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 a very important theatre in Canada. It's the oldest English-speaking regional theatre in the country. Many people visit Royal MTC each year. In fact, more people attend its shows than almost any other theatre in Canada!
This theatre was started in 1958. Two creative people, John Hirsch and Tom Hendry, brought together two smaller theatre groups. These groups were the Winnipeg Little Theatre and Theatre 77. In 2010, something special happened. Queen Elizabeth II gave the theatre a "royal designation." This meant it could add "Royal" to its name. So, it became the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.
The main theatre, called the Mainstage, is on Market Avenue. It opened on October 31, 1970. This theatre can hold 785 people for a show.
The Story of Royal MTC
When the Winnipeg Little Theatre and Theatre 77 joined forces in 1958, they created the Manitoba Theatre Centre. This was a big deal! It was the first "regional theatre" of its kind in North America.
The first artistic director, John Hirsch, and general manager, Tom Hendry, had a clear vision. They wanted to put on classic plays, popular Broadway shows, and new Canadian plays. In 1960, they added a second stage for more experimental plays. A year later, in 1961, they started an annual tour around the province. This allowed more people to see their shows.
Over the years, Royal MTC has put on more than 600 plays. Many famous actors have performed there. Some of these include Keanu Reeves, Graham Greene, and Kathleen Turner.
Today, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre has two main places for shows in Winnipeg, Manitoba. These are The John Hirsch Mainstage and The Tom Hendry Warehouse. Each year, Royal MTC puts on many different shows. They have six Mainstage productions and four Warehouse productions.
They also host a 12-day Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. This festival is a fun event where many different performers put on shows. Another event is the Master Playwright Festival. Royal MTC also helps young people learn about theatre. They offer special shows for students called the Theatre for Young Audiences program. They also provide scholarships and training for students who want to work in theatre.
The two theatres were named after the founders, John Hirsch and Tom Hendry, in 2008. In 2009, the Canadian government recognized the Mainstage theatre as a National Historic Site. This means it's a very important building in Canada's history.
Building Design
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre building has a special design style called Brutalist. This style uses lots of exposed concrete. It was designed by a group called Number Ten Architectural Group from Winnipeg. The artistic director at the time, Eddie Gilbert, also helped with the design.
The building has a unique look with its concrete shapes. The inside theatre space feels informal and welcoming. The lobby was designed to work well for both large groups and smaller, more private gatherings. The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is known as an important example of small-scale Brutalist design in Canada.
Theatre Leaders
The artistic director is the person in charge of the creative side of the theatre. They choose the plays and guide the artistic vision. Here are some of the people who have been artistic directors at Royal MTC:
- 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)
