A heartfelt and humorous show!
Briefly introduce yourself/your company…
Misty Cozac (she/her), a mixed-race Romanian and Japanese Canadian (sansei/yonsei), hails from the Blackfoot Confederacy’s ancestral lands (southern Alberta). She has lived across Canada and abroad, including Japan, Italy, and Mexico, and now calls Victoria, BC home. With a BFA (U of L) and MA (U of T) in Drama, she has a rich theatre background. Misty is particularly proud of her work on plays about Japanese Canadian internment, Winter Pond (actor, U of L) and The Plum Tree (director, New West).
What is it that makes your work/company unique?
Misty founded Kizuna Theatre to produce Genki Bear. In Japanese, the word kizuna (絆) means “bond” or “connection”—a reference to the deep, enduring relationships built on trust, empathy, and mutual support. For Misty, this captures the essence of what she loves most about theatre: its collaborative and communal spirit. Under the Kizuna Theatre name, she plans to continue writing, directing, and producing new works that bring together artists from diverse backgrounds to create meaningful, collective experiences.
What kind of experience do you hope audiences will have during your show?
I hope audiences walk away from Genki Bear feeling both deeply moved and thoroughly entertained. The show is designed to take people on an emotional journey – through laughter, nostalgia, and moments of unexpected tenderness. By blending storytelling, physical theater, and puppetry, I want the audience to feel the richness of multigenerational relationships and the complexities of cultural identity in a way that’s both heartfelt and imaginative.
Without spoilers, tell us what you think audiences will remember most about your show…
Whether it’s through the absurdity of a Care Bear costume, a dramatic samurai battle, or a quiet memory shared between Misty and Baachan, I hope viewers connect with the universal themes of love, memory, and family. More than anything, I want them to leave the theater with full hearts, perhaps thinking of their own grandmothers, or the people who helped shape who they are, with a smile and a tear.
Tell us about your participation in the Fringe’s mentorship program and how it’s helped shape your Fringe experience.
The Fringe Mentor Program has been absolutely invaluable to my Fringe experience. I was lucky to be matched with the incredible puppet theatre company Mind of a Snail. Chloe and Jessica have been amazing mentors – supportive, insightful, and incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. Early on, they helped me navigate the logistics of presenting a puppet-based production – everything from choosing the right venue to figuring out the technical needs of puppetry in a festival setting. They even connected me with another puppet creator in Vancouver, which was such a kind and encouraging gesture. As the festival drew closer, they provided thoughtful feedback on my marketing materials, like the poster and flyer, and introduced me to a poster designer who could help bring the visual side of the show to life. Beyond the practical support, their advice about building relationships and connecting with audiences has been one of the most meaningful takeaways. They reminded me that the Fringe isn’t just a performance opportunity – it’s a chance to grow your community.
Tickets for ‘Genki Bear: Memoirs of a Granddaughter‘ are on sale now, taking place at The NEST from 4 – 14 Sep. Book your spot today for just $16 per person!
