World Theatre Day

Thank you everyone who helped spread the word and rally for theatre this March and celebrated World Theatre Day on March 27!

While World Theatre Day 2024 may have passed, we encourage all Canadians to continue to get involved and support their local theatre companies. Book a ticket to go see a show and post about it using #GoSeeAShow. Not sure where to start? You can find a map of national theatres and event listings by visiting: PACT.ca/Map

Launched in 1962, World Theatre Day is internationally recognized annually on March 27 as an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the value, importance, and contribution of theatre to our society. In Canada it has also become a national rallying cry to policy-makers and partners as to the importance of supporting this sector. 

World Theatre Day in Canada

The 2024 World Theatre Day Canadian Ambassador is Jani Lauzon. View & read her message here.  Jani's message is available in English, French, Plains Cree, Eastern Ojibway, ASL, and LSQ. 

View full photo and video credits here. 

Jani Lauzon is a multidisciplinary artist of Métis/French/Finnish ancestry. She is a multi-nominated actor/director/writer, Juno nominated singer/songwriter, an award winning screen actress, and a Gemini Award winning puppeteer. She received the Toronto Theatre Critics Director award, the ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence and the John Hirsch Director’s Award. As a puppeteer she worked such shows as The Mr. Dress-Up Show, Wumpas World, Little Star and she played Pa Foley on The Big Comfy Couch. Memorable theatre appearances include; Cordelia/Fool in the NAC Aboriginal production of King Lear, Shylock in Merchant of Venice (SITR) and the Neighbour/Servant in Blood Wedding (Modern Times/Aluna Theatre). Directing credits include: 1939 (Stratford Festival) Where the Blood Mixes and Almighty Voice and his Wife (Soulpepper), Rope (Shaw Festival). Alien Creature at TPM, I Call myself Princess (The Globe Theatre). Television guest appearances include Ruby and the Well, Something Undone, Six Days to Die and Saving Hope. Jani was an advocate for inclusivity of cultural and physically diverse artists on Canadian screens through her work as the Diversity Advocate at ACTRA for over 20 years. 

#RALLYFORTHEATRE

World-class theatre is being created every day across this country, by companies large and small, rural and urban. With studies reporting a national rise in feelings of loneliness and isolation, Canada’s theatres offer a vital opportunity. Theatre is about connection – the spark between audience and performers as the curtain rises, the shared experience as a community, and the conversations that linger after the final bow.

If theatre is important to you, here are three ways you can show your support in the lead up to World Theatre Day: 

  1. Book a ticket to go see a show and post about it using #GoSeeAShow . Not sure where to start? You can find a map of national theatres and event listings below. 

  1. Contact your elected officials at all levels, and let them know theatre is important to you, and you support increase public funding. It is quick, easy, and you only need your postal code.  

  1. Encourage others by sharing a favourite theatre experience on social media using the hashtags #RallyForTheatre and #WorldTheatreDay 

Explore Theatre Near You and #GoSeeAShow

Explore theatres near you with PACT's interactive Membership Map

Regional Theatre Event Listings: 

Resources to Celebrate World Theatre Day

Download our World Theatre Day social media share kit, lobby signage, media releases, and other resources. 

Each year a celebrated theatre artist is selected to be the World Theatre Day Canada Ambassador, and they are invited to deliver a personal message to the community. Meet the 2024 Ambassadors. 

World Theatre Day for Children and Youth

The 2024 World Theatre Day for Children and Youth Canadian Ambassador is Bianca Richard. View or read the message. 

Bianca Richard is an actor and puppeteer who also occasionally writes for theatre and film. Originally from Notre-Dame in Kent, New Brunswick, she graduated from Moncton Univeristy in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in Dramatic Arts. Co-founder of Théâtre La Cigogne in 2012, she participated in the company's productions until 2018 (Le loup: l'histoire d'un incompris, VIOLENCES, Voyage Identitaire and Le froid est un détail de l'hiver).Since then, she has navigated between TV acting (À la Valdrague, Newbies), theatre creation (Radi, Les limites du bruit possible, “T'', Pépins) and short film production (Out of tune, llama à la maison, Al-Ghoula à la plage). Between 2021 and 2023, she co-hosted two seasons of the national youth TV series ONIVA! (Radio-Canada). From 2019 to the present, she is working on the development of the play Parler Mal in collaboration with Gabriel Robichaud.

Photo Credit: Annie France Noel

World Theatre Day Internationally

The 2024 World Theatre Day International Ambassador is Jon Fosse. Read the message.

Jon Fosse was born in 1959 in Haugesund, Rogaland county, and grew up in Strandebarm, Hardanger (a traditional district in Vestland). He started writing when he was about twelve years old. When he was a teenager, Fosse was interested in becoming a rock guitarist. When he no longer thought he would be a rock star, he could spend more time writing.

Fosse studied comparative literature at the University of Bergen. His first novel, Raudt, svart'' (Red, Black), was published in 1983. He earned a master's degree in comparative literature in 1987. It was also from the University of Bergen.

Fosse's first play, Og aldri skal vi skiljast'' (And We'll Never Be Parted), was performed and published in 1994. His novel Septology, has 7 volumes, and they are published as 3 books; The first of those books, came out in 2019.

Impact of Theatre in Canada

Past Canadian World Theatre Day Ambassadors