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The Citadel Theatre is recognized as a leader in Canadian theatre. We produce work of the highest quality, premiere new plays, develop the skills of professional artists, invest in youth and families and contribute to the quality of life in the Edmonton community.

The Citadel Theatre houses five performing spaces and offers 11 plays and a professional theatre program.

A registered charitable organization, the Citadel also operates a year-round theatre school.

• The Citadel Theatre was founded in 1965 in the old Salvation Army Citadel.
• The new building, the current Citadel Theatre, opened in 1976.
• In 2005/2006, the Citadel celebrated its 40^th anniversary.
• The Citadel Theatre complex houses the Shoctor, Rice, and Maclab Theatres, as well as Zeidler Hall and the Lee Pavilion.
• Over 136,000 people attended shows at the Citadel last season.
• The Citadel is a registered not-for-profit organization.
• The Citadel Theatre currently has approximately 600 donors.
• The Citadel receives funding through grants, sponsorships and donations, as well as generating approximately 45% of total revenue through ticket sales.
• The Citadel is a flagship theatre in Edmonton and in Canada, currently ranked among the top 3 regional theatres in Canada.
• There is more theatre in Edmonton than in NYC per capita.
• The theatre season runs from September to May, with performances Tuesday to Sunday.
• Over 100 organizations utilize the Citadel annually for events, an estimate of 20,000 people.
• The Citadel is a professional theatre company, with full-time staff of approximately 40 people. The Citadel engages actors who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Production and Stage Door personnel are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees.
• Every year, the cast of A Christmas Carol collects food and donations from audience members for the Edmonton Food Bank. Over the years, Citadel audiences have donated $527,567.
• Each season, the Citadel donates several hundred tickets to non-profit organizations for use in fundraising activities or for clients and volunteers to attend the theatre.
• The Robbins Academy is Canada’s most comprehensive program for creative development in Professional Theatre.
• The Robbins Academy encompasses 5 programs under one umbrella:
  1. The Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program is a rigorous advanced training program for emerging and established theatre professionals.
  2. Young Companies develop the skills of 16 to 21 year olds aspiring to a career in theatre.
  3. Education and Outreach:
     1. Nearly 1,000 high school students participate in the Maclab Enterprises Students Club. Students attend pre-show presentations and post-show discussions featuring actors from the productions and a series of guests.
     2. Talk Back Tuesday – On the first Tuesday of each production, audience members can stay after the show for a discussion with the company.
     3. Prior to each Mainstage Seniors matinee performance, Seniors Club members gather for lunch and a brief presentation about the production.
     4. School matinees and Play Guides.
  4. The Foote Theatre School at the Citadel has been offering theatre training in Edmonton for over 40 years. A wide variety of classes taught by a faculty of theatre professionals are offered throughout the year to over 1,000 students of all ages.
  5. Play Development – The Citadel is committed to producing new work on stage and offering resources to assist playwrights to develop their work.