interplay_2026 Festival of Live Online Performance

interplay_2026 festival of live online performance

At the intersection of performance and technology, this year’s festival highlights artists who are experimenting with the notion of liveness within digital presence. Taking place live on Zoom from January 8–11, 2026, interplay_2026 presents a selection of works that reimagine how performance can unfold within a virtual venue. 

Live online performance refers to artistic works intentionally created or adapted for real-time presentation in digital environments. These works sit at the crossroads of performance, technology, and virtual presence, and center on the shared, ephemeral exchange between artist(s) and audience.

This year’s programs feel both emergent and deeply connected. Each artist approaches technology through their own unique lens, from ritual, embodiment, object perspective, puppetry, continuous partial attention, fortune telling + more. Their works carry a sense of curiosity and care, reminding us that experimentation can also be a form of connection. We are excited about the many possibilities unfolding and the ways these artists continue to expand how we experience live art virtually.

interplay_2026 lineup:

• Program 1: arya, Chantal and Choo and Freya Björg Olafson
  Jan 8 at 7pm PST + Jan 10 at 6pm PST*
• Program 2: Elliot Vaughan, Niloufar Samadi, and Vincent Isabel
  Jan 9 at 7pm PST + Jan 11 at 6pm PST*
  
  *Includes ASL interpretation and a short artist talkback.

interplay_2026 is brought to you by co_curators Caroline Chien-MacCaull, Sammy Chien-MacCaull, Gemma Crowe, Deanna Peters and guest curator Michael Caldwell.

Presented by Chimerik 似不像
In partnership with New Works XR
Supported by SummerWorks, Moberly Arts and Culture Centre, BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts and City of Vancouver

Post-festival offerings:
Workshops:

• Freya Björg Olafson: Lag, Loop, Render: Digital Bodies in Performance, Online Workshop (January 17, 11-1pm.) Book here.
• Chantal and Choo: Seed Sanctuary Workshop @ Q7 (January 18, 11-1pm). Book here. 
• arya: Technical Artist Workshop @ Q7 (January 25, 11-1pm). Book here.

Special in-person screening:
January 24: Premiere of "THE BORDER" in-person at The Cinematique. 
Doors: 11:30am 
Film Screening + Artist Talk: 12:00-16:00 
Short Description: From a sanctuary of reunion to a site of sudden closure, a border park between the US and Canada becomes the stage where families, friends, and displaced souls navigate the tightening grip of political change, and the stark loss of the last shared space between the two nations. Buy tickets here. 

Pricing:

This thoughtful community sliding-scale structure is developed by Toronto Dance Love-In. We are very grateful for them to set these standards within our community. Their pay-what-you-can approach offers several ticket tiers to reflect the diverse financial realities within our community. Below you’ll find guidance to help you select the option that feels right for you.

At checkout, please choose the tier that best represents your current circumstances. Those with steady income or financial security are encouraged to select higher tiers, helping cover costs for those with less access to resources. Your choice directly contributes to keeping interplay_ open and accessible for a wide range of artists and audiences.

How to locate yourself on the scale:

Abundant - Choose this tier if you are in a position of financial comfort, for example if you have a steady income, savings, investments, or generational support. Paying at this level helps sustain our festival and supports others in the community to attend.

Supporter - This option is for those with reliable income who wish to extend their support a little further. By contributing a bit above the base rate, you help offset costs for others.

Regular - This is the standard rate for attendance. If you can generally meet your basic needs such as rent, food, and transportation, please select this option.

Reduced - Select this tier if you are covering essentials but your income is unpredictable or you do not have a financial safety net.

Solidarity - This tier is for those currently navigating financial instability or inconsistent income but who still wish to attend.

Access - This no-cost option is reserved for community members who would not be able to attend otherwise. If financial hardship is currently preventing your attendance, please reach out to joanna@newworks.ca for barrier-free registration.

 All proceeds from ticket sales go directly back to the artists.