Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre facts for kids
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MTC Mainstage
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 Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
Location in Winnipeg
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| Former names | Winnipeg Little Theatre Theatre 77 |
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| Location | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°53′55.5″N 97°08′11.1″W / 49.898750°N 97.136417°W |
| Elevation | 238 metres (781 ft) |
| Public transit | Concert Hall / City Hall |
| Operator | Manitoba Centennial Centre |
| Type | Theatre |
| Capacity | 785 seats |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 31, 1970 |
| Construction cost | CA$2.5 million |
| Architect | Robert Kirby |
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Royal MTC) is Canada's oldest English-speaking theatre. It is a very popular theatre. More people visit Royal MTC each year than almost any other theatre in Canada. Only the Stratford and Shaw Festivals have more visitors.
The theatre was started in 1958. Two theatre groups, the Winnipeg Little Theatre and Theatre 77, joined together. This new group was created by John Hirsch and Tom Hendry. In 2010, Queen Elizabeth II gave the theatre a special "royal designation." This means it officially became the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. The theatre building has 785 seats. It first opened its doors on October 31, 1970.
History of the Theatre
When the Winnipeg Little Theatre and Theatre 77 joined in 1958, they formed the Manitoba Theatre Centre. This was the first "regional theatre" in North America. Regional theatres are important because they serve a specific area.
The first leaders were John Hirsch, the Artistic Director, and Tom Hendry, the General Manager. They wanted to show classic plays, popular Broadway shows, and new Canadian plays. In 1960, they opened a second stage for new and different kinds of plays. A yearly tour around the province started in 1961.
Since it began, Royal MTC has put on over 600 plays. Many famous actors have performed there. Some of these actors include Keanu Reeves, Graham Greene, and Kathleen Turner.
Today's Royal MTC
Today, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre has two main buildings in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These are called The John Hirsch Mainstage and The Tom Hendry Warehouse. Each year, Royal MTC puts on many different shows.
They have six Mainstage plays and four Warehouse plays. They also host the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, which lasts 12 days. Another event is the Master Playwright Festival. Royal MTC also sends shows on a tour around the region.
The theatre helps students learn about acting. They offer special shows for students called the Theatre for Young Audiences program. They also give scholarships and training to theatre students. The Jean Murray - Moray Sinclair Theatre Scholarship helps students with money from donations. The Naomi Levin Theatre Scholarship remembers a theatre technician who worked at MTC.
In 2008, the theatres were named after the founders, John Hirsch and Tom Hendry. In 2009, the Canadian government named the Mainstage theatre a National Historic Site. This means it is a very important place in Canada's history. On October 26, 2010, the theatre officially became the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.
Theatre Design
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre was designed in a style called Brutalist. This style uses a lot of exposed concrete. The building was designed by Number Ten Architectural Group in Winnipeg. The artistic director, Eddie Gilbert, also helped with the design.
The theatre has a unique look with its concrete shapes. The inside theatre space feels informal and welcoming. The lobby was designed to work for both large groups and smaller, more private gatherings. The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is a great example of a smaller Brutalist building in Canada.
Artistic Leaders
The Artistic Director is in charge of the plays and artistic vision of the theatre. Here are the people who have held this important role:
- John Hirsch (1958–1966)
- Edward Gilbert (1966–1969)
- Kurt Reis (1969–1970)
- Keith Turnbull (1970–1972)
- Edward Gilbert (1972–1975)
- Len Cariou (1975–1976)
- Arif Hasnain (1977–1980)
- Richard Ouzounian (1980–1984)
- James Roy (1984–1986)
- Rick McNair (1986–1989)
- Steven Schipper (1989–2019)
- Kelly Thornton (2019-present)
