Forty-One Million Stories - And Its Only the Beginning

March 27, 2026

Celebrate World Theatre Day with the 2026 Canadian Ambassador for World Theatre Day Walter Borden’s message to Canadians

Toronto, Ontario. (March 27, 2026) – Today, 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) invite Canadians to share in World Theatre Day and the home that theatre creates for forty-one million stories across Canada.

To mark the occasion, the 2026 Canadian Ambassador for World Theatre Day, acclaimed actor, playwright, poet and teacher Walter Borden_{, CM}. shares his message with Canadians; reflecting on the role that theatre plays in celebrating and exploring Canadian identities.  

“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.”

Each year, one-in-four Canadians experience the impact of live theatre. “The ability to connect and share our stories is an essential part of what unites our Canadian identities” said Brad Lepp, PACT Executive Director. “Theatres are on the front lines of the sovereignty conversation, creating civic space for shared experiences, where we can see ourselves and others reflected on stages, fostering empathy, community, and inspiration.”

“We all know that we are currently trying to do our best to make our way through some turbulent and perilous times, and we are often overwhelmed with feelings of isolation, confusion, despair and helplessness,” said Borden. “Yet, it is in the midst of this chaos that we are celebrating theatre and it seems to me the precise moment in time when we should be.”

For more information about World Theatre Day 2026 and to see Borden’s full message visit: PACT.ca/WorldTheatreDay or ATFC.ca/fr. Borden’s written message is accompanied by a bilingual video address featuring himself and actor Martin Albert.

Walter Borden is a multifaceted artist, who has performed on stages across Canada. He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal; the African-Nova Scotian Music Association Heritage award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement award; and the Portia White Prize. Borden is also an inductee into the Dr. William P. Oliver Wall of Honour Society and has been made a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia.
For more information, visit: PACT.ca/WorldTheatreDay and ATFC.ca/fr.

Launched in 1962, World Theatre Day, recognized annually on March 27, is an opportunity to celebrate the value and contribution of theatre to our communities.

World Theatre Day - International

The International Theatre Institute (ITI) selected actor and theatre maker Willem Dafoe as the 2026 International World Theatre Day Ambassador.  For more information and to read his message, visit: World-theatre-day.org

World Theatre Day for Children & Young People

On March 20, 2026, we celebrated the role and impact of theatre for young audiences in Canada. Every year theatres develop over 13,000 arts education activities specifically for children and youth. These opportunities empower future generations to learn from one another, envision and explore their own identities in this world. 

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. 

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 is a national arts service organization that 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 member-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.

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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

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