Welcome to Theatre at Nextfest 2023!
Theatre projects in all stages of production are presented at Nextfest. Grab your ticket and settle in for new works from emerging artists.
Theatre mainstage performances are below. Want more? Check out our Progress Showings & Workshop Readings lineup.
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A Fate Worse Than Death
created and performed by Nisha Patel
When?
Friday, June 2 at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, June 6 at 9:15 pm
Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 pm
Where? Lorne Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
In her first-ever solo mainstage performance, Nisha will debut a series of spoken word poems and music that weaves her experiences as a disabled artist together to answer the question of whether disabled life is worth living. The audience will be asked to witness disability as the artist does: through pain, in the body and mind, and then outside of it in a society that seeks its eradication. The show will also profess to the love and joy of disability, the need for disability justice, and the beauty of desiring a disabled life.
June 6 and 7 will include Thurga Kanagasekarampillai as a Deaf performer.
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Rose Fort Theatre Co. presents
Just the Two of Us
by Alexandria Rose Fortier
directed by Mia Cooksey
featuring Tristan Amos, Alexandria Rose Fortier, Jules Pepin, and Christina Hamer
When?
Sunday, June 4 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 pm
Friday, June 9 at 5:00 pm
Where? Lorne Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
The old adage “You never know what goes on behind closed doors,” rings true as we peek behind the curtain of an intimate relationship as it crumbles and fights to survive.
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SHE/THEY
by Madi May
directed by Daisy Brazil
When?
Saturday, June 3 at 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 6 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 7 at 5:00 pm
Where? Lorne Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
Famed feminist author Agnes Arnold has been cancelled and doxed. Gender studies major Pearl Arnold has been dumped and shattered. Pearl has no time to process their breakup because Agnes, their grandmother, is moving in. Full of hope that her grand-“daughter” will validate her outdated and bigoted opinions, Agnes is shocked when Pearl pushes back. Soon, they launch into a debate about feminism and gender, but as the political becomes personal, both Agnes and Pearl confront the truth that they are far from ready to admit.
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Cindy Rivers Comedy presents
Thanks for Coming Out
created and performed by Cindy Rivers
When?
Sunday, June 4 at 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, June 10 at 6:00 pm
Where? Lorne Cardinal Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
It’s not quite stand-up, it’s not quite a monologue, it’s a standologue? A story full of laughs and tears about being transgender in Alberta and becoming a comedian. This unique story is injected with standup comedy to highlight the trans experiences of Cindy Rivers.
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Reasonable Productions presents
Black Alberta
by Bashir Mohamed
directed by Angie Bustos
featuring Marie Boston, Katelyn Cabalo, Bashir Mohamed, and Angie Bustos
When?
Saturday, June 3 at 12:30 pm
Sunday, June 4 at 5:00 pm
Thursday, June 8 at 9:00 pm
Where? Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
A young Black Albertan travels through space and time to learn about and reckon with Alberta’s history. Featuring the stories of Charles Daniels, Lulu Anderson, Ruhamah Utendale, and Ted King.
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HYENA’S TRAIL
by Kijo Gatama
directed by Dr. Lebogang Disele-Pitso
featuring Noreta Lewis, Ameley Quaye, David Madawo, Kijo Gatama, Makeda Romanetti, Ameley (Abigail) Quaye, Mpoe Mogale, Rory Turner, Amy Dass, Mukonzi Musyoki, Megan Gilron, Kyle Smith
When?
Saturday, June 3 at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, June 7 at 8:00 pm (talkback to follow performance)
Saturday, June 10 at 5:00 pm
Where? Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
Hyena’s Trail is a poetic drama that reclaims a classic take on witches through Eastern African culture and mythology. It begins with a Fisi (Hyena), a mother, and her daughters. Nya, a young woman who has returned home from studying abroad in Canada, is now a stranger in her old home. She is caught entangled in a secret she is ready to bury herself in. She has caught the attention of the cackling man-eater itself, scavenging for remnants of a big kill. Treachery they say unfolds on the laps of those who plant a dark little seed.
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Stretcher Hymen and Party Queens presents
The Mys-Queery of the Missing Wig: Deadliest Snatch
by Stretcher Hymen
directed by Stretcher Hymen
featuring Aboyactually, An Xia D, Audrina Linn, Circules, Charli Darwin, Gemma Nye, Hot Wheelz, Mars Dawn, Razz Pukin, Stretcher Hymen, Venus, and Vespa
When?
Saturday, June 3 at 4:30 pm
Wednesday, June 7 at 6:00 pm
Saturday, June 10 at 3:00 pm
Where? Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
When theatre and drag collide, your favourite queer-coded characters come to life! Wanda the famous drag queen’s new human wig has been stolen and the villains of Slays Ville are the top suspects! But who would solve this mystery best? Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby — the Mys-Queery gang, of course.
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Bat Rabbit Collective presents
Rat Academy
created and performed by Dayna Lea Hoffmann and Katie Yoner
directed by Joseph McManus
When?
Friday, June 2 at 9:00 pm
Sunday, June 4 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, June 10 at 1:00 pm
Where? Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
Rat Academy follows Fingers (Dayna Lea Hoffmann), a curmudgeonly street rat with a heart of gold, who is the last wild rat left in Alberta. Or so he thinks until he discovers Shrimp (Katie Yoner), a happy-go-lucky lab rat who recently escaped by accident. Eager to preserve his legacy, Fingers creates the Rat Academy to train Shrimp along with the audience in the ways of the cold, hard street rat.
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Baker Miller Pink presents
(Taylor’s Version)
by Cayley Wreggitt
directed by Cayley Wreggitt and Samantha Ketsa
featuring Grace Fedorchuk, Donna Ng, Chelsea Howell-Fellows, Nicole Logan, Megan Jovie, and Joy Robinson
When?
Friday, June 2 at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, June 6 at 6:00 pm
Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 pm
Where? Nancy Power Theatre in the Roxy Theatre
It’s a typical Tuesday night. Josie, Callie, and a reluctant Abigail invite you to dress up like hipsters, make fun of their exes, and adventure through their happy, free, confused, and lonely love stories. And by the way, they’re going out tonight. (Taylor’s Version) joyfully indulges in all things feminine, girly, and basic. We would like to thank the masterminds who worked on the previous version for their fearless contributions to the show. We would also like to thank our new romantics for making the whole place shimmer. And did we mention we polish up real nice? NICE!