For 55 years, Theatre Calgary has presented insightful programming for the enjoyment of our audiences. We are proud to be a vital component of Calgary’s creative energy. Over the past ten years, Theatre Calgary has focused our efforts on enhancing the quality of our productions on stage. We have achieved this through programming unexpected, surprising and stunning classic and contemporary plays featuring the best talents in productions of the highest quality.

Theatre Calgary…

• presents world premieres
• puts compelling stories on our stage
• encourages new Canadian playwrights
• supports emerging artists
• connects and engages students and educators
• enriches the audience experience
• welcomes new theatre goers with engaging programs
• subsidizes tickets for seniors
• encourages lifelong learning
• relies on volunteers
• builds loyal and enthusiastic audiences.

Theatre Calgary strives to be an essential gathering place for the dramatic arts–to encourage and enhance theatre experiences and expand opportunities for audience participation beyond the excellence on stage. We have succeeded on many fronts. Audiences can choose to enrich their experience with educational and enlightening Talkback Tuesdays, Spotlight Saturdays, Talk Thursdays or Senior Saturdays.

Educators can add depth to school curriculum and students can enliven the learning experience through our interactive learning program. With student matinees, study guides, interactive discussions with artists, young artist club and teacher club, Theatre Calgary is making valuable community connections.

Our industry series invites theatre professionals to gather to discuss issues and ideas that affect the performing arts community. The strength of the program comes from collaborating with other theatre companies and opening up the discussion to artists and the wider community.

• The feedback to all of these programs has been positive, reinforcing our commitment to being an industry leader and an essential gathering place for the dramatic arts.

COMMUNITY IMPACT: 2017-18

As we celebrated our 50th anniversary, our vision was to create an opportunity for all Calgarians to experience live theatre and deepen and expand the impact of our work, on and off the stage, throughout our city’s diverse communities. This season, our ongoing interACTive pre- and post-show engagement programs included learning, participation, and discussion opportunities for seniors, students, teachers and community members, as well as theatre artists and enthusiasts.

Participation

• 126,185 total attendance
• 14,017 attended our Pay What You Will Shakespeare By The Bow summer program
• 11,866 students attended 17 student matinees
• 8,810 subscribers
• 3,070 attended Senior Saturdays
• 777 patrons attended post-show Talkbacks
• 585 Canadian Culture passes were utilised through our performances
• 489 patrons accessed our Pay What You Can performances
• 486 SunLife Library tickets allowed access to our performances
• 408 volunteers helped keep our doors open
• 230 attended 4 Industry Nights
• 126 teachers took part in our Educators Circle Program
• 100 tickets were provided through our charitable ticket donation program
• 7 Betty Mitchell awards were won for our work on stage
• Theatre Calgary was awarded a White Hat Legacy Award
• Best of Calgary award for Best Theatre Company
• 3 industry nights were hosted for the artistic community

Christmas Spirit 

• More than 25,000 people chose to make A Christmas Carol a part of their holiday season!
• This generated an astounding $90,000.00 for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.

Theatre Calgary enjoys support from 8,000+ subscribers and more than 110,000 single ticket buyers. Ticket sales represent a significant show of support from the community as well as a vital revenue stream. But since revenue from ticket sales only covers 60% of the cost of the productions, the success of Theatre Calgary is dependent upon community investment–the generous donations of corporations, foundations and individuals.

With an emphasis on fiscal responsibility, we strive to strike the necessary balance between keeping costs low and maintaining the quality of our stage productions. The success we have built on stage is built upon the success of our community partnerships. Our vision is to become a national destination, one that connects with Canadians and sets the bar for excellent entertainment.

THEATRE CALGARY’S 2019-20 SEASON

For complete details on our season, visit our website: theatrecalgary.com

• Noises Off – September 10-October 5, 2019 – Witness a group of actors humorously navigate their rehearsal just hours before performing British sex comedy “Nothing On.”
• Iceland – October 15- November 2, 2019 – This powerful one-act, Canadian-born piece follows three expertly written, imperfect characters through their relationships with money, greed and righteousness.
• The Louder We Get – January 28 – February 22, 2020– This dazzling musical follows the compelling and inspirational true story of Marc Hall as he navigates the Catholic school system to fight for his right to take his boyfriend to prom.
• Admissions – March 10 – April 4, 2020 – A stunning new version of this classic by award winning Phyllis Nagy
• Million Dollar Quartet – April 21 – May 24, 2020- Prepare for a blast from the past! It’s December 4, 1956, you are in the recording studio with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare – A Shakespeare by the Bow Presentation (summer 2019 – June 27 – August 18, 2019)
• A Christmas Carol –November 28 – December 28, 2019 – 33 Years of Spirited Tradition – by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge is paid a visit from the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, and is forced to finally confront how his actions have affected others and where they are leading him.

OUR PROGRAMS

Emerging Artists

Theatre Calgary is committed to mentoring young artists and providing a bridge between post-secondary education and professional theatre. We have developed an Emerging Artists Program of the highest caliber, designed to invest in the younger generation, develop their skills and increase the pool of talent that is at the core of artistic excellence.

With a commitment to emerging artists, Theatre Calgary began producing Shakespeare by the Bow in 2012. Shakespeare by the Bow is a bridge for theatre school graduates that helps transition them to a professional acting career. Using the great texts of William Shakespeare as the foundation, these artists train in a professional setting with some of Canada’s leading professional artists. Throughout the summer they share their work with Calgarians by performing in the beautiful outdoor setting of Prince’s Island Park.

Through this program, we have inspired and mentored 57 theatre school graduates with a comprehensive learning experience. In addition to the practicum experience they receive from performing the play, they also benefit from coaching and workshops during the rehearsal process.

• “Participating in Shakespeare by the Bow was one of the best experiences I have had in theatre.  It is unlike anything available to emerging artists in Alberta. In one swoop it provided me with greater understanding of Shakespearean text, performing experience, great connections with other emerging artists and influential people in professional theatre and a summer full of fantastic memories. I can honestly say that Shakespeare by the Bow launched my professional acting career.”                                                                            – Julia Guy, Shakespeare by the Bow emerging artist

For Theatre Calgary, we see the development of new talent as vital to encouraging the health and well-being of the sector. We also benefit from extending our reach into the community and grow our audience. Shakespeare by the Bow is accessible and affordable and attracts people who may be experiencing theatre for the first time.

InterACTive Learning Program

Educating young people to enjoy and appreciate theatre has a positive and lasting impact. Our commitment to ensuring their experience is meaningful is firmly entrenched in our student matinee program, which provides subsidized tickets to students. The experience is further enhanced through our Young Artist Club and Teacher Club.

Our learning program also extends to adults through audience enrichment opportunities. Every time we invite audiences to pre- or post-show discussions, play readings or workshops, we have observed an overwhelming interest, curiousity and eagerness to participate in our work beyond the stage. Theatre Calgary offers a variety of extraordinary learning experiences open to all, designed to explore the creation and experience of live theatre.

YOUR IMPACT – Since inception, Theatre Calgary has produced 330 plays, entertained thousands of people, encouraged Canadian playwrights, mentored emerging artists, hired hundreds of artists and craftsmen, educated and inspired thousands of students, encouraged lifelong learning and contributed greatly to Calgary’s creative energy.  Our supporters are at the forefront of every achievement.  And our supporters will be the catalyst for our future success.  Please consider supporting Theatre Calgary.

There are numerous ways you can support Theatre Calgary and ensure the theatre remains a vital and dynamic contributor to Calgary’s arts and culture community:

• Attend ENCORE – this is Calgary’s most glamorous red carpet event, celebrating artistic excellence of “live theatre”.  Theatre Calgary’s new look gala showcases live theatre with a gala performance never to be seen again.  Guests enjoy a beautiful theatrical evening with dinner and a show curated by our Artistic Director.  For more information visit https://www.theatrecalgary.com/encore

• Attend a performance – Travel to extraordinary places and delight in exploring the world with your heart, mind and imagination.  Theatre Calgary presents more than 180 performances each year. To see our upcoming performances visit Tickets.

• Become a subscriber – Experience the wonderous variety and scope of pays from Canada and around the world by enjoying Theatre Calgary’s entire season.  More than 10,000 people subscribe to Theatre Calgary. To subscribe visit Subscriptions.

• Bring a friend – One of the best ways you can have an impact on theatre is by introducing someone who has never experienced live theatre.

• Volunteer – Theatre Calgary relies on more than 500 volunteers to help with ushering, bingos, casinos and other events. To join this essential team visit About Us – Volunteer.

• Become a member – We have a range of memberships which provide you with unique and exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities to enhance your theatre experience, while raising vital funds for the theatre.   Memberships range from $150 to $25,000.

• Donate – With an emphasis on fiscal responsibility, Theatre Calgary strives to strike the balance between providing world-class theatre while minimizing expenses.  The cost of a theatre ticket only covers 60% of the cost of producing that performance.  We rely on donations to maintain our place in this community. For as little as $50, you can show your support and make a difference. To support our theatre company, visit Donate Now.

• Include a bequest in your will – Theatre Calgary’s vision is to become a national destination, one that connects with Canadians and sets the bar high for excellent entertainment.  By including a gift for Theatre Calgary in your will, you can help us to achieve this goal.

• Make a Legacy Gift – For visionary community leaders, there are many opportunities to invest in Theatre Calgary’s future.  Lifetime gifts of $100,000 will be acknowledged with a pillar in the theatre lobby and an exclusive customized benefits package.  There is also the opportunity to make a contribution to the Theatre Calgary endowment. To invest in our future, visit our Legacy Gifts.