MEDIA CONTACT Sue Goberdhan
Co-Artistic Producer, Azimuth Theatre
Producer@azimuththeatre.com

Opening Night: March 20, 2026 | Westbury Theatre 

 

EDMONTON, AB — What does fat liberation sound like in a dance lecture? How do Edmonton artists experiment in real time, in front of audiences? Expanse Festival 2026 opens March 20 with a double-bill of bold, playful, and intimate performances that set the tone for its 10-day celebration of bodies, communities, and connection.

Produced by Azimuth Theatre, Opening Night features:

• The Azimuth Living Room Party at 7pm in the Studio Theatre — A showcase of Edmonton-based artists presenting works-in-progress in dance, clown, and theatre, highlighting experimentation, risk-taking, and community support.
• The F Word at 8:30pm in the Westbury Theatre — Bianca Miranda & Keshia Cheesman’s exuberant blend of dance, lecture, fairytale, and song exploring friendship, self-acceptance, and fat liberation.

Together, these performances embody the festival’s theme Intersections, inviting audiences to witness work at the crossroads of identity, movement, and lived experience.

Why cover Opening Night?
Expanse Festival is a rare chance to see local and national artists creating work that is visually striking, politically sharp, and deeply personal — all while emphasizing inclusivity and access. The festival is Pay-What-You-Will, with ASL interpretation, live captioning, relaxed performances, and described audio, ensuring cost and accessibility are never barriers.

This Opening Night also kicks off Collect the Constellations, an activation partnering with neighbouring Whyte Avenue businesses. Patrons visiting cafés, bakeries, and restaurants can collect stamps on a festival “coffee card” and win prizes — connecting Edmonton’s art scene with the neighbourhood community. This year also marks the first official Market at Expanse: every Friday and Saturday during the festival, local vendors will be featured in the lobby of the Westbury Theatre from 5-9 PM. These vendors in the lobby all share themes with the artists Expanse audiences will see on stage.

 

Festival Highlights

• Cycle: Pedal alongside a performer exploring gig-work culture.
• Binding: Drag, clown, and theatre intersect to examine trans identity.
• Ultra Violets: Queer club culture and collective transformation in a disco-filled physical performance.
• Phantom Limbs: A meditation on memory, technology, and what lingers when history glitches.

Opening Night marks the start of 10 days of experimentation, workshops, artist labs, and community gatherings, culminating in a festival that champions bold queer voices and innovative movement-based performance.

Media Sources: 

• Download Photo & Video Media Here 

Tickets & Info:

• Pay-What-You-Will ($35 recommended) – Ticket Link Here
• Full schedule: azimuththeatre.com/expanse-festival

Venue:

• Fringe Theatre Adventures – 10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton

Socials:

•  Instagram: @azimuth_theatre 
• Facebook: Azimuth Theatre 

Produced by Azimuth Theatre – Notes to Editors:
Founded in 2005, Expanse Festival is Azimuth Theatre’s annual movement-based performance festival. For over two decades, Expanse has supported artists across their creative journeys while fostering access, experimentation, and community engagement. Intersections continues this legacy—centering bodies, difference, and connection as vital forces in contemporary performance.