The Ottawa Little Theatre Inc. is a Canadian nonprofit community theatre organization, recognized as the longest continuously running community theatre in Canada and one of the oldest in North America.

History

Founded in 1913 as the Ottawa Drama League (ODL) at a meeting of the Canadian Federation of University Women, the organization initially focused on attending touring theatre productions, lectures, and play readings. Its first staged production occurred on June 5-6, 1914, at the Russell Theatre, featuring three one-act plays: Magic, Riders to the Sea, and The Dear Departed.

In 1915, the ODL secured the auditorium of the Victoria Memorial Museum (now the Canadian Museum of Nature) as its new performance venue, officially opening it with a lecture by British playwright and actor Harley Granville-Barker. However, after the 1916 fire that destroyed Canada’s Parliament Buildings, the House of Commons took over the museum auditorium during reconstruction, forcing the theatre group to return to various other venues, including the Russell Theatre.

Over the decades, the Ottawa Little Theatre has produced a broad repertoire ranging from classic plays to contemporary works, with a strong commitment to community involvement and fostering local talent.

Significance

As a cornerstone of Ottawa’s cultural landscape, the Ottawa Little Theatre has contributed extensively to the development of amateur theatre in Canada. It maintains a legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement, hosting numerous productions and serving as a training ground for performers, directors, and technical personnel in the performing arts.

Organizational Status

The Ottawa Little Theatre Inc. is officially registered as a Canadian nonprofit organization, with the business registration number 119071678RR0001.

Legacy

Through more than a century of operation, the theatre continues to be a vital institution in Canada's performing arts scene, celebrated for its resilience and dedication to community theatre.

This article is based on information compiled from the Ottawa Little Theatre's historical background and public records.[1][2][4][5]