Expanding the possibilities
of performance
SummerWorks Performance Festival: SURVIVAL MODE
Welcome to the 34th SummerWorks Performance Festival!
In response to the current zeitgeist, the 2024 SummerWorks Performance Festival presents 11 days of bold creative expressions from a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences, that engage with the idea of survival, in both subtle and blunt ways, with nuanced complexity.
With over 40+ events and activities, all curated and designed around the idea of gathering together in public space, this year’s Festival offers you a moment to pause and reflect, to dive into the energy and chaos, and to witness dynamic live performances by independent artists from across Canada, and around the world.
We invite you to join us this summer, for an inspiring, thought-provoking, and magical SummerWorks experience.
Scroll down to learn more and to view all of the exciting offerings at this year’s Festival.
What is Survival Mode?
“We’ve all been wrestling with a lot right now.
“As we consider this question, we must acknowledge that for so many people around the world, and in our closest neighborhoods and communities, there is no entry or exit from any kind of mode – survival is just life itself.”
Click below to view the full version of Artistic Director, Michael Caldwell’s curatorial statement for the 2024 Festival.
VIEW THE CURATORIAL STATEMENTASL VLOG
Uncover more about the ASL interpreted events and activities at the 2024 SummerWorks Performance Festival.
Video produced by Deaf Spectrum. Signer: Sage Lovell.
Programming Streams
SummerWorks Performance Festival (August 1-11, 2024) offers four distinct streams of programming:
SummerWorks Presentations
Fully-developed new works and touring productions, offering a snapshot of the future of contemporary performance.
SummerWorks Lab
A place for exploration, experimentation, and process, with diverse performance works shared at crucial stages of creative development, forging connections between artists and audiences.
SummerWorks Public Works
Free performances and artworks that aim to bring artists and audiences together to experience public space in new ways.
SummerWorks Exchange
A dynamic space for emergent creative thinking to come into focus and conversation, gathering artists and audiences together with intention around relevant and urgent creative proposals and artistic practices.
Festival Programming 2024
A, Brazil flag emoji, 47
Art as Heart: Community Meal and Closing Brunch
AWAKE & STILL DROWNING
Aye Caesar
Beth-Anne
Bimbos in Space!
C³ (Camille Cubed)
Chimerik’s Virtual Live Art Database
E+ARTxH2
Festivals are Scary, Strange and Eerie / 유령들의 대화
Girl’s Notes III
Grant Info Session and Office Hours
Growing Up Regent
Homebuddies
in-between space lab / 인-비트윈 스페이스 랩
It’s a Shame
Main Character Energy: Mapping Archetype through the Zodiac
Meet the Bones
Microphone Controller
Neighbourhood Rest Stop
Planetary OUDH
Rougarou
Rudy Ray & Co.
S’imbriquer
Sacred Sacrilegious
slip away
Slug Meal
SUBJECT TO خضوع
Suitable Climate
SummerWorks at Union: CORPUS
SummerWorks at Union: Telehorn
Sur-veil Salon
Surrendered Spirits
The Gathering
The Movements
Three Dots
Too Dirty to Clean
Versus
Warm up
What is left of us
Wheezy Breezy
Worm Moon
X60 Tea Table
Accessibility
Ralitsa Rodriguez in Gender Reveal Party (SummerWorks 2019). Photo by Henry Chan.
SummerWorks is committed to continually increasing accessibility for our artists and audiences. This includes extending accessibility practices throughout the entirety of the artistic and administrative processes.
We strive to go beyond the bare minimum standard of accessibility practices in the performing arts and to support artists, programmers, and partner organizations in considering how access can be incorporated throughout all aspects of a production and throughout all stages, from development to presentation. It is our expectation that the artists we work with will also strive to put accessibility practices at the forefront of the creative process and implementation of their work.
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Equity & Diversity
Switching Queen(s)(SummerWorks 2022). Photo by Henry Chan.
SummerWorks is committed to equity and diversity, both through our program of activities and as an employer. Our practices and procedures aim to reflect the varied needs, expectations, and cultures of all members of our community. We make every effort to ensure that no member of the community receives less favourable treatment in our recruitment process or when accessing our services, on the grounds of gender identity, disability, race, religion or belief, age, or sexual orientation.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety Notes (SummerWorks 2020). Photo by Andrew Williamson.
The health and safety of our patrons, artists, volunteers, and staff is a high priority, linked to SummerWorks’ core value of Care.
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