September 8-11, 2025

Narcan Time Machine
Written and Performed by John Michael Colgin, directed by Abby Pajakowski
Monday, Sept 8, 7:00 pm, Metcalf Theater

Where the Maps Unfold
presented by Snack Break Movement Arts- Josh and Emily Culbreath
Tuesday, Sept 10, 7:00 pm, Metcalf Theater

Anatomica: A Comedy about Meat, Bones, and the Skin You're in
Presented by Amica Hunter
Wednesday, Sept 10, 7:00 pm, Metcalf Theater

Comedy Dance Chicago
Thursday, Sept 12, 7:00pm, Dunham Hall Theater

 SIUE Xfest is a five-day festival of alternative theatre and dance that introduces the campus to a dizzying array of performing artists.    Each September, the festival presents ensembles of national and international renown, as well as featuring the works of regional emerging artists.   All participating Xfest artists offer master classes and workshops to departmental majors as part of a full-week, immersive learning event. We are thrilled to have hosted artists and ensembles from New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Boston, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Chicago.  One of the only university festivals of its kind, Xfest marks SIUE as a destination for experimental, alternative, and avant-garde performing artists from around the US.

"By exposing our students to unique styles of theatre and dance, we encourage them to gain a better understanding of the discipline and to be inspired to create their own works.  We believe that it is important to share the creation of new works and to gain exposure to experimental theatre, and Xfest plays a vital part in this learning-sharing process."

Chuck Harper, Xfest Artistic Director
 

2022
Leggy Bones (NYC), The Coldharts (Minneapolis), Stephany Berry (LA)

2023
Leggy Bones (NYC), Equally Represented Arts (St. Louis), Maria Mukuka (NYC), Ernie Silva (LA)

2024
Ten Directions (Kansas City), Rotimi Agbabiaka (San Francisco), Joy Davis (Boston), Alex Davis (NYC), The Davis Sisters