On June 25, a group of women will take the stage at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener to share something exciting: their lived stories. ‘The Truth Is...’, this year’s culminating performance of the , is more than just a night of theatre, ’s the result of twelve weeks of creativity, courage, and deep connection.
Launched in 2019, the X-Page Workshop is a community arts initiative that brings together immigrant and refugee women in ݮƵ Region to explore and share personal narratives. With the guidance of local artists, editors, and theatre professionals, participants transform memories into performance-ready stories.
This year, as in many years past, the group met weekly at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College. The Centre has served as a home base for the workshop for multiple seasons, offering a warm, reflective space that supports the kind of deep listening and creative collaboration that is at the heart of X-Page.
The name “X-Page” comes from cartoonist Lynda Barry’s teaching philosophy, where the opposite of a blank page is one alive with memory, texture, and feeling. The process begins with structured writing exercises using prompt words, designed to unlock memory through play and imagination. Over the first few weeks, participants write together before breaking into smaller groups, where they begin to shape their narratives in collaboration with story editors.
By week six, the workshop holds a table read, an emotionally charged moment in which participants share their unfinished stories aloud for the first time. “The stories are still raw at the table read, both in form and emotion, but ’s the first moment where the women step closer to the stage,” said Tasneem Jamal, the lead writing coach at X-Page and Senior Communications Officer at . From there, the theatre teamsteps in to guide participants through voice work, staging, and full rehearsals. The vulnerability shared in writing sessions often carries over into powerful moments on stage.
Editors and coaches support participants through the process while ensuring each story stays true to the storyteller’s voice. “It’s a dynamic of mutual respect, creativity, and care,” said Tasneem. “Members of theatre team all work closely with the participants, listening deeply and offering guidance without imposing." That collaborative spirit extends far beyond the practical demands of preparing a show.
Over the years, the workshop has fostered a space where participants not only find their voice but connect deeply with one another. For returning peer mentors like Cecilia վíԴ, who first joined the workshop in 2021, that connection has only deepened over time. What began as a spontaneous last-minute application during the pandemic turned into years of involvement, including mentoring, editing, and even stepping in to read a story during a past performance.
Tasneem shared a moment from the very first season that still stays with her: “A participant became overwhelmed on stage and dzܱ’t go on. Another quietly walked over and embraced her. The audience began to clap gently, steadily, offering their support. It was a moment of pure love, connection, and encouragement.”
Since the project began in 2019, it has evolved with each season, through different venues, a full virtual season during the pandemic, and an ever-changing team of participants. But its core has stayed the same: a space where newcomer women can feel seen, heard, and connected.
“The X-Page workshop is a life-changing experience for 𱹱ǻ,” said Cecilia. “We all learn so much from each other... I started writing again, participated in contests, published a poem, and with mentoring from Tasneem, got .”
“The Truth Is...” will be performed at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with the performance beginning at 7:00 pm. Make sure to before they sell out!
By Pinar Gurgen