Dome Theatre (Montreal) facts for kids
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| Address | 2000 rue Atwater, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3Z 1A4 |
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| Location | Downtown of Montreal |
| Owner | Dawson College |
| Operator | Dawson Professional Theatre Program |
| Capacity | 190 seats |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2007 |
| Construction cost | US$10.5 million |
The Dome Theatre is a special building in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is part of Dawson College. This theatre is a key place for students to learn about performing arts.
The Dawson Professional Theatre Program helps actors and directors become very good at their craft. Students and teachers from the theatre program have made Montreal's cultural life much richer.
The theatre department at Dawson College has a three-year program. Students in their second year perform "Studio Productions" at the Dome Theatre. Students in their third and final year put on "Major Productions."
Contents
History of the Dome Theatre
How the Theatre Started
Before the current Dome Theatre, there was another theatre called the Vendôme. It was located at 3990 Notre-Dame West in Montreal. In 1974, Dawson College started renting this theatre. They renamed it the "Dome Theatre."
This first Dome Theatre became the main place for the Dawson Professional Theatre Program. Students performed their plays there until 2007.
Building a New Theatre
In 2000, people at Dawson College started thinking about building a new, bigger theatre. They wanted to expand the college's theatre facilities. The first plan was for a theatre with 183 seats.
After six years of planning, the Quebec government announced good news. In November 2006, they said they would give $8.5 million for a new theatre. This money also helped build a larger entrance area called an atrium.
The new building was finished in the summer of 2007. The whole project cost about $10.5 million. This money came from an agreement between Quebec and Canada to help groups who speak a minority language. The new theatre was designed in an Elizabethan style. It has 190 seats, and the atrium can hold 350 people.
When the funding was announced, Prime Minister Jean Charest said the theatre would help "bring out the best talent in Quebec."
Theatre Training in Montreal
Learning to Act in Montreal
If you want to learn theatre in English in Montreal, there are several great schools. These include Concordia University, McGill University, the National Theatre School of Canada, John Abbott College, and Dawson College.
These schools offer many things for future theatre artists:
- They share a list of upcoming plays and shows in Montreal.
- You can find information about professional theatre training programs.
- They also have details on acting classes for kids and adults, plus summer theatre camps.
- You can learn how to get tickets for shows.
- They provide helpful contacts for theatre groups and organizations.
- They post announcements about auditions for plays and job openings.
- They even have competitions to recognize talented performers.
Dawson College Theatre Program
Dawson College offers a three-year program to become a professional actor. Students learn many acting techniques. The program teaches about the history of theatre, from old plays to new ones.
Students also take classes in:
- Studio theatre
- Improvisation (making things up on the spot)
- Voice techniques
- How actors move their bodies
- Dance
- Stage combat (safe fighting for plays)
- Acting for cameras
This training helps students improve their skills by performing in studios and on the main stage of the new Dawson theatre.
The plays performed by students are directed by their teachers. These shows are open to the public at the Dome Theatre.
The program also helps students get ready for a career as an artist. They learn how to present their skills, promote themselves online, and prepare for auditions. This includes big auditions like those for the Quebec Dramatic Art Federation. Students also learn about agents who help artists find work. They get information about the film and theatre industry in Montreal and Quebec.
Graduates from this program can find many exciting jobs. They might work in theatre, television, movies, radio, or on digital platforms.
See also
- Dawson College
Other links
- Playwrights Canada Press
- Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
- The Canadian Theatre Record
