There is something particularly moving about theatre that is developed from personal experiences. They can be touching and it is easy for members of the audience to connect with the person whose story is being told. Devised by Olenka Toroshenko, i am root would be timely for a significant proportion to Australia’s 40,000 Ukrainian population. Prominently spoken word poetry, Toroshenko paints a picture of her life growing up in Canada deeply involved in the Ukrainian community. Proud of her heritage, she struggles with the dominant Canadian personality and the strong connection to the Ukrainian traditions she was brought up with all the while trying to find where she fits in the world. She speaks of the Ukrainian national soup borscht, cultural songs and dance but also whether moving country was the right choice. Borscht is an appropriate tool to apply to her current existential conundrum. As much of the world has become a mixing pot of culture, the prominent ingredient to the soup is beetroot which Toroshenko uses as a metaphor for building a life in a place wherever it be and growing roots as it were. As Australia, like Canada, is a nation of migrants it is easy to relate to her experiences and difficulties of finding her place in the global community. Toroshenko’s performance was solid. She was strong and at no point did she waiver from the clear and crisp narrative she built throughout the show. As a Katonah yoga teacher, she never once wasted a moment to show her skills similarly with her singing, which the audience was blessed to experience. Her voice is amazing and the opportunity to hear her sing, pray in Ukrainian and recite poetry was a specific highlight of the show. There was a notable moment where at the end of the performance Toroshenko took a moment to talk about the shocking war currently unfolding in Ukraine. One could hardly guess the fear and concern she as all Ukrainian Australian’s must be feeling at this time for their families and friends as civilians and fighters alike put themselves in danger for the defense of democracy and their homeland. A humbling and powerful way to end the evening.