This semi-autobiographical play one-man play explores a story of hidden love between two gay teenage boys from neighboring reservations. Mike, a hockey player, and Jake, a dancer, take notice of each other at the Kenora Shoppers Mall. The two boys connect instantly, but are scared to act on their feelings. As the story is told through the shapeshifitng Nanabush, Agokwe (pronounced ‘agoo-kway’) explores the joys and heartbreaks of growing up as a young boy, marginalized by race, gender, and sexual orientation within a small community.
Agokwe is an Anishinaabe word that roughly translates to “two-spirited”, indicating that someone has both a male spirit and a female spirit inside of them. The original production won six Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2009, including the award for Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance, and Outstanding Direction.
Agokwe guide sections
