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Najla Edwards

@najlaedwards

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I am a lot of things. Wadjet’s happy mom. Grateful ✨

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Join me as I share a new work-in-progress! This is a story of connection, grace, exploration and possibility. This piece is, in part, inspired by my 10+ years fertility journey to my daughter, Wadjet.

There’s no amount of gratitude I can express for being chosen to be her mom and I cannot truly capture how through her, I’ve grown in mothering myself.

Through the Middle: A Musical Afrofuturist Odyssey

Experience Najla Nubyanluv’s latest production with accompaniment from award-winning, multi instrumentalist and vocal virtuoso, Waleed Abdulhamid on an immersive quest Through the Middle. We welcome you on this musically infused, journey through time, space, and beyond. Discover fullness and explorations of belonging in this introspective, sci-fi expedition.

Ticket link in my bio!

Date: Sun May 25, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM

Location: Crossroads Theatre, 34 John St., York, ON, M9N 1J3. A low barrier space.

Produced with generous support from @crossroadstheatreto and @mars_just_cuz

*Content Warning* Discussion of violence, infertility, grief, and mental illness. For a mature audience.

Join us for a talkback following the performance. Share widely and bring friends!

#theatre #afrofuturism #torontotheatre taken in Crossroads Theatre by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

I’m really grateful to have received an @ontarioartscouncil Recommenders Grant from @alunatheatre

My introduction to performing and creating theatre was in a piece called 3 dollars and 6 dimes about 17 years ago with @alunatheatre . I was and continue to be completely blown away by @beapizano . Her process and the experience had a profound impact. Creating work with a focus on recovery and healing permeates my writing to this very day and has led me to the mentors and places I needed to encounter to continue to grow in that work and become the artist I am today.

Through this grant, dramaturgy support from @ms.sehdehnah and generous additional supports offered by @alunatheatre , a new version of my play “Through the Middle: A Musical Black Speculative Odyssey” will be performed this year!

Stay tuned 👀

Support theatres who believe in artists, access and impeccable works. They have accessible space rates! @alunatheatre

Support your Black owned small business @mars_just_cuz Thanks for the incredible bouquet + decor. Stunning floral curation and they always last so long.

A special thanks to @ms.sehdehnah for clarity and questions that bring the story back to my heart. taken in Aluna Theatre by @najlaedwards

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7 months ago

I had a truly remarkable experience journeying through Esu Crossing the Middle Passage at @blacktheatreschool . @dr.dbiyounganitafrika ‘s reimagining of this piece invites audience members to transcend time in an intimate immersive production that calls in to focus the principles of Sankofa. The detail and care in development of projections, intricate world building, and years of study and experience - are evident in this new offering.

This timely work is interwoven with reminders in these times and in all times that after everything and in midst of everything we absolutely must remember to choose love always. This show closes on Sunday. You have 3 more days to see it. Ticket links are on the @blacktheatreschool page. by @najlaedwards

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7 months ago

From the first behind the scenes post I was drawn to whatever this production would be. Immediate curiosity unfolded.

A breathtaking, incredible story written by @iamnehal featuring soundscape by @waleedkushafrojazz , performances by @kabrenathestoryteller @m3expression @keira___marie and @kaygeni from @blacktheatreschool , directed by @mabelwonnacott and world of the play and puppets by @piedpiperpuppets . This is unlike any puppetry I’ve experienced. I’m so grateful to count experiencing this show amongst my memories. I could not look away. Truly inspiring and moving.

There are just 2 more performances in the Greenhouse Festival at Tarragon Theatre.

I made a commitment to read and see a LOT of theatre this year and this is a great start. 👏🏾
#theatre #puppetry taken in Tarragon Theatre by @najlaedwards

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9 months ago

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES!

On October 27, Saint Vincent celebrated its 46th Independence Day.

Today, we uplift authors with Saint Vincent roots.

Check out books 📚 by:

@najlanubyanluv

@shanicenicolespeaks

And

@kevinheronjones

Check out their books 📖 and celebrate.

#saintvincent #saintvincentandthegrenadines #saintvincentandthegrenadines🇻🇨 @saintvincentandthe_grenadines @stvincentandgrenadines @vincytoronto @kidsbookcentre @canscaip @scbwi_canada_east @foldkids @thewritersunionofcanada by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

Great to find Najla and Kabrena at SUMMER IN THE PARK, a community event organized by #CrossroadsTheatre. Congratulations to Crossroads for such a wonderful event. Crossroads was a supportive sponsor of space for WHEEL AND TURN, both the play reading and dress rehearsal. It was wonderful. Both Najla and Kabrena are children's book authors and amazing actors. Najla was both my co-director and dramaturg for WHEEL AND TURN, while Kabrena read for Miss Lou at my June play reading. It was also grsat seeing @xo.rare storytelling on stage. Watch out for these talents on their projects! @najlanubyanluv @kabrenathestoryteller @crossroadstheatreto @westonvillagebia by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

Only three days left until we kick off Summer in the Park 2025! Wrapping up our artist highlights, we are thrilled to introduce Weston’s Bright Futures, a performance created by Weston youth!

📅 Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

⏰3:30PM

📍Little Ave Memorial Park, 22 Little Ave, York, ON M9N 1K6

✨Weston’s Bright Futures was born out of a collaboration between theatre artist @najlanubyanluv and Crossroads Theatre. Over the last two weeks, this group of young BIPOC women and non-binary youth aged 11-14 to develop skills in self-expression, performance, confidence, writing, and more. With facilitation from Najla Nubyanluv, the group has been exploring what they love about themselves and their community through fun theatre activities with a focus on empowerment. A small but mighty group, we cannot wait to see what they’ve cooked up for Saturday afternoon!

#SITP25 #communityarts #weston #freeevent taken in Little Avenue Memorial Park by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

✨ Experience art and creativity come alive at Afraspektion!
📅 Sunday, August 17, 2025
🕑 2 PM – 7 PM
📍 Riverside Common Park – 657 Queen St E, Toronto
🎟️ FREE | All Ages Welcome

🎨 Live Sketches by @thepaperheartartist
🎭 Face Painting by @najlanubyanluv
🦸🏾 Cosplay appearances from @trinidadiansuga, @wonderwoman905, & @cosplayq

Immerse yourself in the art, colors, and characters that make this celebration unforgettable.

💛 Thank you to our sponsors & partners:
@ontarioartscouncil , @torontoartscouncil , Hallmark, @leveragelens, @streetvoicesto, @prime_luminisce_rwanda, Government of Canada, City of Toronto Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, and special thanks to @riverside_bia.

#Afraspektion #EmancipationMonth #BlackArt #TorontoEvents taken in Riverside Neighbourhood by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

🎭 Announcing: Weston’s Bright Futures 🎭
A FREE theatre program for BIPOC young women & non-binary youth ages 11–14!

Dates: Rehearsal dates Aug 15, 18, 20, 22 + Performance Day on Aug 23 Time: 1 PM – 4 PM
Location: Crossroads Theatre Studio, 34 John Street, Toronto, ON

With guidance from local Black theatre artist Najla Nubyanluv, participants will explore what they love about themselves and their community through fun, engaging theatre activities with a focus on empowerment.

This program is a unique opportunity to build skills in:
✨ Self-expression
✨ Performance
✨ Confidence
✨ Writing & storytelling

Participants will showcase their talents in a public performance at Summer in the Park 2025 on August 23, celebrating each other and themselves!

📌 Register by August 13 by scanning the QR code or using the link in bio.

#WestonsBrightFutures #YouthTheatre #BIPOCYouth #EmpowermentThroughArt #WestonCommunity #CreativeYouth #TorontoTheatre taken in Crossroads Theatre by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

Deadline Extended to Friday August 15. We’ve still got spots left! Join us for a FREE theatre program for BIPOC young women and non-binary participants ages 11-14. We’ll explore what they love about themselves and their community through fun theatre activities with a focus on empowerment.

Mon-Weds-Fri from 1-4PM at Crossroads Theatre

This program is an opportunity to develop skills in self-expression, performance, confidence, writing and more.

Participants will wrap up the program with a public performance on August 23 in Summer in the Park on an outdoor stage!

Link in Bio.

#theatre #toronto taken in Crossroads Theatre by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

Announcing Weston’s Bright Futures, a new FREE theatre program for BIPOC young women & non-binary youth ages 11-14!

🗓️ Aug 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22 + performance day on Aug 23rd

⏰ 1pm - 4pm

📍 Crossroads Theatre Studio, 34 John Street, Toronto, ON

With facilitation from local Black theatre artist @najlanubyanluv, participants will explore what they love about themselves and their community through fun theatre activities with a focus on empowerment. This program is an opportunity for Black, Indigenous and POC girls and non-binary youth from the Weston neighbourhood to develop skills in self expression, performance, confidence, writing and more. Participants will wrap up the program with a public performance at Summer in the Park on August 23rd celebrating each other and themselves!

Check out the 🔗 in our bio to register! Registration deadline is Sunday, August 10th. by @najlaedwards

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a year ago

WHAT DOES MOTHERHOOD MEAN TO YOU? Find out from our cast and crew. Hear from Najla (dramaturg/co-director), Kevin (actor), and Abi (stage manager). There’s still time to get your tickets for WHEEL & TURN playing at the @fringewindsorontario Festival from July 24-27! 🎭🥁 Tickets available at link in bio @nadialhohn_author and you may also support #wheelandturn by way of donation if you can’t make it to the show. Please like, share and comment to spread the word. Your support is greatly appreciated. ❤️🫶🏾#wheelandturn #windsorfringe #fringefestival #supportcanadianartists #tellafriendtotellafriend #canadiantheatre #longtimegyal #peelheadjoncrow #aladysunflowerproduction
@owlkidspublishing @crossroadstheatreto @windsorfeministtheatre @fringewindsorontario @jamaicagleaner @missloujamaica @jambanafestival @jamaicansdotcom @jamaicancanadianzone @kyap_stacey @kabrenathewriter @kevinheronjones @najlanubyanluv @oliviavcarter #wheelandturn @urbanartsto @frontlines.to @weca.windsor @byblacks @jcaontario @jamaican_canadian_association @wwfringefest by @najlaedwards

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