PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

06/10/2026

AUDITION NOTICE: Another Birth

Aphotic Theatre is seeking 5 experienced women/non-binary dancers for their upcoming research development of Another Birth, directed by Fay Nass in collaboration with Vanessa Goodman & Daisy Thompson.

Dancers should possess high-level contemporary technique, partnering skills, and strong improvisation skills, and be able to collaborate in the generation of creative material.

AUDITION DETAILS
June 26th, 1-4pm in Vancouver

PROJECT DETAILS
2-week contract from August 17-28th, 12-4pm Monday-Friday
Rate of $40/hr
This project has strong potential to move into production for 2028

TO SUBMIT
Email resume and reel (if applicable) to:
Nico Pante — [email protected]

Deadline to submit: June 12 at 11:59pm

05/30/2026

Wayqeycuna was a journey of memory, ancestry, and resistance. Thank you to artist Tiziano Cruz for bringing this stunning and deeply moving work to Vancouver stages. Presented in collaboration with Latincouver ✨

Here's what audiences had to say about the performance:
🔹 "Beautiful performance with a meaningful message about indigenous life and death in Argentina."
🔹 "This is a very sensible, heartfelt presentation, full of cultural memories woven together with family history. Very touching and beautifully put together."
🔹 "Extremely necessary play (and also really informative the bread workshop). Thank you for bringing this theatre play to Vancouver."

05/26/2026

Cherish Menzo returned to PuSh with JEZEBEL: an electrifying solo work that reclaims and reimagines the hyper-sexualized image of the “video vixen” from hip hop’s golden age.

What emerges is a portrait of a woman both muse and maker: unapologetic and self-possessed. With a bass-heavy soundscape and arresting physicality, JEZEBEL asked—who gets to look, and who gets to define what they see?

From Cherish Menzo / Frascati Producties in conjunction with GRIP. Presented with New Works Dance.

05/22/2026

We are so saddened by the loss of Cris Derksen, a gifted musician, collaborator, and cherished part of the Vancouver arts community, who passed away this past weekend following a tragic car accident.

Cris shared their artistry with so many, including here at Push, as a Juno nominated cellist/composer known for building layers of sound into captivating performances. We are holding close their family, loved ones, friends, and the many communities touched by her work. Our thoughts are especially with Cris' wife and musical collaborator, Rebecca Benson, who remains in critical care.

Sending love, strength and gentle healing to all those grieving this profound loss.

Photo: publicity shot for their appearance at Club PuSh in 2018, taken by RedWorks Studio

05/21/2026

A powerful reflection on embodiment, resistance, and ancestry unfolded on stage in Bardaje. Through movement, sound, and adornment, artist Lukas Avendaño invited audiences into a deep exploration of emobdiment, resistance, and ancestry.

Thank you to Lukas Avendaño and our friends at Latincouver for helping bring this powerful work to Vancouver audiences.

05/18/2026

How does a name shape a destiny?

In Khalil Khalil, artist Khalil Albatran reflects on living with a name inherited from his brother, a martyr of the First Palestinian Intifada. Through movement and music, the performance becomes a powerful dialogue between presence and absence. From Khalil Albatran and Bilal Alkhatib.

What audiences had to say:

🔹 "A heartbreaking, individual testimony of the human costs of living in a repressive, apartheid system. The set and music were simple and effective for this story, and the artist's movements were really fluid and amplified the emotional realities outlined by the text."
🔹 "Very moving performance. I loved it. Powerful story delivered with authenticity and emotion. Wow."

05/14/2026

Snapshots from Remember that time we met in the future? by Lara Kramer

Compelling, each character showing unique features of response to place, things and each other. Sonic resonance was immersive. Captivating in the stillest moments." — PuSh Audience Member

Presented with Matriarchs Uprising

05/11/2026

Did you hear? We're hiring!

Every January, PuSh transforms Vancouver into a meeting place for bold ideas, global artists, and risk-taking performance, and we’re looking for the person who makes it all actually happen.

Are you a producer who loves the intersection of art + logistics? Able to hold both vision and spreadsheets? A leader grounded in equity, care, and collaboration? Experienced in fast-paced, multi-project environments? This could be your next gig.

You’ll lead the end-to-end delivery of festival programming — from artist contracts to final curtain — holding the threads of multiple projects, partnerships, and productions at once.
✨ Produce and deliver festival projects from concept to ex*****on
✨ Manage budgets, contracts, timelines, and partnerships
✨ Work closely with the Artistic Director to bring programming to life
✨ Hold relationships with artists, agents, venues, and collaborators
✨ Keep it all on track — on time, on budget, and aligned with PuSh values

Why PuSh?
Because this isn’t just a festival.
It’s a global meeting place for artists. A catalyst for new work. A space where bold ideas are resourced and realized.
And because who makes the work matters.

📍 Vancouver (hybrid/flexible)
💼 Full-time
💰 $65,000–$70,000
📅 Apply by May 15, 2026

PuSh strongly encourages applications from IBPOC, disabled, 2SLGBTQ+, and historically underrepresented communities.

You're collaborative, innovative, and inspired? So is PuSh! Join our diverse, creative, and energetic team who makes this annual festival happen.

05/10/2026

Alan Lake Factori(e) returned to PuSh with Orpheus—a powerful reimagining of the myth as a visceral dance through darkness toward connection and renewal. Through striking choreography, light, and immersive stage design, Alan Lake creates a world where body, matter, and image collide, moving between dream and reality.

PuSh audiences said it best:
🔹 “Life Changing, 10/10”
🔹 “I was so moved by Orpheus. Gorgeous, raw performances and spectacular use of space, light and minimal sets. Really felt like crawling up through the underworld to the light."
🔹 “I need Alan Lake Factori(e) to bring every single one of their creations to Vancouver for I have just witnessed the best piece of art in history.”
🔹 “A great spectacle of movement, sound, lighting, sets and props in a top venue.”

05/08/2026

❗ICYMI ❗On Epidoode 72 of PuSh Play, guest host and PuSh Curatorial Assistant, Chipo Chipaziwa, chats with Cherish Menzo about her show JEZEBEL. They chat about the development of the show, the representation and presentation of black women in western culture, including tendencies of visual hypersexualization, and more.

Listen now at pushfestival.ca/podcasts/ -72:-navigating-authenticity-and-distortion-(jezebel)