The undercurrents festival will be returning to Ottawa this February, aiming to highlight emerging theatre artists and performers.
undercurrents is a production of the Ottawa Fringe Festival that aims to showcase a variety of performances in different formats. This programming includes live music, experimental solo shows and fully-produced plays. The event will also feature artists and groups that have participated in the Fringe Festival’s “under development” educational program.
Featured shows include “Mother Sea”, a personal narrative about a Haitian Canadian woman’s journey; “That is Not a Toy”, a comedy about physiotherapy; and “Wind”, a drama about wind farm development hosted in the Odd Box studio. There will also be opening and closing reception events.
undercurrents prioritizes accessibility, including physically accessible spaces, plays in multiple languages, and a “pay what you can” admissions policy. Theatre festivals like this typically use program and brochure printing to credit the creators involved, as well as festival volunteers. The festival’s website emphasizes the diversity of programming, claiming that:
“…you’ll have the opportunity to experience a range of exciting and boundary-pushing performances. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for something new and exciting to do, there is something for everyone at undercurrents.”
The 2026 edition of the undercurrents festival will take place at Arts Court in Ottawa from February 4 to 14.
