Photo by Matt Barnes.

On Native Land
A Musical by Corey Payette
A Raven Theatre & Urban Ink (Vancouver) co-production

World premiere – April 8-19, 2026
The York Theatre

View the On Native Land show program HERE

ON NATIVE LAND

On Native Land is a new musical that intertwines the lives of three seemingly disparate characters—a lawyer, a Chief, and a rising singer-songwriter—whose paths converge in a powerful tale of identity, land, and love. 

A dive into the heart of contemporary Indigenous narratives, On Native Land is a sweeping love story with a focus on urban Indigenous communities, offering solace and solidarity.

Corey Payette’s contemporary score has a driving force rooted in the drum, grounding the music in Indigenous tradition while soaring melodies echo groundbreaking Broadway scores such as Company and Dear Evan Hansen. Richly textured and emotionally charged, his compositions bridge ancestral and modern tonalities, creating a soundscape that is both timeless and boldly innovative.

“One of the most beautiful productions ever to grace the York Theatre stage.” – Jo Ledingham

“On Native Land is another triumph for Payette.” – Colin Thomas

“Some powerful performances and design elements… fusing of traditional Indigenous music with the contemporary music-theatre sound.” – Vince Kanasoot, STIR

Writer, Director, Composer & Lyricist:
Corey Payette

Choreographer:
Jera Wolfe

Musical Director & Pianist:
Dean Edward Thiessen

Arrangements and Orchestrations:
Paul De Gurse

Dramaturg:
Deborah Vogt

Set Designer:
Alaia Hamer

Costume Designer:
Stephanie Kong

Lighting Designer:
Jonathan Kim

Assistant Director:
Danik McAfee

Assistant Choreographer:
Nathan Coburn

Assistant Costume Designer:
Halley Fulford

Stage Manager:
Melanie Thompson

Assistant Stage Manager:
Jennifer Wilson

Production Manager/TD:
Nico Dicecco

Producers:
Ryan Lino & Fabian Aspell Morales

Cast: 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

Musicians: Dean Edward Thiessen (Pianist), Chris Fraser (Guitar), Emilio Suarez (Cello), Sarah Ho (Violin)

Produced and developed with support from Raven Theatre

Commissioned by Bard on the Beach, developed by Raven Theatre, Urban Ink, with support from The Cultch and in collaboration with the National Creation Fund at Canada’s National Arts Centre.

Photos below by David Cooper.