Theatre

  • Fringe Festival

i am root

A Ukrainian-Canadian woman's exploration of culture, life, death & Vegemite in the Land Down Under.

Past Event

  • Created and Performed by: Olenka Toroshenko

  • Sound design: Will Spartalis

  • : Erin Fowler Movement

Most of us are transplants. Uprooted from one country and resettled, making home in another's. What happens when culture, language and ancestry are left behind?

Told from the perspective of a Ukrainian-Canadian living in Australia, this ritual performance piece is a topical, deep and playful exploration (Akubras & Vegemite rituals involved) of culture, identity and belonging in the land down under. A blend of song, dance, clown, folk traditions, Ukrainian language, recipes, storytelling, spoken word poetry and prayer.

Seed. Water. Root. Grow. Harvest. Eat. Die. Decompose. Repeat.

Adelaide Fringe 2022 weekly Jon Chataway Innovation Award for 'i am root'.
Adelaide Fringe 2023 weekly Emerging Award for 'i am root'.

"Her voice is amazing... powerful and humbling" ★★★★★ - Glam Adelaide
"She’s a natural story-teller" ★★★★ - The AU Review
"A fun and fiery melting pot" ★★★★ - All About Entertainment

This project received Cash for Equity through the Fringe Fund, as part of the Ralph Mclean Microgrants program.

olenkatoroshenko.com