OutFest returns in April 2025 for its tenth festival!

This 6-day festival is the largest Queer Theatre Festival in Atlantic Canada, presenting some of the best professional theatre from local, regional, and national artists. From completed works that have been on tour, to new and emerging creations, OutFest continues to provide a platform for Queer artists at all stages of their career.

As part of our tenth festival, we are excited to announce a number of new initiatives.

This year we will be launching an Open Stage for artists who create in mediums other than theatre/dance. The work does not need to be completed and can still be in the development phase. We are also launching a Cabaret Stage for local artists who were not accepted into the festival this year. Folks will have the opportunity to workshop their piece with Annie Valentina and then present 10 - 15 minutes of their work. And finally, a Youth Stage in partnership with the MacPhee Centre. This will provide Queer Youth with the opportunity to perform and share their work.

You can find more details and information about the festival below.

stages

MAIN STAGE: Completed works that are ready to be presented

EMERGING STAGE: New work or work that is still in development

YA STAGE: A performance geared toward young audiences

OPEN STAGE: Work that is created in non-traditional mediums

CABARET STAGE: Sample pieces chosen from local artists who submit to OutFest

MUSIC STAGE: A closing night music stage

COMEDY STAGE: An evening of improv comedy and standup

 

ADDITIONAL INFO:

 
 

  • Completed works that have either been on tour or have been presented previously.

  • 3 performances

  • Run-time of 75 mins (max)

  • Artist fee

  • Support with travel / accommodations

OutFest 2025 is not currently seeking submissions for this category

 
 

  • New work or work that is still in development

  • 3 performances

  • Run-time of 60 mins (max)

  • 100% Ticket sales

  • At this time we are not able to support with travel / accommodations

OutFest 2025 is currently seeking 5 submissions for this category

 
 

  • Work that is created in non-traditional mediums

  • 3 performances

  • Run-time of 60 mins (max)

  • Artist Fee: $250 / performance

  • At this time we are not able to support with travel / accommodations

  • Submissions in this category could include but are not limited to: Projection/Digital, Experimental, Soundscape, Photography, Experiential, or Site-specific.



OutFest 2025 is currently seeking 1 submission for this category

 
 

  • Local artists who submitted to our Emerging or Open Stage

  • Creators will work with Festival Dramaturg Annie Valentina to develop their piece over several workshops during the week of the festival

  • 1 performance

  • Run-time of 20 mins (max)

  • Artist Fee: $100

  • At this time we are not able to support with travel / accommodations

We will be selecting 3 artists for this category

 
 

  • Performances and shows that are geared towards Young Audiences

  • 1 performance

  • Run-time of 60 mins (max)

  • Artist Fee: $750

  • At this time we are not able to support with travel / accommodations

OutFest 2025 is not currently seeking submissions for this category

 
 

MORE INFO

  • Page1 Theatre will provide a Technician and Festival Stage Manager, however, artists will be responsible for providing their own Stage Manager

  • Shows will receive 2 hours of tech time

  • There will be an additional space at the theatre (The Community Room) which will act as a green room as well as a space for costumes and technical pieces.

  • Page1 Theatre will be responsible for promoting and marketing the overall festival

 

 WHO CAN APPLY?

 
 

With support from Canadian Heritage, OutFest features local, regional, and national artists. While our focus is on presenting artists within Atlantic Canada, we are dedicated to fostering an exchange of new ideas and methods of creation with artists across the country.

OutFest accepts submissions from:

Local: artists based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax and Sipekne’katik / HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality)

Regional: artists based in Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Ktaqmkuk / Newfoundland, and Beothuk & Innu / Labrador.

National: artists based across Turtle Island / Canada, outside of M'i’kma’ki

  • Individual artists or collectives at all stages of their careers (emerging or established)

  • Shows can be but are not limited to: scripted plays, non-text-based performances, projection work, and or movement/dance-based work etc. There is no language or communication preference.

NOTE:

  • Submissions to our Emerging and Open Stage do not need to include a full script. Folks may apply to the festival with a concept / story / project that they want to develop or with something that has already been in development in some capacity.

 

 Un-Tapped ARTISTS

 
 

Page1 Theatre is committed to prioritizing and platforming BIPOC, Neurodiverse, and or artists with a Disability. These artists have been historically excluded, remaining Untapped.

“Untapped, because the mighty potential we have still lies dormant. Ignorance to our resourcefulness, resilience, and wealth of innovation.” - Chike Ukaegbu

Untapped artists / collectives will be prioritized during our selection process. This is being done in two ways. Artistic Director Isaac Mulè is specifically reaching out to artists, and through our review of all the submissions. We recognize that this work takes time and involves work outside of festival mandates and submission calls. We are actively working towards building relationships with artists and community members, to better support BIPOC artists interested in performing at OutFest.

* You can also read more about our current and historical commitment to the inclusion and representation of racialized voices and the decolonization of theatre on our website

 
 

 SELECTION PROCESS

 
 

All submissions will be reviewed by Artistic Director Isaac Mulè and Festival Dramaturg Annie Valentina. The festival lineup will be chosen once all submissions have been reviewed.

 
 

 IMPORTANT DATES

 
 

  • Sunday, July 14th @ 1:00 pm AST / 12:00 pm EST > Info Session

    • This will be an opportunity for folks to learn more about OutFest and ask questions.

    • If you are interested in taking part in the info session, please send us an email at info@pg1-theatre.com, titled, Info Session OutFest.

  • Sunday, August 11th > Submission deadline

  • Early September > Artists will be contacted

 
 

 WHAT NEXT?

 
 

Register for our info session to learn more:

Sunday, July 14th, 2024 at 1:oo pm (AST) / 12:00 pm (EST)

 Submit your application before:

Sunday, August 11th, 2024 at 11:59 pm

SUBMISSION FORMS

 
 
 

If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or need assistance/accommodations to complete the submission form, please email us at info@pg1-theatre.com to make arrangements. We are happy to facilitate emails, phone calls, or Zoom chats to answer any questions to help with the submission process.

Wela’lioq / Thank you!