Welcome to Kizuna Theatre
Together we build stories that bind us.
Our Values & Commitments
In Japanese, kizuna (絆) means bond or connection, a word that embodies the spirit of collaboration at the heart of everything we do.
Connection through Collaboration
We believe theatre is born from trust and empathy, a shared heartbeat among artists and audiences. Every Kizuna project is an act of collaboration, where creative voices intertwine to build something no one could make alone.
Stories that Bridge Worlds
Our work honours complexity: cultural, emotional, and human. Rooted in Misty Yumiko Cozac’s Japanese and Romanian heritage and shaped by global experience, Kizuna Theatre seeks to bridge histories, languages, and perspectives through storytelling that invites understanding.
Community as Creative Ground
We see theatre as a gathering place, a space to nurture bonds within and beyond the rehearsal room. We aim to build relationships that extend into our broader communities, guided by care, respect, and curiosity.
Honouring the Past, Imagining the Future
We carry forward stories that remember and reckon with history while envisioning a more compassionate future through art.
Rooted and Responsive
Based on the lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples (Victoria, BC), we acknowledge our place within a larger story of land, culture, and responsibility. Our practice is guided by gratitude and a commitment to listening, learning, and reciprocity.
Growth through Shared Creation
Kizuna Theatre is a space for artists to explore, risk, and evolve together. We value process as much as product, and believe that every collaboration deepens our collective artistry.
“Kizuna is a place of respect and knowledge sharing. You don’t just work on shows with Kizuna; you connect to a wider world through your collaborations. I found my time with them as an opportunity to learn and grow my community – it’s like few other groups.”
Kevin Eastman
Theatre Artist
Current Show
Genki Bear: Memoirs of a Granddaughter
Victoria Theatre Collective Spotlight Award winners for Design, Direction, and Semi-Professional Production
Poster Design by: Cristache Ross
Photography by: Karl Swannie and Anya Reynolds Swannie
Genki Bear: Memoirs of a Granddaughter is a heartfelt and humorous show that follows Misty’s ever-evolving relationship with her Japanese grandmother, Baachan. Told through a blend of storytelling, physical theater, and bunraku-inspired puppetry, the play moves fluidly across time and space – from childhood visits to Baachan’s house, to a formative trip to Japan, and finally to Misty’s adult reflections on culture and identity.
As Misty grows up, so does her understanding of her heritage and the complicated, comical, and deeply loving woman who helped shape it. Baachan is brought to life with uncanny charm through a beautifully crafted puppet, making every scene with her feel vivid and unforgettable.
Adding another layer of resonance, the production also features video segments interwoven throughout the show – brief but moving interviews with others sharing experiences or memories of their own Japanese grandmothers. These personal reflections add a communal heartbeat to the story, reminding audiences that Misty’s journey is both deeply personal and widely relatable.
Expect the unexpected: a grown woman in a Care Bear costume, a wildly exaggerated samurai sword fight, a couple of questionable wigs, and a whole lot of heart. Through laughter and poignancy, Genki Bear explores what it means to be part of a family that spans generations and cultures, and how we carry moments in time and memories with us.
Created for adult audiences but suitable for ages 10 and up, Genki Bear: Memoirs of a Granddaughter is a tribute to the powerful bonds between grandparents and grandchildren, and a celebration of the sassiest grandma around.
Co-Director/Actor – Misty Yumiko Cozac
Co-Director/Puppeteer/Actor – Kevin Eastman
Actor – Noé Nishizawa
Musician – Doug Hensley
Stage Manager – Taylor Guidotti
Victoria Fringe Festival 2026 (Remount)
August 29 7:00 pm
August 30 12:30 pm
September 3 6:30 pm
September 4 8:30 pm
September 6 3:30 pm
Location – CCPA Performance Hall
1701 Elgin Rd, Oak Bay
Tickets – available here
Kizuna Theatre 