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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 STATEMENT

ASL 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

SummerWorks Exchange

Aye Caesar

SummerWorks Presentations

Beth-Anne

SummerWorks Presentations

Bimbos in Space!

SummerWorks Lab

C³ (Camille Cubed)

SummerWorks Public Works

E+ARTxH2

SummerWorks Presentations - Taiwan Focus

Girl’s Notes III

SummerWorks Presentations

Growing Up Regent

SummerWorks Public Works

Homebuddies

SummerWorks Exchange - South Korea Focus

in-between space lab / 인-비트윈 스페이스 랩

SummerWorks Lab

It’s a Shame

SummerWorks Lab - Taiwan Focus

Meet the Bones

SummerWorks Presentations

Microphone Controller

SummerWorks Public Works

Neighbourhood Rest Stop

SummerWorks Exchange

Planetary OUDH

SummerWorks Lab

Rougarou

SummerWorks Public Works

Rudy Ray & Co.

SummerWorks Public Works

S’imbriquer

SummerWorks Presentations

Sacred Sacrilegious

SummerWorks Presentations

slip away

SummerWorks Lab

Slug Meal

SummerWorks Presentations

SUBJECT TO خضوع

SummerWorks Exchange

Suitable Climate

SummerWorks Public Works

SummerWorks at Union: CORPUS

SummerWorks Public Works

SummerWorks at Union: Telehorn

SummerWorks Exchange

Sur-veil Salon

SummerWorks Public Works

Surrendered Spirits

SummerWorks Public Works

The Gathering

SummerWorks Presentations

The Movements

SummerWorks Presentations - Taiwan Focus

Three Dots

SummerWorks Lab

Too Dirty to Clean

SummerWorks Presentations

Versus

SummerWorks Presentations

Warm up

SummerWorks Public Works

What is left of us

SummerWorks Public Works

Wheezy Breezy

SummerWorks Lab

Worm Moon

SummerWorks Exchange

X60 Tea Table


Accessibility

A smiling person with glasses performs wrapped in an orange scarf. Four audience members can be seen in the background behind them. 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

Five performers in a street-side park sit in semi-circle, lit by a purple glow. One of them is in a motorized chair and speaking into a microphone. A line of flags hangs behind them. 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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