Rose: Tomson Highway's Long-Awaited Play Gets Its World Premiere in Ottawa
Ottawa is witnessing a landmark moment in Canadian theatre this season as the National Arts Centre's Indigenous Theatre presents the professional world premiere of Rose — a musical drama written by celebrated Cree-Métis playwright Tomson Highway all the way back in 1992.
That's right: this play has been waiting over 30 years for its moment in the spotlight. And now, at last, Ottawa audiences get to be the first to see it done right.
Three Decades in the Making
Tomson Highway is one of Canada's most revered Indigenous playwrights, best known for works like The Rez Sisters and Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing. He wrote Rose in 1992, but for reasons that speak to the broader challenges Indigenous artists have faced in getting their work produced on major stages, the play never received a full professional production — until now.
The NAC Indigenous Theatre, which has made it a central part of its mandate to champion Indigenous voices and stories, stepped up to finally give Rose the premiere it deserves. It's a fitting home: the NAC has increasingly positioned itself as a national hub for Indigenous performance arts, and this production feels like a crowning achievement of that mission.
What Is Rose About?
While details of the full plot are still being kept close to the chest ahead of opening night, Rose is described as a musical drama — a form that Highway has explored throughout his career, blending theatrical storytelling with music in ways that draw from both Indigenous oral traditions and Western theatrical conventions.
CBC Ottawa's Sandra Abma got a preview of the production and described it as a deeply moving experience, one that rewards the long wait. Highway's writing has always been known for its ability to balance humour and heartbreak, celebrating Indigenous life while also grappling honestly with its complexities.
Why This Premiere Matters
The fact that Rose is only now getting its professional world premiere — more than 30 years after it was written — says something important about the theatre industry and the systemic barriers Indigenous artists have faced. The NAC Indigenous Theatre staging this production isn't just about putting on a great show (though by all accounts, it is). It's a statement about whose stories get told, and when.
For Ottawa theatregoers, this is a rare chance to be present at a genuine historical moment: the birth of a production that will likely tour, be studied, and be discussed for years to come. First-night bragging rights don't get much better than this.
Go See It
If you're an Ottawa arts lover, Rose at the NAC Indigenous Theatre should be near the top of your list this season. This is exactly the kind of production that makes Ottawa's arts scene worth celebrating — bold, meaningful, and long overdue.
Check the NAC's website for showtimes, ticket availability, and more details on the production.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Original story by Sandra Abma.
