The roots of theatrical art date back to pre-civilization times, manifesting as various spectacles and performances. Driven by the human need for relaxation, self-discovery, and understanding the world, these activities also served as tools for influencing public consciousness. At its core, theatre revolves around character interaction and the exploration of conflicts. Discover the pivotal moments in the emergence of amateur and professional theatre in Alberta as it evolved into its contemporary form on calgary-trend.
Beginnings in Edmonton
As early as 1879, Edmonton hosted Christmas festivals that included dramatic readings and recitations. In 1891, following the arrival of the railway, the Edmonton Amateur Society was established. The next year, the city welcomed its first professional theatre troupe, and Sheriff W.S. Robertson constructed Edmonton’s first dedicated theatre, Robertson’s Hall, which tragically burned down in 1906.
In 1904, the Thistle Rink arena was built, serving as a roller-skating rink, the site of Alberta’s first Legislative Assembly, and a venue for plays until 1906, when an opera house (later renamed the Lyceum Theatre in 1910) was constructed. The arena stood until 1913, when a fire destroyed it along with a nearby arsenal.
In 1907, Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Alberta’s first premier, constructed a residence and the nearby Kevin Theatre, which burned down two months after opening. The following year, Rutherford built Dominion Theatre on the same site, later renamed Majestic Theatre in 1911 before its permanent closure in 1914.
Theatre in Calgary
In 1884, the Calgary Amateur Musical and Dramatic Club was formed, and in 1889, the sandstone Hull Opera House was constructed under ranching magnate William Roper Hull. Opened in 1893, the venue hosted operatic and theatrical productions. By 1905, it had been renamed Sherman Opera House under showman William “Bill” Sherman and became a hub for school concerts, charity events, auctions, firefighter balls, and Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations.
In 1912, businessman and politician James Lougheed built the multi-use Lougheed Block in Calgary, housing The GRAND theatre (originally Sherman Grand), managed by Bill Sherman. With 1,350 seats, it was the largest theatre in Western Canada and featured Canada’s largest stage. It became a focal point for political and social events, hosting meetings, debates, and performances.
By 1921, Calgary boasted numerous theatres, including the Capitol, Royal, Princess, Monarch, Empire, and Lyric. Touring troupes from outside the region dominated Alberta’s theatre scene, ensuring that local theatrical efforts persevered even during World War II.
The Banff Educational Institution
In 1933, Edward Annand Corbett, director of the University of Alberta’s Extension Department, and Elizabeth Sterling Haynes, Alberta’s provincial drama specialist, founded an experimental arts school in Banff to promote theatre training. Initially called the Banff School of Fine Arts (later the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity), the school began with 130 students paying $1 each. Over one month, they rehearsed 17 plays.
Despite financial and artistic challenges, the school became a cornerstone for Alberta’s theatre development. Haynes traveled across the province, conducting workshops and lectures on drama. She co-founded the Alberta Drama League in Edmonton in 1929, a model for Canada’s Dominion Drama Festival. The league organized events celebrating amateur theatre, awarding prizes for best performances in English and French.
Modern Theatre Development
In 1968, Calgary saw the founding of Theatre Calgary, its first professional theatre company. The company aimed to entertain and educate audiences with Canadian and international repertoire while nurturing Calgary’s theatre community.
In 1972, Douglas Riske, Lucille Wagner, and Paddy Campbell established Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP), the first Alberta troupe dedicated to showcasing Canadian works, initially producing plays on historical themes for schoolchildren.
Calgary’s annual playRites theatre festival began in 1987, initiated by Artistic Director D. Michael Dobbin. Later renamed the Enbridge playRites Festival, it spotlighted new Canadian plays.
In Edmonton, the 1980s marked a golden era of new works by Alberta playwrights. Theatre Network, a nonprofit group founded by University of Alberta students, staged productions focused on the lives of Alberta residents, with 70% of its shows in 1985–1995 written by local playwrights.
Professor David Barnet founded Catalyst Theatre in 1977, emphasizing social change through plays addressing topics like addiction, immigration, and Indigenous rights. Meanwhile, Teatro La Quindicina, founded in 1982 by Stewart Lemoine, specialized in comedies.
Edmonton also became home to the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, launched in 1982 by Chinook Theatre’s Brian Paisley. Inspired by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the event has significantly contributed to new play development and playwright training.
