Theatre/Théâtre Canada is an organization of organizations. We are a national "umbrella" structure, so that our members can concentrate on doing what they do best: producing great theatre. We act as a information clearinghouse about what is happening in each member organization across the country and we encourage our members to exchange newsletters and to keep in touch with each other.

Internationally, Theatre/Théâtre Canada is Canada's official national member n two important organizations: AITA/IATA: International Amateur Theatre Association (Community/amateur theatre) and IDEA: International Drama /Theatre and Educational Theatre Association (educational theatre). Both provide exciting opportunities for Canadians to participate in international events as performers, technicians and audience members.

OUR OBJECTIVES :

Dialogue and Information Sharing.     
We want to build a strong relationship with our members and address their concerns. As a result, we intend to conduct a poll in order to learn about their plans and projects, the challenges they are facing, etc. At the same time, we want members to get to know one another. We hope to learn about what our members are working on and share that information, for the benefit of all members, either through the website, or the newsletter; 

Reaching Out to the World.
We want Theatre Canada to serve as a bridge between Canada and the world. We want to gain a better understanding of the links with international associations and share information about international opportunities with our Canadian members.

According to the new President, Robert A. Corbeil, it is essential for Theatre Canada to have a realistic mission. “We have to get to know our members better, so that we can offer services that meet their needs. In the coming months, we are going to have to work to secure funding for the organization and develop a three-year plan that reflects the needs of the membership. At the moment, we are aware of a need for dialogue and information sharing, at both the national and international levels.”  

The new President added that while achieving this new mission will not happen overnight, members can nonetheless count on a dedicated Executive Committee that is firmly focussed on the interests of amateur and educational theatre.

It is also important to note that, during the last AGM, members of Theatre Canada elected a new Executive Committee. Here are the members:

• President: Robert A. Corbeil, President, President, Executive Director of CCEPIRSS and Member of the GCM of IDEA. – Robert is also the Co-Chair of the Alliance culturelle de l’Ontario / Ontario .president@theatrecanada.org;
• Vice-President: Yoland Roy – Yoland is the Director General of the Fédération québécoise du théâtre amateur (FQTA) / Québec / vicepresident@theatrecanada.org;
• Secretary: Donna Marie Barrata – Donna Marie is the Past President of CODE (Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators) / Ontario / secretary@theatrecanada.org;
• Treasurer: Robert Morgan – Robert represents ABCDE (Association of British Columbia Drama Educators) / British Columbia / treasurer@theatrecanada.org.

Theatre Canada is committed to the promotion and development of amateur and educational theatre in Canada in both official languages.

Theatre Canada: A Valuable Role!

Theatre Canada’s mission is “ to encourage and promote the development of educational and amateur theatre throughout Canada, in the two official languages.”

Two of its key objectives spell out this mission more specifically: (1) to provide national presence and advocacy for educational and amateur theatre; (2) to liaise and promote cooperation in all cultures and all sectors of theatre in Canada.

Theatre Canada’s stated mission should act as a clarion call for provincial educational and amateur associations/organizations to fully participate in the activities of this organization. The national and provincial organizations have complementary objectives. The organizations at the provincial level, similar to Theatre Canada at the national level, play a key role in supporting, encouraging and developing educational and amateur theatre/drama. The voice, therefore, of drama and theatre in each province can only be strengthened by having an association with an organization which speaks for all Canadians on the importance of drama/theatre in their lives.

The role and mandate of teachers of theatre/ drama or executive directors of provincial community theatre organizations does not end at their classroom or office doors. Nor does it end at their school/office, city, region or province. Teachers and administrators must also have or acquire both national and international perspective. Theatre Canada’s mission and key objectives indicate that it is the most valuable body to assist educators/administrators in achieving the latter perspective.

Over the years, Theatre Canada, under the leadership of its Board of Directors, and the support of its membership, worked hard to provide various resources to the membership and to connect people and organizations. Notwithstanding this success, Theatre Canada in 2005 was faced with a serious challenge. In that year, for a number of reasons, many individuals who had been closely involved with the organization for a number of years moved on. With the membership of the Board of Directors nearly depleted, Theatre Canada was in danger of collapsing. Who would take up the challenge of securing the ongoing life and viability of the organization? Who would provide new vision, energy and leadership?

In the fall of 2005, these questions were addressed by the remaining members of the Theatre Canada Board during a number of teleconference meetings. From these teleconference meetings, there grew a spirit of hope and optimism for the well being of Theatre Canada. During these meetings, plans were formulated and then implemented to achieve the ongoing life and viability of Theatre Canada.

Provincial educational and amateur organizations should continue to support and participate in the activities of Theatre Canada, the organization which serves as their avenue for inter-provincial and national communication and acts as their voice internationally. (Robert Morgan )