One newcomer, one carry-on, one hilariously epic search for freedom.
Suitcase Stories
created & performed by Maki Yi
With only a tiny suitcase in tow, Maki Yi leaves her home in South Korea and winds up in Regina. She finds that her new life in Canada is both everything she hoped for and the most difficult thing she has ever faced. A ludicrous and vulnerable real-life tale of faith, survival, and self-discovery.
February 25 - March 1, 2026
at Studio 914 (La Troupe du Jour's wheelchair-accessible theatre), 914 20th St W, Saskatoon
Wed-Fri, Feb 25-28* @ 7:30pm
*Live Audio Descriptions via complimentary headsets offered Sat, Feb 28 for patrons with visual impairment
Sunday, Mar 1 @ 2:00pm matinee
All Tickets Pay-What-You-Choose $15+
Box Office: Click button below or call 306-242-4478
Running Time: 90 minutes + Optional 10-minute Talkback with artists after each show and special guests from organizations like Saskatoon Open Door Society, MCC SK, and Saskatchewan Intercultural Association.
Audience Advisory: Includes brief discussions of racism, addiction and self-harm.
Presented by Burnt Thicket Theatre
Featuring Maki Yi (best known as “Umma” in Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi, national theatre tour)
Directed by Colleen Lanki
Lighting Design by Chengyan Boon
See details for High School Student Matinee Feb 27 at 1:00pm
Suitcase Stories radio interviews
Click photo to hear Maki Yi on CBC Radio's Saskatchewan Weekend with Shauna Powers
Click photo to hear Maki Yi on CFCR 90.5FM's The Buzz with Jason Emiry
Suitcase Stories reviews
“Suitcase Stories is an incredibly heartwarming journey of endurance and perseverance… Yi is a dynamic and charming performer, evokes such an effervescent quality… bringing a strong, confident performance, vision and narrative to the stage.” – Ezekiel McAdams, Culture Gecko
"Suitcase Stories was a very meaningful experience for me. The performances and talk-back conversations that followed created such a powerful space for connection, reflection, and empathy. I’m really grateful to Maki and everyone at Burnt Thicket for creating that space." – Parastoo Dokouhaki, Saskatoon Open Doors Society
“I was amazed by Maki's ability to weave whimsical joy and sober melancholy together. It was stunning how she created big worlds using small things as she depicted her journey.” – Amanda Dodge, Mennonite Central Committee SK
“Filled with hope and pluck, Suitcase Stories inspires us all to make our own way in the world.” - Janis La Couvée, ArtSmarts columnist with Monday Magazine
"Yi is an effervescent storyteller, and her wide-eyed optimism is appealing." - Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents
"Sometimes, when you see a show, you know that an artist is offering you a personal gift... I’m glad that we have this artist among us." - Colin Thomas, Vancouver
"Yi spends an hour and 40 minutes non-stop, transfixing the audience with her tale of immigrating to Canada. That is downright impressive." - Alan Woo, Fun! Fun! Vancouver
"Maki’s emotive performance is creative and animated, transforming the stage... with an endearing touch of levity." - Marian Wagner, My Van City
"Brimming with universally relevant themes for today’s world, Suitcase Stories is a creative and winsome invitation into the particular resilience of one woman’s journey." - Meredith Cochran, Regent Et Cetera
Suitcase Stories production photos
About Maki Yi, the play's creator
Born and raised in South Korea, Maki first came to Canada in 2000. She received a BFA in Theatre Performance at University of Regina and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies at Simon Fraser University. She was one of the creative members in the making of Saskatchewan New Drama Series: Redemption, which premiered at Saskatchewan Centennial Network. Her autobiographic solo show, Home of My Soul, toured western Canada before she moved to Vancouver to study with DD Kugler. Under his supervision, Maki created MFA project, Gramma, an intercultural performance for her thesis on auto-ethnographic theatre. In 2010, she became a permanent resident, returned to SK Playwright Centre’s New Plays Festival as intern and actor, and spent her time as Playwright in Residence at the University of Regina for the summer, 2011. She moved back to Vancouver for her artistic apprenticeship at Pacific Theatre in the 2011/12 season.
In 2013-15, she collaborated with culturally diverse artists for the interpretive movement piece of a Korean short story, Weaver Woman. For Pacific Theatre’s 30th anniversary season, Maki created Lobby Project: Suitcase Stories. The project was developed into a 90-minute full length play, and has been invited to various theatres, festivals, and conferences. Her acting credits include Kim’s Convenience (Soulpepper Theatre, Pacific Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, and Theatre NorthWest), Seventeen (Western Gold Theatre), God Said This (Pacific Theatre), and Child-ISH (Pacific Theatre). She also enjoys working as a dramaturg, translator and cultural consultant. She is a member of Asian Theatre Working Group within International Federation of Theatre Research.
Many Thanks to our Sponsors
Season Sponsor: SK Arts
Suitcase Stories Production Sponsor: SaskCulture
Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
Mennonite Central Committee SK
Riversdale Neighbours Church
Stobbe Photo, Saskatoon
Globe Printers, Saskatoon
