Start the kettle and settle in for a touching yet cheeky story inspired by Rosanna Deerchild’s (CBC Unreserved) relationship with her mother. The Grand Theatre is proud to present Deerchild’s first play The Secret to Good Tea, making its Ontario debut on the historic Spriet Stage from February 18 to March 8, 2025, before travelling to Ottawa for a second run at National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre.

The play, which premiered at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in 2023, will enjoy its second professional production in London, Ontario. “It is no surprise that [Rosanna Deerchild’s] play would encompass a bold, fearless, funny exploration of a relationship between a mother and daughter,” says Grand Theatre Artistic Director, Rachel Peake.

“This is a great play, and I am endlessly thankful to Rosanna for sharing her story with us”. Rosanna Deerchild is an award-winning Cree poet, from the community of O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation. For over 20 years, she has been a storyteller working in various mediums, including journalism, broadcasting, poetry, and, more recently, playwriting. Deerchild is perhaps most well-known for hosting CBC Unreserved for over 10 years, a radio program about issues faced by Indigenous communities, culture, and conversations.

“As Indigenous people, we really need to start telling our own stories and reclaim those spaces,” explains Deerchild, who, in 2021, was invited to participate in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Pimootayowin Creators Circle, a playwright’s group. She accepted the invitation and in 2023 The Secret to Good Tea had its world premiere in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. “Despite its seemingly serious and sombre subject matter, the play is actually quite humorous, because Indigenous people are funny.”

The story revolves around Gwynn Starr, a quick-witted local radio host brought to life by Michelle Bardach, who was last seen on the Grand Theatre stage as Jovie in Elf: the Musical. Gwynn has a strong will and one mission, for her mother Maggie Mooswa (played by Marsha Knight, making her Grand debut) to join her in a healing gathering for residential school survivors. Maggie wants to leave the past behind, but her nightmares and her daughter’s insistence keep pulling her back, forcing her to confront what she’s tried to forget. With a pot of steaming hot tea between them, Maggie and Gwynn work to dismantle her wall, uncovering Maggie’s story through laughter, revelation, understanding, and the bond of a mother and daughter.

“It's not just our history as Indigenous people. It is the history of Canada. And we need to include it in what we know, how we know it, and how we move forward together” emphasizes Deerchild. “I want people to leave with a deeper understanding that while this is a dark chapter of our history, it’s not one we can’t heal from.”

The Grand is thrilled to welcome director Renae Morriseau for her Grand directorial debut with The Secret to Good Tea. This marks Morriseau’s second time directing this script, allowing her to refine and reimagine it for fresh audiences.

The Secret to Good Tea is a co-production with the National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre, where the London-built production will travel to, and play the Babs Asper Theatre in Ottawa from March 20 to 29, 2025.

The creative team of the London, Ontario production of The Secret to Good Tea are: Renae Morriseau (Director), Yolonda Skelton (Costume Designer), Tim Rodrigues (Lighting Designer), Cande Andrade (Projection Designer), Olivia Wheeler (Sound Designer), Montana Summers (Choreographer), Janet Antone (Indigenous Cultural Consultant), Anita Nittoly (Fight Director), Suzanne McArthur (Stage Manager), and Jessica Campbell-Maracle (Assistant Stage Manager).

Audiences at the Grand Theatre will be treated to an extraordinary group of talent from across Canada. This production marks twelve Grand Theatre debuts, including five out of the six cast members. Among the talented company, the Grand is delighted to welcome back Michelle Bardach, who returns to the stage as Gwynn Starr.

The Secret to Good Tea

By Rosanna Deerchild

Directed by Renae Morriseau

Co-Production with National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre

FEB 18 to MAR 8 (Opening Night FEB 21)

CREATIVE TEAM:

Renae Morriseau – Director

Yolonda Skelton – Costume Designer

Tim Rodrigues – Lighting Designer

Cande Andrade – Projection Designer

Olivia Wheeler – Sound Designer

Montana Summers – Choreographer

Janet Antone – Indigenous Cultural Consultant

Anita Nittoly – Fight Director

Suzanne McArthur – Stage Manager

Jessica Campbell-Maracle – Assistant Stage Manager

CAST:

Michelle Bardach - Gwynn Starr

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey - Nicki

Marsha Knight - Maggie Mooswa

Jeremy Proulx - Mr Big Chief

James Dallas Smith - Michael

Emily Solstice Tait - Crow

The Secret to Good Tea plays on the Spriet Stage from February 18 to March 8, 2025. Single tickets range from $24-$96, and are available at www.grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. There is a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Sunday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. (Pay-What-You-Can tickets become available online at midnight on the day of the performance, with a selection of tickets held for in-person purchase one hour prior to the performance at the Grand Theatre Box Office) Indigenous Community Ticket Program is available to those individuals who identify as Indigenous. For only $20, you can experience one, or any of the remaining 2024/25 Grand Theatre productions.