National Theatre School of Canada 2026

  

National Theatre School of Canada Reimagines Theatre Training to Meet an Evolving Industry   With two new programs, Technical Arts and Production/Design, NTS reaffirms its ongoing commitment to innovation and to preparing the next generation of theatre professionals. As the performing arts sector continues to evolve, the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is evolving with it. Following last year’s reimagining of its Directing Program, the School is introducing a new approach to its Production Design and Technical Arts training, creating two distinct but complementary two-year programs, Technical Arts and Production/Design, that reflect the realities of contemporary theatre practice and the diverse career paths available to emerging professionals. “After fifteen years running this program, I have witnessed the craft, and the students drawn to it, continue to evolve. Theatre production training across Canada has shifted, and the NTS PDTA program is ready to redefine our approach to training, setting a new standard and paving the way to reimagine what is possible. We will continue to train artists who are rigorous and kind, digging deeper to ensure they graduate with a craft that is second nature and a voice that is their own. Both new programs will produce graduates ready to lead in their own way,” says Andrea Lundy, Director of the former PDTA Program and of the new Technical Arts and Production/Design programs.

Scene from Yerma, NTS’s 2025–2026 graduating production. Lighting design by Sephora N’Kosi, a third-year student in the former Production Design and Technical Arts Program. Photo: Maxime Côté.

Rather than treating training as a fixed model, NTS recognizes that theatre practices, technologies, and professional roles are constantly changing. By rethinking the structure of its training, the School is strengthening the connection between foundational technical skills and the development of independent artistic voices and leadership.   Two complementary paths, one evolving vision The new structure separates the existing training into two distinct, two-year programs: Technical Arts, which provides a foundation in the craft of theatre, and Production/Design, an advanced course of study for those ready to specialize, lead, and develop their own artistic approach. Together, the programs create a continuous path from skilled practitioner to artist with a distinct point of view, while allowing students to pursue training aligned with their experience, ambitions, and professional goals. The Technical Arts program introduces students to lighting, sound, projection, stage management, scenic carpentry, and general stagecraft. Through hands-on learning and participation in full productions across multiple venues, students experience the entire production process, from pre-production to strike. Graduates are prepared to contribute safely and effectively to professional teams across multiple departments, with the option of continuing their studies in Production/Design. The Production/Design program offers advanced specialization in one of six disciplines: Lighting Design, Sound Design, Projection Design, Stage Management, Technical Direction, or Production Management. Combining specialist instruction, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and opportunities to work on productions of different scales, the program supports students in developing their own artistic identity, leading departments, initiating projects, and building sustainable careers in theatre.

Backstage view of The Neverending Story, NTS’s 2025–2026 graduating production. Technical direction by Katie Webb, a third-year student in the former Production Design and Technical Arts Program. Photo: Maxime Côté.

Innovation as an ongoing commitment   For NTS, innovation is not limited to adopting new technologies or responding to immediate industry needs. It also means questioning established approaches, recognizing emerging professional realities, and adapting its training to support the next generation of theatre-makers. By creating two complementary programs, NTS is reinforcing the value of both technical expertise and artistic leadership, while offering a clearer progression between foundational training and advanced specialization. Applications for the new Technical Arts and Production/Design programs open today, October 30, 2026. For more information, visit: https://ent-nts.ca/en/programme/production-design-technical-arts/ About the National Theatre School of Canada   Founded in 1960, the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) has made an outstanding contribution to the country’s artistic and cultural development for more than six decades. It remains Canada’s foremost theatre training institution, in both French and English, and continues to train actors, directors, playwrights, designers and production specialists whose talent shines on stages across Canada and around the world. It also offers a range of community programs that promote access to theatre for all.

Centaur Theatre 58th Season

Centaur Theatre 58th Season

CENTAUR THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS 2026-27 SEASON:

GREAT STORIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

May 1,  2027

In the heart of Old Montreal

Centaur Theatre proudly unveils its 2026–2027 season, a bold and ambitious return to full-scale programming following the completion of its transformative renovation project. Themed “Great Stories in the Spotlight”, the five-play subscription series celebrates the power of theatrical storytelling in its most vital, imaginative, and human forms.

Marking the company’s first full five-play season in over six years, this landmark lineup reflects Centaur’s commitment to presenting high-calibre, thought-provoking work that resonates deeply with contemporary audiences. From inventive solo performance and world premieres to re-imagined classics and sharp-edged comedy, the season brings together an exceptional range of artists and voices.

The Centaur's Artistic & Executive Director Eda Holmes stated:

“This is a defining moment for Centaur. After a period of infrastructural renewal and transformation, our focus returns fully to the stage with a season that embraces theatricality, celebrates storytelling, and invites audiences to share in the immediacy and magic of live performance.”

In a significant step toward greater accessibility, Centaur is also reducing adult and senior subscription prices by more than 10%, reinforcing its belief that outstanding live theatre should be both extraordinary and accessible.

Centaur’s 58th season ushers in most ambitious programming in over six years, with a full five-play subscription series that celebrates the vitality and variety of live theatre. From celebrated Canadian artists and iconic Montreal performers to the world’s master storytellers—spanning ancient Greek epics to 20th century Irish modernism and cutting-edge First Nations comedy—this is a season designed to inspire, delight, and surprise.

Subscribe now to secure your place.

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2026–2027 SEASON LINEUP :  

Centaur Theatre Presents

WONDERFUL JOE

October 13 – November 1, 2026

A Production of Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes
Created & Performed by Ronnie Burkett

Music by John Alcorn

A man and his dog set out on a fantastical odyssey through a fractured world, discovering magic in the margins and proving that even the most broken hearts can be filled with wonder. Age restriction: 16+.

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Centaur Theatre presents

HOLIDAY IN ZÜRICH

November 4 – 22, 2026

By Colleen Murphy
Directed by Micheline Chevrier

With Danielle Desormeaux and Brian Dooley

A tender and darkly funny portrait of a happily married couple in their 70’s on the brink of a jam-packed trip to Switzerland, where romance, mortality, and wildly different ideas about “one last adventure” collide at the edge of goodbye.

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Centaur Theatre and Théâtre du Double Signe present

ISMENE

March 3 – 21, 2027

By Carole Fréchette
Translated by Linda Gaboriau
Directed by Alisa Palmer

Starring Amelia Sargisson

Step beyond the myth and into the voice history forgot: Antigone’s sister reclaims her story, offering a bold new perspective on the classic tale of sacrifice, familial loyalty, and the cost of defiance.

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Centaur Theatre and Productions Menuentakuan present

WOMEN OF THE FUR TRADE

April 14 – May 2, 2027

By Frances Koncan
Directed by Charles Bender

With Océane Kitura Bohémier-Tootoo, Marie-Pier Chamberland, Xavier Huard, Geneviève Pelletier and Étienne Thibeault

A razor-sharp and gleefully anachronistic remix of Indigenous and Canadian history that places a trio of women with a penchant for 21st century slang at the heart of the 19th century Riel Resista

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Centaur Theatre and Théâtre Denise-Pelletier present

WAITING FOR GODOT

May 5 – 23, 2027 

By Samuel Beckett
Directed by Eda Holmes

Co-Directed by Rebecca Gibian

With Andreas Apergis, Wood Barthelmy, Frédéric Charbonneau and Lennikim

A raw, contemporary Godot, where a new generation waits, jokes, spirals, and searches for meaning in a world that keeps promising something—and never quite delivers.

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 For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

  

Centaur Theatre 2025: Kisses Deep

KISSES DEEP

Canadian English Language Premier

Autor:  Michel Marc Bouchard

Translator: Linda Gaboriau

Directed by Eda Holmes

With Lyndz Dantiste, Yves Jacques, Leni Parker, Alice Pascual and Kevin Raymond

November 26 - December 14, 2025

The Montreal’s Centaur Theatre is presenting the long-awaited English-language premiere of the Quebec playwright Michel Marc Bouchard’s play Kisses Deep.

Originally premiering in French in a co-production with Centaur at Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in 2021, Kisses Deep (Embrasse) now takes on a new life in English, reuniting many of the original creative team members under the direction of the very talented Eda Holmes, Centaur’s Artistic & Executive Director, who also directed the original Théâtre du Nouveau Monde French production.

Kisses Deep is an emotionally charged, evocative work that explores the transformative power of creative artistic impulses and talents intertwined with the emotional depth of pain and psychological confusion, at the same time finding the solace in the creative world of fashion and design. This play is striking, filled with raw emotional and psychological pain as well as the impetus to overcome it and to reach in one’s life the creative grandeur and the glamour of the world of fashion.

The central character of the play is the young man Hugo, from the Montreal suburbs, who is consumed by his passion for high fashion and dreams of becoming a designer. He is inspired by his idol Yves Saint Laurent, and dreams to be accepted into a prestigious design school. At the starting point of the play, he has a new obsession. He decides to channel his creativity into a singular mission: to restore the tarnished reputation of his mother, Béatrice, after she had just been arrested for an assault. To help her to reclaim her dignity, he decides to design the perfect outfit for her upcoming court appearance. Though facing turbulent complexities of his relationship with his mother, also caused by his parents’ past divorce, the two are bound by a deep but often painful love, and Hugo’s artistic pursuit becomes a means of both confronting and healing the wounds of their past.

Through heartfelt and striking psychological exploration, Kisses Deep delves into the essence of artistic creation, questioning whether art can serve as a source of comfort or is merely a tool to deal with a deep-seated pain. The play invites the audience on a visually striking and emotionally charged journey of self-discovery and redemption.

The cast consists of exceptionally good actors able to portray the characters' emotional load in an very effective manner.

All photos in this article by Andrée Lanthier, courtesy of Centaur Theatre.
For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

Centaur Theatre 57th Season

Centaur Theatre 57th Season

CENTAUR THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS 2025-26 SEASON:

THE VIEW FROM HERE

May 26,  2025

Centaur Theatre unveiled its new 2025–2026 57th season, themed The View From Here. This new lineup invites audiences to reflect on where we stand—personally, culturally, and artistically—and to consider how perspective shapes our understanding of the world around us. From reimagined classics to bold new voices, each production offers a distinct lens on identity, resilience, memory, and transformation. Through genre-defying collaborations, world premieres, and unique theatrical moments, The View From Here is both an artistic snapshot of the present and a call to imagine what’s possible next.

Eda Holmes, Artistic and Executive Director of Centaur Theatre, stated:

“The View From Here is about perspective—where we are, where we've been, and where we're headed. This season invites audiences to see the world through different lenses: across cultures, generations, and imaginations. The works we’ve curated are courageous, theatrical, and deeply human—stories that challenge assumptions, spark joy, and leave lasting impressions. Whether you’re a longtime theatregoer or discovering Centaur for the first time, this season offers new ways of seeing and feeling. I can’t wait to share these remarkable journeys with Montreal audiences.”  

The following plays will be staged during the 57th Season:

Stone and Bone Spectacular

October 15 – October 26, 2025

The season opens with Stone and Bone Spectacular  a vibrant new work created by Ange Loft, in collaboration with Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo and Iehente Foote, with Tehatkathonnions Bush, Iehente Foote, Stéphanie Héroux-Brazeau, Wahsontí:io Kirby, Véronik Picard and Iota’keratenion Thomas-Beaton. This large-scale Indigenous production blends puppetry, dance, and storytelling to explore the layered history of Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). The outcome of Centaur’s inaugural Indigenous Artist Residency, Stone and Bone Spectacular is a playful and profound look at the history of Tiohtià:ke featuring dancing beavers, stone-lifting stunts, and long-lost lovers.

Kisses Deep 

November 26 – December 14, 2025

Next, the English-language premiere of Kisses Deep by Michel Marc Bouchard, and translated by Linda Gaboriau. takes the stage . This long-awaited English-language premiere tells the story of the transformational relationship between a troubled, gifted young man and his complex and inspiring mother. Directed by Eda Holmes, the cast includes Lyndz Dantiste, Yves Jacques, Leni Parker, Alice Pascual, and Kevin Raymond.

Goblin: Macbeth

March 4 – March 22, 2026

In 2026, the second half of the season begins with a spontaneous theatre creation by Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak, directed by Rebecca Northan. When three goblins—Kragva, Moog, and Wug—come across The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, they eagerly take over a theatre and attempt their own wild, hilarious, and chaotic version of Macbeth. A one-of-a-kind blend of comedy, tragedy, and improvisation, Goblin:Macbeth is a mischievous, theatrical joyride.

Seeker

April 15 – May 3, 2026

Last but not least, a gripping sci-fi drama by Marie-Claude Verdier, translated by Alexis Diamond and presented in partnership with Talisman Theatre. Directed by Rebecca Gibian, with Bénédicte Bélizaire and Andrew Shaver, this hard-hitting sci-fi drama follows a pair of exes hired by the US military to conduct a mysterious mission on Mars that could have consequences for all of humanity. 

Centaur Theatre 2025: Michel Tremblay

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again

by Michel Tremblay

May 13 - June 1, 2025

The Centaur Theatre closes its 56th season with a production that is personal and yet universally resonant. The Michel Tremblay's play For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is a moving love letter to his mother. Though it presents just an individual and a deeply personal experience of a mother-son relationship and interactions, it has a universal quality that invites the members of the audience to remember and to reevaluate their past relationships with their individual mothers.

With the staging of this brand new production of the play, which was translated from French into English by the Governor General’s Award-winning Linda Gaboriau, directed by Alice Ronfard, and enacted by Ellen David and Emmanuel Schwartz, the Centaur theatre celebrates the iconic Quebec and Canadian playwriter Michel Tremblay.

Trembley draws a curtain off his past and lets us peek into his relationship with his mother, and shows us how she inspired, influenced, and drew him into becoming a literary and a playwriter persona he is now. She was an avid reader and the literature connoisseur, and in that way, indirectly, strongly influenced her son. Though at times overpowering and annoying, she was deeply loving and had a sense of humor that also guided and contributed to Tremblay's formation as a playwriter. His mother no doubt also helped him to better perceive, understand,  and to be able to reproduce and portray more accurately and compassionately the women's character in his own literary creations and in his plays.

Set against the backdrop of working-class Montreal in the 1950s and 1960s, the story is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The English-language premiere of this contemporary classic of Quebec drama took place at Centaur in 1998, and the production was hugely popular, going on to tour Canada and the United States. Centaur is proud to bring this masterpiece back to Montreal audiences. 

This play not only celebrates a cornerstone of Canadian theatre but also highlights the significance of translating Quebecois works for English-speaking audiences, an effort that enriches the cultural dialogue between Quebec and the rest of Canada. With the help of a talented creative team, the production provides a rare opportunity for English-speaking audiences to experience the emotional depth and theatrical exuberance of a classic Quebecois piece, making it one of the must-see shows of the season.

About Michel Tremblay

Michel Tremblay is one of Quebec’s most iconic playwrights, renowned for his transformative contributions to Quebec and Canadian theatre. With over 30 plays, 31 novels, and numerous adaptations, Tremblay’s work reflects the complexities of Quebecois life and identity. His play Les Belles-Sœurs revolutionized Quebec theatre, and his works have been translated into 40 languages and performed worldwide. Tremblay has earned over 90 prestigious awards, including the Prince Pierre of Monaco Award and the Gilles-Corbeil Award, solidifying his status as a key figure in global theatre.

All photos in this article by Andrée Lanthier, courtesy of Centaur Theater.
For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

Centaur Theatre 2025: Adventures, WinterWorks Festival

ADVENTURES

WinterWorks Festival Opening Production

February 25 – March 1, 2025 at Centaur Theatre

The plot of Adventures is partly based on a gritty-real-life story expressed through a mode of a fairy tale. This artistic device invites the audience to the roots of the “Mother Tree”, the spirit of which embodies three main characters, that of the tree itself, as well as of two teenagers PJ and Wendy who find themselves on the edge of a life-altering dilemma.

The play portrays a discordant teenage relationship which arises from the lack of basic values like respecting oneself and the other, as well as an absence of the meaning of a true friendship or love. As if such fundamental values were not present in those children’s families or in the books they read at home or at school. This is quite sad for the modern civilized North America. If one compares those two teenagers to the equally young heroes of the Shakespearean Romeo and Juliet, a play that premiered in 1597 in so to speak ‘Dark Ages’ of our collective history (as compared to our modern ‘civilized’ times), how much more poetic, purposeful, tender, loving and heroic was their relationship in a much more difficult setting than what PJ and Wendy are facing. That comparison also makes one ponder about the human and cultural values of the present humanity.

About WinterWorks:

WinterWorks is Centaur Theatre's inaugural festival that evolved from the Wildside Festival. Running from February 25 to March 15, 2025, it showcases inventive performances, daring theatre productions, immersive gallery experiences, and thought-provoking readings.

An Imago Theatre and Keep Good (Theatre) Company Collaboration at Centaur Theatre as a part of WinterWorks

Starring Ann-Marie Kerr
Directed by Christian Barry
Original Soundscape by Jackson Fairfax-Perry
Gillian Clark – Playwright
Christian Barry – Director & Lighting Designer
Andrea Ritchie – Costume Designer
Jackson Fairfax-Perry –  Original Soundscape (Sound Designer & Composer)
Julian Smith –  Stage Manager & Assistant Sound Designer
Ann-Marie Kerr – Wendy, PJ & The Mother Tree
Anthony Black – Artistic Consultant

For more information, visit the Centaur Theatre website.

Centaur Theatre 2025: Strawberries in January

Centaur Theatre / 56th Season

STRAWBERRIES IN JANUARY

A MUSICAL FANTASY

Based on the play by Evelyne de la Chenelière 

Des fraise en janvier

The World English Language Premiere 

In Collaboration with Théâtre Advienne que pourra

January 21 - February 9, 2025

Montreal's Centaur Theatre is presenting a new play with a fitting title and timing for the present cold month of January: Strawberries in January - A Musical Fantasy. For Centaur, it is also a fruitful and joyous collaboration with the Théâtre Advienne que pourra, located in Repentigny.

This new English-language musical version of a Québec's classic was adapted by a talented director Frédéric Bélanger and a songwriter Audrey Thériault and features original music by Ludovic Bonnier, Eva Foote and Habib Zekri.

It is based on the award-winning play Des fraises en janvier by Evelyne de la Chenelière. This new adaptation is a vibrant exploration of love, serendipity, and human connections, set against the wintry backdrop of Montreal. Its lovely music and singing add additional vibrancy to the original play. Strawberries in January - A Musical Fantasy offers a fresh perspective on the interwoven lives of four single people searching for meaning, love, and laughter amidst their daily routine and trials.

Centaur's musical adaptation of the play features eighteen toe-tapping tunes, arranged by Nick Carpenter and Habib Zekri, that add additional layers of emotion and melody to this modern romantic tale.

The Director Frédéric Bélanger expressed it very precisely when stating:

"Strawberries in January invites audiences to reflect on the power of chance and the beauty of human connection, all while immersing them in a world of song and storytelling. It’s a show that warms the heart and brightens the soul, perfect for the cold winter months.”

Eda Holmes, Centaur Theatre Artistic & Executive Director, also added:

“I am thrilled by the opportunity to introduce the English community to the exceptional talent of director Frédéric Bélanger. He has nurtured the musical adaptation of Strawberries in January since 2016. We began working together on it just before the pandemic and being able to bring it to the stage at last is a testament to the resilience of the artists of the Montreal theatre community. It is a play that celebrates the power of love and imagination to overcome every obstacle and that is a story we all need right now.”

This is an exceptionally heart-warming play that portrays people's straggles to find in their lives love, meaning, happiness, as well as true friends and life partners.

Creative Team

• Original Playwright: Evelyne de la Chenelière

• Translator: Morwyn Brebner

• Adaptation / Director: Frédéric Bélanger

• Adaptation / Original Music: Audrey Thériault

• Original Music: Ludovic Bonnier

• Original Music: Eva Foote

• Original Music / Arrangements: Habib Zekri

• Musical Direction / Arrangements: Nick Carpenter

• Song Translations: Alexis Diamond

Cast

• Eloi ArchamBaudoin

• Ryan Bommarito

• Métushalème Dary

• Madeleine Scovil

Musicians

• Khalil Bouaziz

• Quinn Dooley

• Tobias Kimmelman

• Christophe Papadimitriou

Performance Details:

Dates: Tuesday, January 21 to Sunday, February 9, 2025
Times: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8:00 PM, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM

French surtitles: January 30 and 31 at 8:00PM; February 1 at 2:00PM

Location: Centaur 1, Centaur Theatre, 453 St. Francois-Xavier, Montreal

Tickets: Prices range from $22 to $68, with subscription rates, group rates, and student/senior discounts available. Tickets can be purchased at www.centaurtheatre.com or by phone at 514-288-3161.

All images in this article courtesy of Centaur Theatre, Photographer Andrée Lanthier.

For more information about Centaur Theatre visit the Centaur Theatre website.

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