Celebrating 60 years of nurturing young hearts and minds, Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is thrilled to announce its 2025.26 Season — Where You Belong. This slate of six compelling productions reflects the many ways young people see the world: from fantastically adventurous to eye-openingly relevant.

Adventure arrives at YPT with the return of the smash-hit Where the Wild Things Are, along with a holiday spectacular in Shrek The Musical, a magical ride through Love You Forever and More Munsch, and the highly interactive Tree for the very youngest audiences. For pre-teens and teenagers, powerful performances of The Mush Hole and Boys With Cars will connect deeply and resonate long after the final bows.

The 25.26 Season celebrates six decades of artistic innovation at the forefront of theatre for young audiences. Artistic Director Herbie Barnes knows that YPT’s work with children, teachers, and parents has never been more necessary. “Children and teens crave the certainty that they belong and they need creative and welcoming spaces for that feeling of belonging to flourish.”

“Over six decades our programming has supported millions of young people in growing their confidence and their connection to others through the power of theatre. This season, we celebrate 60 years by doing what YPT does best: sharing stories that help young people find their place in the world.”

“We’re proud to say that for more than three generations YPT has joyfully curated world-class theatre and educational programs that meet and respond to young people’s intellectual, creative, and emotional needs,” says Executive Director Camilla Holland.

“That impact is clear today: a legacy of young people blossoming into their unique selves and charting their own extraordinary courses. Along the way, we’ve helped inspire generations of art-lovers, arts-supporters, and artists. I can’t count how many people have told me that their first theatre experience was at YPT and that it lit a creative spark in their lives – that’s why we’re here.”

The season launches in October with an urgent and exquisitely crafted dance exploration of the impacts of Canada’s Residential Schools in The Mush Hole. Named for the gruel children were fed at Brantford’s Mohawk Institute, this five-time Dora Award-winning dance piece from the visionary director, choreographer, and producer Santee Smith and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre poignantly illuminates truth, resilience, and hope.

Next, the much loved classic of children’s theatre — Where the Wild Things Are — roars back to YPT after last year’s sold-out run. Based on Maurice Sendak’s cherished storybook, and produced by Carousel Players, this immersive production has delighted thousands of children across North America with its magical invitation to transform Max’s room into a jungle and join the wild rumpus.

Hijinks, humour, and heart abound in Shrek The Musical, an ogre-sized holiday production – one of YPT’s largest ever! Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, and directed by Herbie Barnes, this romp through the swamp features a wisecracking donkey, a fierce warrior princess, a pint-sized villain, and a gingerbread cookie with a lot of snap. Their quest for community reminds us that even in a world divided, we’re all in this together.

In February, YPT engages the youngest generation of theatregoers with Tree, a multisensory production designed by Théâtre Motus for children ages six months to three years. A small audience size, live music, glowing lights, gentle puppets, and a cast that interacts one-on-one with each child promise an enthralling introduction to live theatre. Notably, one performance will be exclusively for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, and/or reduced mobility.

The wacky world of Canada’s best-loved storyteller comes to whimsical, theatrical life with a Dora Award-winning YPT classic, Love You Forever and More Munsch. Audiences of all ages will delight as their favourite characters – including Mortimer and the Paper Bag Princess—leap from the page to the stage in this celebration of the funny frustrations and cherished bonds of family.

Boys With Cars, from award-winning playwright and actor Anita Majumdar, makes a triumphant return to the YPT stage for the season finale. Produced by Nightswimming in association with YPT, this bold two-time Dora Award-winning production for teenagers fuses theatre and classical Indian dance to explore the messy realities of consent, privilege, and clashing cultures – all with a thumping hip-hop Bollywood soundtrack.

NEW! Room for Play

New this season, YPT is excited to launch Room for Play – interactive programming specially curated to ignite interaction between little ones and their adults. From theatre, to choirs, mini-concerts and more – all inspired by our season’s lineup – participants will enjoy meaningful connection across generations, opportunities for creative discovery, and most importantly: room for play. More program details to come this fall.

DRAMA SCHOOL

YPT’s thriving year-round Drama School adds new courses in the 2025.26 season, including dedicated Improv classes and a new Ensemble program for students in Grades 5-6. This intensive program will culminate in the performance of a play on the Ada Slaight Stage. Throughout the year, YPT’s highly popular classes and camps will be on offer to students in Kindergarten through Gr.12. Bursaries are available. Registration for fall programs will launch this June.

LEARNING AT YPT

Students, teachers, and members of the education community always belong at YPT. Along with seeing plays on stage, they are encouraged to maximize their learning experience at YPT by participating in Behind-the-Scenes tours, Play Companion Workshops, post-show Q&As, and Tools of the Trade, where audiences get a sneak peek into the world of theatre production.

TICKETS

Tickets — including our Flex-3 Pack — are on sale now. Early Bird public and school discounts are available through June 30, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online at youngpeoplestheatre.org.

2025.26 SEASON

THE MUSH HOLE | A story of hope and finding light in dark places

Created, Directed, and Produced by Santee Smith

Remount produced by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

Ada Slaight Stage | Oct. 6 – 17, 2025

Ages 11+ | Gr. 5+

Witness hope and resilience onstage in The Mush Hole – an exquisite theatrical dance performance that illuminates a dark corner of Canada’s history. From 1828 to 1970, Indigenous children from Six Nations were torn from their families, stripped of their names, and forced to live at Brantford’s Mohawk Institute Residential School. Kids called it the Mush Hole for the appalling gruel they were fed.

From visionary director, choreographer, and producer Santee Smith, comes this powerful story, created from the testimonials of two generations of Survivors. With visceral performances from an all-Indigenous cast, immersive video, and a cinematic musical score, this five-time Dora Award-winner is one of Canada’s must-see productions.

“The Mush Hole is a story about hope and finding light in dark places. As much as it speaks to intergenerational trauma, it screams resilience. Every single element represented on stage comes from Survivors sharing their experiences with us.” — Santee Smith

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE | Let the WILD rumpus begin!

Based on the book by Maurice Sendak

Originally adapted for the stage by TAG Theatre Glasgow, Scotland

Directed by Monica Dufault

Produced by Carousel Players

Studio | Oct. 18 – Nov. 2, 2025

Ages 3-7 | JK-Gr. 2

Let the wild rumpus begin! Hot on the heels of last year’s sold-out sensation, Max and the Wild Things roar back to the YPT stage. Embark on a magical interactive journey as you help transform Max’s bedroom into the legendary land of the Wild Things! Crowned their king, Max faces a big decision: rule the rumpus or return home? Based on Maurice Sendak's beloved storybook, this adaptation has been hailed: “Playful in every sense – silly, fun, and filled with opportunities for us to stretch our imaginations. A pretty wild thing to see!” (CBC).

SHREK THE MUSICAL | Make your Holidays OGRE-the-Top!

TYA version

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig

Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire

Music by Jeanine Tesori

Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions

Directed by Herbie Barnes

Original Production directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford

Ada Slaight Stage | Nov. 13 – Dec. 30, 2025

Ages 6+ | Gr. 1+

This holiday season, enjoy the humour, heart, and hijinks of this ogre-sized production — one of YPT’s largest ever! Bursting with catchy tunes and laugh-out-loud moments, Shrek The Musical features a kaleidoscopic crew of fairy tale misfits – a wisecracking donkey, a fierce warrior princess, a pint-sized villain, and even a cookie with an attitude. It’s a fun-filled adventure for the whole family, celebrating friendship and the joy of finding your true self. Based on the smash-hit Oscar-winning film, this charmingly cheeky romp in the swamp reminds us that even in a world divided, we’re all in this together.

TREE | An interactive experience for little EXPLORERS!

Original idea and stage direction by Hélène Ducharme

Produced by Théâtre Motus

Studio | Feb. 14 – 22, 2026

Ages 6 months -3 yrs

Settle into Mama Bird's cozy nest and experience the magical world of Tree! This interactive multi-sensory production will transport little theatregoers to a luminous universe filled with enchanting puppets, soft lights, and gentle melodies. Audience sizes are limited, allowing young children to explore the forest’s wonders through personalized one-on-one interactions with performers. Thoughtfully considered and beautifully staged, this unique theatrical performance promises fun-filled family memories that will last a lifetime.

A YPT Room for Play program

LOVE YOU FOREVER AND MORE MUNSCH |MUNSCH-Sized FUN for March Break!

Based on the stories of Robert Munsch

Adapted by Stephen Colella and Sue Miner

Directed by Stephen Colella and Karen Gilodo

Ada Slaight Stage | Feb. 19 – Mar. 21, 2026

Ages 4-9 | JK-Gr. 3

Step inside the wonderfully wacky world of Robert Munsch – Canada’s best-loved children’s author! Jam-packed with joy, this whimsical award-winning adaptation brings to life five modern classics: Mortimer; The Paper Bag Princess; Murmel, Murmel, Murmel; Zoom!; and Love You Forever. Prepare yourself for delightfully noisy bedtimes and a blowhard dragon leaping from the page to the stage! Whether it’s your first Munsch adventure or a nostalgic return, the whole family will love this celebration of childhood – from its funny frustrations to the unbreakable bonds we share with the ones we love most.

BOYS WITH CARS | “A TOUR-DE-FORCE” — Montreal Gazette

Written, choreographed, and performed by Anita Majumdar

Directed by Brian Quirt

Produced by Nightswimming, presented in association with Young People’s Theatre

Ada Slaight Stage| Apr 13 – 24, 2026

Ages 13+ | Gr. 7+

Does high school feel like a minefield of unspoken rules? Follow Naz as she navigates the chaotic world of her suburban school where cultures clash, and fitting in can come at a serious price. From award-winning playwright and actor Anita Majumdar, this powerful coming-of-age piece fuses theatre and classical Indian dance as it takes you into the messy realities of privilege, power, and consent. Get ready for raw honesty and a mesmerizing performance – all set to a soundtrack that blends Bollywood bangers and classical Indian music with hip-hop beats. This fearless production will leave you thinking long after the lights go down.

Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Performance (YPT and Nightswimming, 2020).

For more information, visit youngpeoplestheatre.org.