This year we’re pleased to offer a range of engaging and stimulating activities and events designed to advance our practice, nurture new ideas and new connections with each other and among different approaches to creating theatre and performance for young and new audiences.
Registration Information
This year, we are thrilled to have these opportunities free of charge with registration.
- Registration before April 30, 2026
- Spaces are extremely limited.
Friday, May 8 – Full Day Professional Programme
Meridian Arts Center
5040 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 6R8
- 10h00 | …and the Ideas Soar
- 11h15 | Baby Loves Music (or 12h30)
- 13h00 | Festival Lunch & Partner Recognition
- 14h00 | Festival Roundtable on Inclusion – Across Generations and Communities
- Artists from the 26 Festival along with other professional TYA practitioners share their approach to engaging and welcoming new audiences through their creative work and their outreach efforts.
- 15h30 | ASSITEJ Canada Meeting
- ASSITEJ Canada will hold a Regional Gathering in conjunction with WeeFestival. Please join us for refreshments and an informal conversation about how ASSITEJ Canada can best support the theatre and performance for young audiences sector in your region in their new strategic plan (Open to ASSITEJ Canada members AND non-members. All are welcome! ).
- 17h00 | End of Day
Thursday May 14 – Creating dance performances for young audiences
Workshop for Theatre and Dance Artists with Takeshi Matsumoto
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse & Drama Studio
79 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 3L8
- 11h15 | Performance of Club Origami
- 12h00 | Lunch Provided
- 12h45-14h | Workshop
This workshop invites participants to explore Takeshi’s approach to creating dance performances for young audiences. Drawing on his experience as a choreographer and dance movement psychotherapist based in London, Takeshi brings together his Japanese heritage and professional practice to offer a creative framework rooted in Japanese philosophy and aesthetic values — including Ma (the art of meaningful pause and negative space) and Wabi-sabi (the beauty found in imperfection and impermanence). Using Club Origami — an immersive, interactive dance performance for Early Years audiences — as a guiding reference, participants will be invited to explore the interplay of movement, dance, and paper play.
Additional Shows for Programmers and Artists
There will be limited observer seats for professionals wishing to attend other shows in the programme.
Performances will be followed by a meeting and talk with the artists.
Choose each one you wish to attend. Limited spots per show.
Please contact us directly with any other inquiries about the 2026 WeeFestival programme
Conference Assistance:
If you have any questions or concerns please contact boxoffice@weefestival.ca