Centre In The Square

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Centre In The Square
Centre In The Square
Exterior of Centre In The Square
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Location101 Queen Street North
Kitchener, Ontario
N2H 6P7
OwnerCity of Kitchener
Capacity2,047
Opened1980
Years active1980–present
Website
Venue Website

Centre In The Square is a live theatre and performing arts centre located on Queen Street in downtown Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

The Centre is home to the Raffi Armenian Theatre. This 2,047 seat hall is the largest in Waterloo Region as well as the main venue for Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony performances. The Studio Theatre is the second performing space inside the building. It is a multipurpose space used for receptions, rehearsals, and intimate cabaret-style performances. Nearly 200,000 patrons visit The Centre annually.

The also resides within Centre In The Square and maintains separate administrative offices.

History[]

The Centre opened in September, 1980 and cost just over $11 million. The building was designed by Kitchener architecture firm Rieder, Hymmen and Lobban and earned international attention for its expansive view and acoustical superiority.[1]

The site was once home to the Emmanuel Bible College.

The Centre In The Square building is owned by the City of Kitchener and operated by a not-for-profit corporation. The Centre is currently governed by a 14 member board which includes the Mayor of Kitchener, three city councilors, and eight citizens appointed by city council.[2]

Programming[]

Regular season programming runs from September–June featuring numerous series. In accordance with the mission statement adopted in 2005, The Centre offers a wide range of shows in hopes to provide entertainment for all members of the local community. Series include:

  • Broadway
  • Comedy
  • Songwriters
  • Electric Thursdays
  • Classic Albums Live
  • Canadian Play
  • K-W Symphony Signature
  • K-W Symphony Pops

Magnetic North Theatre Festival[]

The annual Magnetic North Theatre Festival was held June 9–19, 2010 in Kitchener-Waterloo. The Centre was the main venue for festival performances, hosting Rick Mercer, Norman, and The Greatest Cities in the World.[3]

As part of the festival, Governor General Michaëlle Jean visited Centre In The Square on Monday, June 14, 2010 to host Art Matters, a public forum on the importance of the arts in creating better communities.[4]

Studio Theatre[]

The smaller performing space in The Centre has traditionally been used for K-W Symphony rehearsals and private functions. However, this is set to change by March 2011 as Centre In The Square has received $1.2 million in federal government stimulus funding.[5] The Studio Theatre will be retrofitted into a versatile space for up to 350 patrons.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "Centre in Square architect was a stickler for details". The Record Newspaper. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  2. ^ "Centre In The Square: History". Centre In The Square official site. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  3. ^ "Magnetic North Theatre Festival". Canadian Theatre Festival Society. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  4. ^ "Governor General visits Waterloo Region today". The Record Newspaper. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  5. ^ "Local economy gets $77M kick-start". The Record Newspaper. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  6. ^ "Centre plans smaller theatre". The Record Newspaper. Retrieved May 28, 2010.

External links[]

Coordinates: 43°27′15.57″N 80°29′2.71″W / 43.4543250°N 80.4840861°W / 43.4543250; -80.4840861

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