The Paprika Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary from May 12 to 16, 2026. Seven new works by nine emerging artists will take place at Native Earth’s Aki Studio in Toronto.
Along with the seven mainstage performances, there will be seven free community events. The Nine featured artists in the Directors Lab, Playwrights Unit, Indigenous Arts Program, and Design Lab 2026 are: Kéïta Fournier-Pelletier, Jane-Leigh Jamieson, Suleekha Hirsi, Gwen Gabriella Caughell, Melissa Avalos, Nicci Pryce, Kobena Ampofo, Vandana Maharaj, and saysah.
“It’s hard to believe that Paprika has been supporting young and emerging artists for a quarter of a century! Since its humble origins as a teen theatre festival operating out of Tarragon Theatre in 2001, Paprika has since evolved to be the launching pad for over 160 professional arts careers, with alumni including Zaiba Baig, Joelle Peters, Bea Pizano, and Mitchell Cushman,” said Amanda Lin, Artistic Producer in a statement.
“This year’s Festival will feature a line-up of highly ambitious, exciting emerging directors, designers, writers, and choreographers. I’m excited for audiences, familiar and new, to experience their work!”
Festival At A Glance
DIRECTORS LAB and DESIGN LAB
Presented as a double bill on May 12 and May 15, 2026
ANANSI v. GOD(s)
ANANSI v.GOD(s) is a three-part parable that was inspired by both West African folklore and stories from the Bible. The work reminds both humans and gods alike how to stay true to yourself and your story — even while preparing for the end of the world.
A spider has been chosen to collect new stories from humanity which the gods require to survive. But, when a student’s diary journal is published online, events threaten to spin out of control, and man and myth must get together and collaborate to keep the scales balanced.
Written by Paul Smith, the work will be directed Nicci Pryce, with Projection Design and Cultural Consultation by Kobena Ampofo.
Nicci Pryce (Directors Lab) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work revolves around passion, vulnerability, and social justice. Kobena Ampofo (Design Lab) is a queer Akan anti-disciplinary artist who is developing a research practice around witchcraft, Akan mediumship, and the spirit realm.
The Walls Enclosing
What is the difference between being from a place, and being of it? Is there such a distinction to be made?
Written by Ameer Idreis, directed by Vandana Maharaj, and with projection design by saysah, the story follows Amal, who returns to Occupied Palestine after a 13 year hiatus. She’s there to visit family and friends, and finds a paradox — a lot has changed, but at the same time, nothing at all.
Amal is worried about her Arabic, and whether she still fits into her homeland culture. But, her cousin is there to help show her around the familiar/unfamiliar landscape.
Vandana Maharaj (Directors Lab) is a Trinidadian-Canadian actor, director and writer. A multidisciplinary and multisensorial artist, saysah’s practice (design lab) is rooted in sensory exploration, interweaving various forms of expression.
INDIGENOUS ARTS PROGRAM
Presented as a double bill on May 14, 2026
The piano in my mothers home (working title)
Kéïta Fournier-Pelletier solo work uses movement, music, and text to examine themes of loss, grief, and love. “Coming from a family of musicians, music has been a central part of my life and how we grieve. It has become ceremonious in my family to gather around the piano to sing, to mourn, to come together, even to have a concert as a celebration of life.”
Kéïta Fournier-Pelletier is a queer, Métis, Franco-Manitoban artist, dancer, choreographer and educator from Treaty 1 Territory, based in Tkaronto.
Sisterhood
Sisterhood by Jane-Leigh Jamieson is a story that mines the roller coaster ride of sisterhood. You grow together, yet also grow apart. You take care of them, but also need them to take care of you. No matter what, you will be there for each other.
Jane-Leigh Jamieson is a dancer and choreographer from the Six Nations Reserve.
PLAYWRIGHTS UNIT
Presented as a triple bill on May 16, 2026
Made of Glass
Nabeel is at home in a small Northwest Toronto apartment when Safiyah returns from work. Half-finished conversations, silences that linger too long — it’s their usual routine. But then, the usual rhythm begins to slip. Small issues begin to loom larger, and both of them begin to wonder, how can we maintain an equilibrium?
Suleekha Hirsi is a Somali-Canadian, Black Muslim playwright and filmmaker based in Brampton.
Dream House/Doll House
Holly Pugliese, a 2-something trans woman and high femme fashion doll obsessive, finds herself crashing with sister Anna and her fiancé after her now ex-boyfriend kicks her out of his apartment. Holly and Anna have competing ideas on what “normal” heterosexual womanhood means, and as Holly tries to imagine an independent future, it brings the two siblings to the boundaries between compassion and control.
Gwen Gabriella Caughell is a playwright, short story writer and critic based out of Toronto.
Kim is Dead.
In their sheltered enclosure, box office workers maintain their composure even if when the internet acts up, the ticket printer breaks, or the zombie apocalypse has begun. — even if the boss has died and been rehired as a zombie.
Because, the show must go on… right?
Melissa Avalos is a Toronto-born Latina-Filipina writer, reviewer, theatre lover and a patron services representative.
Community Events
Free community events take place inside and outside of the Daniels Spectrum building. They include:
- Opening Night Birthday Party;
- The AMY Project Showcase;
- Playwrights Canada Press Pop-Up;
- Emerging Artists Open Mic;
- Neighbourhood Lemonade Stand;
- Goodie Bag — Happy Birthday Edition!;
- Closing Reception.
Paprika
“It’s a difficult time to be starting out in the performing arts industry, with theatres still recovering from pandemic shutdowns and costs of living skyrocketing,” said Amanda Lin.
“Paprika is important because it provides a paid and well-supported experience for the artists, who have a chance to experiment, play, and fail — all things that are necessary for them to build their craft.”
Paprika Festival is a youth-led professional performing arts organization. It offers paid opportunities, mentorships, and hands-on labs to emerging artists and art administrators to help develop artistic practices and professional skills. Participants gain professional experience in production and arts management.
The Paprika Festival takes place May 12 to 16, 2026 at Native Earth’s Aki Studio (585 Dundas Street East, #120)
- Find ticket and performance details [HERE].
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