Sometimes we go to the theatre to see shows that we’re totally familiar with – I’m definitely guilty of seeing every production of Spring Awakening that I come across. But sometimes we go to the theatre to be surprised, and dare I say it… shocked! This week’s Cheap Theatre is a selection of shows that rely on the power of surprise and creativity. And they’re all $25 or less per ticket!

CMTP Mystery Show (Confidential Music Theatre Project). Actors who are familiar with their scripts but have not rehearsed together will stage a secret musical theatre production. Oct 16 at 8 pm. $25. Victoria Chapel, 91 Charles W. confidentialmusicaltheatreproject.com.

Lin Snelling The Power Plant Dancer/choreographer Snelling performs an improvised response to Shelagh Keeley’s wall drawing Notes On Obsolescence and to the architecture of the space. Oct 16-18, Thu 7 pm, Sat 2 pm. Free. 231 Queens Quay W. thepowerplant.org.

Script Tease (The National Theatre of the World). Siminovitch Prize finalists Michel Marc Bouchard, Olivier Choinière, Hannah Moscovitch and Colleen Murphy write a few lines of a play that will then be performed by improvisers. Oct 19 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Sidekicks & Secret Identities by DJ Sylvis (Monkeyman Productions). Short plays based on comics where heroes are unexpected, bystanders aren’t so innocent and sidekicks finally get their moment of glory. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 26, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3:30 pm. $15. Fraser Studios, 76 Stafford. monkeymanproductions.com.

The Soaps – The Live Improvised Soap Opera Improvisers create a new episode each night of an ongoing story of drama, romance, intrigue and betrayal in an 80s Texas town. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Nov 14, Fri 8 pm. $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor W. 416-491-3115, baddogtheatre.com.