World Theatre Week

Launched in 1962, World Theatre Day is recognized annually on March 27, as an opportunity for theatre professionals, organizations, and audiences to celebrate the value, importance, and contribution of theatre to our society. It has also become a national rallying cry to policy-makers and stakeholders as to the importance of supporting this sector.

This March, PACT and L’Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (AFTC),  in partnership with The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People Canada (ASSITEJ Canada) are marking World Theatre Week with World Theatre Day for Children and Young People on March 20 and World Theatre Day on March 27.

Canadians are invited to join in the celebration of Canadian identities and the home that theatre creates for all stories. 

2026 World Theatre Day Amabassadors

Canada - Walter Borden 

For the past half century, Walter Borden has been an acclaimed actor, playwright, poet and teacher. Along the way, he has performed on stages across Canada.

Walter Borden’s distinguished career has been acclaimed internationally and throughout Canada.  His Stratford credits include The Odyssey, The Comedy of Errors, Harlem Duet, The Duchess of Malfi, Edward II, Orpheus Descending, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, King Henry VIII, Macbeth, Agamemnon, Electra, The Flies and The Swanne (The Acts of Venus). Other Stage credits include Fernando Krapp Wrote Me A Letter, El Numero Uno, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Driving Miss Daisy, Hosannah and The Adventures Of A Black Girl In Search Of God (Dora nomination for Best Actor in Toronto, and META award nomination in Montreal). 

Mr. Borden’s play Tightrope Time was published in 2005 and his CD, Walter Borden Reads The Sonnets Of William Shakespeare has received great critical praise. Mr. Borden is a recipient of; the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal; the African-Nova Scotian Music Association Heritage award; the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement award; and the Portia White Prize. He is also an inductee into the Dr. William P. Oliver Wall of Honour Society and been made a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia.

Walter's full message will be available on Friday, March 27.

International - Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe, Artistic Director of the Theatre Department at La Biennale di Venezia was among the
founding members of The Wooster Group. Based at The Performing Garage in New York (1977-2004)
they developed a distinctive approach to avant-garde theatre. He then went on to collaborate with
Bob Wilson, Marina Abramovic, Richard Foreman and Romeo Castellucci. In the early 1980s, he also
began working in cinema and since earned international acclaim for his versatility across both
independent and mainstream films. He has received four Academy Award nominations and was
awarded the Coppa Volpi for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in 2018. His commitment to
theatre continues to shape his artistic vision and performance practice.

For more information about the International Ambassador and to read Willem's message visit World Theatre Day - International Theatre Institute ITI.

How to get involved

We encourage all theatre artists, administrators, organizations, and audiences and supporters to get involved and celebrate theatre's impact. Below are resources to help you get involved!

Book a ticket and #GoSeeAShow

Check out your local theatre companies and consider trying something new.

*Note performance venues may be different than addresses listed.

• Association des théâtres francophones du Canada 

• Alberta - Theatre Alberta

• Nova Scotia - Theatre Nova Scotia

• Quebec - Quebec Drama Federation

• Toronto - Now Playing Toronto

• Vancouver- Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance

Share your impact

We have media releases, social media templates, curtain speeches, everything you need to help spread the word. Don't forget to tag PACT in your social media posts! 

View Resources 

Let your Member of Parliament know that theatre is important to you

Reach out to your Member of Parliament, invite them to a show, welcome them to your venue or reach out and let them know that theatre is important to you. 

Download Advocacy Brief

Participate in online and in person World Theatre Day events

Join us for one of our online or in person events or make plans to host your own event. Hosting a World Theatre Day event? Let us know! 

Canadian Theatre’s Impact

• Canada’s theatres employ over 30,000 people; from artists, technicians, administrators and theatre workers;
• 10 million Canadians attend live theatre performances;
• Over 3,500 Canadian works are performed each year;
• Theatres turn every $1 invested by the Federal Government into $15.06 in economic impact.
• 2.3 million Canadians attend theatre performances created for young audiences each year. 

Past Canadian World Theatre Day Ambassadors

• 2025 - Senator René Cormier

• 2024 - Jani Lauzon

• 2023 – Ghislain Basque

• 2022 – Debajehmujig Theatre Group, Mishka Lavigne and Makambe K Simamba

• 2021 – Multiple Messengers (audiences, MPs, Artists)

• 2020 – Geneviève Pelletier

• 2019 – Sunny Drake

• 2018 – Nina Lee Aquino

• 2017 – Gilles Poulin-Denis

• 2016 – Sky Gilbert

• 2015 – Mieko Ouchi

• 2014 – Mélanie Léger

• 2013 – Micheline Chevrier

• 2012 – Daniel David Moses

• 2011 – Michel Ouellette