The Mush Hole performance pays respect to the many Survivors, acknowledging the lives and spirits of generations of Survivors who “served time” at the school. It is about their survival, resilience and was created in close connection to Survivors, their writings, interviews and Survivor Series Talks. The Mush Hole incorporates the bricks and mortar, the grounds of the Mohawk Institute to travel audiences into the environment of the residential school, important rooms such as the Boy’s Playroom, solitary confinement under the staircase cubby hole and laundry room. The loudness of the boiler room concealed Survivors cries from abuse. The storyline follows 2 generations of Survivors demonstrating the intergenerational effects, representing the long history of the residential school.

“A stunning and powerful production about a difficult truth we are all still grappling with.” – Kevin Loring, Director of Indigenous Theatre, National Arts Centre