Genki Bear
Memoirs of a Grandaughter
"Genki Bear: Memoirs of a Granddaughter" traces Misty’s ever-evolving bond with her Japanese grandmother, brought to life on stage through a bunraku-style puppet. Spanning years and continents, the play stitches together childhood visits to Baachan’s house, a formative trip to Japan, and Misty’s search for identity. Expect to see: a grown woman in a Care Bear costume, an over-the-top samurai sword fight, a few questionable wigs, and one unforgettable tribute to the sassiest grandma around. This heartfelt and hilarious show is created for adults, but is suitable for audiences ages 10 and up.
"Great storytelling, easy to follow, tugs at the heart strings. Handkerchief maybe required ❣️" – Caede Pungente, Vancouver Fringe Audience Member
“'Genki Bear' is a beautifully crafted play, where puppetry and live acting seamlessly interact to reach deeply into the heart.” – Clayton Jevne, Artistic Director, Theatre Inconnu
"Cozac’s storytelling background breaks the 4th wall and establishes a whimsical attitude and relationship with the audience. She also has that special skill of acting naturally with a puppet. Grandma is as real as you and me." – Tim Gosley, Canadian Puppeteer
"I think this is the best thing I've seen all year. It's deeply heartfelt, profound, full of love and laughter. It's absolutely beautifully staged. It has EVERYTHING I want from theatre – most of which is to be moved." – Ian Case, Theatre Artist
Credits
Created by - Misty Cozac
About the Artist
Misty Yumiko Cozac (writer/co-director/performer) – is a mixed-race Romanian and Japanese Canadian (sansei/yonsei), who hails from the Blackfoot Confederacy’s ancestral lands (southern Alberta). 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). Her recent work, Between Earth and Sky, was just performed at SKAMpede 2026.
Kevin Eastman (co-director/performer) – is alumnus of UVic. Kevin has worked across Victoria's theatre scene. They are currently a stage manager at the Farquhar Auditorium. Recent credits include creating and performing The Ballad of One-Eyed Mike for SKAMpede 2025, serving as stage manager and assistant director for This Much I Know at Theatre Inconnu, and directing I Fell in Love with Moby Dick for 5 Stages.
Noé Nishizawa (performer) – is a Japanese-Canadian voice actor embodying the voice of Baachan in Genki Bear. Her love for storytelling began in childhood, reading and creating stories to entertain her siblings. Noé's voice can be heard in a diverse range of projects. Some recent credits include video games such as MechWarrior 5: Clans and Assassin’s Creed Shadows as well as audiobook narrations including Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and Hello Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi.
Zoe Bechtold (stage manager) – is a queer artist and theatre person from Calgary, Alberta. She got her start in theatre through Calgary Young People’s Theatre, and hasn’t looked back since! Past credits include costume and set design for Spare Parts (Dead Horse Theatre & timetheft theatre society), co-set/puppet design for Tiresias (Anywhere/Nowhere Creations & Pithy Productions), and assistant stage manager for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Langham Court Theatre).
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Accessibility
Content warnings: Mentions of Japanese-Canadian internment.
Sensory warnings: Audience interaction and/or participation.
Know before you go, learn about this venue with our Venue Guide.
For more accessibility information see the Accessibility at the Fringe page on our website.
Important Fringe Information:
You must have a Fringe Button to see this show. You can purchase your Fringe Button online or at the Intrepid Box Office. Online purchases can be picked up at the venue of your show.
100% of tickets are available in advance, no tickets reserved for door sales.
All tickets have a $3.00 Fringe service charge and passes have a $5 Fringe service charge, this supports the festival.
No refunds. No exchanges. If you are unwell contact the box office (tickets@intrepidtheatre.com).
All shows will admit latecomers at an appropriate moment for up to 10 minutes after the start of the show.
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Event Types - Puppetry
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$0.00 -
August 29, 2026-September 6, 2026 -
45 minutes -
CCPA Performance Hall -
Fringe Venue 5 -
All Ages -
Content warnings: Mentions of Japanese-Canadian internment. Sensory warnings: Audience interaction and/or participation.
