TORONTO’S CROP OF SMALL NEIGHBOURHOOD THEATRES KEEPS RIGHT ON GROWING

Open a theatre, and they will come. TORONTO writers, artists, producers and actors are finding new audiences in small neighbourhood theatres built inside a variety of structures. A former barber shop, a convenience store, a cellar, a former library, as well as some new ready-made venues are now playing an important role in our city’s indie theatre scene.

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ANDREW SHAVER moved his Sidemark Theatrical Grocery from Montreal to TORONTO. In an interview with the Globe & Mail he said: “There’s just a wealth of creativity and talent in this city – and there aren’t enough spaces to accommodate them. Coming to TORONTO, living in the East End, it feels like living in Montreal in some ways – you’re still off of the centre. I get inspired by that sort of uphill climb.”

*Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street, http://www.alumnaetheatre.com
*Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor Street West, http://www.baddogtheatre.com
*Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., http://www.buddiesinbadtimes.com
*Cahoots Theatre Company <PHOTO ABOVE>, staging diversity, 388 Queen St. E., http://www.cahoots.ca
*Coal Mine Theatre, 1454 Danforth Av., http://www.coalminetheatre.com
*Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street, http://www.factorytheatre.ca
*Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle, University of Toronto, http://harthouse.ca/hart-house-theatre/
*Lower Ossington Theatre, 100a Ossington Ave., http://www.lowerossingtontheatre.com
*MacMillan Theatre, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, http://www.music.utoronto.ca
*National Ballet of Canada, Four Seasons Centre, 145 Queen Street West, https://national.ballet.ca
*Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St. E., http://www.redsandcastletheatre.com*Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor Street West, pushes creative boundaries, an original, http://www.thestorefronttheatre.com
*Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., http://www.tarragontheatre.com
*Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W., http://www.theatrecentre.org
*Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue, http://www.passemuraille.on.ca
*Toronto Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester St., Cabbagetown, http://www.tdt.org