Madgen theatre festival 2026
WOODBINE/DANFORTH, toronto: august 20-22, 2026
Submissions for this year’s Emerging Producers Fellowship and MADGEN Theatre Festival is now open!
For more information on the festival, what you need to apply, and deadlines, see “2026 EPF Applications & Play Submission Guidelines” below. We can’t wait to hear from you.
FROM L-R (STANDING): JOHNNY WIDEMAN, RHYS WHITHAM, OWEN CARTER, PAUL SMITH, CEDRIC MARTIN, ELIJAH MACLEOD; FROM L-R (FRONT ROW): MALIA ROGERS, REENA GOZE, OPRAH LEMORIN, SEPHORA N’KOSI. MADGEN: EMERGING PRODUCERS COHORT, FESTIVAL TEAM & STAFF, 2025.
PROGRAM history
Beginning as the “Emerging Producers Festival” in 2024, the festival’s name transitioned to “MADGEN: Emerging Producers Festival” in 2025, eventually arriving at MADGEN Theatre Festival in 2026. What hasn’t changed is the paid opportunity provided to emerging producers who want to try their hand at producing community-centred, socially-engaged theatre in a mentored and supportive learning environment.
This unique program is made up of two parts:
The Emerging Producers Fellowship (EPF): a cohort of 4 producers is selected each year, assigned a Toronto-based producing mentor, provided training with guest facilitators, and then given a budget to produce a staged reading of a new Canadian play.
The MADGEN Theatre Festival: runs from Thursday to Saturday, August 20-22, 2026, in Toronto’s East Danforth neighbourhood. The festival showcases Theatre of the Beat’s unique community-centred producing methodology, incorporating community dramaturgs, and immersive environments that provide food and music connected to the themes of each production.
If you have questions about the festival, please contact Johnny Wideman, Festival Manager.
2026 EPF Applications & Play Submission Guidelines
2026 Play Submission guidelines
As of Monday, February 16, 2026, Theatre of the Beat will begin accepting play submissions for the 2026 MADGEN Theatre Festival. Play submission close Thursday, April 30, 2026. View the submission details below, or click here to download the pdf.
2026 Emerging producer fellowship Applications
As of Monday, February 16, 2026, Theatre of the Beat will be accepting producer applications for the 2026 Emerging Producers Fellowship cohort, and MADGEN Theatre Festival. Producer applications close Friday, March 20, 2026. View the position details below, or click here to download the pdf.
