Our Values

We value the health and well-being of people first, including our employees, artists, board, volunteers and community partners.

We have a strong focus on creating safe, inclusive and accessible spaces, welcoming people who are new to our theatres and our artistic processes.

We engage with the complexity of both the issues we tackle and the people impacted, and embolden the creative voices of all involved.

What We Do

Founded in 2004, Downstage is a Calgary-based organization dedicated to producing Canadian theatre that creates conversation around social issues. With a focus on new work created by local, regional and national artists, we offer artistic experiences that are entertaining, inventive, thought-provoking and highly relevant to your everyday life.

Most of our performances are followed by a moderated post-show discussion where audience members can engage with each other about the ideas provoked by our shows. This post-show engagement coupled with a commitment to attracting an audience that mirrors the diversity of our city helps to create opportunities for ‘social bridging’: allowing people to form connections to others who are different from them, whether in terms of age, culture, life experience, profession or ability.

Our Programs – How We Do It

We support the creation of exceptional new plays about local issues. We work with local creators and playwrights, often over the course of several years, to develop and premiere new plays that speak to issues of concern to Calgarians through entertaining and inventive theatre. Past works have tackled a range of complex and challenging topics including consumer debt, geo-engineering, the relationship between the energy industry and ranching, genetic testing, eco-anxiety, ethical dilemmas around the charitable model, and the impact of violent art on society.

We find innovative ways to remove barriers to attending live theatre. We have an insatiable desire to make theatre more relevant and accessible to a wide range of Calgarians, with initiatives like tours to suburban and rural community halls, livestreaming performances online, and our ongoing Pay-It-Forward program which offers 20% of all tickets at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We contribute towards a healthy local theatre community. We curate the Motel Theatre in Werklund Centre, one of the most affordable theatrical venues in the city that is a first home for many emerging and experimental groups. We support the development of new works through various programs including Artist Residencies, Simon Mallett New Work Program and our Stage It Program. We also work with Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation to support newcomers with past theatre experience to begin working in the local theatre community.

Our Requests – What You Can Do

Come see a show – and bring a friend along, too! As a small company, word of mouth is one of our best tools to expand our audience. You can also help spread the word about our Pay-It-Forward program that offers 20% of tickets at no cost.

Become an advocate or volunteer – You may want to consider applying to join our dynamic Board of Directors.

Support our work with a donation – Your gift can go directly toward the Pay-It-Forward program to support the cost of a ticket for someone who may face a financial barrier, help us develop a World Premiere work by a local theatre artist, or support one of our other programs. Give today or contact us to learn how your gift can make an impact!