In 1974, James Buller founded the Native Theatre School. His vision was to create a viable, respectful and supportive space for Indigenous theatre and performing artists. From humble beginnings, what began as a stand-alone, four-week program, in time, grew to become the Centre for Indigenous Theatre (CIT), an institution offering a unique Indigenous cultural, theatre and performance training program. CIT contributes to the advancement of an Indigenous cultural economy and the Arts generally, helping to mould young talent and professionals, organizing community presentations and workshops, and by working closely with alumni to share our learnings and our craft in a culturally appropriate and inviting setting.

John-Paul Chalykoff is an Assistant Professor in Anishinaabe Studies / Anishinaabemowin at Algoma University / Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He is a member of Michipicoten First Nation. His work focuses on utilizing music and puppetry to encourage learning and retaining Anishinaabemowin.

Juicebox is a Winnipeg-based production company focused on sharing Indigenous stories and connecting with the community. Juicebox was started by Julia Ross in 2023 and has since produced An Indigenous Play, The Hummingbird, Mutt: The 8th Teaching, and now Under the Table. Our company has worked with many different artists and continues to build our relationships across North America, with our last production premiering in Orlando, Florida. 

Chris (Photo Above):

Chris Mejaki is Anishinaabe originally from Sagamok Anishnawbek with ties to Wikwemikoong and M’Chigeeng, Manitoulin Island. He is an Actor/ Storyteller/Powwow dancer based in Tkaronto. He recently completed the production of “Salt-Water Moon”, by David French, with the Centre for Indigenous Theatre (CIT). Before that, Chris successfully completed three seasons at the Stratford Festival including time as a member of The Stratford Festival’s Birmingham Conservatory Program (2021 - 2023).  Also, in 2023, Chris received the prestigious Metcalf Performing Arts Prize: Protégé Award.

In addition to sharing his one-may show at NIFF, Chris will also be taking his show to the Toronto Fringe Festival at Aki Studio Theatre, in July 2025. 

Jules:

Julia (Jules) Ross is a writer, director, and actor from Pinaymootang and Winnipeg. Jules works in film as well as theatre and is currently a part of the Pimootayowin Creators Circle with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg. Julia has recently completed many different programs through N'we Jinan, CBC, and the University of Manitoba to build on her artistry. She has been focused on her writing after recently finishing The Hummingbird, and The Ojib-Way to Paradise, and is currently premiering Under the Table at the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival.

Nova Courchene (left) is an Anishinaabekwe theatre artist, playwright, and educator from Rolling River First Nation and Sagkeeng First Nation. Though raised in Treaty 7 Territory, Nova’s work is deeply connected to her communities and their teachings. Now back in Winnipeg, MB, Nova is a former Assistant Director at Indigenous Theatre for Youth (ITY), where she focused on creating spaces for Indigenous youth to engage with their traditions through theatre. In addition to her outreach work, she is the author of the published play Dewe’igan Club and is currently developing Waawaashkeshiwag Wabano. Nova leads her own initiative, offering youth opportunities to share their stories and develop their creative voices. She also oversees two major drama outreach initiatives that empower young people to create, learn, and perform. Through these projects, Nova continues to nurture the potential of Indigenous youth and the power of storytelling.

Kathleen Starr (right) is an emerging Ojibwe theatre artist from Broken Head Ojibway Nation. She is currently studying in the Theatre and Film program at the University of Winnipeg and is a graduate of the Indigenous Theatre for Youth (ITY) program, where she later served as a Teaching Assistant. Kathleen’s practice centers youth-driven performance, Indigenous storytelling, and community-rooted mentorship. She recently performed and contributed to the co-creation of Niin Anishinaabekwe, an original devised theatre piece presented at the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival. Kathleen brings clarity, cultural grounding, and creative leadership to every project she engages with.

Montana Adams (creator, performer):

Montana Adams (left) is a theatre creator based out of Akwesasne. She began her theatre career in the indie theatre scene during her undergrad at the University of Ottawa. In 2021 she received the Ionkwakwé:nion Community Award from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for her accomplishments in the performing arts, and the uOttawa Emerging Artist Award from the Ottawa Fringe in 2019 for her solo show My Good Friend Jay. She has worked on a multitude of productions as either an actor, playwright, a director, mentor, or all of the above. Her focus is to create culturally informed works that are a reflection of her culture, beliefs and upbringing as Akwesasronnon.

Noelle Oakes (stage manager, collaborator):

Noelle (right) was born to a family from Akwesasne and raised off reserve, by Kanien'keha parents that both carried the cultural tradition of Ironwork. These strong roots led me to be passionate about all the self improvement , i love sharing my experience as an Indigenous woman living in the mainstream through art expression. I spent years in George Brown and graduated with diplomas in hospitality. It was the years working in the theatre world while attending Centre for Indigenous Theatre, that helped me find my voice and confidence. I am passionate about raising up all voices to be heard and understood, I love empowering people to express who they are without fear of  judgement.

Mara Heiber is from downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She identifies as a settler/ally. Her ancestors traveled to Turtle Island between 1880 and 1910 from Germany and Eastern Europe. Mara studied at Claude Watson School for the Arts in Toronto and has worked and performed with many Indigenous performance artists, including Daystar/Rosalie Jones.

Marianne Nahayo grew up in Uganda, the last of six siblings. She moved to Canada in 2018 and graduated from Trent University in 2023 with a BAH in English Literature and a specialization in Theatre Studies. She has always loved reading and writing, and has been featured in The Arthur Newspaper as well as Absynthe Magazine. She is a bit shy and prefers to hide behind writing and editing, but discovered her fondness for theatre during her tenure at Trent and has co-written and directed a play with the Anne Shirley Theatre in Peterborough as part of a 24-hour Writing Workshop in January 2024. Marianne has also had the pleasure and honour of working alongside Mara and Stefanie in collaboration in Daystar/Rosalie Jones in 2023.

Stefanie Wood is a member of Mississaugi First Nation. She is of Anishinaabe and Irishdescent. She is a Holistic Esthetician and Registered Massage Therapist who owns Zhawenim Wellness in downtown Peterborough. Stefanie completed her undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies with a speciality in Indigenous Performance. She is now a graduate student at Trent University, starting her Masters of Education in September. Stefanie has had a love for performance and creative writing since she was a young child. She has had the honour of performing in a re-telling of “Raven Steals the Tight” a sacred Tlingit story directed by Rosalie Daystar Jones at Trent’s 2023 Elders Conference.

Muriel is a choreographer, director and actor. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Spiderwoman Theater, the longest running Indigenous women’s theater company in North America. Muriel is a 2016 Guggenheim Fellow; awarded an Honorary DFA from Miami University in Ohio; a member of the National Theatre Conference and in 2015 attended the Rauschenberg Residency. She taught at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre and is a pioneer in the development of a culturally based Indigenous performance methodology. She facilitates Storyweaving Workshops in universities and communities across the US, Canada and Europe.