Why We Exist

Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP) is a Calgary-based, not-for-profit, professional theatre company that celebrates the art of live theatre. From its home in The Martha Cohen Theatre at Arts Commons, the company produces world-calibre shows with a focus on idea-driven new works, plays by Canadian playwrights, and contemporary theatre from around the world. It is also a national leader in new play development and dramaturgy.

What We Do

Alberta Theatre Projects creates and produces great contemporary theatre with the objective of making life more beautiful and telling stories that make sense of what it means to be alive right now. From the beginning, ATP has always had a mandate of presenting new Canadian plays.

Through innovative programs such as the Enbridge playRites Festival and more recently Enbridge New Canadian Plays, ATP has continued its rich history of producing new Canadian works.

• Vision: A world where minds and hearts are opened through the life-changing experience of theatre.
• Mission: We create community by producing relevant, high quality contemporary theatre; by playing a national leadership role in the development and creation of new Canadian plays; and by bringing audience and artists together in an exchange around the work.

The reach of Alberta Theatre Projects extends far beyond the doors of our theatre. We are committed to actively engaging the community by encouraging interaction and feedback between our patrons, volunteers, supporters and artists.

ATP continues to invest in the future by supporting emerging artists and providing unique opportunities for Calgary’s youth to get involved with and grow their passion for the theatre.

How We Do It

The Shows: Defining Moments, ATP’s 2018-2019 season, features five plays that run from September through March. We have a capacity to seat over 53,000 audience members in 140 performances, with each performance seating up to 419 patrons in the Martha Cohen Theatre.

Every so often a moment comes along that forces us to look deep within ourselves and decide who we are and what we stand for.
Riding a wave of profound change, Calgary finds itself in one of these defining moments – a place where it is neither what it once was, nor entirely clear what it might become. So too does Alberta Theatre Projects.

These moments often seem to take place in the midst of chaotic events or sweeping change, and it’s only in hindsight that the depth of their impact fully revealed. Likewise, our 2018-19 season catches its characters on the cusp of major turning points in their own stories, unbeknownst to them.

Whatever destiny might ultimately hold in store, one thing is certain: their futures are brimming with possibility.

DEFINING MOMENTS 2018-19

• The Virgin Trial by Kate Hennig, Directed by Glynis Leyshon
• Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Glynis Leyshon, A Shakespeare Company and Hit & Myth Production
• ZORRO: Family Code by Rebecca Northan, Bruce Horak and Christian Goutsis, Directed by Rebecca Northan
• Café Daughter by Kenneth T. Williams, Directed by Lisa C. Ravensbergen, A Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre Production in association with Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts
• The New Canadian Curling Club by Mark Crawford

The Exchange is a series of lively and engaging events per season that help deepen the level of personal connection between the Calgary community and the work you experience on stage. Activities within The Exchange, such as our Backstage Tours, Pizza Night, or Afternoon Tea are easily accessible and provide a comfortable setting to indulge one’s curiosity and gain an insight into the plays ATP produces.

Youth Engagement: One of the key mandates of ATP is to invest in future generations so that Canada’s young people appreciate and participate in the arts. We strongly believe that by involving our young people in our Youth, Outreach & Education initiatives, we not only share our passion for live theatre but also equip youth with the skills and confidence to succeed as the community and business leaders of tomorrow.

What You Can Do

It is the generosity of people like you that empowers Canadian artists to share so selflessly from their own experiences to tell the stories that touch lives and resonate long after all the lights have been dimmed. Your contribution extends far beyond the limits of the stage but serves to impact, influence, inspire and encourage the tens of thousands of audience members who come through our doors each year.

If you are passionate for creating quality theatre, help us share the joy of live theatre. There are numerous ways to deepen your involvement with Alberta Theatre Projects:

• Empower someone | By making a gift to ATP, you are enabling someone to tell a story that needs to be told, one that will go on to inspire others. Be the one to make that possible, donate today! To donate click here.
• Support our team | Our valuable team of hundreds of volunteers, some of whom have been with us for over 25 years, help us to always make ATP a welcoming, friendly environment. With positions from the lobby to the theatre and even special events, many ways to get involved at ATP. To volunteer click here.
• Bring your friends | Join us at The Exchange or as audience members in the 2018-19 season and share your passion for live theatre by bringing your friends! Single tickets, Flex Passes and subscriptions are now on sale.