25th Street Theatre Centre Inc.

25th Street Theatre Centre Inc. is a renowned Canadian nonprofit organization, registered with the Business Registration Number 119310373RR0001. Located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, it was founded in 1971 as an artists' collective by drama students from the University of Saskatchewan. This theatre company is not only Saskatoon's first professional theatre organization but also the annual producer of the Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival, a major cultural event in the region.

History

The theatre began production in 1972 under the original name 25th Street Theatre. In the mid-1970s, it reorganized to become a professional company, with Andras Tahn as its first artistic director. During this period, the theatre focused on producing plays and collective creations related to Prairie subjects, as well as new works from other regions. One of its most notable productions was Paper Wheat, a documentary collage on the history of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, which toured nationally in the late 1970s and was the subject of a National Film Board documentary in 1978[4].

Over the years, 25th Street Theatre Centre has hosted numerous premieres, including Brad Fraser's Wolfboy (1978), Andras Tahn's Jacob Kepp (1979), and Maria Campbell, Linda Griffiths, and Paul Thompson's Jessica (1982). The theatre has also been a launching point for several artistic directors who helped shape its trajectory during transitional periods[4].

Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival

In 1989, the theatre began organizing the annual Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival, which has become a cultural landmark in Saskatoon. The festival supports the creation of new works and provides many theatre artists with their first opportunities in the industry. It attracts a large audience and is known for its diverse and dynamic environment[3][5].

Mission and Impact

25th Street Theatre Centre is committed to creating opportunities for Saskatchewan artists and producing thought-provoking, new Canadian works. For over five decades, it has played a vital role in building the careers of local artists, many of whom have gone on to work with other companies across Canada and internationally. The theatre is recognized for its safe and supportive work environment and is a cornerstone of Saskatoon's theatre ecosystem[5]. As a registered charity, it continues to rely on community support to fulfill its mission[5].

[1] https://25thstreettheatre.org [2] https://25thstreettheatre.org/whats-on-stage/ [3] https://www.saskculture.ca/network/members/member-directory?id=100677 [4] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/25th-street-theatre-centre [5] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/25th-street-theatre-centre-inc/