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Be part of North America's most significant new theatre project
Theatre is the most ephemeral of arts, but the Stratford Festival offers you an opportunity to be a permanent part of theatre history by contributing to the most significant new theatre project currently underway in North America.
The dream of Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, the new Tom Patterson Theatre will put the Stratford Festival at the forefront of theatrical innovation, enhancing its position as a world leader.
The Theatre will offer spaces for cultural and social engagement, theatrical research and development, and education, with facilities for enhanced student engagement both onsite and in the digital realm.
Uniquely appointed auditorium
At the Theatre's core, wrapped in pale brick masonry, will be a uniquely appointed auditorium with an elongated thrust stage held in the warm embrace of the audience: a theatre reminiscent of its predecessor but with vastly improved comfort and accessibility, as well as superb production capabilities.
The auditorium will be surrounded by a glass and bronze curtain, reflecting the beauty of the riverbank it overlooks and creating a variety of gathering and presentation spaces within the vast lobby.
The project has captured the imaginations of many supporters, including the federal and provincial governments, which have each contributed $20 million - the largest contributions ever made to a cultural organization outside a major Canadian urban centre. Dan Bernstein, past Chair of the Festival's Board of Governors, and his wife, Claire Foerster have contributed $10 million. Ophelia Lazaridis, Co-Chair of the campaign has also given $10 million and has pledged an additional $5 million as a challenge grant to take us over the top.
With a goal of $100 million, the Spirit of the Tent Campaign offers a rare opportunity to be part of the future of classical theatre in North America. We hope you will join us in this thrilling undertaking. Every new donation will be matched, doubling the impact of each gift.