By Stephen Weir

Finally, long-overdue public accolades for Caribbean-Canadian playwright Rhoma Spencer have come home to roost.

Last week, the 2026 Toronto Fringe Festival honoured the Trinidad-born playwright, actress, singer, funny local master of ceremonies, social-media voice, and chef.

Spencer’s play, Danse Macabre, was announced as the winner of the 2026 New Play Contest on December 8, 2025. As the winner, the play receives a free performance slot at the 2026 Toronto Fringe Festival, scheduled to run from June 30 to July 12, 2026.

Toronto’s Fringe Festival is an annual, citywide celebration of independent theatre and live performance that showcases bold, original, and experimental work by local, national, and international artists. Presented each summer at multiple venues across the city, the festival is known for its open-access model, with productions selected by lottery rather than curation.

This approach ensures a diverse mix of voices, genres, and perspectives. Audiences can expect theatre, comedy, dance, storytelling, and multimedia performances, along with a lively outdoor atmosphere, artist talks, and community events that make the Fringe a cornerstone of Toronto’s cultural calendar.

During last summer’s Fringe Festival, which ran from July 2 to 13, Spencer was involved in the production of Alpha. The play, presented by Trinidad’s Naparima Drama Club, was a highly physical and immersive theatrical experience that engaged the senses while exploring themes surrounding Caribbean male identity.

When she is not working in theatre, Rhoma Spencer also moonlights as a chef and remains active in the community, participating in cultural events such as Toronto Parang, Latin and Soca Fest, and other celebrations of Caribbean arts and culture.

Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) is a medieval allegory and artistic theme depicting Death leading people of all social ranks to the grave. Spencer’s interpretation gives the concept contemporary resonance.

Although she was under the weather at the time of the announcement, Spencer shared news of her award-winning play on social media.

“Omg, my play,” she wrote on Facebook. “#DanseMacabre won the 2026 New Play Contest! Never won anything nationally in meh 26 years in this country. Nominated, yes — but win? Wow! Thank you, Toronto Fringe.”

Spencer added that the inspiration for Danse Macabre is deeply rooted in social justice.

“It is by no happenstance that my play Danse Macabre was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement,” she said. “In 2020, like the rest of the world, I sat in wonder and daze as people took to the streets worldwide to denounce anti-Black racism and systemic racism in the wake of George Floyd’s execution.”