Théâtre Prospero

In 1911, on the site where the Prospero Theatre is located today, a theatre was built to present popular entertainment shows. In the fifties, it became the Caméo cinema (for the whole family) and later, the Québécois 11 cinema (for adults). In 1984, Le Groupe de la Veillée acquired this old, abandoned cinema and developed an infrastructure that would allow it to present its shows to a wider audience and to welcome other companies at the same time. The new theater was then named Espace La Veillée. In 1992, Le Groupe de la Veillée was forced by the City of Montreal to upgrade its building. What began as a renovation turned into a complete reconstruction and equipment of the theater with the necessary and indispensable tools for its optimal operation. It was at this time that La Veillée decided to transform a space in the basement into a small room for fifty spectators. The opening of our Intimate Room in 1995 allowed us to welcome many young companies, who presented their first attempts and scenic explorations. The new generation of artists now plays an important role in the theater's seasonal programming. Prospero now has a 180-seat main auditorium and a 45-seat intimate auditorium.

Until 1999, the theater was known as Espace La Veillée. At that time, the Group decided to change the name of the place, to give it a name more in line with its true function (theater), and more open to the world; Prospero being indeed the central character of Shakespeare's "The Tempest"; peacemaker and magician who mastered the natural elements and the spirits thanks to the power that books gave him. Since its reconstruction, the theater has hosted more than 340 productions and hundreds of artists from different backgrounds who have presented their creations there. The Prospero has allowed many creators, young and experienced, to defend their artistic paths and diverse aesthetic approaches. Creation is the fundamental and founding axis of Prospero, which develops a strong trajectory of text and play. In close dialogue with authors and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, it embraces the current issues of the theater and those, fundamental, of our world; it questions conventions. Contemporary writing is a powerful opportunity to refresh one's relationship with the spoken word and narrative by opening oneself up to the new forms it inspires. Prospero is also a space for Quebec and Canadian creative companies, as well as those from abroad, to develop a particular point of view on creation. As a place open to otherness, Prospero welcomes and accompanies productions at all levels of the presentation process.

The theater's activities are not limited to production, but also include hosting artists in residence, meetings with the public, supporting emerging artists' projects and exploratory laboratories such as Territoires de paroles, an event dedicated to the discovery of new contemporary dramaturgies. Prospero Theatre receives support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Canadian Heritage and Hydro Québec. It is a member of the Association des diffuseurs spécialisés en théâtre (ADST), the Association des compagnies de théâtre (ACT), the Conseil québécois du théâtre (CQT), Culture Montréal and the Voies culturelles des Faubourgs.

https://theatreprospero.com/

2024-03-01 > 2024-03-08
Federico Robledo - Chou Chou Ténèbres, Théâtre Prospero, Canada

2024-06-10 > 2024-06-15
Myriam Pruvot - Twisthead, Théâtre Prospero, Canada