The Toronto-based SwizzleStick Theatre grew out of Christopher Pinheiro's work with the “Island to Island” cultural exchange between the Toronto Island arts community and Trinidadian Carnival artists. Serving as a leading teacher and designer, he formed a troupe of stilt performers to showcase their art form outside of the carnival arena.

SwizzleStick creates and performs full-scale theatrical productions and participates in parades and performance events.  We also teach in schools and communities.

Our aesthetic fuses dance, theatre and design with costume considered as kinetic sculpture.

Since 1997, we have mounted six productions, collaborated in dance and theatre works by others, and performed in several hundred celebrations and cultural events.

Mandated to research, document and develop the art of Stilt-Dancing, The SwizzleStick Theatre has made an ongoing commitment to teaching, outreaching, public performance and community development.