Citadel Theatre, Edmonton

The Citadel Theatre is a cornerstone of the performing arts in Edmonton, and one of the largest professional theatres in Canada. Located in the heart of the city’s downtown core on Churchill Square, the Citadel stands as Edmonton’s premier venue for live theatre. It is the third-largest regional theatre in the country and has earned a national and international reputation for presenting high-caliber Canadian and global productions.

Founded on October 12, 1965, by Joseph H. Shoctor, James L. Martin, Ralph B. MacMillan, and Sandy Mactaggart, the theatre had humble beginnings in a former Salvation Army Citadel. Its inaugural production, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, set a bold tone for the company’s artistic vision. In 1976, the organization moved to its current home, a striking building designed by architect Barton Myers, just off Churchill Square.

The complex houses five performance spaces—Shoctor Theatre, Maclab Theatre, Rice Theatre, Zeidler Hall, and Tucker Amphitheatre—alongside the Foote Theatre School, which offers training for all ages and experience levels. The Maclab and Tucker theatres are nestled within the lush indoor Lee Pavilion.

Beyond its artistic achievements, the Citadel Theatre has been a strong advocate for Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. It has employed several gay Artistic Directors and has staged a wide range of productions by queer playwrights, including The Glass Menagerie, Hosanna, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and The Gay Heritage Project. In 2006, the theatre began hosting an annual Queer Prom, offering a celebratory and inclusive space for local youth.

From pioneering productions to community engagement, the Citadel Theatre remains a dynamic force in Canadian theatre, committed to creativity, inclusion, and education.