A Co-Production with National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre

The Secret to Good Tea

By Rosanna Deerchild
Directed by Renae Morriseau
February 18 to March 8, 2025
Opening Night Friday, February 21
Spriet Stage

Age Recommendation: 12+

Read Audience Advisory
 

An older woman hugs a younger woman seated at a kitchen table as they enjoy a cup of tea.

Upcoming Shows & Tickets

February 18, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 19, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 20, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 21, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

February 22, 2025 | 2:00pm   Get Tickets

February 22, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

February 23, 2025 | 2:00pm   Get Tickets

February 25, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 26, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 27, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

February 28, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

March 1, 2025 | 2:00pm   Get Tickets

March 1, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

March 2, 2025 | 2:00pm   Get Tickets

March 4, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

March 5, 2025 | 1:00pm   Get Tickets

March 5, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

March 6, 2025 | 7:30pm   Get Tickets

March 7, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

March 8, 2025 | 2:00pm   Get Tickets

March 8, 2025 | 8:00pm   Get Tickets

A mother and daughter find their way to each other in a story steeped in humour, truth, and a cozy cup of tea.

 

TICKETS STARTING AT $24!

 

Gwynn is a local radio host. Her mother, Maggie, has a story.

Maggie has spent a lifetime building a wall between herself and her memories—as well as between herself and her inquisitive, journalist daughter. Now, with a healing gathering for residential school survivors approaching, Gwynn wants Maggie to stop evading her truth, and be part of the change.

With a pot of steaming hot tea as the only thing between them, Maggie and Gwynn work to dismantle her wall, uncovering Maggie’s story in a journey of laughter, revelation, understanding, and the bond of a mother and daughter.

The Secret to Good Tea is a vibrant, intimate, and cheeky family portrait based on playwright Rosanna Deerchild (CBC Unreserved) and her own mother. Fresh from a world premiere in its home province of Manitoba, Deerchild’s powerful first play is set to make its Ontario debut at the Grand Theatre, in partnership with National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre. Renae Morriseau, who directed the play’s world premiere, returns to Deerchild’s work once again and will direct The Secret to Good Tea on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage.

ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE

AFTERWORDS

On select Wednesday evenings, immediately after the performance, join host Breanne Ritchie in theatre's lounge for a brief guided discussion with guest artists, creative team members, and Grand staff members.

TEA TALKS

Join us for creative conversations pre-show with host Rachel Peake and special guests connected to the show. Tea Talks begin at 12:00pm before the Wednesday 1:00pm matinée.

Audience Advisory

This production includes unflinching discussion of the residential school system, including separation of children from parents, death of children, and sexual assault. 

The Cast

Michelle Bardach
Michelle Bardach
Gwynn Starr
For the Grand Theatre: Elf the Musical.

Theatre Credits (Selected): Something Rotten, The Diviners (Stratford Festival); Pollyanna, Maggie (Theatre Aquarius); Tell Tale Harbour, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Mamma Mia, Beauty and the Beast (Arts Club); Children of God (Citadel/Segal Centre/WCT).

Film and TV Credits (Selected): Motherland: Fort Salem (Freeform); Dancing Through Christmas (Lifetime).
Voiceover: Spirit Rangers (Netflix); Barbie web shorts (Mattel).

Other: Bachelor of Performing Arts from Capilano University. Vocalist for Indigenous music group, M'Girl. www.michellebardach.com, IG: michyb123
Marsha Knight
Marsha Knight
Maggie
For the Grand Theatre: Debut.
Theatre Credits (Selected): The Comeback (RMTC); Rise Red River (Theatre Cercle Moliere/Article 11/PTE); Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun (TNW); Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare in the Ruins); Crees in the Caribbean (Magnus); Rez Sister (PTE, TNW, Magnus).
Film and TV Credits (Selected): Acting Good Season 2 & 3 (CTV Comedy); D dot H (APTN Lumi); Little Bird (APTN Crave); Burden of Truth (CBC).
Other: Instructor University of Winnipeg Intro Theatre - Indigenous Performance; Producer/Writer/Director "Winnipeg's North End: A Food Desert" (NSI/APTN/CBC - avaialble on CBC Gem).
Jeremy Proulx
Jeremy Proulx
Mr Big Chief
James Dallas Smith
James Dallas Smith
Michael
Emily Solstice Tait
Emily Solstice Tait
Crow

Creative Team

Renae Morriseau
Renae Morriseau
Director
Yolonda Skelton
Yolonda Skelton
Costume Designer
Tim Rodrigues
Tim Rodrigues
Lighting Designer
Cande Andrade
Cande Andrade
Projection Designer
Suzanne McArthur
Suzanne McArthur
Stage Manager
For the Grand Theatre: 15th season.
Theatre Credits (Selected): Hamlet-911, Hosanna, The Tempest (Stratford Festival); The Birds and the Bees, Aladdin: The Panto, Snow White: The Panto, Weekend Comedy, Perfect Wedding (Drayton Entertainment); The Fixer-Upper, It’s Your Funeral, Lunenburg, Buying the Farm, Birds of a Feather, Storm Warning, Wrong for Each Other, Knickers! A Brief Comedy (Port Stanley Festival Theatre); The Normal Heart (Studio 180/Buddies in Bad TimesTheatre); Forests (Tarragon Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Silver Mist Productions).
Other: Love to Michael and Charlie.
Jessica Campbell-Maracle
Jessica Campbell-Maracle
Assistant Stage Manager