The Cultch’s Youth Panel are thrilled to announce that this year’s IGNITE! Festival will be taking over The Cultch’s Historic Theatre— with youth-led programming and new work by local emerging playwrights and multidisciplinary artists— from May 17-20, 2023.

This will be IGNITE!’s 21st Anniversary of in-person events.

IGNITE! is an eclectic festival, programmed and curated entirely by members of the Youth Panel at the Cultch. It features theatre performers, filmmakers, writers, poets, dancers, musicians, visual artists, drag performers and more — all aged 13-30 — as well as participants from the Cultch’s Youth Program Mentorship Programs. Celebrating its 21st Anniversary, the festival also includes the production of three One Act Plays by local emerging playwrights and a Visual Arts exhibition.

Each of the main festival nights offer a diverse spread of performances in a variety-show style under a theme; from Daybreak and Golden Hour to Solar Flair, this year IGNITE! is rising up and celebrating the sunny days ahead! Performances this year include short plays, monologues, poetry, live music, traditional dance and voguing, a short films program, and a lineup of three phenomenal drag performers. In addition, we will have a secret opening show on May 15th with a live electronic music set, so make sure to check our Instagram to get tickets while you can!

IGNITE! Visual Arts Exhibition April 25 – May 21, 2023 & and Merch Sale from May 17-20

Join us every night of the festival from 7:00-8:00 pm to enjoy a drink from our bar and to get engulfed in our Visual Arts Exhibition. Some of our pieces will be on sale, so please feel free to enquire with any Youth Panel Member or bar staff to purchase.

For more information: Visit Ignite! Website