Your World, Your Stage
We invite you to join us for the exciting performances that are coming to the stage this season. These are shows that reflect you – your world, your community, and your every stage of life. Whether you’re five or 95, there’s something for you at Centrepointe Theatre.
Centrepointe Theatre is alive with artistically and culturally diverse entertainment. You’ll be engaged and inspired by local, national and international performing artists who keep the stage aglow almost every night (or day) of the week.
Nestled in the heart of the City of Ottawa, this 966 seat world-class facility is a community treasure. Home to top-notch community producers and supported by an award-winning volunteer company, Centrepointe Theatre is a vibrant and vital community resource. This is your theatre.
Centrepointe Theatre History
Centrepointe Theatre’s grand opening took place on May 3, 1988, starring “local boy” and internationally renowned entertainer, impressionist Rich Little. Since then the theatre has hosted an extensive list of truly great artists performing to sold-out houses, including Sir Peter Ustinov, Christopher Plummer, Liona Boyd, Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo, the Barenaked Ladies, Kids in the Hall, the Rankins, Leahy, Lyle Lovett, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Harlem Gospel Choir and a great many others.
Nestled in the heart of the City of Ottawa, this 966 world-class facility is a community treasure. Our mandate is to encourage the development of the performing arts by providing facilities and services, and to entertain and enlighten audiences by presenting Canadian and international artists and attractions. Theatre events are provided by by three types of presenters: Front and Centre presentations (curated and presented by the theatre), commercial presenters and local producers. Centrepointe is home to several area performing arts companies, including Orpheus Musical Theatre Society, the Savoy Society of Ottawa, GOYA, Suzart Productions, and Les Petits Ballets.
The multiple award-winning Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Company operates in partnership with professional theatre staff and links the theatre and its artists to the community. Over 200 dedicated individuals contribute their energy and creativity to make the theatre and its shows more accessible and affordable, by donating time and skills to stage, house and creative resources crews. Since 1988, CTVC volunteers have donated services worth over $1.5 million and are among Centrepointe Theatre’s most valued assets.
Centrepointe Theatre is owned and operated by the City of Ottawa. Theatre staff also manage The Chambers in Ben Franklin Place, and the Orléans Theatre.
Guest Comments
I was pleased with my first Front and Center experience and look forward to the next shows. I particularly enjoyed the exclusive bar service. Very convenient and special. Thanks.
My entire experience with the Centrepointe Theatre and this performance was gratifying and just plain fun. It won't be my last, I assure you. Kudos to…Centrepointe!
Great entertainment; excellent performance. Easy access for Nepean residence. Keep up the great work!!
I love the Centrepointe Theatre. Ample, free parking, very comfortable seats, legroom, not too steeply pitched that I feel like I'm about to free-fall. The venue encourages me to attend events at Centrepointe. Now - add on a bigger stage so we can see big ballets and opera!
I did not know that the Centrepointe Theatre was supported by volunteers until I read it in the brochure. I would just like to say thanks to all of them.
We are very lucky to have Centrepointe Theatre. Excellent variety of top entertainment, good value and close to home. I much prefer CT to the NAC (free parking is a bonus). Keep up the good work.
The woman who greeted us and seated us at the balcony level was excellent. Very personable and friendly and asked afterwards if we enjoyed the show!
Buying tickets on line worked really well, they arrived promptly in the mail and we had the best seats in the house. Centre stage and eight rows back. Wonderful.
We also want to comment about the overall "feeling" at the Theatre. It is comfortable, relaxing; all the volunteer people are very helpful and kind. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for them, you are always greeted by a smile, and a warm "hello". You don't feel as if you have to dress in expensive clothes, to see and be seen. This compares very favourably with other entertainment venues in the city. The theatre still has a wonderful "small town" feel to it, yet has top-notch shows. So we feel you have found a wonderful balance. Congratulations!!!!
Great show and my favourite theatre in the area.
My wife and I enjoy your theatre every time we stay for a night in Ottawa….We love it. THX a lot!!
Excellent size theatre...I will come to more shows.
This venue, like many others in Ontario, harkens back to the more intimate chamber atmosphere of concert performance environments, where sound quality and intimacy of performance is respected and enhanced. It's great. Keep it like that! Thank You
Excellent show and nice sized venue...we'll certainly be back for other performances.
Great show by a group of professionals. We attend about one show a year, but it's always been a nice venue and not as highbrow as that place on the Canal. Lobby is a bit tight with a full house, but all in all the best bargain in the city. The NAC could learn a thing or two.
We thoroughly enjoyed this amazing band ~ in your beautiful venue! Thank you!
It's not very often that you get to experience such a great band in such an intimate and comfortable venue. We'd love to see more shows like that.
Get Involved
Volunteers
Observers continue to marvel at the significant role volunteers play in the day-to-day operations of this highly revered live performance venue. Members of the Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Company (CTVC) possess a unique sense of ownership that drives them to provide undeniably professional service that patrons and artists have grown to cherish.
The value of the CTVC's contribution to the arts community of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton is incalculable. Volunteers have contributed more than 285,000 hours of service since the company's formation in 1988.
With a continual increase in performances, this figure grows annually. Artists have found the performance space at Centrepointe Theatre a welcoming place, largely due to the expertise and congeniality of the volunteers. The CTVC has been recognized for its excellent structure and for the spirit of cooperation that exists between paid and volunteer staff.
The CTVC maintains 150 to 200 members, recruiting from the Ottawa area. Several outstanding volunteers have personally contributed well in excess of the requested eight hours per month, reaching more than 2,000 hours during their time at Centrepointe Theatre. In fact, two volunteers have exceeded the 4,000 and 9,000 marks respectively.
In 1992, the Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Company was featured in the TVO series “Putting on the Arts” hosted by Don Harron with a follow-up that was aired in the fall of 1999 on TVO's Studio 2. Margaret Genovese profiled the CTVC in her book “The Art of the Volunteer: Volunteerism in the Professional Performing Arts in Canada.” A good reputation that took a decade to forge now stands as the measuring stick for all volunteer organizations.
There are three crews in the company, each one responsible for a different branch of theatrical expertise. Each crew is represented in the CTVC Steering Committee by a crew chief and an alternate crew chief. These senior members are required to attend the monthly Steering Committee meetings and liaise with theatre staff to formulate and implement volunteer activities. They also provide leadership and motivation as well as crew-specific tasks.
Stage Crew
The Stage Crew's mandate is to provide technical support in the areas of sound, lighting and staging for non-commercial users of Centrepointe Theatre. The Stage Crew consists of a chief, the alternate chief, principal volunteers (experienced volunteers who have demonstrated an advanced degree of competence in an area) and members.
A new Stage Crew volunteer doesn't need previous experience in theatre. Volunteers are provided with the training they require to work efficiently, competently and safely. Safety is of prime consideration when working on stage and is emphasized in all training sessions.
All new volunteers are required to participate in a series of basic training sessions. The first, Intro and Evacuation, is a requirement before joining the crew. This qualifies the new volunteer to work as a stagehand. The other basic courses cover Staging Principles, Introduction to Lighting and Introduction to Audio. Volunteers are encouraged to complete these courses as soon as possible after the introductory session. As one gains experience with the crew, he or she may wish to gain more specialized knowledge by participating in training sessions on advanced audio and lighting, followspot, rigging operation and stage management.
The basic crew commitment is eight hours per month. However, the amount of time a volunteer actually works in a month is dependent on his or her interest and the shows, training and activities scheduled in a month.
Crew members are provided with appropriate refreshments (food and beverages) should they work a shift that extends over normal meal periods.
After meeting training standards, volunteers will initially work as assistants (lighting, audio, flys, etc.) or stagehands. Progression to operators or lead hands is dependent on the volunteer experience and level of training.
The crew operation positions are as follows:
- Audio Board Operator:
- responsible for all sound components of a production. Centrepointe Theatre boasts one of the finest and most user-friendly systems available with state-of-the-art equipment;
- operates the mixing board, tape recorders, amplifiers and processing equipment;
- sets up and strikes microphones, speakers and intercom stations.
- Lighting Board Operator:
- coordinates all lighting aspects using state-of-the-art gear;
- operates the lighting control board during set-ups, rehearsals and performances;
- supervises and assists in the hanging and focusing of lighting instruments;
- programs computerized lighting board and chooses colours.
- Fly Operator:
- in charge of the safe execution of the flying system;
- opens main curtains and vertical set changes.
- Stagehand:
- provides production assistance;
- assists with loading and unloading trucks;
- assists with assembling and striking sets, risers, platforms and other furnishings;
- assists with scenery changes during rehearsals and performances.
- Stage Manager:
- coordinates the staging elements and communication between the technicians and performers. ie., air traffic controllers.
- Assistants:
- provides assistance to fly, audio and light operators;
- gets a close look at what an operator does to see if it's something he/she may want to do.
To register for the Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Program , please go to the City of Ottawa Volunteer Opportunities page or contact the Coordinator of the Volunteer Program at 613-580-2424 x14148.
Creative Resources Crew
The Creative Resources crew provides Catering to our visiting performers and guests in a professional manner that enhances the image of Centrepointe Theatre within the performing arts industry and throughout Canada. This involves working with staff to plan the menus, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the meals and serving them to the artists.
As well, they assist with Marketing by maintaining links between the theatre and the public; helping to promote theatre activities to the public and assisting with communications and outreach activities at our Family Fare and Stellar Attractions series. They also help to coordinate special events such as the Holiday Bazaar and ArtsFair.
A crew member's responsibilities are as follows:
- attends monthly crew meetings;
- promotes the theatre and its activities to the public;
- promotes the CTVC;
- assists in staffing displays at community events;
- coordinates and assists at theatre and community events including Stage 101 (a variety show by volunteers, for volunteers), Volunteer Recognition, and Centrepointe Theatre Presentations
- prepares meals and refreshments for visiting artists being presented by Centrepointe Theatre
To register for the Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Program , please go to the City of Ottawa Volunteer Opportunities page or contact the Coordinator of the Volunteer Program at 613-580-2424 x14148.
House Crew
This crew's mandate is to meet the public as ushers and ticket takers, to ensure the safety and security of our patrons and to act as tactful ambassadors of goodwill to the public attending performances. The House Crew is the largest of the three crews with membership fluctuating between 80 and 100.
The uniform for the House Crew includes a CTVC nametag, Burgundy vest and tie (provided by the theatre) and accompanied by black dress pants or black business length skirt, white collared blouse to be worn inside the waistband (provided by the volunteer).
The House Crew uses formal training in basic and emergency procedures, together with the buddy system to introduce new volunteers to the operations of the crew. The crew positions are as described below:
Head Usher:
- fills vacancies for crew calls;
- completes call sheets with appropriate information and passes along briefing instructions to late-comers;
- reminds volunteers to re-acquaint themselves with evacuation procedures for their particular exit stations;
- assists ticket takers and ushers, identifying and assisting with problem areas;
- collects counted tickets from ticket takers and presents to the house facilitator;
- in the case of the fire alarm sounding, assists the house facilitator as required.
Usher/Ticket Taker:
- prepares the front of house for the patrons;
- folds and distributes programmes and/or adds inserts as required;
- tears off and counts ticket stubs to monitor attendance;
- prevents patrons from taking beverages,cameras and recorders into the auditorium;
- assists patrons to their seats in a safe manner.
Greeter:
- greets patrons as they enter the theatre;
- takes care of patrons requiring special services (wheelchairs, use of the elevator, etc.);
- directs patrons to box office, coat check, rest rooms and seat locations.
Telephone Committee:
- telephones designated names from the crew list to inform them of training sessions and upcoming events.
To register for the Centrepointe Theatre Volunteer Program , please go to the City of Ottawa Volunteer Opportunities page or contact the Coordinator of the Volunteer Program at 613-580-2424 x14148.
