René Highway

Who was René Highway?

René Highway was a Canadian dancer and actor of Cree descent from Brochet, Manitoba. He was the brother of playwright Tomson Highway, with whom he frequently collaborated during their time at Native Earth Performing Arts in Toronto, and the partner of actor and singer Micah Barnes.

Highway studied dance at the Toronto Dance Theatre, Denmark's Tukak Theatre, and at the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto. René Highway helped to create the role of Nanabush in his brother's play The Rez Sisters, and was the choreographer for Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing.

He died of AIDS-related causes in 1990. Native Earth Performing Arts started the René Highway Foundation in his memory.