Forty-One Million Stories: Celebrating Canadian Theatre

March 4, 2026

Toronto, Ontario. (March 4, 2026) — This March, the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and L’Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (AFTC),  in partnership with The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People Canada (ASSITEJ Canada) are marking World Theatre Week, from March 20 with World Theatre Day for Children and Young People to World Theatre Day on March 27. Canadians are invited to join in the celebration of Canadian identities and the home that theatre creates for all stories.

World Theatre Day, recognized annually on March 27, is as an opportunity to celebrate the value and contribution of theatre to our communities.

Each year, one in four Canadians experiences the joy of live theatre. Theatres play a vital role in our communities as place to gather and connect, learn from one another’s experiences, find commonalities and celebrate our differences. At a time with increasing global uncertainty and division, theatres remain essential spaces where people of all ages can come together, be inspired, feel valued and express themselves.

Canadian World Theatre Day Ambassador

We are delighted to share this year’s Canadian World Theatre Day Ambassador is acclaimed actor, playwright, poet and teacher who has performed on stages across Canada, Walter Borden.

“There are forty-one million voices that can tell forty-one million stories in this nation of ours, each story no less valid or no less vital than any other” said Borden, “Collectively they tell our Canadian story; without them our story remains incomplete.”

Borden’s full message will be available online on Friday, March 27, 2026. This will be accompanied by a bilingual video of the address featuring Borden and actor Martin Albert.

Canadian Theatre’s Impact

• Canada’s theatres employ over 30,000 people; from artists, technicians, administrators and theatre workers;
• 10 million Canadians attend live theatre performances each year;
• Over 3,500 Canadian works are performed each year;
• Theatres turn every $1 invested by the Federal Government into $15.06 in economic impact.
• 2.3 million Canadians attend theatre performances created for young audiences each year.

“Theatre empowers young people to see themselves represented on stage, allowing them to identify their own potential and possibilities” said Monica Dufault, ASSITEJ Canada Board President.

How to get Involved

PACT, ATFC, and ASSITEJ invite all theatre lovers to find ways to participate in marking World Theatre Week between March 20-27.

• Book a ticket and go to see a show. Consider trying something new. PACT.ca/MAP, or L'ATFC?Fier d'appuyer des compagnies de théâtre canadienne #GoSeeAShow
• Share your theatre story online using #WorldTheatreDay
• Use our tool kit with resources and visuals to help spread the message. PACT / World Theatre Day Resources
• Reach out to your Member of Parliament and let them know theatre is important to you.
• Participate in local and online World Theatre Day events. PACT / Calendar

World Theatre Day – International

The International Theatre Institute (ITI) has announced actor and theatre maker Willem Dafoe as the 2026 International World Theatre Day Ambassador.

“Shared experience in real time of an act of creation, that may be scored and designed but is always different, is certainly the obvious strength of the theatre,” said Dafoe, “Socially, politically, theatre has never been so important and vital to our understanding of ourselves and the world.”

For more information and to read Dafoe’s full message, visit: World-theatre-day.org

For more information about World Theatre Day in Canada visit PACT.ca/WorldTheatreDay or atfc.ca/fr.

About PACT

PACT is the collective voice of professional Canadian theatres, a leader in the performing arts community, and a devoted advocate of the value of live performance. PACT represents over 170 professional English-speaking theatre companies operating in communities across the country.

About ATFC 

ATFC in a national arts service organization represents and serves 17 members: professional Francophone theater companies in six predominantly English-speaking Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. In turn, the Association also supports the artists who gravitate around them.

About ASSITEJ Canada

ASSITEJ Canada is a membership-driven, non-profit, inclusive service organization. It supports and promotes the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge, development and practice in the professional performing arts for young audiences in order to increase creative co-operation and to deepen mutual understanding.

- 30 -

                                                                       
Media Contact:

Ainslee Jessiman (English)

Membership & Communications Manager, PACT

ainsleej@pact.ca

416-595-6455 ext. 1519

Eva Suray (French)

Communications and Equity Action Manager, AFTC

eva@atfc.ca

613.562.2233 ext. 4

Related News