LIF(e) Is Short: Playing It Dangerously

LIF(e) 2025: Playing It Dangerously; poster design by Trevor Poole.

“LIF(e) is short, but size doesn’t matter, right?” quips Garry Williams about this year’s Live-In Festival, running from October 3rd to October 13th. 

Garry Williams and Kristi Anderson, two of DaPoPo's core members,  are excited to host a shorter, more sustainable version Live-In Festival this year. Instead of their traditional month-long programming, this year DaPoPo Theatre will be hosting eleven days of events, featuring almost two dozen artists. 

This year’s theme, Playing It Dangerously, is about risk-taking and transgression. The word ‘play’ comes from Old English, to leap, or exercise; to dance for joy. ‘Danger’, in turn, comes from dominus, or lord… the law, jurisdiction, or power. For us, then, playing it dangerously is an oxymoron. It suggests engaging freedom with restrictions. It suggests a brave practice; leaps of faith; the ability to exercise our craft; the risk of burnout; the courage to challenge power; and, if necessary, the responsibility of bearing the consequences. 

"Perhaps now more than ever it feels important to play it dangerously," says Williams.

This year’s roster includes workshops, social events, and public performances ranging from improv to performance art, poetry to script readings, queer(ed) Shakespeare to original Musical revues. We are particularly excited to be hosting Jay Whitehead who will be reading excerpts from his works. 

All events are open to the public, admission by donation, intended to create a community space where we eat, talk, and make art together. 

The Festival opens on Friday, October 3rd, 7:30pm with a Reception/Sampler at The Nest, 6068 Quinpool. Admission by donation. Please note: The Nest is an intimate, upstairs space with steps outside and inside, and a nut-free zone. Masking is optional. 

LIF(e) Events

Trouble: The Nest Gallery Opening

Oct 1st, 5p-7p

Group show, works from over a dozen local artists!

Breath & Voice Exploratorium

Oct 2nd, 6:30p-8:30p

Explore the freedom & playfulness of allowed breath & embodied improvised sound.

LIF(e) Opening Night Reception & Sampler

Oct 3rd, 7:30p-9:30p

Join us for LIF(e) sweets, treats & sneak peaks! 

What About the Book? 

Oct 4th & 5th, 1p-5p 

Workshop exploring book writing for Musical Theatre!

HITS! 

Oct 4th, 7:30p

Halifax Indie Theatre Sings! Join us!

Improv: An Enthusiastic Yes!

Oct 5th, 10:30a-12p

Explore improv as a tool to reduce anxiety!

Breaking Bread

Oct 5th & 11th, 5:30p-6:30p

Pop-up kitchen: dangerously good soup, bread, and risky conversations. 

The HAL Project

Oct 5th, 7:30p

A/n (s)exploration of Henriad & Sonnets, excerpts from a new work in development. 

An Intimate Conversation: Brave Spaces

Oct 6th, 7:30p

Panel discussion about best practices in intimacy,

sensitive content, and live theatre.  

Sing for Your Supper

Oct 7th & 10th, 5:30p-6:30p

Pizza & performance with Trevor Poole, audience participation!  

Mystery Reading

October 8, 7:30p-9:30p

Join us for an irreverent and dangerously fun SURPRISE reading! 

TYA Creators/ Producers Gathering

Oct 9th, 6p-7:30p

Join Halifax Theatre for Young People for a lively discussion/ information sharing session!

So… What ELSE About Love?

Oct 10th, 7:30p

Excerpts from a new musical revue exploring love after forty… messy, honest, and fun! 

Origin Story: A Poetry Workshop

Oct 11th, 10a-11:30a

Writing workshop exploring childhood and home, taking ownership of our narrative. 

Spotlight: Jay Whitehead

Oct 11th, 7:30p-9:30p

Jay Whitehead joins us for readings from two decades of risky theatre making, Q&A.  

Flowers to a Ghost

Oct 12th, 7:30p-9:30p

A play reading by James Thornton. 

NestLuck Dinner *No Nuts Please! 

Oct 13th, 3p-7p

Join us for a nestacular potluck feast, celebrate our community arts hub! 

For reservation, please contact <admin@dapopotheatre.com>

Festival Sponsors