Eleven days, hundreds of emerging artists, and endless ways to experience something unforgettable. Celebrating 30 years as Edmontonâs largest and longest-running festival for new talent, Nextfest has been a launchpad for Canadaâs freshest voices in theatre, dance, film, music, visual art, and multidisciplinary arts. From its humble beginnings in 1996 to its return to the Roxy Theatre, Nextfest continues to showcase the future of the arts.
TICKETS & PASSES
Want to experience everything the festival has to offer? We recommend grabbing an All-Access Festival Pass so you can enjoy every single event (that’s 40+ in total)!
Show schedule and individual tickets go live in late May!
Plus there will be many free events to attend!
ADOPT AN ARTIST
For 30+ years, Nextfest has been a launchpad for artistsâ firstsâfirst performances, first audiences, first big steps. With a $100 donation, you can adopt a Nextfest artist and be part of that journey. Your donation includes an exclusive Nextfest t-shirt, an all-access Festival Pass to Nextfest, a charitable tax receipt, and your name displayed alongside your artistâs at The Roxy.
Who’s Kids Are These Anyhow?! A group of improv students from across the city, join together to do a ‘Who’s Line is it Anyhow’ style show, with points and a special prize awarded. Featuring Jack Ferguson, Isabella Cumbrina, Sienna Grimard, Adilaide Harvey, Aden Mohamed Amare, Louise Madanguit, Epiphany Grace Jumamoy, Mateo Diokno, Felix Stepney Dreamprov Dreamprov, is a long form…
The Bin follows Goose, a nursing student who joins her friends at their Athabasca cabin for the weekend. When things take a turn for the worse, Goose relies on the aid of animal spirits to make it home safely. A gory, surreal love-letter to Treaty 8 and the people who call it home. Directed by Calypso Haine and Lexi House…
hunny moon in “Instructions Unclear”
hunny moon in “Instructions Unclear”
presented by man in the moon productions
Times
Fri Jun 5 @ 6:30 PM
Sat Jun 6 @ 4:30 PM
Sun Jun 7 @ 5 PM
Wed Jun 10 @ 6:30 PM
Thu Jun 11 @ 8:30 PM
Sat Jun 13 @ 5:30 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall Theatre
18+
what happens when the lights go down? the last of the glitter falls to the pavement. where does the stage end? is it all just a performance? under the layers and through sore, exhausted muscles hunny moon is waiting. for what? thatâs unclear. waiting to understand, to be understood, to not be in pain, for godot. an existential spiral, a…
Presenting Deaf Heart â a new performance by an ensemble of local Deaf artists. Their stories come to us from places as far away as Aleppo, Shiraz, and Davao City. Together, they have been woven into a wide-ranging tale of Deaf lives, Deaf places, and Deaf hearts. Led by Deaf Heart Theatre Collective, the ensemble moved through a series of…
SET C: The Decisions We Make
SET C: The Decisions We Make
Times
Sat Jun 6 @ 2 PM
Sat Jun 13 @ 11 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General Admission
A Warning written and directed by Marina Shenouda An exploration of power and what happens when we allow it to be taken from us. Featuring Neha Paul, Summer Maybank, Anabelle Casavant, Olwen Klug, Winter Semrok Content warning: Death / Dying, Emotional Abuse, Religious Content, Violence Beauty and Other Vices written and directed by Jenna Fritz A retelling of the Greek…
Splattered!
Splattered!
by Lily Davies
Times
Sat Jun 6 @ 2 PM
Sun Jun 7 @ 2:30 PM
Tue Jun 9 @ 7 PM
Wed Jun 10 @ 8:30 PM
Thu Jun 11 @ 6 PM
Sat Jun 13 @ 11:30 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall Theatre
When Brook gets into the writing program of her dreams, she thinks everything is going according to plan, until her ex-boyfriend, Charlie, shows up with the exact same dream. Itâs up to the two of them to figure out how to move on, whether that means ignoring each other, hating each other, or perhaps worst of all, becoming friends. Directed…
FANTASIES IN TRASH: in eleven movements is an industrial puppet symphony collectively created by Edmontonâs transgender/gender-diverse community featuring live scoring by a four-piece band. FANTASIES engages scopophilia, rituals of becoming, questions about transitions, the erotic, surveillance culture, and the wisdom of objects. Since September 2025, we have met in creative collaborative community using our transgender bodies and experiences as a…
SET A: Nextfest High School Cabaret
SET A: Nextfest High School Cabaret
Times
Sat Jun 6 @ 10 AM
Sat Jun 13 @ 3 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General (G)
Mc’d by the glorious Ellis Dee, this pocket of fun comes complete with stand up comedy, poetry readings, music and dance. A must see for the eclectic in all of us. Featuring Nora Kovacs, Gwyneth Ozar, Ellis van Hees (Ellis Dee), Casey Young, Hana Al-Battaineh, Aylie Mohr, and Isabelle Oâflaherty
SET B: Never as it Seems
SET B: Never as it Seems
Times
Sat Jun 6 @ 12 PM
Sat Jun 13 @ 1 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General Admission
Only on the Moon written and directed by Isabella Silva Ellsworth Could you figure out if someone you loved had their consciousness replaced? It’s June 20th 1969, the day of the moon landing. When Norman arrives at Gwendolyn’s house, he is acting unlike himself. You could almost call his behavior ‘unhuman’. Gwendolyn must grapple with her destiny and Norman’s otherworldly…
SET D: It’s All Greek!
SET D: It’s All Greek!
Times
Sun Jun 7 – Sun Jun 14 @ 11 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General Admission
Hypnos by Maegyn Lunn A retelling of the Greek mythology of Hypnos. A story about the fragile structure of power, inequality among peers, and overcoming abusive authority figures. Directed by Carly Butters Featuring Maegyn Lunn, Kendelea Franklin, Lily Murray, Chantal Monus, Anneka Van Egdon, Keerat Sarwara, Taijha Lynch, Jaxine Bautista, Carly Butters, Cassidy Foley, Leopold McGloin-Brown, Ashton Yochim Content…
SET E: The Beginning and the End
SET E: The Beginning and the End
Times
Sun Jun 7 – Sun Jun 14 @ 1 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General Admission
Are You Looking Up written and directed by Reva Vanier-Mullick The end of the world is approaching, and Audrey Henderson hasnât been home in three years. As tensions rise between her and her family, Audrey must try her best to mend their relationship before their time is up. Featuring Emma Byrne, Sophia Salamon, Maia Kelly, Nife Ogunkoye, Dwayne Wowk, Nahom…
Join Nextfestâs Artistic & Festival Director Ellen Chorley for an in-depth two-day workshop that covers grants, project management, marketing, scheduling and more. This workshop is a perfect starting place for theatre artists who want to begin producing work at the Edmonton Fringe, at Nextfest or in the indie theatre season.
I Remember choreographed by Jamie Stock âI Rememberâ is a depiction of how our body moves through the sweet feelings of nostalgia. A certain place, a particular noise or a special song. How do you want to move your body when you recollect your childhood? How does your body bring emotions to you that have felt distant? Maybe your body…
iHuman Studios presents Vibes Showcase
iHuman Studios presents Vibes Showcase
A Nextfest Showcase
Times
Wed Jun 10 @ 8 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Nancy Power Theatre
General Admission
A bloody, supernatural, and horny 17th-century Germanic revenge fantasy where you will witness the charming two-faced men that dog women out face their twisted karmic retribution. NĂ€cken is what would happen if John Proctor were forced to repent for his sexual crimes and then Elizabeth rightfully chews his heart out and tears him limb from limb. Come feel the part…
Holly Sangster is a saxophonist, vocalist, composer and educator whose atmospheric sound draws the listener into a vast and imaginative musical landscape. With a voice that feels both personal and expansive, Holly creates music that lingers long after the last note. A recipient of Jazz YYCâs Tune-in Tune-up scholarship for young women in jazz, she is an active facet of…
Nextfest Outdoor Music Showcase
Nextfest Outdoor Music Showcase
featuring Shaylon Bourque, Addison Wall, and friends!
Times
Thu Jun 11 @ 5 PM
Info
Helen Nolan Park: 12327 108 Ave NW, Edmonton
General (G)
Join us for a relaxed evening of live music at the 124 Grand Market from 5:00â8:00pm. Spend your time browsing local vendors, grabbing something delicious from nearby food trucks, and enjoying an easygoing outdoor concert right in the heart of 124 Street. 5PM â Shaylon Bourque 6PM â TBA 7PM â Addison Wall
Creating Impactful Narratives (Filmmaking for Beginners)
Creating Impactful Narratives (Filmmaking for Beginners)
lead by Alyx Bui
Times
Thu Jun 11 @ 10 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General (G)
Explore the elements that create thought provoking stories and narratives that emotionally resonate, from the perspective of a documentary filmmaker and film festival programmer. Alyx Bui (they/them) is an Edmonton-based activist, filmmaker, writer, and tabletop role-playing games designer. They seek to increase more accessible and authentic queer Asian representation, faces, and stories in the media and play. In 2019, they…
The Camera Loves You: Auditioning for the Camera
The Camera Loves You: Auditioning for the Camera
lead by Chantal Perron
Times
Fri Jun 12 @ 11 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General (G)
This three hour workshop, with optional follow-up work, offers actors the opportunity to learn to navigate the differences between film and theatre performance and the skills needed to complete a self-tape audition for submission to a project. Practicing simplicity, specificity, stamina and stillness, in our scene work and in self-tape approach. A portion of time is allotted to questions and…
An interactive workshop for beginner and experienced singers. Participants explore rhythm, group singing, vocal improvisation, harmonies, listening skills, and creative expression.
Drag 101: Histories, Names and Makeup
Drag 101: Histories, Names and Makeup
lead by Stretcher Hartout
Times
Fri Jun 12 @ 10 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall
General (G)
Want to create your very own drag persona? Join award winning drag king Stretcher Hartout for a Drag Make-Up Character Creation workshop at Nextfest on Friday, June 12 from 10:00am till 11:00am. In this one hour workshop, you will learn basic makeup techniques, talk about drag name histories and discover what it means to have a drag persona. Please bring…
Nextfest Readings 5: fools
Nextfest Readings 5: fools
by Mac Ireland
Times
Fri Jun 12 @ 5 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall Theatre
General Admission
In a dark alley, a few streets over from the church, there is a sign. a neon sign. above a door. it wasnât there before, it won’t be there for long. just here long enough to let our hero in – down, deep down. to hell? maybe. with no other option but to follow their guide, theo embarks on a…
Unexpected Transformation choreographed by Andy Fitzgerald Following a tragic event in my personal life, I have been forced to find new meaning, let go of future aspirations and what I thought I knew, and figure out how to walk through this new life and live again. My dancers will represent this part of my journey in loss, losing myself and…
Smut Nite: Underground ’99
Smut Nite: Underground ’99
A Nextfest Nite Club â Dog Bite Theatre Collective
The underground takes over the Roxy for an evening showcasing underground art, Edmonton hardcoreâs finest, and the early aughtsâ dirtiest collection from the archive of grunge. Itâs frantic, itâs dirty, itâs chaotic, itâs sleazy, itâs clashing, itâs sweaty, itâs unsavoury. Put on that ripped tank top you never thought youâd wear again, that studded bra thatâs been hanging in your…
Nextfest Readings 6: bunny guts
Nextfest Readings 6: bunny guts
by Mika Boutin
Times
Sat Jun 13 @ 2 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall
General Admission
bunny guts follows a tangled, intense, and deeply tender group of cousins trying to navigate the inherited rituals of their horrifyingly small hometown; Antler, Saskatchewan. Itâs a story about growing up and growing apart, the blind devotion of family, and the absurd logic of childhood games that linger long into adulthood. Audience talkback will be held after performance. Featuring Viktoria…
Sharing Performances at 7:00 pm Film, Karaoke, Live Painting and Pizza 8:00 pm Join us at the Roxy Theatre for an evening of sharing with emerging artists, free pizza and karaoke! (Get it, âshareâ + âkaraokeâ = share-aoke?) The evening starts off with sharings from local emerging artists and then join us for an all-you-can eat pizza buffet and an…
Nextfest Readings 8: Three Tables
Nextfest Readings 8: Three Tables
by Jack Hunting
Times
Sun Jun 14 @ 4:30 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Rehearsal Hall
General Admission
This reading will include performed sections of two plays. Three Tables follows three seemingly separate stories, all taking place within the same brunch-spot, on the same Saturday morning. As humans, we are constantly learning from and are influenced by one another, and our surroundings. *Audience talkback will be held after performance.
Nextfest Readings 7: Renegades
Nextfest Readings 7: Renegades
by Michael Blais
Times
Sun Jun 14 @ 12 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall
General Admission
Set in the mythical world of Lacigam, Renegades follows Barry âBlaisâ Seamas, a fire elemental, on a journey across five regions to recover five elemental gemstones before a wicked king can use them for his own nefarious goals. Joining Blais on his quest are his best friend Moth, the runaway princess Coraline, and a trio of prisoners, each in control…
