An Unforgettable 2026 PuSh Festival
February 10, 2026
We can’t believe we’re already at the end of the 2026 PuSh Festival. Thank you to those who joined us for a celebration of world-class live performance for the culturally fearless, selling out 24 performances.
“Watching audiences embrace work that challenges, nourishes, and imagines new futures together has been inspiring and reminds us that this city’s cultural life is alive and evolving.”— Gabrielle Martin, PuSh’s Artistic Director
This year’s Festival featured 23 presentations, two late-night events at the Birdhouse, two artist residencies, one free film screening, and In the Community programming including 12 workshops, artist talks, and intensives.
We presented works from 17 countries—including 6 world premieres, 4 Canadian premieres, and 6 shows led by Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island and beyond. 11 Canadian works were showcased alongside international projects by artists from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Palestine, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
What Audiences Have Said…
“TESTO was incredible. Visually striking, funny, emotionally resonant, playful, well paced. Will be thinking about this show for a long time!”
Khalil Khalil: “Very moving performance. I loved it. Powerful story delivered with authenticity and emotion. Wow.”
Trouble Score: “This performance was one of most intriguing theatre experiences I have seen. The various layers; musical, visual, textual were masterfully constructed to encourage the audience to enter into the story on a visceral level.”
Rainbow Chan Live at the Dream Factory: “Rainbow Chan was a stellar highlight of this year’s festival… captivated me from start to finish.”
“SKIN was everything we expect from PuSh Festival. It was a transforming experience both aesthetically and intellectually. An experience that pushes the limits of dance itself, of the way we relate to our bodies, our skin and to others.”
“I was so moved by Orpheus. Gorgeous, raw performances and spectacular use of space, light and minimal sets. Really felt like crawling up through the underworld to the light.”
askîwan ᐊᐢᑮᐊᐧᐣ: “Incredibly immersive and beautiful.”
“SLUGS was an absolute delight! It’s funny, sincere, awkward, earnest, a little uncomfortable… This is exactly the kind of art I want to see so much more of.”
Le Beau Monde: “Brilliantly conceived and executed! Smart, sort of sad, and very, very funny. The performers …magnifique!”