For almost two decades, Onelight Theatre has been developing and producing thought-provoking, visually-stunning theatre works, that bring new voices, new perspectives and new ideas to the stage.

Founded and led by Artistic Director, Shahin Sayadi, Onelight Theatre emerged in the east coast in Halifax. In 2018, after providing the community with 16 years of excellence in theatre, Onelight  relocated and is now based in Toronto. We are excited to continue to develop and produce new works, tour our productions nationally and internationally, present the works of artists from across Canada and support the professional development of theatre artists through our Firestarter mentoring program.

Through the guided, disciplined working style established by Sayadi, Onelight develops new theatre works drawing from diverse cultural and artistic forms. Onelight is known not only for the compelling stories that it brings to the stage, but also for being at the forefront of innovative use of stage technology in scenography.

 Onelight is currently the resident company of the Small World Music Centre in Toronto located in the Artscape’s Youngplace facility.  Onelight Theatre is working with Artistic Associate, Rah Eleh and theatre artist, Sarah Kitz, to develop new theatre works that will be debuted in 2020.

The pioneering Iranian-Canadian theatre artist Shahin Sayadi and director Ed Roy will be premiering a dynamic and newly conceived production of Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover at Studio A of La Nouvelle Scene in Ottawa!

Asheq is a reflection on contemporary life in Iran. While foregrounding the religious, social and political dimension that shape the experiences of Iranians today, Sayadi captivates audiences with his one-man performance and takes us on a journey to the shores of the Persian Gulf. This region is saturated with a rich
culture, eclectic music and dance that is rooted in East African and Persian traditions.

Sayadi seamlessly shifts between multiple characters and temporalities while weaving together inter-generational perspectives that provides a panoramic viewpoint into the struggles of a community transitioning from a traditional to modernsociety. Fighting darkness to step back into the light.

Sayadi reimagines mythological figures from classical Iranian poetry and fuses traditional icons and storytelling with theatrics and new technologies offering a delightful experience to the eyes and ears! Approaching the stage with a bold outlook and unforgettable performance, one unprecedented in Canadian theatre, Asheq: Ritual Music to Cure a Lover, is not to be missed!

Onelight will be presenting the world debut and a full run of Asheq in Toronto at the Small World Music Centre – Youngsplace Artscape, October and November 2019. Asheq is available for touring in 2020. Please contact Ryan Cunningham at Cunnning Concepts & Creations to book the production.

In the Press:“An enchantment of light and music” (NS Reviews, Halifax, Elissa Barnard) “Compelling and unique storytelling … staging that feels wholly immersive” (The Way I See It Theatre Blog)