Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
In 1944 Workshop 14, an amateur theatre group, was founded in Calgary, Alberta by Dr. Betty Mitchell. During the 1940s and 1950s, it was recognized as one of the top amateur companies in Canada. The Musicians' and Actors' Club, known as MAC, was formed in 1963 by Don Boyes, Eddie Wong and Harry Pinchon. It presented comparatively radical short plays and musical revues. These two amateur groups amalgamated in 1965 to form MAC 14 Society. Ken Dyba, the artistic director, helped guide MAC 14 through the transition from amateur to professional standing. In 1968 the company was renamed Theatre Calgary.
As a professional company it has offered mainstage, alternative theatre, and school-touring productions, as well as theatre workshops. Artistic directors have been Christopher Newton (1968-1971), Clark Rogers (1971-1972), Harold Baldridge (1973-1978), Rick McNair (1978-1985) and Martin Kinch (1986-1991). Originally based in the Allied Arts Centre (later the QR Centre), Theatre Calgary moved into the Max Bell Theatre in the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts in 1985.
For more details see A History of Prairie Theatre / E. Ross Stuart. - Toronto : Simon and Pierre, 1984; and Joyce Doolittle's article, "Theatre Calgary", in The Oxford Companion to Canadian Theatre / Eugene Benson and L.W. Connolly, eds. -- Toronto : Oxford University Press, 1989, p. 526-527.