Western Gold Theatre

Western Gold Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, founded in 1994 by Joy Coghill O.C. It is one of only two professional theatre companies in Canada solely devoted to centring the voices and stories of seniors and Elders aged 55 and over across cultures and communities. The company has the express mandate of addressing and mitigating ageism by presenting both theatre classics and newly commissioned Canadian works that reflect the rich experience of this rapidly growing demographic. The one thing all productions have in common, and which guides its artistic choices, is the all-important theme of how all of us embrace and/or confront our lives and the passage of time. As part of its mandate, Western Gold also mentors emerging professional artists of all ages, experiences, and communities as they share the boards with the company. This intergenerational and intercultural sharing is integral to what Western Gold does. The company's objectives include creating a range of opportunities for senior artists to continue their life-long work, mentoring emerging artists in all aspects of the performing arts, engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds in theatrical performances by senior artists, and encouraging conversation amongst the Canadian public on the impact and joys of aging. Western Gold Theatre has been helmed for the majority of its time by a number of Canada's leading theatre artists, including founder Joy Coghill, Artistic Directors Pamela Hawthorne, Colleen Winton, and Anna Hagan, and General Manager Glenn MacDonald. The current Artistic Director is Tanja Dixon-Warren. The company stages plays in Vancouver and runs events such as the Have A Senior Moment Festival, a 10-day festival featuring new play readings, artist salons, a Métis kitchen party, movie night, and more. Western Gold Theatre describes itself as a vibrant creative gathering place for artists and audiences, young and old, and celebrates the idea that creativity has no expiry date.

Western Gold Theatre was founded in 1994 by Joy Coghill O.C. in response to the dearth of roles for veteran professional artists in the Vancouver area. Coghill, a leading Canadian theatre artist, established the company to create opportunities for senior actors to continue their life-long work and to address the lack of substantial roles for older performers. The company has been helmed for the majority of its time by a number of Canada's leading theatre artists, including founder Joy Coghill, Artistic Directors Pamela Hawthorne, Colleen Winton, and Anna Hagan, and General Manager Glenn MacDonald. Over the decades, Western Gold Theatre has built a reputation as one of only two professional theatre companies in Canada solely devoted to centring the voices and stories of seniors and Elders aged 55 and over across cultures and communities. Its mandate includes addressing and mitigating ageism by presenting both theatre classics and newly commissioned Canadian works that reflect the rich experience of this rapidly growing demographic. The company also mentors emerging professional artists of all ages, experiences, and communities as they share the boards with senior artists, making intergenerational and intercultural sharing integral to its work. In recent years, under Artistic Director Tanja Dixon-Warren, Western Gold Theatre has continued to produce mainstage seasons and events such as the Have A Senior Moment Festival, a 10-day festival featuring new play readings, artist salons, a Métis kitchen party, movie night, and more. The company remains a vibrant creative gathering place for artists and audiences, young and old, in Vancouver.

• 2026

  Western Gold's 2026 Season announced, themed around navigating life.

• 1994

  Western Gold Theatre founded by Joy Coghill O.C. in Vancouver.

• Pamela Hawthorne serves as Artistic Director.

• Colleen Winton serves as Artistic Director.

• Anna Hagan serves as Artistic Director.

• Glenn MacDonald serves as General Manager.

• Tanja Dixon-Warren serves as Artistic Director.

• Have A Senior Moment Festival returns September 24 – October 4.

Canada's premier professional theatre company focused on senior artists aged 55+, addressing ageism through classic and newly commissioned works.

• Mainstage season productions

  Theatre classics and newly commissioned Canadian works.

• Have A Senior Moment Festival

  10-day festival featuring new play readings, artist salons, Métis kitchen party, movie night and more.

• New play readings

  Readings of new works.

• Artist salons

  Gatherings for artists.

• Mentorship programs

  Mentoring emerging professional artists of all ages.

1. 1Vancouver Theatre Companies | Plays in Vancouverwesterngoldtheatre.org
2. 2About Us | Live Plays Vancouver | Vancouver Theatre Companieswesterngoldtheatre.org
3. 3Western Gold Theatrewikidata.org