As Hysteria producers prepare for the last couples shows of this year's festival, I had the chance to ask co-founder and curator, Moynan King, a few questions about it all...

How did Hysteria get started? (the festival, that is)
It was originally a co-presentation of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Nightwood Theatre as a response to the general under-representation of women's work in all media. An immediate success we are now in our third festival and Buddies is now the sole producer.

What is the ultimate goal of the festival?
To present excellent work by women artist in a multi-disciplinary environment.

What's new in the lineup this year and what returning favourites have re-enlisted?

As a submission driven festival there's always lots of new stuff, new collaborations and fresh new talent (too many to list!) and some definite returning favourites including Tara Cheyenne Freidenberg (a national treasure) and K8 Alsterlund, B-Girl extraordinaire!

I realize it's probably hard to choose, but what would be one definite not-to-be-missed event?
Closing night, November 5th. It's an excellent mixed programme (Sensorimotor Stage 8pm) featuring Nathalie Claude and Karen Bernard (both returning favourites) among others and culminates in a presentation of the Breakdancing workshop that has been going on throughout the festival.

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Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Alexander St, just off Yonge (N. of College) Photo courtesy of Hysteria.