invisible threads
Invisible Threads is a work-in-development by Theatre of the Beat, written by Artistic Director, Cedric Martin. It explores the realities of human trafficking, enforced labour, and unfair working conditions - issues that may feel far away, but exist here in Canada as well as globally. The story begins when a clothing store employee discovers a note sewn into a pair of imported jeans, sparking a chain of revelations about wage theft, unsafe workplaces, and the hidden systems that enable exploitation.
Developed in consultation with subject experts and people with lived experience, the play aims to present these themes responsibly, offering multiple perspectives while raising awareness of how our everyday choices connect to these injustices.
Supported By:
Silver Gummy Foundation, J.P. Bickell Foundation, McLean Foundation, & Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.
November 2025 Workshop
From November 17-21, 2025, Theatre of the Beat ran a weeklong workshop Invisible Threads (previously named Bargaining Human Life). Having invited a team of creatives to our Toronto rehearsal space, we dove into the script, conducted table reads, scene studies, movement exploration, discussions, and rewrites.
This workshop culminated with an invite-only staged reading, held on Nov. 21, 2025, where theatre professionals, subject experts, and individuals with lived experiences in human trafficking, enforced labour, and unfair working conditions were able to provide feedback on the piece.
Event photography by Dave Klassen.
