Centrepointe Theatre

Centrepointe Theatre is a 966-seat publicly owned performance hall located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It opened on May 3, 1988.

Location

Ben Franklin Place

The theatre is located in Ben Franklin Place, which served as the city hall of Nepean, Ontario until that city was amalgamated with Ottawa in 2001. Located near Baseline Station and the Queensway (Highway 417), it is easily accessible to the residents of the city and is at the geographical centre of the City of Ottawa.

Performances

Genres presented include musical theatre, theatre, dance, comedy and music. In addition to community theatre groups, Centrepointe Theatre is rented to commercial presenters and "self-presents" under the banner "Front and Centre".

The Orpheus Musical Theatre Society, the Savoy Society of Ottawa, the Capital City Chorus and other community groups have sustained the theatre with hundreds of performances since its opening. Numerous touring performers have graced Centrepointe's stage including Paul Potts, Russell Peters, Dave and Ian Thomas, Jeff Healey, David Clayton-Thomas, Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo, The Barenaked Ladies, The Kids in the Hall, The Rankin Family, Leahy, Lyle Lovett, and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.

Funding

A five million dollar expansion of the theatre had been planned in 2002, largely funded by a ticket surcharge, but in 2005 these plans were set aside in favour of a "Capital Renewal" fund for replacement of existing facility elements such as sound and lighting equipment. Also in response to civic budget pressures, the theatre has increasingly been reserved as a venue for school graduation ceremonies, squeezing out the performing arts.

Organization

Although the theatre employs a full-time manager, most functions are performed by a regular company of volunteers, from ushers and other front of house duties to the stage crew, stage lighting and sound board.