SummerWorks is committed to increasing accessibility for our audiences.

Each year, we work alongside Festival artists to find opportunities to incorporate a range of diverse audience access measures with their performances, where possible and when appropriate.

This webpage details the specific schedules and locations for all Touch Tours and Familiarization Visits at the 2026 SummerWorks Performance Festival.

If you have any questions about accessibility at SummerWorks, contact us at access@summerworks.ca.

A Touch Tour is a pre-show event, facilitated by our Accessibility Producer and/or a member of a project’s creative team, that provides time and space for individuals to explore theatrical elements such as the stage, set, props, and costumes through touch. They are usually offered to one small group at a time, and create the opportunity for one-to-one interaction and engagement with sensory elements of a project. This tactile experience provides any audience member who would benefit from the experience of greater access.

Hello Sunshine!

This Touch Tour will happen in the performance venue/theatre and will be led by the project’s Audio Describer.

THU AUG 13
5:15 PM Touch Tour begins
5:35 PM Touch Tour ends
5:45 PM House opens for audience
6:00 PM Performance start time

—

Secret Ingredients

This Touch Tour will happen in the performance venue/theatre and will be led by SummerWorks’ Accessibility Producer.

SAT AUG 15
6:15 PM Touch Tour begins
6:30 PM House opens for audience
6:35 PM Touch Tour ends
7:00 PM Performance start time

SUN AUG 16
2:15 PM Touch Tour begins
2:30 PM House opens for audience
2:35 PM Touch Tour ends
3:00 PM Performance start time

—

Soft Squishy Things

This Touch Tour will happen in the lobby of the performance venue and will be led by SummerWorks’ Accessibility Producer.

THU AUG 13
8:15 PM Touch Tour begins
8:30 PM Touch Tour ends
8:45 PM House opens for audience
9:00 PM Performance start time

FRI AUG 14
6:45 PM Touch Tour begins
7:00 PM Touch Tour ends
7:15 PM House opens for audience
7:30 PM Performance start time

SAT AUG 15
2:15 PM Touch Tour begins
2:30 PM Touch Tour ends
2:45 PM House opens for audience
3:00 PM Performance start time

A Familiarization Visit occurs before a performance start time and offers audience members an opportunity to experience theatrical elements in advance of the performance. This has been developed by the Creative Team and Accessibility Producer for audience members who might benefit from the opportunity to be shown theatrical elements in advance, such as sound, lights, and proximity to performers.

The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave

This Familiarization Visit will happen in the performance venue/theatre and will be led by the project’s Producer.

THU AUG 6
7:30 PM – Familiarization Visit starts
7:45 PM – Familiarization Visit ends
8:00 PM – House opens for audience / Performance start time