Centaur Theatre Company

Centaur Theatre Company is a professional English-language theatre organization based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1969 by theatre director Maurice Podbrey together with The Centaur Foundation for the Performing Arts, it developed into one of the principal institutions serving Montreal's English-speaking theatre community and is widely identified as the city's flagship English-language theatre company. The company operates from the Old Stock Exchange Building in Old Montreal, a historic structure designed by American architect George B. Post and completed in 1903. The building originally housed the Montreal Stock Exchange, which remained there until 1965. Centaur initially leased a partially renovated auditorium in the building from 1969 through 1973. In 1974, the company acquired the property and undertook a major renovation project costing approximately $1.3 million. Architect Victor Prus led the redesign, which created a second performance space and adapted the former exchange building for contemporary theatrical use. The renovated venue reopened in 1975. Its original black-box auditorium was subsequently known as C1 and seats approximately 220 people. The newer C2 auditorium uses a more conventional proscenium configuration and seats approximately 420. Together, the two spaces allow Centaur to present productions at different scales while retaining a distinctive connection to Montreal's architectural and cultural history. Centaur's programming is centered on live theatrical productions in English. Its role is both artistic and civic: it provides a home for professional theatre in Montreal's English-language cultural sector and contributes to the broader performing-arts life of the city. Publicly documented leadership transitions show a long institutional history under successive artistic and executive directors. Podbrey retired in 1997 and was succeeded by Gordon McCall. Roy Surette served as the third artistic and executive director from 2007 to 2017. In 2017, Eda Holmes became the fourth artistic and executive director and the first woman to hold that position. The company remains active at its Old Montreal venue. Its identity is closely associated with English-language theatre, the adaptive reuse of a landmark building, and the presentation of professional stage work for Montreal audiences. Detailed information about individual productions, current board membership, and additional programming should be verified against the company's current official materials.

Centaur Theatre Company was established in Montreal in 1969 by Maurice Podbrey and The Centaur Foundation for the Performing Arts. The company began its operations in the partially renovated auditorium of the Old Stock Exchange Building, a historic structure in Old Montreal that had been designed by George B. Post and completed in 1903 for the Montreal Stock Exchange. The building continued to be associated with the stock exchange until 1965, after which it became available for other uses. From 1969 to 1973, Centaur leased space in the building while developing its institutional and artistic presence. In 1974, the company purchased the property and committed to a substantial redevelopment. The renovation, designed by architect Victor Prus, reportedly cost approximately $1.3 million and converted the former exchange premises into a purpose-built home for theatrical presentation while preserving its landmark setting. The building reopened in 1975 with two auditoriums. The original black-box space became known as C1 and has seating for approximately 220 people. The second auditorium, C2, was designed as a more traditional proscenium theatre and seats approximately 420. The two-venue configuration gave Centaur the capacity to mount productions of different formats and scales within the same building. Podbrey remained associated with the company as its leading artistic and executive figure until his retirement in 1997. Gordon McCall then succeeded him. Roy Surette became the company's third artistic and executive director in 2007 and held the position until 2017. That year, Eda Holmes was appointed the fourth artistic and executive director and became the first woman to lead Centaur in that combined role. Susan Da Sie is identified as chair of the board. Across its history, Centaur has occupied a distinctive place in Montreal's cultural landscape as the city's flagship English-language theatre company. Its institutional identity is grounded in professional live performance, service to the English-language theatre community, and operation from a historically significant Old Montreal building. Publicly available reference material does not provide a complete production-by-production history, full financial history, or comprehensive account of all community and educational programs; those areas require verification from the company's archives or current official publications.

• 2017

  Eda Holmes appointed director

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Eda Holmes became Centaur's fourth artistic and executive director and its first woman to hold the combined leadership role.

• 2007

  Roy Surette becomes artistic and executive director

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Roy Surette succeeded Gordon McCall as the company's third artistic and executive director.

• 1997

  Maurice Podbrey retires

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Co-founder Maurice Podbrey retired from the company and was succeeded by Gordon McCall.

• 1975

  Two-auditorium venue reopens

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The renovated building reopened with the C1 black-box theatre and the larger C2 proscenium auditorium.

• 1974

  Company purchases its theatre building

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  After several years as a tenant, Centaur acquired the former Old Stock Exchange Building and began a major renovation project.

• 1969

  Centaur Theatre Company founded

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Maurice Podbrey and The Centaur Foundation for the Performing Arts co-founded the company in Montreal.

• 1903

  Old Stock Exchange Building completed

  [1]Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The building that later became Centaur Theatre's home was completed in Old Montreal to house the Montreal Stock Exchange.

Montreal's leading English-language theatre institution, combining professional theatrical production with a historic Old Montreal venue.

• Black-box theatre venue · 1975

  C1

  C1 is Centaur's original black-box auditorium. It seats approximately 220 people and provides a flexible, more intimate setting for theatrical productions. The space forms part of the company's two-venue configuration in the renovated Old Stock Exchange Building.

• Proscenium theatre venue · 1975

  C2

  C2 is the larger auditorium created during the company's 1970s renovation of its Old Montreal home. Designed in a conventional proscenium format, it seats approximately 420 people and supports larger-scale theatrical presentations.

• Live theatre programming · 1969

  English-language theatre productions

  Centaur's core offering is professional live theatre presented in English. Productions are staged for Montreal audiences across the company's C1 and C2 venues. The available reference material identifies this programming role but does not provide a complete catalogue of individual productions.

• 1974

  Acquire and renovate the Old Stock Exchange BuildingStrategy

  Background

  Centaur had operated from leased space in the partially renovated historic building since its founding. Securing permanent ownership created the basis for a dedicated institutional home.

  Action taken

  The company purchased the building and commissioned architect Victor Prus to undertake a renovation reported to have cost approximately $1.3 million.

  Aftermath

  The venue reopened in 1975 with two auditoriums, enabling Centaur to present theatre in both a black-box space and a larger proscenium venue.

  Renovation cost. $1.3 million (1974 renovation)

  Source

1. 1Centaur Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Centaur Theatre Company official websitecentaurtheatre.com