Community Engagement
Connecting locals with their civic spaces through programming, events and partnerships.
Community Engagement
About us
About Vancouver Civic Theatres
Owned and operated by the City of Vancouver, and committed to developing, enhancing and promoting the city’s vibrant arts scene.
Vancouver Civic Theatres
Sharing Vancouver’s creative community with the world
Vancouver Civic Theatres (VCT) is owned and operated by the City of Vancouver, and is committed to developing, enhancing and promoting the city’s vibrant arts scene, sharing with the world the astonishing breadth and depth of Vancouver’s creative community and cultural entrepreneurs.
VCT's myriad of theatres and performance spaces includes the Orpheum, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Annex, and šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn which regularly host award-winning performances, independent productions, and groups from across the globe.
VCT bridges the connection between patron and performer, providing culture enthusiasts with access to an endless array of arts and entertainment productions, including concerts, theatre, classical music, opera and Broadway shows.
Our history
Three stages, three eras of Vancouver
The stories behind the Orpheum, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Vancouver Playhouse.
1927
Orpheum
- The Orpheum debuted in 1927 as Vancouver’s biggest vaudeville house. Later it transitioned into a movie palace and eventually a concert hall.
- Patrons travelled to Vancouver from around the world to experience legendary performers like Fred Astaire and the Marx Brothers, as well as up-and-comers like tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.
- Scores of arches, varying from rounded Romanesque to pointed Gothic, lend the building a sense of progression and lead the eye to the proscenium stage.
1959
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
- Built in 1959 as part of an international design competition, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre served as a prototype for more than a generation of theatre complexes across Canada and the U.S.
- For the first time, major roadshows such as My Fair Lady were able to present productions in Vancouver.
- Today, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is home to the Vancouver Opera, Ballet BC, major concerts and larger touring shows.
1962
Vancouver Playhouse
- Built in conjunction with the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the Vancouver Playhouse opened in 1962 at a critical point in the development of the performing arts culture in Canada.
- Today, the Vancouver Playhouse is home to DanceHouse, Friends of Chamber Music and the Vancouver Recital Society, in addition to a wide range of established and emerging local arts organizations.
More about VCT
Programs and policies
Visual Arts
Our venues as gallery space for local visual artists and arts organizations to exhibit their work.
Visual Arts
Grants
The Theatre Rental Grant is funded and administered by the City of Vancouver's Cultural Services department in partnership with Vancouver Civic Theatres.
Theatre Rental Grants
Sustainability
Extensive recycling programs in support of the City of Vancouver's zero waste targets, and local products in our food and beverage offerings.
Sustainable practices
Code of Conduct
A welcoming and safe environment for our patrons, staff, clients, and artists.
VCT Code of Conduct
Careers
Looking for a career at VCT?
Our open jobs are posted via the City of Vancouver's Human Resources website.