Proudly entering its 37th year, the New Ideas Festival is Alumnae’s annual showcase of new and experimental one-act plays. Witness theatrical history in the making with bold premieres from both emerging and established theatre artists!
Eight unique stories, 2 Weeks only! November 19-30, 2025.
The New Ideas Festival has been a cornerstone of Toronto’s theatre scene, giving a platform for both emerging and established theater artists to explore fresh ideas and push artistic boundaries. Each year, audiences experience the birth of theatrical history through bold premieres and groundbreaking performances. This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix of genres and themes, promising something for every theatre enthusiast.
Week 1 November 19-23, 2025
“Dirt and Oranges” by Beatriz Yuste
After a night of drunken despair, Hayden, 23, is talked off the ledge of a Marbella time-share by his dad’s mind-reading girlfriend. As she seemingly pulls out one secret after another, both must contemplate what it means to live a life that is truly free.
“There Were No Birds To Fly” by Elaine Freedman
In the not-distant-enough future. of climate change, ex-corporate lawyer, Wanda, is living in subtropical Yukon with her disabled teenage daughter, Alice. One afternoon, Wanda’s ex-wife, Carla, MBA and CEO of The Company in BC’s lower mainland, suddenly appears and threatens to turn their comfortable world upside down.
“Lisaveta’s Journey” by Rosalind Goldsmith
Lisaveta lives in an apocalyptic world. Climate disaster has ravaged her home. She is alone. Without food or water, she must try and escape the farm to survive. Lisaveta’s Journey is a survival story about love.
“Heel” by Paige Prystupa
After years of performing for half empty Legions the women of All Out West Wrestling are getting restless. While some still find power and passion in the ring others are deciding whether it’s time to move on to new things.
Week 2 November 26-30, 2025
“Hurricane Tales” by Chloë Whitehorn
Carol and Doug face the reality of their relationship in the midst of a hurricane.
“Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes” by R. J. Downes
Donna is having a party to celebrate her newborn son. Ryan is a soldier at war. Duncan is celebrating his eleventh birthday by meeting his birth mother for the first time. Their lives intersect in a place where reality, memory and death meet. Life is but a dream.
“Cosmo Girls” by Lawrie Carruthers
Rachel and Jill, friends since their kids were little, sit in the waiting room of the oncologists office bracing for Rachel’s diagnosis. The women explore the power of friendship and loyalty as they face their fear with humour and determination.
“Father Comes Home” by Nina Kaye
A vaudevillian family is reunited when the husband and father comes home from a tour. Though it is a bit hard for him to reintegrate into the family, they soon welcome him back, and all ends well!
