at Canada’s National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre English Theatre is Canada’s national stage reflecting the best of our country’s diverse theatre repertoire alongside that of leading international work. We partner with gifted artists and companies from all parts of Canada to create and perform work for audiences in the National Capital Region and in communities throughout the country. Our programming ranges from the classics to contemporary Canadian work. We place a special emphasis on the development of new plays, aboriginal work and education activities.
Our regular Ottawa season consists of a 5-play series in our 800 seat Theatre, a 3-play series in the 290 seat Studio, a 3-play Family series, special presentations, youth and education activities and the Atelier new play development program. Our co-productions with other theatres can be seen on stages across the country.
The first Director of NAC Theatre from 1970 to 1977 was the highly respected Jean Roberts. To play its national role, working in both English and French, the NAC produced plays in-house and invited productions from theatres across Canada. Taking the reigns from 1977 through 1984, NAC Theatre under Jean Gascon also had resident theatre companies for adult and young audience programming which performed at the NAC and on tour throughout Canada. The Artistic Director of English Theatre at that time was John Wood. From 1984 to 1996, the NAC Theatre was led by Producer Andis Celms (who also programmed the English Theatre season) and by French Artistic Directors André Brassard, Robert Lepage, and Jean-Claude Marcus. During this period, the NAC adapted to funding realities and coproduction became a primary means for the NAC to work in artistic partnership on a national level. This period also saw a greater commitment to the development and presentation of new Canadian plays, many at the off-site warehouse space known as the Atelier. With a change in strategic direction at the NAC during the mid-1990s, the position of Artistic Director of English Theatre was reintroduced. From 1997 to 2005, director Marti Maraden served as Artistic Director and built a strong national reputation for producing and showcasing quality Canadian work
In 2005, Peter Hinton, one of Canada’s most respected playwrights, directors and dramaturgs, was named Artistic Director of English Theatre. Mr. Hinton came to the NAC with a vision for the National Arts Centre to be a National Theatre for Canada in the 21st Century. Mr. Hinton has redefined what is presented on the stage at the NAC, bringing a strong commitment to excellence in contemporary Canadian work from all parts of the country, leading Canadian artists that are acclaimed at home and abroad, and to ongoing work with Aboriginal theatre artists.