Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC) receives $3 million from the Government of Canada towards the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre

The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre will be a ‘hub’ for contemporary theatre in Canada.

Ottawa, ON, August 23, 2006:  The Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Making it Greater Capital Campaign to build the new Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre received a $3 million Cultural Spaces Canada contribution today from the Government of Canada’s Department of Canadian Heritage.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” explains GCTC’s Artistic Director Lise Ann Johnson. “This is fabulous news for Great Canadian Theatre Company, for all of Ottawa and for the entire arts community. The new Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre will not only provide Ottawa with desperately needed space for performing artists and audiences, but it will also place GCTC centre stage in the development of contemporary English theatre in Canada. The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Federal Conservative Government deserve a standing ovation today.”

   This generous contribution from the Government of Canada marks the third and largest level of government support for the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre; GCTC has already received $2.6 million from the Province of Ontario and a $1.3 million commitment from the City of Ottawa. The public contribution, combined with the tremendous support of community members, including the transformational $2.5 million donation received from the Greenberg Family in honor of the late Irving Greenberg, brings the amount raised for this project to $9.4 million.

“GCTC is thrilled to now have the support of all three levels of government for this very important arts facility for Ottawa. The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre will be used by the whole community, not just GCTC. With government funding now in place, we will turn back to the community for the final stage of our fundraising campaign.” explains Mark Sutcliffe, Chair of the Board of Directors at the GCTC.

Construction of the new theatre centre progresses at an astonishing rate. Windmill Developments Group Ltd. began work on the innovative building design in September 2005. The Currents condominium and future home of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, will be Canada’s first mixed-use residential and cultural facility designed with environmental sensitivity and sustainability in mind. This ground-breaking structure is part of an initiative to include innovations in water, air, energy and waste management together with the use of smart building technologies in accordance with standards set by the internationally recognized U.S. Green Building Council. The theatre will house a Mainstage Theatre with 270 seats, an increase of 40 seats from 910 Gladstone’s original 230. The new facility will also feature a multipurpose studio space with 90 seats. With a spacious two-floor lobby, more leg room in the theatre, a significant increase in production facilities, and a lobby café, GCTC’s new home will be embraced by both artists and patrons. Combining state of the art “green” technology and the very best in Canadian talent, the theatre will be a source of pride for the whole community. The building is due to be completed by May 2007. GCTC will present its 2006-2007 season at its current facility on 910 Gladstone Avenue. GCTC will open the doors of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre in the fall of 2007.

The Great Canadian Theatre Company is Ottawa’s own professional theatre company. With more than 70 world premieres of new works, GCTC is recognized as a leader in new play development throughout Canada. Having produced over 200 productions, GCTC has introduced Ottawa to such established Canadian playwrights as George F. Walker, David French, Joan MacLeod, Michel Tremblay and Ann-Marie MacDonald to name but a few!
GCTC is dedicated to helping young people foster life long connections to the arts and their community and is committed to creating learning opportunities through its Edgeucation Program. The program funds such initiatives as: Student Ticket Discount Program, Student Matinees, Student Apprenticeships, Internships and Co-ops. Through these programs, each year thousands of young people are exposed the magic of live theatre.
In addition to GCTC’s Talk Back Tuesday’s where the audience has the opportunity to ask the performers and backstage crew questions, GCTC has partnered with the Canadian War Museum to bring a new Lecture Series entitled “The Theatre of War” to people in Ottawa wanting an expanded, more in-depth theatre experience. GCTC believes in life long learning and is providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn, grow, and question theatre and how it relates to the world around them.

To support the campaign and become involved in this important community project please contact Leslie Turcotte, GCTC Development Director at 236-5192.

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