , take a left at Denton Avenue, a left at Ph*rm*cy Avenue and you will find the park to your right at Ph*rm*cy Ave at Teesdale Place (approximately 13 minutes). Nightwood staff will be on site to guide folks to the performance space.

For folks who are driving to Prairie Drive Park there is parking available on site.

Accessibility: Please note that due to the play being performed on top of a small hill, there may be some access issues. If you have any questions about access please contact [email protected].

COVID-19 Policy: Nightwood staff and volunteers will remain masked onsite at Prairie Drive Park. Patrons are encouraged to practice safe gathering; including wearing a mask if they so choose.

Children of Fire is supported by the Toronto Arts Council’s Animating Toronto Parks grants program, which provides funding to professional artists, arts organizations, artist collectives, and non-profit organizations to create and present free arts programming in selected Toronto parks located in Etobicoke, East York, York, North York and Scarborough.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Prairie Drive Park, 70 Prairie Drive, Toronto, Canada