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| Ellis Brothers Photography |
43 years ago, Joseph H. Shoctor, James L. Martin, Ralph B. MacMillan, and Sandy Mactaggart paid $100,000 for the Old Salvation Army Citadel on 102 Street. A further $150,000 was spent on renovations to create a theatre on the main floor and a restaurant in the basement.
The Citadel Theatre was founded on October 12, 1965, and opened with its first production, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on November 10, 1965. The Artistic Director was John Hulbert and in its first season the theatre attracted 800 subscribers. The first General Manager for the Citadel was Olive Finland, from 1966-1976.
The founding Board of Directors for the Citadel Theatre included:
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In 1968 Sean Mulcahy became Artistic Director and brought the name of the Citadel to prominence throughout Canada. Citadel on Wheels, founded in 1968, toured to schools and communities throughout northern Alberta and drama classes began as a community service. These classes were the beginnings of the Foote Theatre School that is still in operation today.
In 1973, John Neville took over the artistic reins. He expanded the season to include a second series for more experimental works, gathered a company of young Canadian actors and brought international talent to Edmonton. In addition, he saw the theatre through its evolutionary stage into its current facility.
Joe Shoctor began fundraising in 1973 for the new $6.5 million building. The site was chosen and ground was broken in December, 1974. The building was paid for before construction was complete through government grants, strenuous fundraising and a gift of land from the City of Edmonton. Horst Schmidt, the Minister of Culture at that time, and Peter Lougheed, the Premier, were instrumental in obtaining provincial funding. The building was designed by Barton Myers Associates, with R.L. Wilkin as architect.
The Citadel Theatre complex was officially opened on November 12, 1976, and on November 13, 1976, Dr. Shoctor welcomed the first audiences into the new award winning facility with the production of Romeo and Juliet starring Brent Carver as Romeo and Tom Wood as Mercutio. The facility featured:
- The Shoctor Theatre — named for Dr. Joseph H. Shoctor, a proscenium stage with 681 seats;
- The Rice Theatre — named for Dr. G.R.A. (Dick) Rice and Alison B. Rice. The 200 seat theatre was designed for experimental theatre with flexible seating and stage;
- Zeidler Hall — named for Mrs. Margaret Zeidler and her family. Originally intended for film and lectures, the 220 seat theatre was also used for young people’s theatre.
In 1978 British director Peter Coe began his two-year tenure as Artistic Director. Peter provided opportunities for the theatre to expand nationally and internationally with productions Off-Broadway, Washington and London, England. In 1978-79 the Citadel also celebrated its 15th anniversary with an open house for all Edmonton, including a command performance for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during the Commonwealth Games.
From 1981 – 1984 Joe Shoctor planned the programming for the theatre, introduced the first Edmonton International Children’s Festival, and planned and implemented an ambitious facility expansion. The $9 million Phase II was designed by the Chandler Kennedy Architectural Group.
In the fall of 1984 Gordon McDougall was appointed Artistic Director and on November 28, 1984, Phase IIa was opened as the Lee Pavilion, named for Clifford E. Lee. The addition features an indoor tropical garden, a waterfall and two performance venues:
- The Maclab Theatre — named for Maclab Enterprises; Jean de La Bruyère and Dr. Sandy Mactaggart. This thrust stage with 682 seats, opened with the inaugural production of Peter Pan;
- The Tucker Amphitheatre — named for Dennis Tucker, surrounding a reflective pool and containing 150 seats.
In 1987 the Associate Director, William Fisher, became the Artistic Director. The theatre presented three subscriber series, three theatre school presentations and the International Children’s Festival as well as the first annual Edmonton Teen Festival of the Arts.
In 1989 the final phase of the Citadel Theatre complex was completed – Phase IIb – which included the expansion of the production shop areas, additional classrooms and a complex of multi-purpose rooms for auditions and rehearsals. Also that year, Richard Dennison took the artistic controls as Producer followed by Robin Philips as Director General in 1991. Continuing the Citadel vision was Duncan McIntosh who became Artistic Director in 1995.
In January, 1999, The Citadel was thrilled to announce the appointment of Bob Baker as The Citadel’s first Edmonton-born Artistic Director. Bob is celebrates his 10th season in 2008-2009.
For archival information please contact:
Publicity and Promotions
P: 780-428-2117
F: 780-428-7194
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