Montreal’s home for bold, boundary-pushing performance premieres returns this February.
WinterWorks, Centaur Theatre’s festival dedicated to adventurous, experimental, and cutting-edge performance, returns February 4–22, 2026. Formerly known as the Wildside Festival, WinterWorks has evolved into a dynamic showcase of what’s next in Canadian performance bringing together fully realized productions by established artists alongside Pay-What-You-Can readings by exciting emerging voices.
With accessible ticket prices, festival passes, and a program that spans dance-theatre, live electronic music, immersive technology, and daring new writing, WinterWorks is a must-see event for audiences eager to experience the future of theatre.
“I think of WinterWorks as a perfect tasting menu of theatrical delicacies, offering Montrealers the very best of ambitious and boundary-pushing performance. From lovers of dance-theatre and live techno music to emerging playwrighting voices and even VR headsets, WinterWorks is sure to excite, amaze, and inspire.”
— Rebecca Gibian, WinterWorks Curator
Following last year’s record-breaking attendance, WinterWorks 2026 proudly presents four new works, including two full productions and two Pay-What-You-Can staged readings, which can be enjoyed independently or combined into a festival-style double feature, with readings scheduled immediately before or after mainstage performances.
February 4 - February 22 , 2026 th nd
February 4 – February 8, 2026
A HEIST Production FREQUENCIES
Using live electronic music, virtual reality and storytelling, musician and performer Aaron Collier illuminates a connection between himself and his brother, who died 7 years before he was born.
Written by Aaron Collier with Francesca Ekwuyasi and Stewart Legere
Directed by Ann-Marie Kerr
Starring Aaron Collier
Original Music - Aaron Collier
Costume Design - Emlyn Murray
Digital Visual Design - Aaron Collier, Matthew Downey, and MacKenzie Cornfield
Production and Stage Management - Sylvia Bell
Dramaturgy - Richie Wilcox
Pre-show Music - Pat McMaster
VR Driver - Richie Wilcox
VR Driver Consultant - Sylvia Bell
Special Thanks: Jean-Pierre Cloutier, Pat McMaster, Alex Sinclair, Maria Ossa
THE HEALING
February 17 – February 22, 2026
A multi-sensory, deeply embodied experience, The Healing deconstructs traditional narrative forms to ask:What do we inherit from others—and what must we confront within ourselves to truly release our past?
Written and produced by Marie Barlizo
Directed by Aaron Jan
Dancer - Chelly Li
Dancer - Tyler Quincy Yan
Voice Actor - Josette Jorge
Choreographer - Hanna Kiel
Production Dramaturg - Paula Wing
Development Dramaturg - Andrea Romaldi
Composer and Sound Design - Ashley Naomi
Lighting Design - Logan Raju Cracknell
Stage Manager and Production Manager - Annasofie 诗慧 Jakobsen
HOLES
February 8, 2026
Holes explores how we protect ourselves, and those we love, in a world that offers little protection in return.
Written by Jojo O’Neil
Patricia
Mitchell - Brian Dooley
Andrew - Jeremy Lewis
Charmaine (Char) - Kathleen Stavert
Directed by Christopher Morris
(Pat) - Alyssa Angelucci-Wall
LAY DOWN ALL DOGS
February 21, 2026
After the death of their father, two sisters must decide how far they will go to protect their home when a stranger appears on their doorstep with a secret that could cause them to lose everything.
Written by Sarah Danielle Pitman
Directed by Carter Gulseth
Haven - Maria Lazaris
Jenna - Tiernan Cornford
CONFABULATION THE SHORTEST STORY
February 21, 2026
Produced
and hosted by Matt
Goldberg
Montreal’s original true life storytelling series, is back at the Centaur Theatre with another evening of stories, told by the people who lived them! For WinterWorks, we are presenting our annual Shortest Story extravaganza – a whirlwind of 2 minute stories shared by up to 30 storytellers.
LA CHAPELLE
February 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 2026 th th th th
Fragiles Apparitions – variations in 3 songs
Sarah Wendt and Pascal Dufaux
Co-production: Montréal Danse
A three-part ritual that explores the soft power of the ephemeral. Between textile carapaces and soft organs, architectures of soap films and mirror reflections, this performance-installation envelops us in an immersive, sensorial environment where forms tremble, dissolve, and reappear.
CENTAUR DARK AFTER
CENTAUR THEATRE GALLERY FEB 7 @ 7 PM
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Eda Holmes Artistic & Executive Director
ADMINISTRATION
Micaela Fernandez Box Office & Sales Manager
Louna Fezoui Development Associate
Rebecca Gibian Associate Artist
Victoria Hall Assistant Box Office & Sales Manager
Kimberly Hönig Social Media & Communications Coordinator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Susan Da Sie, CFA
CHAIR EMERITUS
Michael Baratta, CPA, CA
Deputy Business Unit Leader, Quebec, Audit, Partner, KPMG LLP
MEMBERS
Dr. Patricia A. Baker Chief Executive Director, Waterford Consulting PB Inc.
Jérôme Bichut, CFA Partner, Boyden
Anthony G. Czaharyn, MD CM
Silvia Galeone VP – Canadian Insurance Operations, Manulife Financial
