Green Thumb Theatre’s 51^st season is a celebration of identity and empowerment. The plays selected for 2026–2027 invite young people to be true to themselves, imagine better futures, and see one another with compassion.

We kick off the season with a new adaptation of Benevolence by Kevin Matthew Wong, tailored for high school audiences. This celebrated work has connected with audiences in Toronto, New York, and across B.C. In this version for teens, a young Hakka-Chinese (客家) man embarks on an unexpected journey that leads him to ask big questions about identity and cultural inheritance. Benevolence has the remarkable quality of being culturally specific while resonating with universal themes like belonging. Both funny and poignant, this personal story will tour throughout B.C. in the fall.

Next, Jamie Norris’ hit show for elementary school audiences, 500 Words, returns for a fall tour across B.C., Alberta, and Ontario. This beloved play continues to delight young people and resonate with educators as it playfully explores how embracing our differences can lead to unexpected friendships, all through a fresh and imaginative lens.

In the winter, we will tour our gripping drama Caged to B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Playwright Rachel Aberle, known for some of Green Thumb’s most celebrated and enduring works for teens, delivers a powerful and timely story. The play follows three teens as they navigate early romantic relationships and encounter the warning signs of coercive behaviour. At a time when intimate partner violence is on the rise, Caged feels more urgent than ever.

We close out the season with a highly anticipated world premiere, She Shoots, She Scores by Michele Riml. Created for elementary audiences, this fast-paced and theatrical work follows a young girl as she challenges expectations in pursuit of her love of hockey. Inspired by a book by hockey legend Cammi Granato—one of the first women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame—this joyful play will tour B.C. and Alberta in the winter and spring.

Our digital programming features Making the Mystics: An Artistic Ceremony Documentary by Kim Senklip Harvey, for grades K+. This piece, which can be viewed online from anywhere, explores tradition and identity while honouring Tŝilhqot’in culture.

Finally, we are thrilled to continue to present the award-winning comedian and author Michael McCreary’s Funny You Don’t Look Autistic. This theatrical adaptation of his autobiographical book brings his hilarious, honest, and uplifting story to the Globe Theatre in Regina, SK and beyond in 2027.

The coming season continues Green Thumb’s decades-long commitment to creating artistically excellent work that speaks to the issues young people face today. Central to this work is our dedication to accessibility: by bringing theatre directly into schools and communities, we reduce barriers to participation and ensure that children and youth, regardless of geography or circumstance, can experience live performance. We are proud to share this vibrant season with young people from all walks of life.

-Anita Rochon, Artistic Director

‍