invisible threads
What if following this thread leads back to you?
When a retail employee discovers a factory worker's handwritten note inside a new pair of jeans, he begins to pull at the threads, entwining himself in a sprawling overseas network that leads right back home.
Written by Theatre of the Beat's Artistic Director, Cedric Martin, and developed in consultation with subject experts and people with lived experience, Invisible Threads is an investigative drama that exposes our connections to hidden systems of forced labour, unsafe workplaces, and human trafficking that enable exploitation, offering multiple perspectives while raising awareness of how our everyday choices connect to these injustices.
CLOTHING SWAP, DIY MENDING, & UPCYCLING PRE-SHOW EVENT
Before each show, Theatre of the Beat is hosting FREE community drop-in events. Come early to swap used clothing, teach each other how to mend clothes, & “UpCycle” old garments with embroidery, colourful patches and Theatre of the Beat themed fabric prints.
TOURING canada:
may-june 2026
SATURDAY MAY 2 @ 7pm*
Toronto United Mennonite Church
1774 Queen St E, Toronto, ON
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
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FRIDAY MAY 8 @ 12:40pm
Westgate Mennonite Collegiate
(Not open to public)
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SATURDAY, MAY 9 @ 7pm*
Home Street Mennonite Church
318 Home Street Winnipeg, MB
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 @ 7:30pm*
First Mennonite Church
3650 91 St NW, Edmonton, AB
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 6:00pm
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THURSDAY, MAY 14 @ 7:00pm
Cardel Theatre
180 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, AB
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SATURDAY, MAY 16 @ 7:00pm
Deroche Community Hall
41555 N Nicomen Rd, Deroche, BC
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THURSDAY, MAY 21 @ 7:30pm*
Wildwood Mennonite Church
1502 Acadia Dr Saskatoon, SK
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 6:00pm
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SATURDAY, MAY 23 @ 7:00PM*
The Community Exchange
116 Main Street, Altona, MB
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
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THURSDAY, MAY 28 @ 10:30AM
UMEI Christian Highschool
(Not open to public)
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THURSDAY, MAY 28 @ 7:00PM*
North Leamington United Mennonite Church
625 Mersea Rd 6, Leamington, ON
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
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SUNDAY, MAY 31 @ 7:00PM*
Zion United Church
215 Peel St, New Hamburg, ON
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
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FRIDAY, JUNE 5 @ 7:00PM
Stouffville (Location TBD)
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FRIDAY, JUNE 6 @ 7:00PM
Elmira Mennonite Church
58 Church St W, Elmira, ON
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SUNDAY, JUNE 7 @ 7:00PM*
Breslau Mennonite Church
226 Woolwich St S, Breslau, ON
*Pre-show event:
Clothing Swap, DIY Mending & UpCycling Workshop @ 5:30pm
If you are interested in booking Invisible Threads for your community, please reach out to Cedric for details. We’re excited to see you again, and can’t wait to get back on the road this spring!
Supported By:
Silver Gummy Foundation, J.P. Bickell Foundation, McLean Foundation, & Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.
The Creative
Cedric Martin
PlaywrighT & Producer
SukhPreet Sangha
Director
alexa higgins
Movement Director/CAST
Kay Wong
Creative Producer &
Production Stage Manager
chin palipane
lighting designer
ZACH PARSONS
CaST
Tara Streilen
Set & Props designer
Malia rogers
sound designER &
Musical score
MURILO SALVADOR
CAST
camila farah
costume designer/CAST
emily jung
projection designER
JOHNNY WIDEMAN
TOUR MANAGER
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.
The workshop’s Creative Team included: Cedric Martin (Playwright) Erin Brandenburg (Director), Alexa Higgins (Movement Director), Kay Wong (Creative Producer), with the cast of: Yusef Zine, Navtej Sandhu, Ryan James, Daniel Entz, and Lindsey Middleton (Actors).
Event photography by Dave Klassen.
