The Cultch welcomes the debut of Corey Payette’s new musical On Native Land, at the York Theatre, April 8-19. Produced by Raven Theatre in collaboration with Urban Ink, the new musical is a powerful tale of identity, land, and love, that follows three seemingly disparate characters whose lives intertwine.
photo: Matt Barnes
This new work from award-winning storyteller, writer, composer, and director Payette is a deep look into contemporary urban Indigenous communities. Following a lawyer, a Chief, and a rising singer-songwriter, On Native Land offers solace and solidarity. The contemporary score has a driving force rooted in the drum, grounding the music in Indigenous tradition. Soaring melodies echo groundbreaking Broadway numbers from Company and Dear Evan Hansen. Richly textured and emotionally charged, Payette’s signature ability to bridge ancestral and modern tonalities shines.
Payette directs a cast including, Amanda Trapp, Dustyn Forbes, Hailey Christie-Hoyle, Jacob Woike, Jenna Brown, Jera Wolfe, Jesse Alvarez, Nathan Coburn, Sharon Crandall, Taninli Wright, Wahsontí:io Kirby, Zac Bellward. Musical director & pianist Dean Edward Thiessen leads fellow performers Chris Fraser (Guitar), Emilio Suarez (Cello), Sarah Ho (Violin).
On Native Land joins Payette’s other works Children of God, Les Filles du Roi, and Starwalker, which also premiered at The Cultch before moving on to receive national and international acclaim.
On Native Land plays April 8-19, 2026 at The Cultch York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive. Visit thecultch.com for more details, showtimes and tickets, including Pay-What-You-Choose previews April 8 & 9, Community and Indigenous pricing and other options.