Showtimes
Greenhouse Festival
January 27 – January 31, 2026
The Greenhouse Festival is a process-led residency program, focused on growing vibrant, theatrical ideas and facilitating exchange between artists and audience.
Audiences are encouraged to come and explore new parts of Tarragon as a space, as they explore new works from the celebrated creatives in residence for Greenhouse Festival. From shadow puppetry to magic shows, from dance to confessional concerts – join us as our building comes alive with Toronto’s most innovative theatre makers.
Grab a 3-show pass for just $39—save 28% off regular pricing! With this pass you can choose which dates work best for you to experience:
APOLOGY SHOW
PULSE
Ramla and the Desert
Pass holders get early access to book their festival shows and a special discount code for a to be announced surprise presentation .
All festival-goers also get free access to Love Me Back, and the Planter Box Cabaret; a free drop in activation between Extraspace Presentations each night of the festival.
Single tickets are now on sale!
Part concert, monologue, and research project, APOLOGY SHOW is an intimate exploration of accountability, regeneration, and repair where select audience members are invited to role-play their dream apology.
Schedule
- January 28 at 7:30pm
- January 29 at 9:15pm
- January 30 at 7:30pm
Extraspace Theatre
About The Artists
Tiny Bear Jaws is an agile, queer & femme-run cross-Canadian theatre company that creates complex works with the goal of fostering empathy and productive discomfort. We workshop design elements from the beginning of our shows’ development so that by their premiere, productions’ aesthetics are integrated, immersive, and narratively essential. We’re passionate about incorporating digital media into our work as a way of exploring the wide-ranging implications of technology in our world.
PULSE explores whether dance and movement can serve as the core structure of a theatrical story, using improvisation, hip hop, and collaborative creation to build a piece rooted in belonging, identity, and community.
Schedule
- January 27 at 7:30pm
- January 28 at 9:15pm
- January 31 at 9:15pm
Extraspace Theatre
About The Artists
Eric Miracle is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends storytelling, movement, and experimentation. He’s excited to bring his experience to Pulse, using his creative background to help shape something fresh, unexpected, and alive.
Riel Reddick-Stevens (she/her) is an award-winning multidisciplinary creator, trained in acting and musical theatre at Randolph College and the National Theatre School of Canada. She’s all about making theatre more accessible and brings in new voices by mixing natural sounds and movement with choral vocals and beats.
Ramla and the Desert is a shadow puppetry/live animation project that is a haunting, fantastical tale about desert disappearances. Written and produced by Nehal El-Hadi, directed by Mabel Wonnacott, puppet design and animation by Heather Piper, music by Waleed Abdulhamid.
Schedule
- January 27 at 9:15pm
- January 29 at 7:30pm
- January 31 at 7:30pm
Extraspace Theatre
About The Artists
Nehal El-Hadi is a writer, researcher, and editor. Trained as an environmental journalist and urban planning scholar, Nehal’s work explores the relationships – with materials, technologies, objects and spaces/places – that define what it means to be human. She also holds a residency at Toronto’s Theatre Centre, where she is developing The Observer Effect, a public space performance that examines the impacts of surveillance.
Mabel Wonnacott is a Tkaronto-based opera director, arts educator, and puppeteer whose work has been described as “lively and imaginative” and “ingenious” (Opera Ramblings, Ludwig Van Toronto). She has directed and assisted on productions across Canada with companies including The Banff Centre, the NAC Orchestra, Toronto City Opera, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. She is a passionate advocate for live performance as a powerful tool for human connection and social change.
Heather Piper is an interdisciplinary artist and local 829 scenic painting union member. She studied screenwriting and puppet theatre at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has brought the magic of puppetry to diverse audiences – from performances at public gardens, to Broadway, commercials and independent film.
Waleed Abdulhamid is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, music and film producer. He is known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique, and his speed and precision on percussion. He has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival, in 1991 from Sudan, where he began to perform as early as six years old. He is the recipient of the Canadian New Pioneer Award; African Tama Award; Reel World Film Festival Award and Canadian Film Board of Excellence Award and has received two DORA Awards.
Love Me Back is not a magic show or a play. It’s both, and neither. Mostly it’s about the inexplicable, including love and heartbreak and connection and the secrets in a deck of playing cards. It’s also about loving your solitude until you don’t anymore. Ta-da.
Schedule
Join us between shows, every night of the festival at 8:30 pm in the Near Studio for this special event. Tickets not required, but please note that space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
About The Artist
Michael Kras (he/him) is a Hamilton-based playwright, director, and magic designer. He is best known for his Voaden Prize-winning play The Team (Essential Collective Theatre/Theatre Aquarius); No Big Deal (Roseneath Theatre); and The Year and Two of Us Back Here (Broken Soil Theatre). He works internationally as a magic director & designer with credits including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Canadian Premiere and North American Tour); Franklin’s Key (Pig Iron Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Maltz Jupiter Theatre); The Extinction Therapist (Theatre Aquarius); and the upcoming Canadian premiere of Clyde’s (Canadian Stage).
Pearle Harbour’s Agit-Pop!
Think Judy Garland at Carnegie. On acid.
The clock is ticking, time is running out, and the end is nigher than it’s ever been before. In Agit-Pop! Pearle takes on the world, weaving her acid wit and demented storytelling through the most anxiety-inducing headlines ripped from the daily rag. It’s a cabaret fit for Doomsday.
Paired with bold re-imaginings of the biggest hits of the 20th century (musical director Stella Conway), Pearle sings the songs of David Bowie, Britney Spears, the Beach Boys, and more, as you’ve never heard them before.
Agit-Pop! has toured to every coast of Canada, from thousand-seat vaudeville theatres to concert halls to defunct sex clubs.
Schedule
- January 30 at 9:15 pm
Extraspace Theatre
About The Artist
PEARLE HARBOUR is an award-winning drag performance artist, a gonzo-theatre maker, and Canada’s premiere tragicomedienne. Her audience-centric work aims to celebrate the radical and transformative potential of collective experience.
“Pearle has emerged as one of the most engaging, thoughtful performance artists around.”
– GLENN SUMI, NOW MAGAZINE
The Planter Box Cabaret
The Planter Box Cabaret is a space for audiences to chill and connect in between Extraspace presentations, from 8:30-9:00pm each night of the Festival! These activations will take place in the Rehearsal Hall, and are free to attend.
- Dance Party w/ DJ Switch B
- Trivia Night w/ Nam Nguyen
- Poetry Night w/ Elizabeth Staples
- Craft & Chill w/ Labour in the Arts
- Karaoke w/ Asher Rose
Need to stretch your legs between shows? Celebrate Opening Night and Closing with DJ Switch B spinning from his Funk and R&B repertoire!
Tuesday, January 27
Saturday, January 31
8:30 – 9 PM
Switch B is a Toronto veteran with 20 plus years of competitive Breaking experience under his belt. Switch B has hosted events all across Canada and was the 2024 Canadian Olympic Color Commentator in partnership with the C.B.C for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Representing The Floor Assassins Militia and Maximum Efficiency Crew, Switch has been an active member in the community ranging from mentorship, event organizing, performances and as a competitor. Although Switch does not compete at the frequency he used to, he is an active member of the community and enjoys bringing humor to the competitive scene.
Adrian started dancing back in 2002. By 2007 in grade 11 The Floor Assassins Militia won “ The B-Boy Unit Canada “ Qualifier and got flown out to compete in Seoul Korea. The following year the F.A.M. was invited to the National Art Centre in Ottawa to perform for “Hip-Hop 360”. Later on in 2018 Switch won theCipher Famous “ Cipher battle and Switch B secured his first National solo win in Vancouver. Since then Switch has accumulated over 50 wins in dance competitions, most notably “Skillz-O-Meter” 5 in 2015 which to date is Canada’s biggest one on one competition.
Now at the age of 35 Switch B acts mostly as a host, DJ and event planner. In 2019 Switch B alongside Geoff Reyes debuted the “ The Breaking Draft “ which is a concept battle that has taken place in Toronto and Vancouver. He hopes to one day make it an international concept.
Workshops
NONDANCER Workshop facilitated by Alyssa Martin
Tuesday, January 27
6:00-7:00pm
ZERO dance experience is required for this hour-long dip into the dance world at Rock Bottom. Come together, get hot, learn a little dance and show off. No solo dancing. No pressure. We’re just here to get you moving, teach you some moves and laugh together. Wear comfy clothes, and bring a water bottle. You will leave… A DANSEUR!!
Alyssa Martin is a choreographer whose work merges surrealism, humour, and modern dance into a distinctive and transformative style. Based in Toronto, she is the Founder and Artistic Director of Rock Bottom Movement, a company celebrated for its bold, genre-defying dance-theatre. She has also created new work for The National Ballet of Canada, Alberta Ballet, University of the Arts Zurich, Compagnie de la Citadelle and Toronto Dance Theatre. Known for transdisciplinary collaborations across theatre, circus, film, musical theatre, and opera, Martin has worked with The Coal Mine Theatre, The Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, and many independent companies. Her work has been recognized with awards including numerous Dora Mavor Moore Awards in both the Dance and Theatre divisions, and a nomination for the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. Rooted in humour, empathy, and a collaborative, anti-patriarchal ethos, her creative process challenges convention while centring care, curiosity, and play.
INTRO TO SHADOW PUPPETRY Workshop facilitated by Sequoia Erickson
Thursday, January 29
6:00-7:00pm
Come and play with light and shadow! Learn about the ancient art of shadow puppetry and make your own shadow puppet with puppeteer and theatre artist Sequoia Erickson.
Sequoia Erickson likes making things: from giant butterflies, to shadow puppets, to tutus and samurai armour. A strong belief in the power of the extraordinary compels her to be constantly searching for unusual and visually creative ways to tell stories. She is currently a freelance Costume Designer and Stilt Walker; the Creative Director of Little Chaos Co. and a graduate of the Performance Production program at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Are you the smartest theatregoer north of Dupont? Prove it at Greenhouse Festival Trivia Night, where Jeopardy! champion Nam will quiz you on everything green or house-related for prizes!
Wednesday, January 28
8:30 – 9 PM
Nam Nguyen (he/him) is a theatre artist and insufferable know-it-all. He’s not talented enough to get into Greenhouse as the former so he’s hosting trivia as the latter.
Escape into the portals of poetry and live vocal looping with Elizabeth Staples. Lost in the words of her observational poetry is a familiar dream. Utilizing a vocal looper to create ripples through original compositions and covers, Liz invites you to investigate her subconscious.
Thursday, January 29
8:30 – 9 PM
Elizabeth (she/they) is a queer femme artist, born and raised in Tkarón:to (Toronto). She is a multidisciplinary theatre creator, director, performer, producer and arts administrator. She is one half of STARLiz, a performer-director duo with STARLIGHT, who births experimental performance art and parties. She is an artist in residence with Buddies in Bad Times, currently developing a solo show, Chez Moi, her love letter to the Lesbian bars of Toronto.
Their work has been supported by Nightswimming, Factory Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, Volcano Theatre, BIBT, and the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.
Liz wants you to fall in love with theatre!
Artists/artsworkers Amanda Lin and Emily Jung had a random inspiration, which is that we wanted to rest. Since then, we have held several zone-out events, interrupting busy festival spaces and forcing busy festival staff to stop working and crafting. The premise is simple: we gather, we have some snacks, we have crafts. There’s only one rule: no work talk is allowed!
Friday, January 30
8:30 – 9 PM
Amanda Lin is a queer Taiwanese-Canadian theatre writer, producer, and facilitator. Currently, you can find her co-leading the Paprika Theatre Festival as their Artistic Producer. She is a member of the Labour in the Arts Collective which advocates for better working conditions for arts workers. Her first full-length play, Between a Wok and a Hot Pot premiered with Cahoots Theatre in January 2023 and received 6 Dora nominations in the Independent category. Amanda enjoys lying on the floor.
Emily Jung (she/her) is a Korean-Canadian artist and arts worker working with themes around labour (and rest), multilingual arts, social media, hauntology, and eco-dramaturgy. She is a recipient of the 2023 Dora Award in Projection Design and the Artist Award for Excellence in the Labour Movement at the Mayworks Festival of Labour and the Arts (2024, co-recipient Amanda Lin). Her essay, <Korean Seniors Don’t Care for Bingo>, is available online on Choa Magazine. She works at The Theatre Centre as Director of Communications. She likes to zone out.
Stick around after the last show of the Festival and belt out your favourite showtune, pop hit hot off the charts, or oldie-but-goodie with MC extraordinaire Asher Rose!
Saturday, January 31
10:30 PM – Midnight
Asher Rose (they/them) is an award-winning actor, writer, and visual artist born and raised in Tkaronto. They are a founding member of Create Youth Theatre in the Scottish Highlands, now in its 16th year, and are proudly the chair of outACTRA T.O.’s Gender-Diversity Subcommittee, advocating for trans actors in our industry.
You may have recently seen Asher onstage at Tarragon playing Sunny Drake in the sold-out run of his play, CHILD-ish.
Musical theatre lovers can find Asher every month hosting the wildly popular Queer Broadway Karaoke at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre.
Meet the Festival Team
jonnie lombard
Festival Producer
About The Festival Producer
jonnie is a trans artsy thing from the woods swirling through the surprises of sentience. They perform, poeticize, and produce in playgrounds of pop-art melodrama, anywhere from bars to basements to bathrooms and back again, and always with the primary intention of creating a fun new outfit. They are passionate about theatre as a vessel for urgent emerging voices, being radically fun and weird, and making a new pal in the seat next to you.
They are so excited to be basking in the sunny glow of the Greenhouse Festival, tending the soil of experimental new work! They also work at Tarragon as Associate Dramaturg for the Young Playwright’s Unit, and making show-themed drinks behind the bar.
jonnie has sprouted and blossomed in the Paprika Festival’s Creators Unit, Factory Theatre’s Training Enhancement Program, the Toronto Fringe’s TENT Program, and the bright beautiful garden of infinitely creative flowers that are their mentors, collaborators, and friends.
If you ask jonnie to go dancing, they will always say yes!
Annasofie 诗慧 Jakobsen
Festival Coordinator
About The Festival Coordinator
Hailing from Singapore and Vancouver, Annasofie 诗慧 Jakobsen (she/her) is an emerging production and stage manager now based in Toronto. She’s thrilled to be the Festival Coordinator of this year’s Greenhouse Festival and to be working with so many talented artists!