OutFest is the largest Queer performance festival in Mi’kma’ki/Atlantic Canada, with performances from emerging, and established artists. From completed works that have been on tour, to new and emerging creations, our mission is support Queer work at all stages of performance. The festival is open to local, regional, and national artists, creating a diverse lineup of work.

This year we are seeking submissions for our Emerging Stage, Open Stage, and our YA (Young Audience) Stage.. The Emerging Stage is designed to support the development of New Work. This is an opportunity to further develop, and present your work for a liev audience. Our Open Stage is designed to support work that is not defined as traditional theatre or dance. The work may be complete or new. And our YA Stage is for shows, projects, and or artists who have created something for young audiences.

OutFest 2026 will also feature a number of other performances, and partnerships, including a Main Stage show, the return of our Audience Favourite Comedy Stage, Music, and more! Youth will also have the opportunity to be involved in our Youth Queer-prov workshop + show.

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

stages

  • Completed works that are ready to be presented

    • must have been complete / previously presented or produced a minimum of 12 months before OutFest.

  • 3 performances

  • 75 - 90 min max run time

  • Artist / Presentation Fee

  • Travel / Accomodation

  • We can support shows with medium / high tech needs

We are not currently looking for submissions.

Kiss The Stormy Sky (2024) by Sid Ryan Eilers

  • New Work / in development

  • 3 performances

  • 30 - 60 min max run time

  • 100% Ticket Sales

  • Low tech

We are looking for:

  • New Work that has not been presented before and / or, if it has been previously presented, is still in development. Artists who submit work that has already been presented, must explain how this presentation will be different or will support the development of the piece

Deeper (2024) by Robyn Vivian produced by Unnatural Disater Theatre

  • Work that is created in non-traditional mediums

  • 3 performances

  • 30 - 60 mins

  • 100% Ticket Sales

  • Low > Medium Tech

    We are looking for:

    • New Work or completed projects that are not defined as traditional theatre or dance. Submissions in this category could include but are not limited to: Projection / Digital work, Experimental, Soundscape, Photography, Experiential, or Site-specific.

    Bedroom Eyes (2025) by Lighter Touch Collective

  • Performances and shows that are geared towards Young Audiences

  • 1 performance

  • Run-time of 60 mins (max)

  • Fee: $500

    We are looking for:

    • New Work or completed projects that are FREE for young audiences, and adults to attend. Previous presentations have included theatrical shows, and puppetry. But this could include a variety of performance styles (Drag Story Time, Music etc).

The Skeleton Dance (2023) Created and Performed by Ella MacDonald and Emma James

OTHER STAGES

An Opening Night Dinner, with a chance to meet the artists, local community members, and more!

A closing night performance, featuring live music at The Carleton

An evening of standup comedy, voted as the Audience Choice Award in 2025.

MORE INFO

  • Festvial Dates: Monday, April 13th - Sunday, April 18th

  • A Technician will be provided, however, artists will be responsible for providing their own Stage Manager

  • The festival is not able to provide travel or accomodation support for Emerging or Open Stage productions, however, we will attempt to connect artists with billets

  • Emerging, Open, and YA Stage shows will receive 1.5 - 2 hours of tech time (TBD based on tech schedule)

  • Costumes and technical pieces can be stored at the theatre in The Community Room.

  • Lead artists will be responsible for submitting Technical Riders, and Production Information

    Selected artists / shows will receieve:

  • A Participation Policy doc

  • A What To Expect doc

    Meetings that will be offered:

  • 1:1 Meeting with AD Isaac Mule

  • Intro Session with all of the artists present (to review festival documents)

  • 1:1 Tech Meeting (to review all technical information and the submitted tech rider)

    • Additional meetings with AD Isaac Mule can be schedule at any time, based on availability.

 WHO CAN APPLY?

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

WHAT NEXT?

Register for our info session to learn more:

Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 1:oo pm (AST) / 12:00 pm (EST)

 

Submit your application before:

Sunday, September 7, 2025 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!