SummerWorks, Toronto, ON

I have attended many SummerWorks performances over the years and volunteered last year for the first time. I volunteered this year again and did two shifts.

SummerWorks is a leader, collaborator and community builder at the forefront of contemporary performance – asking crucial questions; nurturing artistic innovation; and presenting new works that reflect the complexity and diversity of our society.

BACK TO THE FUTURE | FORWARD TO THE PAST

Entering our 35th year, we’re back with a landmark season of bold performance, intimate creative experiences and daring artistic interventions exploring time - personal and collective, real and imagined. From August 7–17, 2025, join us as we gather in theatres, in public parks, in galleries, at transit hubs, and in the spaces between.

This year’s Festival theme, Back to the Future | Forward to the Past invites reflection, imagination and disruption with bold creative expressions that dive deep into temporality, exploring and questioning the past, present, and future, with a gentle curiosity and a critical ferocity. Inspired by the words of Dr. Elder Duke Redbird and curated by Artistic Director Michael Caldwell, the 2025 edition features works that dive into our memories, our legacies, our bodies, and our relationship to time.

With 40+ projects and over 200 artists, SummerWorks 2025 is a space to gather in curiosity, conversation and complexity - to mark the past, anchor in the present, and move collectively into imagined futures.

Uncover your next magical experience at the 2025 SummerWorks Performance Festival!

I attended the volunteer orientation training that was on Friday, August 1.

Sunday I was at the Citadel (on Parliament and Dundas E).

SummerWorks, Toronto, ON

SummerWorks started on July 31 and ends tomorrow. 

SummerWorks is a leader, collaborator and community builder at the forefront of contemporary performance – asking crucial questions; nurturing artistic innovation; and presenting new works that reflect the complexity and diversity of our society.

I volunteered for three shifts at The Theatre Centre, which is in my 'hood. Though I've attended many performances over the years, it's the first time I've volunteered for SummerWorks.

Wednesday - I ushered for Warm Up.

Thursday - I ushered for Aye Caesar.

"Awake & Still Drowning", SummerWorks, The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

Since I was going to be volunteering this afternoon with Awake & Still Drowning, I went early and bought a ticket for it so I'd be able to experience it as I've never experienced VR before. It was a freaky but fun and cool experience. It was fun to watch the next groups do it.

AWAKE & STILL DROWNING is a 30-minute shared experience in VR and unsuspecting performance. It is a cautionary fable about the day Nova Scotia becomes an island, told through a combination of virtual reality and group choreography in which watching and performing signify the high cost of human migration when the exploited ocean takes back what is hers.

The experience splits the audience into two groups. The first group transforms into the protagonists, a flock of little white seabirds, performing a guided walk along a narrow landscape as directed by the VR headset, which depicts the rising ocean and disappearing shoreline. The second group waits in line, witnessing the flock without fully grasping the crisis unfolding inside the headset. Then, they join the dance, becoming part of the flock. The cycle continues until no one is left, or we must leave the venue.

Audience Experience:

Audience members will be invited into The Theatre Centre Gallery where they will be greeted by SummerWorks staff and volunteers and given instructions. Once ready, the group will enter the Franco Boni Theatre to learn how to use the VR headsets and how to calibrate the headset before the experience begins. The VR experience is approximately 15 minutes. Afterward, the audience members are invited to stay in the theatre for as long as they would like to witness the experience from the outside, sitting in the Franco Boni Theatre audience seating. Individuals can stay as long as they would like, watching multiple cycles.

Teeshirts for sale

Dustin and his family are from Nova Scotia
and were really friendly

"Truck", Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

SummerWorks Performance Festival runs from August 3 to 13. Tickets start at $15 (you pay what you want).

Join us for 11 days of diverse encounters and curious collaborations with artists, audiences and creative partners from across Canada and around the world.

Curated by and in conversation with our six Guest Curators, the 2023 Festival asks crucial questions about our relationship to our senses, and heightens our embodied awareness of the world around us. You’ll experience a diverse mix of innovative and sensorial performance experiences combined with unique and thought-provoking creative exchanges.

If you’ve attended in the past or you are just now encountering the Festival for the first time - welcome! There is so much rich potential in the moment of meeting; between two people and between artist and audience. There’s a sensation that’s palpable; there’s a spark that ignites when we share space in intimacy and in proximity with one another. There’s an endless array of possibilities.

Whether it’s in the theatre, at the Market, or on the dance floor, we look forward to meeting you and sharing space with you!

Though not recently, over the years, Gord and I have seen many SummerWorks productions and have enjoyed them.  We like them because you never know what to expect.

This evening we saw Truck at the Theatre Centre, which is in our 'hood, and it was excellent! Interesting story with talented actors. Alas, this evening was the only performance.

It’s 2038 and tech-giant Edison is set to introduce a line of self-driving trucks. The vehicles will make ninety-nine percent of long-haul trucking autonomous, putting thousands out of work. Tonight, you’re invited to a retirement speech for the last truck driver in America.

Presented as a staged reading, ‘Truck’ is a new play about technology, work and the challenges of the near future.

Graham Isador – Playwright, Director
Adam Lazarus – Performer
Ellie Moon – Performer
Tim Walker – Performer

"Swim Team", Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

SummerWorks started on Thursday.  Tickets start at $15 (you pay what you want).

SummerWorks is a curated festival recognized nationally and internationally as a launching pad for new and experimental work. We are interested in continuously re-imagining and innovating the possibilities for performance – how it is created, presented and experienced. 

SummerWorks supports work that has a clear artistic vision and explores a specific theatrical aesthetic. It encourages risk, questions, and creative exploration while insisting on accessibility, integrity and professionalism. SummerWorks is the place where dedicated, professional artists are free to explore new territory and take artistic risks. Rather than getting larger, we strive to get better. We look to introduce professional artists from diverse communities to each other and be inspired by our similarities and differences.

Over the last couple of years, Gord and I have seen many SummerWorks productions and have enjoyed them.  We like them because you never know what to expect.

This afternoon we saw Swim Team.

Inspired by real stories from the world of women’s sports in post-revolutionary Iran, "Swim Team" follows three women who are determined to learn to swim in a place devoid of water. When their coach transforms her small apartment into a training facility, they discover that it can still be tricky to achieve your dreams, even when they’re just in your imagination.

A female coach has moved to a place that doesn't have any water because of a recent drowning.  When three women want to learn how to swim, it makes it tricky because there is no water nearby.  The coach transforms her apartment into a swimming pool (with imaginary water) and teaches them how to hold their breath, swim and even dive.

This was a different play and I thought it was okay.  It was interesting to see the women really get into learning how to swim when it was obvious there was no water.  It ran for 60 minutes.  As a head's up, there is swearing.  Today was the premiere and there was a Q&A after the play.

It is playing at the Theatre Centre, which is in our 'hood.

"A Girl Lives Alone", Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

SummerWorks started on Thursday.  Tickets start at $15 (you pay what you want).

SummerWorks is a curated festival recognized nationally and internationally as a launching pad for new and experimental work. We are interested in continuously re-imagining and innovating the possibilities for performance – how it is created, presented and experienced. 

SummerWorks supports work that has a clear artistic vision and explores a specific theatrical aesthetic. It encourages risk, questions, and creative exploration while insisting on accessibility, integrity and professionalism. SummerWorks is the place where dedicated, professional artists are free to explore new territory and take artistic risks. Rather than getting larger, we strive to get better. We look to introduce professional artists from diverse communities to each other and be inspired by our similarities and differences.

Over the last couple of years, Gord and I have seen many SummerWorks productions and have enjoyed them.  We like them because you never know what to expect.

This afternoon we saw A Girl Lives Alone.

A Hitchcock-esque comedy and murder mystery mash-up about death, fear, and how well you really know your neighbours.

Grace had just been murdered and the killer wasn't found.  The play is about the reactions and interactions of the other tenants who live in the building ... Marion, who  just moved into the building and didn't know Grace; Janet, who lives across the hallway from Marion, who loves Friends and was friends with Grace; Kim and Stewart, a couple who live upstairs; Alma, an older woman; Murray, the landlord; and a foley artist.

I liked this play.  The actors did a good job with their distinct characters and made good use of the space on the stage.  It ran for 75 minutes.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

It is playing at the Theatre Centre, which is in our 'hood.

"Plucked", Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

Summerworks started on Thursday.

Founded in 1991, SummerWorks is Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theatre, dance, music and live art. The Festival is widely recognized as one of the most vital platforms for launching new Canadian work – locally, nationally, and internationally. For 11 days every August, SummerWorks hosts over 500 artists, performing in over 60 performance projects.

Over the last couple of years, Gord and I have seen many Summerworks productions and have enjoyed them.  This evening we saw Plucked.

It is playing at the Theatre Centre, which is in our 'hood.

Infusing comedy, bluegrass music, and a complete lack of sentimentality, "Plucked" is set in a world where fear turns women into chickens, eggs are high currency, and vaginas are near-dangerous possessions. "Plucked" skewers patriarchy without holding punches. It exposes hard truths about fear and family. It’s funny because it’s fake; it’s vulnerable but it’s okay because it ends with a curtain call, but it’s not okay because it’s familiar. "Plucked" is, after all, a true story. It’s just full of lies. 

Plucked is a story of how women become chickens and their eggs are coveted and sold for a lot of money.  Abigail recently turned into a chicken and her husband, Jerry, is waiting for her to start laying eggs so he can sell them.  He's also waiting for their daughter, Fourteen, to turn into a chicken so he can make money selling her eggs.  But she has other plans.

Yes, it's a crazy story but I got caught up in it.  There was singing ... the play is funny and tragic.  All the actors did a great job.  Tim Machin was the music director and also played the part of Rooster, the banjo-playing narrator.  After Abigail became a chicken, Sochi Fried did a really good job cooped up in a cage being a chicken.  Tyrone Savage was funny as the handsome "retard".  Qianna MacGilchrist played Fourteen.  She is the daughter of friends of ours and is the reason this play caught our attention.  I've known Qianna since she was a very young kid so it was interesting to see her in such an adult role (complete with swearing!).  She was excellent!

It was a fun play worth seeing.  As a head's up, there is swearing and some violence.

"Do I Have To Do Everything My F$cking Self?", SummerWorks, Lower Ossington Theatre Cabaret, Toronto, ON

This evening Gord and I saw Do I Have To Do Everything My F$cking Self?, which is part of the 2004 SummerWorks Festival. 

SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance festival. For 11 days in August, it takes over the Queen West Strip, hosting theatre, music, performance and more.

It was playing at the Lower Ossington Theatre Cabaret, which is in our 'hood.

Most women know what they want. Regina knows what you want. With the voice of a shady angel and a body made for breaking hearts, she delivers anthems from the alleyways and sets the nights ablaze.. By her beauty and the beat, you are hers for the taking. Regina is shadow and light, high kicks and deep splits, fierce tongue and soft touch. You already need her, and you haven’t even met her yet. Regina is a celebration of love. Regina is a celebration of the night. Regina is what you’ve been missing in your life. 

Performed by Regina The Gentlelady

For about an hour, we were entertained by Regina who talked about being from Guelph, wanting to kick Miley Cyrus' butt, reminiscing about Charlie's Angels and the 20 Minute Workout and more.  Along the way, she sang some songs and danced ... she's got some great moves! Do I Have To Do Everything My F$cking Self? was a rap song she finished with.

Regina the Gentlelady is actually indie rock singer Gentleman Reg's alternate persona in drag.

"And Now, The End", SummerWorks, Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, ON

This evening Gord and I saw And Now, The End, which is part of the 2004 SummerWorks Festival. 

SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance festival. For 11 days in August, it takes over the Queen West Strip, hosting theatre, music, performance and more.

It was playing at the Theatre Muraille, about a fifteen minute walk from home.

With the announcement of the coming apocalypse, the citizens of Roxton, a small Canadian town, struggle to come to terms with their imminent doom: a young woman’s tragic past threatens her relationship with her best friend; a doctor’s profession goes from saving lives to ending them: the wife of a stranded astronaut desperately hopes for his return; a pair of slacker interns finally live their dream by hosting their own radio show. 

This new Canadian musical examines life, death, and what people choose do with the time they have left. 

Performed by Troy Adams, Tamara Bernier Evans, Ruth Goodwin, Kaleigh Gorka, Amir Haidar, Zach Parkhurst, Hugh Ritchie, Paolo Santalucia, Jeff Yung

There is an asteroid heading for earth in a year's time and everyone will die.  This play follows various people as they get ready for the end.  Best friends Clare and Johnny have just graduated from high school and don't have a future ahead of them.  Inez is pregnant and is looking forward to having her baby and spending time with her ... she hooks up with the doctor who has become used to ending the lives of those who don't want to wait 'til the end.  Cathy's husband is an stranded astronaut and seeks comfort from the brother of her neighbour.  Dan and Scott are determined to keep hosting their radio show for anyone who may be listening.

I'm not into end-of-the-world movies and books ... I find them depressing.  So I wasn't sure whether I would like this play ... but I did ... a lot!  It was very well-acted ... it was obvious that these were professional.  Despite the subject matter, it was funny at times.  There were 14 songs and they weren't all doom and gloom.

My one complaint is that the band was really LOUD and drowned out the singers.  We initially sat in the front row next to the band and moved back a bit once the play started.

I would recommend this play!

"Chicken Grease is Nasty Business", SummerWorks, Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, ON

This evening Gord and I saw Chicken Grease is Nasty Business, which is part of the 2004 SummerWorks Festival. 

SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance festival. For 11 days in August, it takes over the Queen West Strip, hosting theatre, music, performance and more.

It was playing at the Theatre Muraille, about a fifteen minute walk from home.

Modestine fries the South’s best chicken but when she hatches a plan to lure her sons back home, best friend Pearl calls her crazy, son Dwayne’s bride-to-be clearly has other plans, son Delmar falls hard and Dr. Long offers mouth-to-mouth as this dizzying plot twists clean out of control. 

Starring Lili Francks, Karen Glave, Danny Waugh, Christian Lloyd, Dian Marie Bridge, Sedina Fiati, Jeremiah Sparks, Jade O'Keeffe

It's Dwayne's birthday and his kindhearted mother, Modestine, is throwing him a party and has a surprise for everyone.  But Dwayne also has a surprise of his own for everyone as does his trashy religious girlfriend, Jolene.  Everyone gets stirred up when Dwayne's ex-girlfriend, Maddie, shows up.

There were a lot of funny and sometimes crude lines ... I wish the actors had paused to let them land, though.  I found that funny lines were said and the actors kept going so we missed the next lines because the audience (including me) was laughing.  Plus sometimes the actors spoke really fast.

This was a fun play and the actors did a good job with it ... I liked it and would recommend it.  The play has potential ... I think the actors need to practice a bit more as it seemed like they stumbled over the lines sometimes.

"The Container", SummerWorks, Toronto, ON

This evening Gord and I saw The Container, which is part of the 2014 SummerWorks Festival. 

SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance festival. For 11 days in August, it takes over the Queen West Strip, hosting theatre, music, performance and more.

Five people thrown together by circumstance and necessity travel across Europe in a shipping container. Should they trust each other? What price will they pay to complete their journey?

When the doors of the container shut behind you, let your eyes adjust as you meet five complex individuals: Fatima, Asha, Jemal, Ahmad and Mariam. We meet them on the final leg of their journey, travelling across Europe in the confined space of a shipping container. The only thing they have in common is their goal: to get to England and start a new life. Over the course of 60 minutes, we see them torn between greed and generosity, watched over by the mysterious Agent who orchestrates their journey. With freedom so close, what price would you pay?

The Container was originally staged as part of the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it won the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award. This SummerWorks production is the Canadian premiere.

Warnings: confined space, dark, warm temperature/non-air conditioned, mature language and subject matter. 

Performed by Lara Arabian, Bola Aiyeola, Ubah Guled, Constantine Karzis, Adriano Sobretodo Jr., Sugith Varughese

This 60 minute play told the story of five refugees who paid a lot of money to get passage to London, England, in a shipping container ... we meet them when they are in Italy.  It was conducted in an actual 20-foot shipping container, which is in our 'hood.

There were twenty of us in the container (it was sold out), plus the six actors.  Once the play started, the doors were closed.  We were warned before we went in that it was warm and dark ... not a good place to be if you are claustrophobic.  We were given a bottle of water and told to hold our hand up and say "pause" if it got to be too much and we'd be let out ... no one did.

The actors were excellent and performed really well ... I felt like I was actually with them, eavesdropping on their situation.  Mother and daughter, Fatima and Asha, had been in a refugee camp for a few years and were heading to London to hook up with Fatima's son.  Jemal's fiancee and baby were in London and he wanted to get back to them.  Ahmad was a businessman.  Mariam's husband had been killed and she was escaping so it wouldn't happen to her.  The Agent was a slimy dog trying to weasel more money from them.

Actually being in the container increased the intensity ... it was very warm and stifling and full of tension, desperation and hope.  The sound effects of a truck driving make it all that more real.

This is definitely a must-see play!

"Tour", SummerWorks, Toronto, ON

This evening Gord and I participated in Tour, which is part of the Live Art Series of the 2004 SummerWorks Festival. 

SummerWorks is Canada's largest juried performance festival. For 11 days in August, it takes over the Queen West Strip, hosting theatre, music, performance and more.

Tour is a theatrical experience at once both intimate and spectacular; a literal journey on the most badass pedicab you have ever seen.

Four audience members hop onto a pedicab for a 20-minute historical tour. Negotiating an array of interruptions, a driver tells stories, both personal and historical, which reveal secrets hidden behind familiar facades. The driver compels the audience to contemplate where they are and the marks left behind. Featuring original music, magical contraptions and the unexpected history and myth beneath our streets, Tour is an adventure that will change the way you see the city you thought you knew.

Tour began its ride as part of 2010’s Cultural Olympiad, and has since pedaled throughout Vancouver and Victoria. This is Universal Limited’s East Coast debut. 

Performed by Yoshie Bancroft, Daniel Deorksen, Jessica Harvey and Cecile Roslin

Here we are on the pedicab ... Gord and I are in the back.  Our guide was Cecile and she took us around a couple alleys in our 'hood for about 20 minutes.

And off we went ...

Cecile stopped behind the Great Hall to tell us a story.

To follow along with that story, she told us there were ViewMasters under our seats.

Then this couple came rounding the corner and wanted to sing for us.  They said they were traveling across Canada collecting stories.