NOW Magazine Online Edition

SummerWorks turns 15 this year under new artistic producers Keira Loughran and Kimahli Powell. The juried theatre fest features more than 40 productions, many of them premieres, along with workshops, readings and other events. Participants include Lisa Lambert, Nina Aquino, Daniel Karasik, Anand Rajaram, Chris Earle, Sonja Mills, Nicholas Carella, Chris Leavins and Ian Carpenter. Opens August 4 and runs to August 14 at Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst), Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson) and four BYOVs. 416-410-1048, www.summerworks.ca.

Distillery dance

Now in its 15th year, too, the fFIDA International Dance Festival continues to evolve. More than 79 choreographers and companies take over the Distillery District. Returning again this year are the Grande Scale Gala and Event, two energetic programs that are more circus acts than traditional dance shows. If, like me, you were annoyed at having to move from station to station last year, you'll want to know that this year fFIDA's provided raised vantage seating.

Also new this year is the Le fFoot Club Cabaret, which mixes a bar scene with cutting-edge dance artists for that late-night boho experience. The core of the program remains the Indie Mix Stage, which features choreographers like Mari Osanai, Samara Thompson and William Yong. And don't miss the site-specific acts � a highlight of last year's fest � around the Distillery, including break dancers Funk Fanatics/Michael Prosserman and a piece from Holly Small and Don Sinclair. August 10 to 21. 416-504-7529, www.ffida.org.

Flocking to Shepard

You always get a touch of poetry and a visceral kick from the works of playwright Sam Shepard. In Fool For Love, he explores the incendiary, ambiguous relationship between two lovers, while a ghostly figure comments from the sidelines. Ted Dykstra directs this Soulpepper production, with actors Megan Follows, Stuart Hughes and Kevin Bundy. Previews from August 4, opens August 10 and runs to October 1 at Harbourfront Theatre Centre (231 Queens Quay West). 416-973-4000, www.soulpepper.ca.

Cirque returns

Cirque du Soleil returns to town with its latest touring show, Corteo, which draws on acrobatics and spectacle to spotlight the strength and fragility of a clownlike Everyperson figure. Opens August 4 and runs to September 11 at Ontario Place. 1-800-678-5440, www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Proven improv

The past few years, the Toronto International Improv Festival has presented some of the best improv comedy in North America. The fest is banking on increased crowds this year with a big-name act: writers from a little-known show called Saturday Night Live. Joe Kelly, John Lutz, Jason Sudekis and Rich Talarico take part in a Q&A session (my question: "Will Tina Fey and Amy Poehler ever get in a catfight?"), then take to the stage for a night of improv and sketch. Other don't-miss acts include Chicago fishing duo BassProv, the wickedly funny D & J and Sutton & Hallal and our own local contenders Slap Happy, Mosshammer & Morency and Shortweird Radio. August 15 to 21 at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley), the Bad Dog Theatre (138 Danforth) and the newly added space Betty's Upstairs Lounge (240 King East). www.torontoimprovfest.com.