Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish
Written by Joseph A. Dandurand
Directed & Dramaturgy by Chris McGregor
When you take something from the earth, you must give something back.
Immerse yourself in the legend of the basket ogress, Th’owxiya, an old hungry spirit that inhabits a feast dish full of bountiful delicious foods. This Kwantlen First Nations tale follows a sly mouse (Kw’at’el) who is caught stealing cheese from this feast dish. To appease an angry Th’owxiya, Kw’at’el embarks on a journey to find two children for the ogress to eat, or else! Come enjoy the traditional Coast Salish and Sto:lo music, masks, and imagery while learning how Raven (Sqeweqs), Bear (Spa:th), and Sasquatch (Sasq’ets) trick a hungry spirit and save Kw’at’el and their family from becoming the feast!
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Anvil Arts Centre
Saturday, May 9, 2026
4:00 PM
https://anviltheatre.ca/event/thowxiya-2026/
National Arts Centre
May 13-15, 2026 - SOLD OUT
May 16, 2026 - 2:00PM
https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/38355
Firehall Arts Centre : School Matinee performances
Tuesday, May 19 @ 1:00PM
Wednesday, May 20 @ 1:00PM
Thursday, May 21 @ 10:00AM & 1:00PM
Photos by Javier Sotres Photography. Featuring Chelsea Rose, Lindsay Warnock, Raes Calvert, and Merewyn Comeau.
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Recommended Audience: Grade 1 - Grade 7
Run Time: 45 minutesAvailable for theatres, festivals, and schools.
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Includes 'Pre-Performance Activities' to help prepare your students for a live performance. Use the synopsis and vocabulary sections to review concepts and words the play mentions!
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Find a press release, bios, marketing materials, and more in our Presenter Kit dropbox folder.
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THEATRES
Technical Rider: DOWNLOAD [PDF]SCHOOLS
Please review the requirements for hosting a show prior to booking. COMING SOON -
Download Kwantlen Welcome Song performed by Joseph A. Dandurand written by Kelsey Charlie.
Download Sheet Music for the Kwantlen Welcome Song
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JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2020-2021
Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences
Significant Artistic Achievement, Outstanding Stage Management: Jillian Perry
Outstanding Performance*: Chelsea Rose
Outstanding Design*: Jay Havens
JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2019-2020
Outstanding Performance*: Chelsea Rose
Outstanding Design*: Jay Havens
JESSIE RICHARDSON AWARDS 2016-2017
Outstanding Design Set, Costumes and Props*: Jay Havens
Outstanding Composer/Musical Direction*: Marguerite Witvoet
Significant Artistic Achievement* for centrally focusing on an Indigenous story
*: Nominated
School Performances
Want to book a show to perform in your school? Contact Petrice or submit a booking request.
Petrice Brett
Booking & Marketing Coordinator
petrice@axistheatre.com
604 669 0631
from the blog
“… steeped in tradition.”
“What makes Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish truly unforgettable is its engaging story steeped in tradition."
– Mark Robbins, Vancouver Presents
"This is beautifully done…"
"The playwright has woven together meaningful, lively stories from his Kwantlen heritage, centring around the hungry feast dish."
— Patti Flather
"… a simple voice…"
"Joseph A. Dandurand opens his soul to give a simple voice to complex thoughts and emotions."
— Steven Buechler
