Nat Christie Centre Jubilee Auditoria EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts Citadel Theatre Winspear Centre Banff Centre

Facilities

The performing arts industry in Alberta has dramatically evolved over the last century. Consider the venues available in the 1900s. Schools, churches and hotels commonly hosted the latest plays, dances and recitals. Once a need was established, the first purpose built structures began to emerge. These buildings were often small and unsafe fire hazards. Today, Alberta's two major urban centres each boast no less than three world class performing facilities.

The theatres, training institutions, and auditoria profiled in this section have served as an integral part of Alberta's performing arts heritage, providing space, support and an outlet for showcasing local talent to the general public. For many Alberta performers, these facilities represent their first experience working in front of a large audience and remain in their lives as a place of employment.

In some cases, these spaces are created from existing structures, such as the Nat Christie Centre in Calgary. Once a former railway station, it is now home to the Alberta Ballet. In other cases, buildings are constructed specifically for a single group or organization such as the Winspear Centre, completed in 1997, now housing the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

	Ron Wigmore talks about the impact of the Jubilee Auditoria on Edmonton and Calgary.  Listen Now

To fully understand performing arts in Alberta, we must first examine the second homes of our dancers, actors and musicians. Click on the quicklinks section to learn more about the history and purpose of these selected facilities.

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