Walterdale Theatre is a community theatre in Edmonton dedicated to creating and showcasing captivating performances. It is considered to have played a significant role in the development of Canadian drama. The venue houses one of the oldest theatrical groups in Western Canada. Walterdale was established and continues to be managed by volunteers, with participation from renowned actors. Learn more about its fascinating origins in this article on edmonton-trend.
Founding History
Walterdale was founded in the summer of 1958 by a group of young actors. Initially, the theatre was called Edmonton Theatre Associates. For the first three years after its establishment, the theatre did not have its own building, and the troupe performed in various locations, most often at Victoria High School and the Jubilee Auditorium.
Development of the Theatre
In 1961, the theatre began to flourish. Edmonton’s community leased the former John Walter School building to the group. The new venue, located on Walterdale Flats, became their first dedicated performance space.
In the same year, renovations transformed the old school building into a theatre named Walterdale. The space accommodated 70 seats and became home to over 50 productions within its first five years. The inaugural performance in the new space was Epitaph for George Dillon by John Osborne.
As the theatre gained popularity, there was a growing need for expansion. In 1966, Edmonton’s government announced plans to develop the area where Walterdale was located, prompting the theatre to relocate to the Air Force Hall.
The Air Force Hall, used by the Edmonton Squadron of the Canadian Legion, was situated at the corner of 114th Avenue and 107th Street, now the site of Kingsway Garden Mall. At this location, the theatre staged its first full-length Canadian play, Nothing But a Man by George Ryga, along with the popular summer melodrama Klondike, written and directed by Warren Graves.
In 1974, the city of Edmonton allocated a new building to the theatre. Known as Strathcona Fire Hall No. 1, it was the only surviving fire hall in Edmonton from the First World War era. Designed by notable architects Arthur Wilson and David Herrald, the building featured unique architectural elements, including brick construction with stone quoins, concrete flooring, and a distinctive 77-foot-high tower.
The fire hall underwent renovations to accommodate a 108-seat theatre. That same year, Edmonton declared the building a provincial historical landmark.
Modern Developments
In 1992, further renovations increased seating capacity to 145 and added facilities such as a rehearsal hall, dressing rooms, and offices on the second floor.
Today, Walterdale Theatre continues to thrive, offering audiences outstanding theatrical performances.
Numerous celebrated theatre professionals have honed their skills at Walterdale, including festival designer Leslie Frankish, who participated in its productions. Walterdale’s leadership has earned the Sterling Award for contributions to Edmonton’s theatre scene. Annually, the theatre presents five full-length productions and musicals, as well as evenings dedicated to one-act plays, enriching the cultural fabric of Edmonton.
