Celebrating its 40th year, High Performance Rodeo (HPR) welcomes a fresh lineup of performances, plays and more from January 13 to 31, 2026.
From wrestling matches to surrealist puppet shows, HPR has over 30 events set to take place at venues around the city, offering something for everyone this anniversary season. Established in 1987, HPR is presented by One Yellow Rabbit, a local performance theatre company, which brings together diverse audience spaces and unique performances around the city.
This year, HPR is commemorating its anniversary with a new addition. The Alberta Printmakers Poster Show features silk screened works from local artists that celebrate 40 years of the festival. The poster show is open for viewing in the Laycroft Lounge at Motel Theatre all three weeks of the festival.
Here are five of the coolest performances you should check out this month.
DOT
When: January 15 to 17
Storytelling becomes unconventional with DOT, a non-verbal, surrealist puppet show that captures the metamorphosis of the molecular to the galactic. Playful and introspective, the show grapples with non-traditional visuals, challenging viewers to consider the spirit of humanity.
Heather Edwards Theatre, Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., hprodeo.org
Juliet: A Revenge Comedy
When: January 21 to 24
Refusing to let history repeat itself, Juliet: A Revenge Comedy is a feminist-fueled parody of the iconic Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. Witty and dynamic, the production stamps its heel on genre conventions in a fight to change the fate of women. The play includes a hilarious cast of Shakespeare’s heroines, all of which have their mind set on rebellion.
Martha Cohen Theatre, Arts Commons, 215 8 Ave. S.E., hprodeo.org
Goblin: Gala
When: January 22
Goblin: Gala is an absurd and dynamic performance piece with no script. The goblin trio works off spontaneity, with a special guest set to take the stage with them. The show encourages the audience to dress up in cosplay to get in the spirit of things.
Martha Cohen Theatre, Arts Commons, 215 8 Ave. S.E., hprodeo.org
Miss Rita’s Lucha VaVOOM
When: January 24
If the stage doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps the ring will with Miss Rita’s Lucha VaVOOM. A fight night that incorporates burlesque dancing and improvised comedy between matches, the event brings absurdity to authentic Mexican masked wrestling, Lucha Libre. It leaves nothing out of the mix, with comedy, music and drama taking the mat.
WinSport Event Centre, 151 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., hprodeo.org
Bloodlust Summertime
When: January 28 to 30
Written and performed by Shenoah Allen, Bloodlust Summertime is a coming-of-age story that combines stand-up comedy with theatre. Allen bends family dynamics to his will, playing unapologetic NASA engineers, creative fathers and tumultuous aunts and uncles. The one-man show is a sharp, unconventional story that unpacks family roots.
Heather Edwards Theatre, Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., hprodeo.org
