The largest youth theatre festival in Ontario—which helped launch the careers of actors such as Keanu Reeves and Rachel McAdams—celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

NTS DramaFest marks its 80th anniversary in 2026 with district and regional festivals across the province.

Presented by the National Theatre School of Canada, NTS DramaFest engages more than 12,000 secondary school students and educators each year, showcasing original student-led theatre and connecting young artists with professional adjudicators from stage and screen.

Laura Moniz, central regional coordinator and the 2026 provincial coordinator with NTS DramaFest, told INsauga.com that the long-running festival has helped launch the careers of actors, directors and playwrights in Canada. Well-known actors Keanu Reeves and Rachel McAdams participated in their high school days.

The festival is a chance for students to hone their skills, learn and network, Moniz said.

“This is a really great opportunity for students to have professional-level feedback on their shows and it’s a great opportunity for them to come together with other students from not only students from the province and region, but even students in their own neighbourhoods,” Moniz said.

This year, six Mississauga schools in the Peel South Region—The Woodlands Secondary School, Applewood Heights Secondary School, Lorne Park Secondary School, Iona Catholic Secondary School, John Fraser Secondary School and Meadowvale Secondary School—are participating

In Peel North, Mayfield Secondary School, David Suzuki Secondary School in Brampton and Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School in north Mississauga are participating this year.

The Woodlands is hosting shows on March 4 and 5 this week.

Most of the productions are student-written, and all are directed by students with student sets and costume design, and a cast of student actors, said Moniz.

“The emphasis is really on the students,” said Moniz. “It’s all really student-led, student-driven.”

The plays are between 15 and 50 minutes in length.

Moniz said students tend to write about what they know, including bullying, school violence, and trying to fit in, and this year, artificial intelligence is a popular topic.

“We have one show from The Woodlands that talks about what happens when AI takes hold of society and takes over our entire ability to think,” she said.

Autumn Smith, a director, playwright and actor, is the adjudicator for the region. Smith provides feedback to the students after the shows and then presents awards. Finally, Smith chooses three shows that will move on to the next level, the regional showcase in Newmarket.

Then, two shows from regionals are selected to go on to the provincial showcase at York University this year.

There are DramaFest showcases in British Columbia and the Maritimes, but currently there isn’t a national-level event.

Founded in 1946, NTS DramaFest has been presented by the National Theatre School of Canada since 2017.

“For 80 years, NTS DramaFest has been far more than a celebration of theatre,” says Fanny Pagé, CEO of the National Theatre School of Canada. “It has empowered generations of young people, championed collaboration, storytelling, and community, and inspired artistic citizenship across Canada. I am deeply proud of the students and educators whose work continues to shape NTS DramaFest, and whose impact reaches far beyond the stage.”

People can still catch some shows this month. The Woodlands shows are open to the public this week on Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5. Tickets are $5 at the door and the shows start at 6:30 p.m.

More show listings are on the website here.

Lead photo of a Welland Centennial Secondary School show: NTS DramaFest


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