Who We Are
Theatre Aquarius is recognized as a leader in Canadian theatre. Theatre Aquarius produces work of the highest quality, premieres new plays, develops the skills of professional artists, invests in youth and families and contributes to the quality of life in this region.
Theatre Aquarius is dedicated to improving this region through the arts and embodies the qualities that define us as a community: an appreciation for excellence, an appetite for diverse ideas and a need to connect with one another.
Our vision to provide a leadership role in this region drives everything we do as we seek to create outstanding, accessible live theatre that entertains, challenges and educates.
Theatre Aquarius is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and proudly engages artists who are members of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA) and stage technicians who are members of IATSE Locals 129 and 828.
Theatre Aquarius by the Numbers
Seasons as Hamilton's Professional Theatre
public performances of 6 mainstage productions each season
+ Visitors to the theatre each year
Impact on the City
Each Pin represents a unique household that purchased tickets to a Theatre Aquarius show in the last year
As Hamilton’s Professional Theatre, Theatre Aquarius is an anchor for revitalization in Downtown Hamilton, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors a year. Our patrons visit the many unique and interesting restaurants that can be found in our city’s core, and spend more than $4 million annually dining, parking and shopping during their visits to Theatre Aquarius. Together with the economic activity of more than 100 person-years of employment per season, and the commitment of our production teams to purchasing materials from local vendors wherever possible, Theatre Aquarius is proud to contribute direct economic benefits to Hamilton of more than $12 million dollars each year!
- $252,000 – Parking Fees paid annually by patrons to private and city lots (source: 2016 patron survey)
- $1,800,000 – Materials and construction supplies purchased from local vendors annually
- $4,405,000 – 87.4% of patrons dine locally when attending (Source: 2016 Patron Survey)
- $6,200,000 – Economic activity generated annually including approx. 100 person-years of employment (Source: Ontario Arts Council – Assessing the Local Impact of the Arts)
- $12,657,000+ – Direct economic benefits to our city
Facilities
Theatre Aquarius owns and manages the Dofasco Centre for the Arts which houses the fully equipped 700 seat, proscenium style, Irving Zucker Auditorium and the 125 seat Norman and Louise Haac Studio Theatre which doubles as the Rehearsal Hall. The Dofasco Centre for the Arts also features the stunning two-storey glass and steel encased Ron and Donna Patterson Lobby, as well as the upscale Michael and Jane Schwenger Director’s Lounge which is used exclusively by Director’s Circle Members on performance dates.
