/ 2025 Lineup

High Performance Rodeo 2025 LINEUP

That's a wrap! The 39th Annual High Performance Rodeo is in the books and we're so grateful to have welcomed everyone to the festival.

What an incredible experience with iconic characters, major magic, legendary puppetry, dance parties, not-so-basic book clubs, and virtuosic solos. We debuted some wildly talented artists who had never appeared in Calgary, showcased local stars, and brought home a few legends who’ve gone on to put Calgary on the map. Giddy up!

Here is a list of all the incredible performances we experienced with everyone at the 39th Annual High Performance Rodeo...

High Performance Rodeo

Ronnie Burkett in Wonderful Joe

Jan. 21 - Jan. 26 2025

Touching | Humorous | Humanity

A love letter to imagination, hope, and the art of filling broken hearts with gold.

High Performance Rodeo

Mump & Smoot in Exit

Jan. 29 - Feb. 1 2025

Otherworldly | Macabre | Visceral

They're back! Join Mump & Smoot for another dark, twisted, hilarious adventure.

High Performance Rodeo

Lucy Darling in Indulgence

Jan. 28 - Jan. 30 2025

Magical | Hilarious | Vintage

Welcome back the grande dame of magic known for thrilling audiences worldwide.

High Performance Rodeo

Denise Clarke's Salon

Jan. 31 - Feb. 1 2025

Elegance | Performative | Emotive

Absorb the inimitable Denise Clarke and her evocative elegance in another inspiring performance.

High Performance Rodeo

BeautifulYoungArtists Cabaret

Jan. 31 2025

Eclectic | Risky | Raw

Prepare to be dazzled by a mix of poetry, music, movement and more in a fabulous cabaret evening.

High Performance Rodeo

CRM&PNSHMT

Jan. 29 - Feb. 1 2025

Movement | Narrative | Moody

Explore Dostoevsky's master work in a unique and abridged exploration of characters and stories.

High Performance Rodeo

The First Bad Man

Jan. 30 - Feb. 2 2025

Literary | Immersive | Emotional

Flip a page when Book Club takes an evocative twist examining The First Bad Man by Miranda July.

High Performance Rodeo

Alexandrov, Nava and Nielsen

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 2025

Rhythmic | Joyous | Youthful

Explore the symbiotic relationship between tap dance and jazz piano.

High Performance Rodeo

Unplugged: Nirvana Reimagined

Jan. 31 2025

Nostalgic | Grunge | Trailblazing

Re-live Nirvana’s celebrated live album, MTV Unplugged with a full orchestra.

High Performance Rodeo

Closing Night Party

Feb. 1 2025

Live Music | Fun | Inspiring

Join us for the closing night of the rodeo and celebrate another year of live theatre!

High Performance Rodeo

Mump & Smoot | BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE

Jan. 30 2025

VIP Experience | One Night Only

Get up close with this unique opportunity.

High Performance Rodeo

Ronnie Burkett | BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE

Jan. 22 - Jan. 24 2025

VIP Experience | Two Nights Only

Meet Ronnie and his characters in person.

High Performance Rodeo

Après Lucy | POST SHOW EXPERIENCE

Jan. 28 - Jan. 30 2025

Post-Show VIP Experience

Meet the grande dame of magic.

High Performance Rodeo

Discussion: Clowns Across the Universe

Feb. 1 2025

Free | Talkback | Clowns

Learn about the art of clowning from two masters.

High Performance Rodeo

Flux in the City

Jan. 22 - Jan. 25 2025

Participatory | Playful | Scrappy

Reimagining urban planning through a highly participatory interdisciplinary extravaganza.

High Performance Rodeo

Rodeo Clown

Jan. 16 - Jan. 30 2025

Youth | Interactive | Clowns

Join these clowns for some never-before-seen shenanigans.

High Performance Rodeo

Event: Art Party

Jan. 18 2025

Visual Art | Free | Live

Experience the work of Arts Commons Artists in Residence up close.

High Performance Rodeo

I Don't Even Miss You

Jan. 15 - Jan. 18 2025

Dystopian pop | Exploratory | Solo

A queer dystopian pop solo show exploring grief, love, AI, and identity.

High Performance Rodeo

Scratch Party

Jan. 17 2025

Live DJ | Dancing | Good Vibes

Join the free afterparty for the Jan. 17 performance of Hot Dyke Party

High Performance Rodeo

Workshop: Worldbuilding in Devised Theatre

Jan. 26 2025

Free | Workshop | Worldbuilding

Learn from Geoffrey Simon Brown and Evan Medd of the Major Matt Mason Collective.

High Performance Rodeo

Mother Nature

Jan. 21 - Jan. 25 2025

Tender | Funny | Weird

Discover lusty dinosaurs and get distracted with this healing rock opera.

High Performance Rodeo

Mozart's Birthday Party

Jan. 25 2025

Celebratory | Joyous | Sophisticated

Celebrate a double birthday for Mozart and Calgary Phil's maestro Rune Bergmann.

High Performance Rodeo

Rat Academy

Jan. 15 - Jan. 18 2025

Cartoon-y | Gritty | Disarming

Feel the feels in a touching exploration of street survival from the perspective of rats.

High Performance Rodeo

Taylor Mac in Conversation with Denise Clarke

Jan. 18 2025

Elaborate | Immersive | Introspective

Explore the sounds of an epic 24-hour historical concert documentary with Taylor Mac in attendance and in conversation with Denise Clarke.

High Performance Rodeo

Words in Progress

Jan. 18 2025

Playwrights | Collaborative | Local

Experience playwrights developing and sharing their works with one another live

High Performance Rodeo

Call and Response

Jan. 16 - Jan. 26 2025

Spicy | Joyous | Dance

Boogie and shake to the groove of live New Orleans jazz and foot stomping dance.

High Performance Rodeo

Day Player Machine

Jan. 22 - Jan. 25 2025

Funny | Visceral | Premiere

Saddle up for a darkly funny ride through the imploding psyche of a Canadian film actor.

High Performance Rodeo

Ten Minute Play Festival

Jan. 14 2025

HPR Kick-off | Spontaneous | Must See

Join us for the unofficial kick-off of High Performance Rodeo 2025 and a raucous evening of performance.

High Performance Rodeo

ProArts | Icarus 3

Jan. 29 2025

Joyful | Experimental | Improvisation

Immerse in an improvising trio blending clown-inspired energy with diverse musical influences.

High Performance Rodeo

ProArts | Anastassiia Alexander

Jan. 22 2025

Heartbreak | Memory | Reflection

Engage with a poetic performance blending dance, sound, and memory-driven reflection.

High Performance Rodeo

Echoes of the Land

Jan. 17 - Jan. 25 2025

Soundscape | Community | Creator

Sink into a soothing soundbath of connection, art and ecosystem.

High Performance Rodeo

Hot Dyke Party

Jan. 17 - Jan. 18 2025

Rock Concert | Queer | Joy

Rock out at a concert celebrating queer femmes with music, lights and a few drinks.

High Performance Rodeo

ProArts | JiaJia Li and Laura Reid

Jan. 15 2025

Soundscape | Contemporary | Duo

Explore the Cathedral as an acoustic playground

High Performance Rodeo

Preview Performance: Ribstone

Jan. 18 2025

Old-time Music | Autobiographical | Storytelling

Be one of the first to discover a new theatrical work in development.

High Performance Rodeo

Talkback Panel: Design Dramaturgy and New Play Creation

Jan. 16 2025

Free | Talkback | Playful

Talkback with the creators of I Don't Even Miss You.

High Performance Rodeo

Talkback Panel: Flux x d.talks @ HPRodeo

Jan. 24 2025

Free | Talkback | Design

Learn about design, art, architecture, and the built environment.

High Performance Rodeo

Talkback Panel: At The End of The World

Jan. 23 2025

Free | Talkback | Existential

Learn about the lasting impact of theatre creation on society.

Explore our 2025 Digital Program Guide

DIGITAL GUIDE