About

The Free Theatre is a new model for the creation of works for the stage. We want to make theatre that provides artists with the maximum creative freedom to invent, explore and play. We want to make theatre that gets to the stage quickly, and can therefore respond quickly to the world. We want to make theatre that is available and free to all, in neighbourhood venues that allow the artists direct contact with the audience during the creative process.

These neighbourhoods are on Treaty One Territory in present-day Winnipeg. The Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene have been gathering and storytelling on these lands for millenia. This is also the homeland of the Red River Metis. On the crucial journey to reconciliation, we will work respectfully, gratefully and inclusively with the traditional inhabitants, ancestors and stewards of these lands.

How we’ll do it: a wildly diverse team of five artists (writers, actors, dancers, musicians etc.) and two design/technical/production professionals, will be given one week to create an original performance. We’ll work in smaller, neighbourhood venues and invite the locals in for coffee to find out what kinds of things they might want to see. The production budget is minimal, in order to keep the focus on the essentials and the environmental impact low. The artists are paid for their week at a little better than the industry going rate. Admission to the performance is free.

Our pilot week is May 26 to 31, 2024 at the Gargoyle Theatre.

We have funding from the Winnipeg Arts Council and the generous support of Theatre Projects Manitoba, who will include the Free Theatre as the urban component of their Live Arts Trade Route, which you can find out about here.

Featured Image Photo Credit: 1966 by Jack Ablett. Courtesy The Winnipeg Free Press

The Free Theatre is dedicted to the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all its activites. We are committed to diverse, inclusive hiring for all positions.

We create on Treaty One Territory, the site of present-day Winnipeg. As participants in the journey to reconciliation, we will work respectfully, inclusively and gratefully among the tradtional peoples and stewards of this land.