A Love Story Years in the Making: Playwright Drew Hayden Taylor on Crees in the Caribbean

When acclaimed Canadian playwright Drew Hayden Taylor set out to write Crees in the Caribbean, he wasn’t chasing spectacle or high drama. Instead, he began with something quieter, and far more personal: the idea of an Elder love story.

While Taylor has long been known for exploring a wide range of themes in his work, he is intentional about balancing tone. “I like going back and forth between comedies and dramas,” he explains. “I’ve seen so many dark and bleak stories of Indigenous life. I frequently like to present a more positive and enjoyable peek at our lives.” That choice is reflected in Crees in the Caribbean, which blends humour with heart, offering audiences a story that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.

As an Indigenous playwright, Taylor is often asked how he approaches storytelling to avoid stereotypes or external expectations. His answer is simple.

“Instinct. I am a storyteller,” he says. “I realize the world is the audience. I write stories that tell a truthful perspective. I can’t do anything else.”

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