Quest Theatre brings imaginative and intellectual theatrical adventures to life, encouraging young audiences to explore themselves, learn about important issues, and build the world they wish to live in. The theatre offers touring performances as well as opportunities for children to create their own theatre through drama camps and specialized school programs. Learn more on calgary-trend.
Founded by Two Friends
Quest Theatre was founded in the summer of 1984 by Duval Lang and Rick McNair. The two worked with the touring school troupe Stage Coach Players and were tasked with staging a children’s play at Calaway Park. This project inspired the creation of Quest Theatre. Rick wrote a play titled Doll Wars, and Duval directed it, with Rick’s 17-year-old daughter Susan managing the stage.
Immediately after its founding, the theatre began touring schools across Alberta. Rick continued writing plays, while Duval directed them. Early works included Sinbad, The Fantabulous Zoo, Goalie Pads Magic Music and Mom, and Merlin and Arthur. Quest Theatre quickly gained a reputation for its original works, introducing young audiences to Canadian authors whose works were adapted into plays. In its first five years, students in Canadian schools even contributed to the theatre’s scripts.
Evolving Logos
The theatre’s first logo depicted a ship symbolizing the exploration of new worlds, as youth theatre in Alberta was a novel concept.
When the theatre established a strong reputation in schools, the logo was changed to building blocks with stars, marking a shift toward educational programming and tackling topics relevant to young audiences.
As Quest Theatre toured Alberta, it offered seamless access to rural youth by bringing performances directly to schools. To reflect its mobility, the logo was updated to a camper van with stars, highlighting its traveling nature and easy access to schools.
What Happened to the Founders?
In 1986, Rick McNair moved to Winnipeg, where he became the director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre until 1989. He continued to promote plays based on Canadian literature, founded the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 1988, and remained active as a playwright, director, and actor. Rick also toured Manitoba schools as a storyteller and published a children’s book titled The Last Unicorn of the Prairies. He passed away in Winnipeg in 2007 while serving as the president of the Manitoba Association of Playwrights.
Duval Lang served as Quest Theatre’s artistic director for 25 years before stepping down in 2009. He was widely recognized for his contributions to Alberta’s theatre scene and received the Harry and Martha Cohen Award for his impact on Calgary theatre. Duval inspired many young artists, and in his honor, Quest Theatre established an annual award for talented youth, made possible through a partnership with Betty Mitchell Awards and supported by a donor group.
New Leadership and Relocation
After Duval, Nikki Loach took over as artistic director, expanding the theatre’s reach nationally and internationally. To reflect its tours beyond Alberta, Quest Theatre updated its logo again. Successful tours included productions such as Snow Angel, The Umbrella, and We Are All Treaty People.
The theatre relocated to the creative hub cSPACE King Edward, placing it in the heart of Calgary’s artistic community.
Drama Camps and School Programs
Quest Theatre offers spring and summer drama camps for children aged 8–11. These camps help kids explore live performance under the guidance of professional artists, fostering confidence, friendships, and creativity. Each camp concludes with participants showcasing their own theatrical creations.
Summer camps run for six weeks starting the first Monday of July, allowing kids to produce a new show each week. For youth aged 14–18, Quest Theatre provides the free Quest’s Youth Squad drama program, offering training in improvisation, clowning, mask-making, and performance. Participants also have opportunities to perform on the streets during summer events.
Another initiative, Artists in School, uses developmental drama to explore the creative process. Experienced artists work with students over a week to create a play in schools, emphasizing social skills, creativity, and teamwork while inspiring respect for culture and individuality.
Professional Affiliations and Milestones
Quest Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and collaborates with artists under agreements like the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA). The theatre is also affiliated with Theatre Alberta and ASSITEJ Canada, an international organization for children’s and youth theatre.
By 2023, Quest Theatre had performed for over 1.5 million children, teens, and families across Alberta and Western Canada. It produced over 115 plays, worked with 440 artists, and provided numerous school programs and drama camps. In the 2021–2022 season alone, Quest Theatre held 58 performances and engaged 391 students in its camps and programs.
