T.O.’s newest live theatre festival!
Wild and wonderful - we have it all!
Toronto, Canada
WHAT IS IT?
Welcome to What The Festival! We present live entertainment that makes you go ‘WTF’ - but in a good way. From the wild to the wonderful, we got you covered!
WHAT WE DO!
For us, ‘WTF’ isn’t just a slogan, it’s a way of life! From delicious #drag shows, playful #puppet pieces, charming #clown acts, and bold #bouffon, we’ve got it all.
WHO WE ARE!
We’re Alicia DiStefano and Byron Laviolette, a team of directors, producers and strange makers dedicated to bringing Toronto the very best in ‘WTF’. We can't wait to meet you!
- TESTIMONIALS -
“As a performer in WTF’s first Strange Maker Showcase in 2023, I was really impressed by the professionalism and polish that Byron and Alicia brought to the event. They made sure artists and audiences were treated well, and we all had a great time! What the Festival has come along at the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on the next wave of clown creators.”
- Emily Jeffers
Actor, Producer, Clown
“WTF provided me with a chance to finally just focus on my art and that is a feeling I haven't had in so long! All the logistics were taken care of. The level of care and thought towards the artists was second to none. Constant check ins to make sure everyone was good and if they needed anything, dedicated tech time to ensure bits run smoothly, and just a general and genuine appreciation that the WTF team had for everyone made for a very special experience. Honoured to have been part of it and this MUST continue!”
- Leslie Cserepy
Producer, Performer, Bouffon
“Working with What The Festival was an absolutely wonderful experience! They were compassionate, well-organized, and it was a joyful and easy time from start to finish. They made sure I had everything I needed every step of the way and went above and beyond putting up my show, from initial conversation, to tech, to show time. WTF curates and prioritizes artists with alternative and new works, so for me, it was an honour to be chosen and supported in the way that I was! I would happily work with Byron and Alicia anytime, anywhere!”
- Victoria Watson Sepejak
Writer, Performer, Clown
“I've been a part of a lot of festivals in my puppetry career, and I can honestly say that WTF was one of the most warm, supportive and surprising of the bunch. Their artist care is second to none, and they really believe in what they're doing - bringing strange and wonderful work to the audience. I was proud to be part of their first year, and can't wait to see what they do next.”
- Adam Francis Proulx
Puppeteer, Puppet Maker
