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to a flame

* currently in development * 

To A Flame is an innovative, feminist reinterpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher by one of Canada's most celebrated playwrights, Erin Shields. In her dark and evocative narrative, three sisters - one Deaf, one Black, and one white - have been abandoned in a derelict house for 25 years. From this eerie confinement, the drama unfolds, compelling us to confront the forces that shape identity, grant power, and imperil survival.

 

A dynamic work, fusing movement with American Sign Language (ASL), music, and visual projections To a Flame creates a hauntingly authentic exploration of race, gender, and ability. By addressing intersectionality, historical erasure, and societal transformation, the piece fosters empathy, deepens understanding, and inspires action toward a more inclusive and equitable society. The inclusion of Madeline, a Deaf character played by Dawn Jani Birley, further bridges cultural divides, enriching the story's exploration of madness and basic human rights for Deaf people.

 

World premiere - coming in 2026!

A theatre backdrop depicting hands signing 'moth' in ASL, arranged to evoke the movement and essence of moths in flight.

To A Flame

To A Flame

To A Flame
To A Flame Trailer

To A Flame Trailer

00:58
To A Flame — A Prelude to Confronting Oppression

To A Flame — A Prelude to Confronting Oppression

01:35

CAST & CREATIVE

A 1s1 Theatre Production, co-presented by Why Not Theatre​​

written by

English to ASL adaption

director

associate director and dramaturge

Madeline

Harriet

Fanny

cellist

 

stage manager

assistant stage manager

sound design and composition

set/costume/props design
lighting design
projection design
head carpenter

production manager

production supervisor

 

ASL instructor

ASL-English interpreter

 

 

rehearsal photographer

show photographer

rehearsal videography

videographer

1s1 Theatre

Artistic Director
Producer

Erin Shields

Dawn Jani Birley

Josette Bushell-Mingo

Birgit Schreyer Duarte

​​

 

Dawn Jani Birley

Alicia Plummer

Miranda Calderon

Beth Silver

Sally Roberts

Sparrow Valentine
 

Deanna H. Choi

Jung-Hye Kim

André Du Toit

Laura Warren

Dale Sharp, Jr.

Aaheli Mukherjee

Patrick Lynn

 

Hands on ASL! Merico Tesolin

Kate Lewis, Sheila Johnston, Gloria Brifoglio and Peggy Zehr

Dahlia Katz and Alice Lo

Elana Emer

Alice Lo

Mallory Brown

Dawn Jani Birley

Meredith Potter

This project is part of Why Not’s SHARE stream of activities.

SHARE projects are partnerships with other independent artists

and companies to help produce, present or tour their work.

PARTNERS

To A Flame is a 1s1 Production and co-presented by Why Not Theatre. Production support gratefully received from Nightwood Theatre and Factory Theatre. 1s1 Theatre gratefully acknowledges support for To A Flame from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

download program book

1s1 Theatre © 2025      |      PO Box 6 Toronto C, Toronto ON M6J 2W5      |      ‭+1.416.804.4164‬

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