Dartmouth festival promises ‘singular experience’ with STAGES
Posted Jun 1, 2026 10:52:35 AM.
Last Updated Jun 1, 2026 11:37:28 AM.
An innovative festival based in Dartmouth launching on Wednesday is offering a unique, captivating theatrical experience.
STAGES Theatre Festival has been running in various forms for years, but since Kat McCormack began curating the event, it has spotlighted works that push the boundaries of what theatre can do.
“It’s just such a singular experience to have theatre like this,” says the Eastern Front Theatre artistic director. “It doesn’t feel like theatre. If you’re thinking about what a play is, these shows don’t fit into that mould.”
Launched each year by Dartmouth’s Eastern Front Theatre, the five-day event runs from June 3 to 7 and offers audiences an opportunity to take in bold, playful and innovative creations that push the boundaries.
“It’s really incredible that people locally and across the county are really at the forefront of these experimental works that are still engaging,” says McCormack. “No one is going to make you feel stupid, you’re not going to feel left out, you’re not going to be pulled up on stage, but these works are going to engage you in a way that nothing else can.”
McCormack says that among this year’s highlights is a play titled 2021, which involves a video game played live by an audience member that informs the design for the show.
She also says adult audiences will be drawn to Epidermis Circus, which EFT describes on its website as “the weirdest puppet show you’ve ever seen.”
“The other one I want to highlight is Mass for Shutouts,” adds McCormack about the play by Atlantic Canadian playwright Tanya Davis.
“It’s a really beautiful, poetic, queer and comedic take on a Catholic mass (and) it’s also charming,” she continues. “There are songbooks, and you can sing along if you wish, and there will be little tea sandwiches at the end, just like a Catholic mass.”
For tickets or more information on STAGES, visit Eastern Front Theatre’s website.
