Download PRESENTATION OF THE MAISON THÉÂTRE

Les Amis de Chiffon
(Chicoutimi)
L’ Arrière Scène
(Belœil)
Les Deux Mondes, compagnie de théâtre
Le Carrousel, compagnie de théâtre
Des mots d’la dynamite
DynamO Théâtre
Geordie Productions
L’Illusion, Théâtre de marionnettes
Le Moulin à Musique
Les Incomplètes
(Québec)
PRESENTATION OF THE MAISON THÉÂTRE
The Maison Théâtre is an association of 29 theatre companies
working throughout Quebec. Its mission is to present significant
theatrical works to young audiences, and to promote the development
and image of theatre for children and young people.
A LEADING INSTITUTION ON THE MONTREAL
THEATRE SCENE SINCE 1984
The Maison Théâtre is a performance hall specializing in theatre
for children and young people. Located in the heart of Montreal’s
Nuages en pantalon
(Québec)
Quartier des spectacles, it has been programming a selection of
Le Petit Théâtre de Sherbrooke
(Sherbrooke)
year since 1984. It welcomes some 52,000 spectators, either with
Samsara Théâtre
Théâtre Bouches Décousues
Théâtre Ébouriffé
Théâtre Bluff
(Laval)
Théâtre de l’Aubergine
(Québec)
Théâtre de l’Avant-Pays
Théâtre de l’Œil
Théâtre de Quartier
Théâtre des Confettis
(Québec)
Théâtre des Petites Âmes
Théâtre des 4 Coins
(Québec)
Théâtre du Gros Mécano
(Québec)
Théâtre Le Clou
Théâtre Magasin
Théâtre Motus
Théâtre Tout à Trac
Youtheatre
the most significant works of theatre from home and abroad, each
their families or in school or pre-school groups, to hundreds of
performances held each season. Residing since 1997 in a venue that
has been specially designed to meet the needs of young audiences
and the artists performing for them, and presenting performances
since 2013 in a hall dedicated to more intimate or experimental
shows, the Maison Théâtre is a leading institution on the Montreal
theatre scene.
Over and above its programming — consisting of 14 different
shows in 2016-2017 —, each year, it also offers a range of theatrical
outreach activities for children and adults. These awareness activities
help bring spectators closer to theatrical works. The Maison Théâtre
is therefore a key point of contact between spectators and artists, as
well as between all participants involved in youth theatre.
ITS VALUES
Over the years, the Maison Théâtre has become a symbol of high standards of professionalism in the
areas of theatrical creation, presentation, and outreach. To accomplish its mission, it is guided by three
principles :
• excellence - in the works it presents, in its relations with the milieu, and in its management
• fairness - in providing public access to its activities, and in its relations with its members
• involvement - in the theatrical milieu and in communities
ACCESS-TO-THE-ARTS PROGRAMS
The Maison Théâtre’s raison d’être is the child in the audience, for whom it endeavours to provide access
to culture through theatre. To reach the greatest number of children, it establishes access-to-the-arts programs
through which thousands of students and families from a variety of socio-cultural backgrounds get
to attend performances and take part in theatrical outreach activities. Through its Accès-Théâtre
policy, the Maison Théâtre also provides complementary tickets to organizations that support families
experiencing difficulties.
INVOLVEMENT IN THE MONTREAL COMMUNITY
Through its efforts, the Maison Théâtre is able to offer quality time to families and educational establishments
in the city. Its partners — such as Une école montréalaise pour tous, the Commission scolaire de
Montréal, and the Corporation d’habitation Jeanne-Mance (HJM) — allow for the creation of real contact
between various cultural communities that are often excluded from Montreal artistic activity, and for the
development of innovative projects that meet their needs. The work carried out by the Maison Théâtre in
elementary schools and high schools in the Centre-Sud neighbourhood, and its commitment to the HJM
community contribute to the social and cultural development of the Ville-Marie borough.
INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY
Its multiple partnerships with, notably, the Quartier des spectacles, the Centre des auteurs dramatiques,
Collège Lionel-Groulx’s theatre department, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, and a significant
number of arts programmers, along with its involvement in the Conseil québécois du théâtre, La Vitrine,
the Association des diffuseurs spécialisés en theatre, and Culture Montréal have made the Maison Théâtre
an institution that contributes to the artistic vitality of Montreal and its surrounding communities. Its
activities — including the Le théâtre pour les jeunes publics et la relève competition, La chambre d’amis,
and FOCUS Québec — play a role in advancing the discipline and raising the profile of youth theatre.
AN EVER-GROWING INSTITUTION…
1982 The Maison québécoise du théâtre pour l’enfance et la jeunesse (which became the Maison Théâtre) is founded by three youth theatre companies.
1984 For its first season, the Maison Théâtre rents the Tritorium in the Cégep du Vieux Montréal, one of the only venues available in Montreal at the time, but one that was badly adapted to the needs of young audiences and the artists working for them.
1994 The Maison Théâtre celebrates its 10th anniversary. The success of its productions is growing, but the mediocre nature of the Tritorium venue hinders the quality of the shows. Constructing a real theatre, with two halls, offering reception and performance conditions equal to those in theatres for adults, continues to be a priority.
1995
Découvertes théâtrales—an accessibility program carried out through a partnership with cultural pre
senters in four Montreal boroughs—is established.
1996
Renovation of the Tritorium. The Maison Théâtre moves from venue to venue to present its shows for the season.
1997 Inauguration of the new the Maison Théâtre performance space on October 6. A magnificent hall,
conceived and designed by artists for young audiences. A second performance hall is still lacking.
The Maison Théâtre receives the Prix Initiative awarded by the Réseau indépendant des diffuseurs d’événements artistiques unis (RIDEAU), recognizing its exceptional support for young audiences with its one-day Parcours and its Découvertes théâtrales project.
2000
Les Enfants d’abord campaign, launched to cover the construction costs for the new performance hall and to establish a fund for arts education activities, raises 1.3 million dollars.
Creation of Théâtre devant soi, an access-to-the-arts program for residents of the building complex neighbouring the Maison Théâtre.
2003
Creation of Destination Théâtre, an access-to-the-arts program promoting theatre attendance as a tool for cultural integration.
2004 The Maison Théâtre welcomes its one millionth spectator.
2006 The Maison Théâtre receives the Masque for Foreign Production, awarded by the Académie québécoise du théâtre, for the presentation of the show Dégage petit ! by the Gare Centrale company (Brussels).
2007 Presentation of Formidable!, a unique theatre event featuring four intimate shows in unusual formats. The Maison Théâtre reinvents its spaces for the occasion.
2008 The 25th season kicks off on May 13. Various activities are organized to celebrate the quarter century, including an exhibition at the Grande Bibliothèque: Une Maison aux mille rencontres.
2009 Signature of a three-year partnership agreement with the CSDM.
2010
The Maison Théâtre holds its policy convention.
2011
Activation of the Maison Théâtre’s Foundation. 2012
Renewal of the three-year partnership agreement with the CSDM, and the first edition of FOCUS Québec.
2013
The 30th season is announced on May 13. Fifteen shows are presented in two performance halls: the Maison Théâtre at home and the Maison Théâtre at Théâtre Prospero.
2014 An agreement in principle is signed between the Government of Quebec, the Maison Théâtre, and Cégep du Vieux Montréal for the construction of a second performance hall shared by the two institutions.
2015 The Government of Quebec announces over $10 million in financial aid for the construction of this multi-purpose hall.
ITS FUNDING STRUCTURE
To fulfill its mandate, the Maison Théâtre requires over two million dollars each year, broken down as follows :
45 %
25 %
own-source revenue (box office)
private funding (donations and sponsorships)
30 %
public funding (government grants)
ITS MAIN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTNERS
Agreement on the Cultural
Development of Montreal – Projects
supported by the Department of
Culture and Communications and the
City of Montreal.
DÉCOUVERTES THÉÂTRALES
SPONSOR