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In 1983, legendary playwright Arthur Miller embarked on an audacious journey to China, joining forces with theatre luminary Ying Ruocheng and the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Their ambitious project? Staging a Mandarin-language production of Death of a Salesman, with Ying portraying the iconic Willy Loman and Miller – despite not speaking a word of Mandarin – directing.

Our concert opens with music from British composer Hannah Kendall. The Spark Catchers is inspired by the work of British poet Lemn Sissay, who memorialized the “matchwomen” of the Bryant and May match factory in London. The women went on strike in 1888 to protest their dangerous working conditions. American saxophonist Branford Marsalis is known the world over for delivering boundary-pushing performances—pure truth in jazz. He will perform “Neruda Songs” by composer Peter Lieberson, based on the intimate love poems of Pablo Neruda. This fresh arrangement, for saxophone and orchestra, “traces the arc of love’s evolution” (laphil.com)—intensely emotional and filled with happiness and longing.

Come join Jessica Dumont for this beaded flower earring workshop! In this 3-hour workshop, Jessica will guide you through the earring making process where you can share your process and ask questions along the way. Suitable for beginner beaders and experienced beaders alike, ages 16 and up. Workshop will be delivered in English.

Join us for an intimate evening of live music at the National Arts Centre's Fourth Stage in Ottawa, featuring Canadian singer-songwriters Joe McLeod and The Public Service Duo. Both artists are renowned for their ability to weave powerful stories through their music, creating an atmosphere of connection and community. Joe McLeod has made a name for himself in the Canadian music scene with his heartfelt lyrics and evocative performances. His sound blends folk, pop, and rock, and his recent album, The Dancer and the Bear, showcases his unique ability to capture the emotional depth of life’s experiences. Joe's music has been featured in multiple seasons of The Canadian Tradition television show, and he has toured extensively across North America, Japan, and Germany. Known for his live performances, Joe McLeod’s songs often reflect personal journeys and resonate deeply with audiences.

In January 2025, you’ll be able to witness the incredible union of musical talent at the NAC! The Atlantic Ocean separates Cuba and Senegal, the respective birthplaces of piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and kora maestro Seckou Keita, a distance diminished by their shared ancestral connection to Africa. When the pair met in 2012, Seckou loved Omar for his musical spirituality, whilst Omar saw in Seckou a rare ability to collaborate but not lose his identity. Their debut album Transparent Water (2017) was hailed as ‘beautiful, rhapsodic… spiritual’ (Songlines) and ‘mesmerising, evocative and sophisticated’ (World Music Central).

Join us in the NAC’s Atelier Shenkman Smith for Bougie Birch's Dreamcatcher Workshop. Under the guidance of Indigenous artist and educator, Ashley Clark, craft your own dreamcatcher in a 1.5-2 hour session. We supply the materials; you bring the inspiration. Dive into Indigenous artistry, learn about the resilience of Indigenous communities throughout history, and be part of a hands-on experience that bridges cultures. With Bougie Birch, it's more than a craft – it's a journey into heritage. Come, connect, and create.

¿Quién eres? (Who are you?), singer–songwriter Maritza’s new show, proposes a musical journey about resilience. Known for the depth of her songs and her ability to touch people’s hearts, Maritza released ¿Quién eres?, her first album in Spanish, in 2022. It’s an artistic project inspired by a process of self-empowerment. Born in the Dominican Republic, Maritza reconnects in this show with her mother tongue, which she quickly forgot after being adopted very young by a Francophone couple from Quebec. She embraces her roots, infusing her lyrics with the rhythms of her long-lost Hispanic heritage.

Experience all the feels as Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser leads the NAC Orchestra in a program designed to showcase how a range of emotions can be expressed — and experienced — through music. Hear works by Beethoven, Nielsen, and other evocative composers! ​ Canadian visual artist Holly Carr will help bring the music to life, painting an 8-foot silk mural on stage in real time, vividly reflecting the themes of Mad, Sad, and Glad.

Join us on Mondays for story time with Luana. Delight in tales that will sweep you away on journeys through magical worlds where you will meet enchanting characters. All accompanied by crafts and games. This event occurs in French only. It’s an excellent opportunity for bilingual and francophone families alike!

Like a cathartic conversation with your work bestie, John Dela Cruz (Nurse John) delivers comedy filled with trauma dumps, tears, screams and laughter as he reflects on the highs and lows of working in the service industry. A nurse by profession and a comedian at heart, John’s portrayal of life in healthcare is hilariously relatable to both industry insiders and the general public. His spot-on observations and comedic timing have garnered him over 12 million followers worldwide, with his popularity growing daily.