Arts Club Theatre Company facts for kids
| Location | BMO Theatre Centre, 162 W 1st Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 0H6 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit theatre company |
| Capacity | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage: 650 Granville Island Stage: 440 Newmont Stage: 250 |
| Opened | 1958 |
The Arts Club Theatre Company is a famous professional theatre company in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was founded in 1958 and has become the largest non-profit theatre company in Western Canada. A non-profit company is one that uses the money it makes to support its goals instead of making a profit for owners.
The company puts on shows in three main theatres: the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (650 seats), the Granville Island Stage (440 seats), and the Newmont Stage (250 seats). It also tours shows around the province. In 2024, the company celebrated its 60th season of amazing performances!
The Arts Club is known for showing new plays by Canadian writers. It also presents popular comedies, musicals, and dramas. The company is dedicated to helping local actors and writers grow their talents. Besides plays, they also offer fun educational programs for the community.
Contents
The History of the Arts Club
The Arts Club started in 1958 as a private club for artists. In 1964, a key founder named Yvonne Firkins turned it into the Arts Club Theatre Company. The first theatre was in an old gospel hall on Seymour Street in Downtown Vancouver. The very first show was Light Up the Sky.
When Bill Millerd became the leader in 1972, the company grew quickly. It became known for showing exciting new plays and even Shakespeare plays in Stanley Park.
A Place for Future Stars
The first theatre on Seymour Street was small, with only 250 seats. But it was a very important place for many Canadian actors who later became famous. Stars like Michael J. Fox and Bruce Greenwood started their careers there. Many new plays by Canadian writers were also shown for the first time at this theatre.
Growing and Changing
In 1979, the Arts Club opened a second, larger theatre on Granville Island. This stage had 450 seats. A few years later, in 1983, they opened another smaller stage nearby.
The 1990s brought big changes. The original Seymour Street Theatre was torn down in 1991. Then, in 1998, the Arts Club took over the historic Stanley Theatre. This was a huge step, as the Stanley could hold 650 people. It allowed the company to produce big, famous musicals like Les Misérables and Mary Poppins.
In 2015, the company opened a new modern space called the BMO Theatre Centre. This building has rehearsal studios, offices, and a 250-seat theatre now called the Newmont Stage.
Leadership at the Theatre
Artistic Directors
The artistic director is like the main creative leader of a theatre. They choose the plays and guide the company's vision.
- Yvonne Firkins (1964–1966)
- Bill Millerd (1972–2018)
- Ashlie Corcoran (2018–Present)
Bill Millerd's Long Career
Bill Millerd was the artistic director for 46 years, making him the longest-serving artistic director in Canada. Under his leadership, the Arts Club grew from a small club to a major Canadian theatre company. He helped open new theatres and produced over 600 plays. For his amazing work, Millerd has received many awards, including the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors.
Executive Directors
The executive director handles the business side of the theatre.
- Howard Jang (2000–2014)
- Peter Cathie White (2014–Present)
Learning and Fun for Everyone
The Arts Club believes theatre is for everyone. They offer many education programs for students, teachers, and community members. These programs help people learn about acting, writing plays, and musical theatre.
The company wants to make theatre open to all. They have special "relaxed performances" for people who need a quieter environment. They also offer shows with open captioning for those who are hard of hearing. These programs help build a creative and welcoming community around the theatre.
Famous Shows Over the Years
Here are some of the most memorable productions from the Arts Club's history.
The Early Years (1964–1979)
- Light Up the Sky (1964): The very first play shown at the Arts Club.
- Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1972): The company's first musical. It was so popular that it ran for seven months!
- The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca (1979): The first show performed at the new Granville Island Stage.
A Time of Growth (1980–1997)
- It's Snowing on Saltspring (1985): A new Canadian play that became a holiday favorite and was performed many times.
- 7 Stories (1989): A world premiere of a play by famous Canadian writer Morris Panych.
- Mom's the Word (1995): A funny and heartfelt play created by a group of women. It was so successful that it toured to other countries like Australia.
The Stanley Theatre Era (1998–2015)
- Swing (1998): The first show at the grand Stanley Theatre. A young Michael Bublé was in the cast before he became a world-famous singer.
- Glengarry Glen Ross (2009): A famous play starring TV actors Eric McCormack and Brian Markinson.
- Les Misérables (2009): This huge musical was the highest-grossing show in the company's history.
- Hairspray (2011): A fun musical that showed the company's spirit. During its run, an actor had a medical emergency, but another actor bravely stepped in to keep the show going.
Recent Hits (2015–Present)
- Onegin (2016): A new musical that won a record-breaking 10 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, which are like the Tony Awards for Vancouver theatre.
- Angels in America (2017): A famous and powerful play about important social issues.
- The Piano Teacher (2017): A world premiere play that later won a Governor General's Award, a top prize for Canadian writing.
- Forgiveness (2023): A new play based on a best-selling Canadian book about a family's history.
Gallery
-
The exterior of the Granville Island Stage.
See also
- Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
- Theatre of Canada
- Bard on the Beach
- Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company
- Firehall Arts Centre
