brand new STAGES
FESTIVAL 2026
FEB 24-MAR 1
A FESTIVAL OF NEW CANADIAN WORK FOR THE STAGE
7 PLAYS. 40+ ARTISTS. 2 VENUES.
Market Hall Performing Arts Centre
140 Charlotte St. (Charlotte & George)
Peterborough, ON
The Theatre on King (TTOK)
171 King St. (King & George)
Peterborough ON
MARKET HALL
MAIN STAGE FESTIVAL LINEUP
Matthew Edison
Sergio
Di Zio
Tina Jung
Michael Riley
Sarah Wilson
Jenny Young
Michael St. John Smith, Playwright
Peter Pasyk, Director
Michele Riml, Playwright
THE CULL
by Michele Riml and
Michael St. John Smith
A group of old friends gather to celebrate a 25th wedding anniversary in the B.C. mountains, where wildfires burn and secrets are spilled, while a wolf cull is underway.
First produced by Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre, The Cull is a timely modern drama in an exciting new stage of development, written by Michele Riml (Sexy Laundry) & Michael St. John Smith.
Directed by Peter Pasyk (Hamlet/Stratford Festival, Old Times/Soulpepper), The Cull is a powerful new drama with a powerhouse cast, featuring some of Canada’s top talent on stage and screen: Matthew Edison, Sergio Di Zio, Tina Jung, Michael Riley, Tina Jung, Sarah Wilson, and Jenny Young.
An absolute must-see for theatre lovers. One night only.
Content advisory: Strong language. Recommended audience: 14+
Thurs. Feb 26, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 pm
MARKET HALL, PETERBOROUGH
PRESENTED BY:
MUNSCH GOES WILD
Stories by Robert Munsch, adapted and performed
by M. John Kennedy.
Directed by Dahlia Katz.
Join the incomparable M. John Kennedy for an ALL-NEW, high-octane theatrical storytelling event for the young (and young at heart)!
Bring the kids, bring the grandkids! Featuring four of Robert Munsch’s most beloved tales, told in the most creative ways. If you saw Fireside Munsch in 2025, these are all-new stories being told!
Directed by Dahlia Katz.
Ages: 4 - 104
Runtime: Approx 60 minutes
General admission seating
Tickets - $12.50 including service fees
Sun. March 1, 2026
Showtime: 10:30 am
MARKET HALL, PETERBOROUGH
Jane Spidell
Geoffrey Pounsett
Ben Skipper
12 DINNERS
PRESENTED BY:
Randy Read
Steve Ross
by Steve Ross
Directed by Randy Read
An acclaimed semi-autobiographical play about a series of dinners that Steve shared with his parents during a particularly eventful time in their lives.
Directed by founding Artistic Director Randy Read, 12 Dinners is a beautiful script that showcases Steve Ross’ meteoric emergence as an exciting Canadian playwright. Previously produced at Stratford’s Here for Now Festival, and in Barrie with Talk is Free Theatre, 12 Dinners is catching the eye of theatres across the country.
Our staged reading features the original cast from the Stratford production: Jane Spidell, Geoffrey Pounsett, and Ben Skipper. Not to be missed!
Recommended audience: 12+
Sun. March 1, 2026
Showtime: 7:00 pm
MARKET HALL, PETERBOROUGH
THE THEATRE ON KING
FESTIVAL LINEUP
A wonderfully eclectic mix of experimental and traditional works for the stage — most are getting their first public reading at the Festival.
Tickets are very limited. One night only.
Tues Feb 24, 7pm
I STARTED COLLECTING TEACUPS AFTER MY GRANDMA DIED by Ryan Pepper
Starring Colin Doyle and Andy Trithardt, a staged reading directed by Mark Wallace.
What starts as an ode to family heirlooms becomes a remembrance of a great romance with a Quebec separatist. An interprovincial love affair told through poetic dialogue, friendly banter, and the occasional croaking of frogs.
14+ (strong language)
ARE WE SLEEPING? written and directed by Esther Vincent
(staged reading)
Starring Dianne Latchford, Megan Murphy, and Mark Wallace.
Florence, a renowned botanist no longer remembers her life’s work—or recognizes her own children. She drifts between determined clarity and the confusion of dementia, while siblings Andrew and Maggie navigate the heartbreaking realities of caregiving. Are We Sleeping asks us to find grace in small kindnesses and love where memories falter.
14+ (mature themes incl. dementia).
Tickets: $20 +fees.
Wed Feb 25, 8pm
STORY SLAM 2026
Hosted by Megan Murphy
Theme: “Well, that was unexpected.”
Story SLAM is your chance to share a true, personal story that connects, inspires, makes us laugh, or moves us forward. Our Story SLAM is an open invitation for anyone who has a story to tell, and for anyone who just wants to enjoy an evening of communal storytelling.
Here’s how it works: each storyteller will have 5 minutes to share a personal story based on a theme (“Well, that was unexpected”). Stories must be true and from your own experience. No notes or props allowed – just you, your voice, and your story. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or have never spoken on stage before, all are welcome to participate.
Tickets: $15 +fees.
Fri Feb 27, 7pm
KENNEL
by Katherine Cullen
Starring Stew Granger, Amy Keating, Annie Luján, Hilary Wear, and Jeff Yung. Directed by Mark Wallace.
A kitten, a doggie, a guinea pig take the stage but their play for young audiences goes off the rails in its search for an ending.
An absurdly comic staged reading. Definitely not for young audiences!
14+ (strong language, mature themes)
Sat Feb 28, 7pm
PICTURE DAY
by Madeleine Brown
Directed by Linda Kash.
Starring Marc Rico Ludwig, Mark Rostrup, Dreda Blow, Linda Kash, Megan Walsh, and Oaklen Conroy
It’s picture day at an elementary school, but when the school photographer doesn’t show up, a principal’s lie cascades into a series of disasters, as this brand new farce reaches hilarious heights.
A comedic staged reading.
14+ (strong language)
2025/26 Leading Sponsors
2025/26 Season Sponsors and Funding Partners
Government Partners
Show Sponsors & Partners
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