Grand Theatre, Performance theater in downtown Kingston, Canada
The Grand Theatre is a performing arts venue in downtown Kingston, Ontario, built in 1901–02 on the site of the former Martin's Opera House. Its main auditorium seats 776 people and has a proscenium stage and an orchestra pit. The building also houses a smaller black box theatre, The Baby Grand, seating 105.
The Grand Theatre was built in 1901–02 on the site of Martin's Opera House, which burned down on 6 December 1898, and opened as the Grand Opera House with a gala performance on 14 January 1902. Impresario Ambrose J. Small owned and ran it from 1905 to 1936, when Famous Players bought it and converted it into a cinema that reopened on 20 May 1938. It closed in 1961, was saved from demolition by the Kingston Arts Council, and reopened as The Grand Theatre on 20 May 1966.
The theater hosts year-round performances featuring drama, musicals, and dance from both established companies and local artists. This variety reflects how the venue has become central to the city's artistic life and community expression.
The best time to visit is in the evening when most performances take place. Check directly with the venue for specific accessibility information and details about upcoming shows.
The venue runs specialized workshops and educational programs that connect local youth with professional performers and stage production techniques. These initiatives give young people hands-on experience and insight into how a theater operates behind the scenes.
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