Centre In The Square
Encyclopedia
Centre In The Square is a live theatre
and performing arts centre
located on Queen Street in downtown Kitchener, Ontario
.
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 Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery also resides within Centre In The Square and maintains separate administrative offices.
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.
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.
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.
Theater (structure)
A theater or theatre is a structure where theatrical works or plays are performed or other performances such as musical concerts may be produced. While a theater is not required for performance , a theater serves to define the performance and audience spaces...
and performing arts centre
Performing arts center
Performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is used to refer to* A multi-use performance space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre....
located on Queen Street in downtown Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
.
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
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony is a Canadian orchestra based in the twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario. Its home venue is Centre In The Square in Kitchener, Ontario. Music Directors and Principal Conductors have included Raffi Armenian , Chosei Komatsu , Martin Fischer-Dieskau and...
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 Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery 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.The site was once home to the Emmanuel Bible College
Emmanuel Bible College
For the Methodist theology school affiliated with the University of Toronto, go to Emmanuel College, Toronto.Emmanuel Bible College is a small Bible college located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada...
.
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.
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
- On The Edge
- Encore
- Matinee
- Canadian Play
- K-W Symphony Signature
- K-W Symphony Pops
Magnetic North Theatre Festival
The annual Magnetic North Theatre FestivalMagnetic North Theatre Festival
The Magnetic North Theatre Festival is an annual festival celebrating theatre and related performing arts in Canada operated by the Canadian Theatre Festival Society in partnership with the National Arts Centre. The festival is held Ottawa every two years, with it being held in other Canadian...
was held June 9–19, 2010 in Kitchener-Waterloo. The Centre was the main venue for festival performances, hosting Rick Mercer
Rick Mercer
Richard Vincent "Rick" Mercer is a Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and blogger.Mercer first came to national attention in 1990, when he premiered his one man show Show Me the Button, I'll Push It, or Charles Lynch Must Die at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in...
, Norman, and The Greatest Cities in the World.
As part of the festival, Governor General Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
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.