Toronto is known for promoting and amplifying the voices of emerging artists and the city’s theatre community is among those who excel at setting the stage for diverse stories.
Here are six local theatres where visitors can see uniquely distinct productions:
Factory Theatre
The Factory Theatre is known as the Home of the Canadian playwright for more than 50 years. It has produced over 300 new Canadian plays in mainstage productions and 600 more in workshop and other formats. It is also the first company in the country’s history to produce only Canadian plays.
The company is located at 125 Bathurst St., just a short walk from the entertainment district.
What to see:
June 3-24: Armadillos
Crow’s Theatre
Crow’s Theatre adapts and evolves its projects in conjunction with the city. It offers a diverse and wide range of programming based on scale, disciple, practice, geography, community engagement and audience impact. Crow’s is committed to seeding projects and collaborations with Canadian artists and companies that are complex, entertaining and challenging.
Crow’s Theatre is located at the Streetcar Crowsnest at 345 Carlaw Ave. in the city’s east end.
What to see:
May 10-28: Boom X
June 1-25: In Perceptual Archaeology (or How to Travel Blind)
Tarragon Theatre
Tarragon Theatre thrives in contemporary plays, the theatre explores non-traditional ways and methods of storytelling by incorporating movement, music or non-text based performances. Tarragon aims to be the country’s neighbourhood theatre and a space that welcomes all.
Tarragon Theatre is located at 30 Bridgman Ave. near Bathurst St..
What to see:
April 11-May 7: Paint Me This House of Love
May 24-27: She’s Not Special
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is the place to be for artistically rigorous alternative theatre and queer-focused stories. This theatre offers mainstage season programming, an artist-residency program and youth-based initiatives that is dedicated to queer productions. During its 40-year history, Buddies has premiered over one thousand new works.
Buddies is located at 12 Alexander St., five minutes from The Village.
What to see:
May 12: Les Femmes Fatales Present Showbabes! We Have Always Been Here
June 6: 2-Spirit Cabaret, 7th Edition
Native Earth Performing Arts
Currently in its 40th year, the Native Earth Performing Arts is recognized as Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous performing arts company. The group is devoted to sharing artistic expressions about the Indigenous experience in Canada.
Its powerful productions are staged at Aki Studio, located in the Regent Park neighbourhood.
What to see:
May 16-23: Paprika Festival 2023
May 26-27: Psychosis
Theatre Passe Muraille
Since 1968, Theatre Passe Muraille (meaning “theatre beyond walls”) has been developing and producing new alternative plays that summons the Canadian voice and reflects the intercultural society. Its mission is to break down barriers and create art with and for an audience that showcases the unexplored.
Passe Muraille is located at 16 Ryerson Ave.
What to see:
May 17-28: The Rage of Narcissus
June 1-11: Into the Woods
For a full list of events and other shows, check out the calendar on our website.
