The Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design presents its 2026–27 season, bringing together new work, reimagined classics, choreography, festivals and student-led creation across theatre and dance.
“This season of performances and festivals will feature an eclectic range of new work by students, faculty and guest artists, as well as exciting interpretations of classic pieces,” says Marlis Schweitzer, Chair of the Department.
“Although themes vary from show to show, as a department we’re continuing to reflect on the importance of community in the midst of personal and collective crisis. How can we hold onto hope when the world around us is in chaos? How can performance, the experience of breathing, moving and feeling together in one space, offer a way forward?”
Under Milkwood
The season begins with a third-year Acting studio showing of Under Milkwood, an adaptation of Dylan Thomas’s work directed by Courtnay Ch’ng Lancaster. Presented from October 29 to 31, 2026, the free performances offer audiences an early look at course work developed by third-year Acting students.
Casimir and Caroline
Theatre@York’s fall production, Casimir and Caroline, runs from November 21 to 28, 2026 at the Joseph G. Green Theatre.
Written by Ödön von Horváth and adapted by Paolo Santalucia and Holger Syme with The Howland Co., from an original translation by Syme, the production is directed by Aaron Willis. This contemporary adaptation follows its central couple through love, ambition and disillusionment in the pressures of modern working life, surrounded by co-workers, friends and bosses who are each searching for something more.
Dance Innovations
Later that month, Dance Innovations runs from November 25 to 28, 2026 in the McLean Performance Studio. Under the artistic direction of Candice Spykers, with guest choreographer Ashley Colours Perez, the annual series features new works by fourth-year BFA Dance students, performed by dancers from across all levels of York’s Dance program.
“The Dance BFA program is especially excited to welcome guest choreographer Ashley Colours Perez, a globally recognized specialist in the street styles punking and waacking/whacking,” says Bridget Cauthery, Area Coordinator for the Dance Program.
“Ashley will be creating a new work on our third-year students which will premiere in November as part of Dance Innovations, our showcase of fourth-year choreography. Bringing in dance artists like Ashley is part of our ongoing commitment to bridging the pre-professional and professional worlds for our students by immersing them in creative praxis that will challenge and inspire them.”
York Dance Ensemble Showcase
The new year begins with the York Dance Ensemble Showcase from February 3 to 6, 2027 at the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre.
Led by artistic director Syreeta Hector, York’s resident dance company brings Dance students together as performers and crew for its annual showcase.
playGround Festival
From February 6 to 12, 2027, the student-created playGround Festival returns to the Joseph G. Green Theatre under artistic director Jesse Lewis.
Presented by playGround Festival and Theatre@York, the annual new play festival gives students a platform to develop, create and produce new work, with two alternating series presented throughout the week.
Devised Theatre Festival
March brings another slate of student-created work. The Devised Theatre Festival features original material conceived, created, produced and performed by fourth-year Devised Theatre students as part of Performance Creation and Theatre@York. The festival will run from March 9 to 13, 2027, with final details to be confirmed.
Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters
Theatre@York’s winter production, Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters, adapted by Sarah Ruhl and directed by AMPD Assistant Professor Keira Loughran, follows from March 19 to 27, 2027 at the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre. The play follows sisters Olga, Masha and Irina as they long to return to Moscow and imagine a different future, exploring the distance between the lives they dream of and the realities they inhabit.
York Dances
From March 24 to 27, 2027, York Dances moves beyond the traditional stage with a site-specific, promenade-style performance on York’s Keele Campus. Under the artistic direction of Candice Spykers, third-year Choreography students will guide audiences through a series of immersive, site-responsive works that transform familiar campus spaces through movement and performance.
Scenes By Design
Also opening March 24 is Scenes By Design, an annual exhibition showcasing work by Theatre Production & Design students from across the fall and winter terms. Curated by Janice Rivera Valdez, the exhibition runs at the Joseph G. Green Theatre through March 31, 2027 and offers audiences a closer look at the design and production work that shapes Theatre@York performances.
Bloom
Rounding out the season is Bloom, a Dance production under the artistic direction of Madison Arseneault, planned for Spring 2027. Location and additional performance details will be announced at a later date.
For the latest performance details and ticket information, visit AMPD’s events calendar. Additional listings and ticket links will be added as they are confirmed throughout the year. You can also follow AMPD on Instagram at @yorkuampd for weekly event updates and direct links to tickets.