That’s a wrap! CAPACOA’s 2025 Conference took place from December 1-5, bringing together delegates from across Canada and around the world.
This year, we were thrilled to once again welcome international delegates. Throughout the week, we connected with our international colleagues through many meaningful conversations about the state of the international performing arts sector, and we enjoyed two international showcase experiences by Black Grace and Sincere Apologies. Visit our International Delegate page for the full list!
The full conference delegate list is also still live! We are proud to share that this year’s conference welcomed a total of 329 delegates; an increase of more than 70 compared to two years ago. Thank you to everyone who attended and demonstrated the vitality of the Canadian performing arts sector.
Note: There are still scammers claiming to have a list of all conference delegates for sale. Please report and do not respond to these emails.
This year’s conference comes with a special program announcement: CAPACOA has launched a Climate Change Preparedness Program (CCPP) to support the national performing arts sector in responding to the impacts of climate change. Partnering with Ian Garrett from The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA), the program will research and build practical tools to help performing arts organizations adapt, with Erin Kennedy leading as the program manager.
For the inaugural step of the CCPP, we convened delegates from around the world for a roundtable discussion at the conference to explore how climate change impacts theatre in different biozones, and what different countries and theatre communities are doing to help mitigate emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.
If you are passionate about the environment and interested in this initiative, please feel free to reach out to Erin at [email protected].
Inspiring Words from Carol Off and Crazy Smooth
We were thrilled to have two incredible speakers at our conference this year: broadcast journalist and author Carol Off, and Canadian street-dancing legend Crazy Smooth.
In her speech, Carol reaffirmed the importance of Canadian artists, especially in times of political and economic uncertainty, sharing intriguing personal reflections, such as her marvelous adventure biking from venue to venue across Toronto as the CBC’s arts reporter, during a period when the value of Canadian art was often overlooked. She reminded us that this is a moment for bold action, for manifestos, and for coming together as a community.
Later in the week, Crazy Smooth took the stage in conversation with Chris Lorway, President of the Banff Centre, reflecting on the dancers who influenced him, the experience of aging as a dancer and how it leads you to move and dance differently, and the transition of street dance from the streets to the stage.
A huge thank you to both Carol Off and Crazy Smooth for their inspiring words and their continued dedication to the performing arts sector.
Canadian & International Talent Showcased to Presenters, Agents, and Touring Networks
In addition to our wonderful speakers, we were proud to present 18 showcases of Canadian and international productions ready for touring. Rich in artistic talent, these performances made us laugh, cry, think, and get out of our seats to dance! Check out the full list of showcasing artists here.
We also had two pitch sessions throughout the week, where talented artists from Canada and beyond shared projects at all stages of development with our delegates. For more information about the pitching artists, visit the full list here.
Professional Development Seminars Lead the National Conversation
Throughout the week, CAPACOA presented several professional development seminars addressing pressing issues within the performing arts sector. These sessions featured special guests including digital consultant Inga Petri, HR specialist Jeanne LeSage, and researcher Élodie Santos, among others. An extra special shout-out goes to members of the international delegation who offered their own playful version of CBC’s The Debaters, exploring the pros and cons of international touring. See the full list of sessions here.
The seminars culminated in a Knowledge Café, where participants circulated through informal, salon-style conversations on a range of performing arts-related topics, including naming rights, AI, international touring, performing with place, and more. Thank you to all of our Knowledge Café hosts, and especially to our Indigenous and international colleagues, for hosting such thought-provoking discussions.
A Record Number of One-on-One Meetings at This Year’s Conference
Midway through the conference, artists, presenters, and agents gathered at the Lowertown Brewery to discuss bookings, touring, performance, and all things in between. With over 500 individual meetings booked, these one-on-one sessions provided artists and agents with the opportunity to connect.
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Funders!
