Walterdale Theatre produces five productions between October and July. This will include five ‘mainstage productions’ and From Cradle to Stage, a new works festival for local playwrights every spring.
October 8 – 18, 2025
According to the Chorus
by Arlene Hutton
Directed by Barbara Mah
Auditions: July 14 & 15, 2025
In the backstage of a Broadway theatre in the mid-1980s, the chorus girls and their dressers are waging a turf battle. Who is the mysterious new dresser, and will she be able to find her way? This show is a funny, touching, behind-the-scenes glimpse at every day lives, set against a period in the history where women’s issues and the AIDS crisis play out in the background.
According to the Chorus is presented through special arrangement with TRW PLAYS 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.trwplays.com
December 3 – 13, 2025
Present Laughter
by Noël Coward
Directed by John Anderson
Auditions: TBD
At the center of his own universe sits matinee idol, Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His “harmless” affairs with infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated, but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa, the full extent of his misdemeanors is discovered, and all hell breaks loose!
Present Laughter is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
February 4 – 14, 2026
This is War
By Hannah Moscovitch
Directed by Shawn Marshall
Auditions: TBD
Master Corporal Tanya Young, Captain Stephen Hughes, Private Jonny Henderson, and Sergeant Chris Anders lived through a violent botched mission while stationed in one of the most violent and war-torn sections of the Afghanistan War. Told through their separate accounts to an unseen broadcasting corporation, the truth isn’t always as simple as it seems as a picture is formed, painted by guilt, PTSD, nationalism and violence. Hannah Moscovitch’s Trillium Book Award-winning play is an unapologetic look into what soldiers endure and what civilians can oftentimes not see.
This Is War is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
April 15 – 25, 2026
Waiting for the Parade
by John Murrell
Directed by Monica Roberts
Auditions: TBD
Set on the Canadian home front during the Second World War, Waiting for the Parade follows the journey of five women as they dedicate themselves to the war effort. As each faces life-altering experiences, they must find the strength to remain resilient and stay connected to their humanity amidst political, social, and personal uncertainty.
Waiting for the Parade is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
May 19 – 24, 2026
From Cradle to Stage
Festival Coordinator: Shawn Marshall
Submissions: TBA
From Cradle to Stage is Walterdale’s new play reading program. Walterdale welcomes original play submissions from local playwrights and offers them the opportunity to share their work, gain audience feedback, and experience a workshop atmosphere through staged readings of their finished, original, and unproduced plays.
These works should be between 10-60 minutes in length, of any genre. This is also an opportunity for budding directors to get some experience directing these staged readings, and working closely with the Walterdale staff. Look for the call for submissions for playwrights and directors for the fall of 2025, with the festival in late spring of 2026.
In addition to new plays, there is a visual arts component, Walterdale Creates, that features the artworks of visual artists with a Walterdale association on the lobby walls of the theatre during the festival. Look for the call for artists in late Fall 2025.
July 8 – 18, 2026
Once
Book by Enda Walsh
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglovà
based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by John Carney
Directed by Bethany Hughes
Auditions: TBD
Once is a captivating, heartfelt musical that tells the story of an unlikely romance, set against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene. With a soulful folk-inspired score and an unforgettable story, this Tony Award-winning musical explores themes of love, loss, connection, and the transformative healing power of music. Don’t miss your chance to experience this extraordinary, emotionally-charged musical that will leave you singing, long after the curtain falls.
Once is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Walterdale Theatre acknowledges that our theatre is located on Treaty 6, a traditional territory of the Cree and has been an important trading place of the Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Dene, and Métis peoples of western Canada for many thousands of years. We also recognize and honour that we are Treaty people and therefore seek to uphold the spirit and intent of this Treaty.