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.
ListCalendar
No events at the moment, check back soon!
How We Survive
presented by Cherry Pit â created and curated by Scott Muyser, Revel Baldeo, Danielle Jabbor, Brock Vansen
Through music, movement and storytelling, the Cherry Pit presents a multidisciplinary young artist showcase exploring what it means to survive against all odds and how we move forward.
Welcome to a drag spectacle inspired by the iconic world of Monster High, where every misfit is a masterpiece and every scream is a celebration. This isnât just a show, itâs a RESURRECTION! watch these artists transform into their true monster self. Grab your claws, sharpen your fangs, and get ready to snap your coffin shut, because these monsters arenât…
Welcome and Opening Night Performances at 7:00 pm Music, DJ, Dancing and Pizza at 8:00 pm Join us at the Roxy for an evening of celebration as we kick off this yearâs festival. With multidisciplinary performances from emerging artists, free pizza and a dance party, Nextfestâs Opening Ceremonies are sure to get you in the mood for our eleven day…
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…
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…
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
16+
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…
Rebecca comes home to transition her estranged mother to a care facility. What she hopes is a clean break becomes the conversations and questions that were never had and never answered. While they wrestle between catching up and moving out, Rebecca must come to terms with her relationship with her mother and forgiveness. Audience talkback will be held after performance.
SHAMS BY RUMI follows Egyptian artist duo, Galal and Husam, as they travel to Cairo to meet a renowned production company. But when Galal encounters Shams, the trip turns inwards and his friendship with Husam is put to the test. A modern take on the story of the Persian poet Rumi and the mystic Shams, SHAMS BY RUMI blurs the…
An emotionally open teenager develops an online connection with a charming older student. What begins as casual conversation and shared selfies slowly evolves into desire and emotional dependence. As the connection deepens, the relationship becomes increasingly uneven, blurring the line between affection and manipulation. Set within a world where relationships unfold through screens, Seen examines obsession, vulnerability, queer ambiguity, and…
Nextfest Readings 1:
Nextfest Readings 1:
by Carol Keller, additional music by Colin Keller
Times
Sat Jun 6 @ 11 AM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Bradley Moss Rehearsal Hall Theatre
General (G)
A memoir of a town mouse meeting a country mouse in the 1970s and â80s on the Canadian Prairies. Through song, her story begins as a child navigating familial love, community expectations, longing, and dreams. As time moves forward, will her past be her guide, her hope, or her downfall? Join the story of love, attachment, misadventure, and the quest…
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…
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…
Nextfest Happy Hour: Delavoye Chocolate
Nextfest Happy Hour: Delavoye Chocolate
featuring Ester Forseth
Times
Tue Jun 9 @ 5 PM
Info
Delavoye Chocolate (10639 124 St Unit 101 &105)
General (G)
Esther Forseth is an Edmonton-based Alternative-Pop artist, songwriter, and producer. Influenced by artists such as Bon Iver, Daughter, and Feist, Esther twists her life experiences into thoughtful metaphors to give herself and listeners a fresh perspective of the complex emotions and situations we experience as humans. With the combination of her soft vocal performance, haunting melodies, and figurative lyrics, Estherâs…
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…
SET F: Never Before and Never Again!
SET F: Never Before and Never Again!
Times
Thu Jun 4 – Thu Jun 11 @ 6 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre: Lorne Cardinal Theatre
General (G)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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
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…
Incoming TRANSmission from WEIRD PLANET⊠Goosebumps, chills, and hot gay thrills await at this yearâs Pride Nite Club. Emerging queer artists tantalize from tongue to taint as we crash out through the cosmos. Strap in and strap on, because in space, no one can hear you, queen! Is that sweat, or something sweeter? Only one thingâs certain – WEIRD PLANET…
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…
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.
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.
NĂ€cken
NĂ€cken
written and directed by Liz Janzen â Top Bunk Theatre
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Storybook Skin is a movement/dance performance inspired by classic and contemporary literature, translating well-known stories into emotionally driven choreography that reflects issues facing society today. Drawing from works such as 1984, Animal Farm, The Metamorphosis, Lord of the Flies, Trainspotting, Frankenstein, and The Outsiders, each piece uses lighting, costuming, and music to explore darker themes through alternative storytelling. Performed by…
Good Women Dance Collective Movement & Dance Classes
Good Women Dance Collective Movement & Dance Classes
A Nextfest Workshop
Times
Tue Jun 2 @ 10 AM
Info
Shumka Dance Centre (10515 111 Street NW)
General (G)
An interactive workshop for beginner and experienced singers. Participants explore rhythm, group singing, vocal improvisation, harmonies, listening skills, and creative expression. Nextfestâs partners GWDC provide movement and dance classes led by Nextfest choreographers and dancers. Classes are free to any Nextfest artist regardless of dance experience or ability. (Please bring your Artist Pass with you!).
Imperfect Practice Dhot & edited by Laura La France Original song by Motorbike James remixed by Cameron OâNeill The year I tried to film something every day. A visual diary on Super 8mm, capturing one full year in a series of clips plucked from sad and wonderful and ordinary days. It was the year I turned 30. My first year…
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…
