About the 4 Theatres

THEATRE AURORA (TA)

In November 1958, The Aurora Drama Workshop was rehearsing a play called Tovarich. Under the sponsorship of the Hobby Craft Guild of Aurora, the group made its debut on November 7, 1958 at the Aurora District High School.

Then in 1973, amalgamation with the Aurora Musical Theatre Society resulted in the new Theatre Aurora. In 1974, the Town of Aurora offered a lease on the cement factory on Henderson Drive to the newly formed group. Extensive renovations by the new group’s members and patrons transformed the old abandoned factory to a warm and inviting space for both cast, crew and patrons.

In 1999 we were granted Charitable Status. This gave our long-term members and supporters the opportunity to donate to us while receiving a tax receipt for their generosity.

In 2004 we began a ten year lease at our theatre. With this lease came the responsibility for us to repair and maintain both the interior and exterior of the building. To enable us to do this, Theatre Aurora was the proud recipient of a capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. With the help of this grant, a new lighting board and sound equipment enhanced our technical capabilities. Air conditioning was installed, much to our audiences and melting actors’ relief, as well as a fire alarm and sprinkler system.

Our group is a member of the Association of Community Theatres – Central Ontario (ACT-CO). We have been nominated and awarded in ACT-CO’s annual festival of plays and musical productions and have been honoured to remount a production for the Theatre Ontario Festival.

Today, after 60 years, Theatre Aurora has the honour of producing five productions per year, giving our audiences and members the opportunity to explore the theatre arts in comedy, drama and musicals.

MARKHAM LITTLE THEATRE (MLT)

Markham Little Theatre (MLT) is an award-winning community theatre group, a registered charity and a not-for-profit organization.  We have been producing quality shows for over 50 years, and have had a great time doing it!  

MLT is staffed entirely by volunteers who embrace the theatre world and all it has to offer.  A creative group of people with a wonderful audience, we are VERY much looking forward to getting back on stage now that we can see the light at the end of a long pandemic tunnel.

MLT is a member of ACT-CO, the Association of Community Theatres-Central Ontario, and our home (affectionately named “Backstage”) can be found on the grounds of the Markham Museum.

BURLOAK THEATRE GROUP 

WE BELIEVE IN BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH THEATRE

Established in 1976, the BurlOak Theatre Group is one of the longest standing community theatre groups in Oakville.
BurlOak’s first presentation was a workshop production of four one-act plays performed at Sheridan College, followed by Plaza Suite at the same venue. We then moved over to Nelson High School in Burlington to perform Barefoot in the Park.

In 1977, after a week of official ceremonies, the group opened the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts with The Odd Couple.
We have been presenting shows at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts ever since and are proud to produce four shows annually. We love the stage but we believe theatre can be so much more. BOTG strives to nurture newcomers, expand skills, develop friendships, and give back.

In 2013 BOTG received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation devoted to creating family-friendly theatre in Oakville. This past December marked the seventh year of our annual holiday pantomime. The boisterous, silly, and hilarious winter production appeals to multi-generational families, people of all backgrounds and has become a tradition for many in our community.
Over the last three seasons BOTG has run a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to local charities. With the help of our generous audiences we have been able to raise over $11,000 that has been donated to a variety of groups such as The Humane Society, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Fare Share Food Bank.

BurlOak Theatre Group aspires to create a welcoming place for everyone. Whether that is on the stage, behind the scenes, or as part of the audience – we invite you to be a part of our community.

SCARBOROUGH MUSIC THEATRE (SMT)

Scarborough Music Theatre has been providing affordable, quality musical theatre and arts education opportunities in the Scarborough area since 1962!

Working out of the Scarborough Village Theatre, each season the group produces 3 mainstage musicals, from more traditional shows like Oklahoma, The Music Man, and Anne of Green Gables to modern shows that challenge patrons, performers and designers like The Addams Family, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Next to Normal. Alongside these productions we also offer workshops and cabaret performance opportunities.  We are looking forward to our upcoming 60th season!

In 2015 SMT added a youth camp to our offerings. This program has thrived and expanded and now offers educational training year-round including 1 mainstage production, a March Break camp, 2 Summer Day Camps and a Teen Intensive as well as a spring time cabaret.

60 years. Over 180 shows. Hundreds of volunteers working on and off stage to entertain thousands more – all for the love of a tradition of storytelling that stretches back as far as human history.

This year we look forward to a return to live theatre and the celebration of 60 years of bringing performing arts to the Scarborough area.