Lisa Nasson’s heartwarming comedy celebrates ancestry, community, and the joy of unexpected disruption

Tarragon Theatre kicks off its 2026 season with the World Premiere of Mischief, a fresh and life-affirming dramatic comedy that brings together three of Canada’s leading theatre companies: Tarragon Theatre, Native Earth Performing Arts, and Neptune Theatre. Written by acclaimed Mi’kmaw artist Lisa Nasson and directed by Tarragon Artistic Director Mike Payette, Mischief runs on Tarragon’s Mainstage from January 15 to February 8, 2026, with opening night on January 21.

At the centre of Mischief is Brooke, a young Mi’kmaw woman whose quiet, familiar life on the Rez is upended by an unexpected — and mischievous — visitor from her ancestral past. What begins as a strange encounter soon cracks open long-silenced questions of identity, justice, and belonging. As Brooke reconnects with her community and the parts of herself she’s kept tucked away, she steps into a renewed sense of power and possibility.

Blending humour with emotional depth, Mischief offers an uplifting exploration of what it means to come home to yourself. The play’s fast-paced storytelling and vibrant contemporary voice are matched by its deep respect for ancestry and community, making it both joyful and quietly resonant.

Director Mike Payette describes the production as a story that “feels like family,” noting its emotional pull for anyone who has ever questioned when to stand up — or sit down — in the face of adversity. While deeply rooted in Mi’kmaw culture, Mischief is also unmistakably Toronto in spirit, shaped by a cross-country collaboration that includes artists from both the city and the East Coast.

For Native Earth Performing Arts, the production marks a meaningful collaboration. Associate Director Joelle Peters highlights the play’s East Coast energy and its celebration of reclaiming power through community, inviting Toronto audiences to be part of this rolling World Premiere — the first time all three companies have come together to create a production of this scale.

Mischief previously appeared on Neptune Theatre’s stage in September 2025, and its Toronto run represents the next chapter in a production designed to live, grow, and travel — a testament to the strength of interprovincial collaboration in Canadian theatre.

The cast features Yolanda Bonnell, Devin MacKinnon, Trina Moyan, Lisa Nasson, and Jeremy Proulx, supported by a creative team that includes designer Andy Moro, regalia consultant Tayla Paul, lighting designer Leigh Ann Vardy, and sound designer and composer Maddie Bautista.

Warm, witty, and quietly empowering, Mischief is an inviting way to begin Tarragon’s 2026 theatre year — a reminder that sometimes it’s the smallest acts of disruption that lead to the biggest transformations.

Mischief – Performance Details

What:
Mischief (World Premiere)
A Tarragon Theatre, Native Earth Performing Arts & Neptune Theatre Co-Production

Where:
Tarragon Theatre – Mainstage

When:
January 15 – February 8, 2026
Opening Night: January 21, 2026

Tickets:
Single tickets range from $24–$72

Tickets can be purchased:

Discounts are available for students, seniors, groups, and arts workers. Contact the Tarragon box office for details.
For full performance times, check Tarragon Theatre’s complete schedule.

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