Expanding the possibilities
of performance
Tickets on Sale > July 13th!
Performance Festival
August 6-16, 2026
In the middle of a bustling 11-day Festival, how do we take a break?
In direct response to the diverse communities that engage with the Festival, Summer Break is a collection of free workshops and highlighted performances, focused on the theme of rest, situated throughout the Festival, as a moment to slow down, to pause, and to reflect.
Summer Break programming focuses on embodied approaches and community gathering. It is a tender gesture towards the Festival’s artists and audiences, and our way to address personal and collective mental health and physical well-being in our communities.
We invite you to take a break with us.
Scroll down to learn more about the Summer Break events and activities at the 2026 SummerWorks Performance Festival!
Summer Break is presented as part of SummerWorks’ Accessibility and Community Wellness Program, generously funded by Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation.
The idea for Summer Break was sparked through an initial conversation with Nova Dance, in relation to their Rest & Reflection programming.
Under Pressure: Navigating Stress in the Creative World
Thursday, August 13 // 1:30 – 3:00 PM*
Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue
Co-presented by The AFC
An interactive workshop for artists and performing arts workers.
Designed specifically for artists, creatives, and other workers in the performing arts, this workshop is a guide to understanding and working with stress in the creative world. We’ll explore how stress affects the nervous system and impacts well-being and performance. Together, we’ll learn how to recognize signs of overwhelm and burnout and gain clarity on the different types and stages of stress. The event will also include an experiential component to provide a grounding way to connect with the concepts discussed and help expand participants’ set of coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, and resilience-building tools.
*registration required.
MORE INFOWriting to Home: A Spoken Word Workshop for Beginners
Saturday, August 8th // 12:00 – 3:00 PM*
Daniels Spectrum Giizis Studio
Facilitated by Khushu
This art workshop provides a supportive space for diasporic and hyphenated Canadian settlers to explore themes of identity, home, belonging, and lived experiences through spoken-word poetry. Spoken word emerged as a powerful art form that allows us to explore and write our stories and share them on our own terms. Participants will engage in guided writing exercises and reflective prompts to create their spoken word pieces. Additionally, the workshop will provide a brief history of spoken word and introduce participants to spoken word performance accessible techniques.
This workshop welcomes everyone, regardless of their prior experience with spoken-word writing. The only requirement is your interest and eagerness to learn how poetry can serve as a tool for reflection, expression, and community building.
*registration required.
MORE INFO