Orpheus Musical Theatre

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Orpheus Musical Theatre

Orpheus is a not-for-profit, registered charity Orpheus Musical Theatre is North America's second longest-running organization of its kind.

Orpheus Musical Theatre has been entertaining Ottawa audiences with musical performances of all kinds since 1906, making it Canada's longest-running community musical theatre company. Orpheus has been entertaining Ottawa theatre audiences with musical performances of all kinds since 1906. Our Vision
To be recognized as Ottawa's premiere organization that produces professional quality musical theat

re by amateurs. Our Mission
To produce, perform and promote high-quality musical theatre for the community through our ability to nurture performers and production personnel, both on and off stage.

08/26/2026

🎭 The Search for a New Stage Continues

As you know, it takes a lot to put an Orpheus production on stage. And unfortunately, there simply aren't many spaces in Ottawa equipped to accommodate everything that goes into an Orpheus-sized musical.

But our search continues, viable options are narrowing, and we're hopeful we'll have some answers to share with our volunteers, subscribers and patrons soon.

A big thank you to Lynn Saxberg and the Ottawa Citizen for taking the time to speak with us about where things stand, the challenges facing Orpheus and other local arts organizations, and the broader impact on our community and the City when performances can't happen.

The article also includes some great news about our friends at Suzart Productions, who have found a new home for their upcoming production!

📰 Read the Ottawa Citizen article here:
https://shrlnk.ca/s/L7KfIgY4

And there's more to come today...

📻 Tune in to CBC Radio's All in a Day between 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. as Orpheus Managing Director J.T. Morris joins the program to talk more about what this disruption means for Orpheus, our search for a stage, and where things stand.

The curtain may be delayed, but we're still working to find a way to raise it.

Unbreakable.

08/14/2026

🎭 AN UPDATE ON OUR 120TH SEASON

Following the July 1 flooding and resulting closure of Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe for the remainder of 2026, we know many of you have been wondering what comes next for Orpheus.

The short answer: we're working on it, and making progress!

Over the past two weeks, Orpheus has been working closely with the City of Ottawa, Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and other venue operators to explore alternative options for Frozen, while also planning ahead for Les Misérables and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Our intention remains to produce all three shows as our 120th Season. Our immediate priority is finding a viable path forward for Frozen, with a decision expected in early September.

For our patrons, there is nothing you need to do right now. We know you have questions about performances, tickets, seating and what a potential relocation could mean. As soon as we have confirmed information, we'll share it clearly and directly.

For our members and volunteers, our Annual Meeting of the Membership, normally held in late September or early October, will also be delayed until later this fall so we can keep our immediate organizational attention focused on the season ahead. More information will follow.

Through all of this, two things continue to guide us:

Mission over Venue. People over Product.

For 120 years, Orpheus has changed venues, adapted through challenges, and occasionally reinvented itself altogether. Through every chapter, the common denominator hasn't been a building.

It's been the people.

Our volunteers persisted. Our audiences remained loyal. Orpheus adapted. And the organization continued.

Our 120th Season may not look exactly the way we imagined it would, but we have every confidence it will still feel like Orpheus.

Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your incredible support while we write this next chapter together and remain...

Unbreakable! 💙💛

08/10/2026

🧹 Rain or Shine, Orpheans Get It Done! 🎭

We had a great weekend in and out of the rain at Orpheus!

While our season may be in a bit of limbo right now, Orpheans continue to prove just how resilient, and UNBREAKABLE, this community really is. 💙💛

About 30 helping hands came together this weekend to tackle our annual clean-up and get Orpheus House ready for another incredible season of community musical theatre.

🪚 Old set pieces were cleared out to make way for new ones
🎨 Paint, props, materials and inventory were sorted and reorganized
🧹 Workshops and production spaces got a much-needed clean
🔨 Renovations began in our rehearsal space
🗑️ And somehow, we managed to fill a 20-yard dumpster right to the brim!

It may look like cleaning, sorting and hauling from the outside, but all of this work supports something much bigger: the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of volunteer hours that bring an Orpheus season to life.

And perhaps there's a small silver lining in the unexpected pause we're facing. We have a little more time to tackle some of these projects steadily, thoughtfully, and properly. There's plenty more work to come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to take advantage of these refreshed spaces.

A huge THANK YOU to every Orphean who gave up part of a summer weekend to pitch in, and of course, enjoy some time catching up with friends along the way.

The shows may be waiting. Orpheus isn't. 💙

08/05/2026

The Media Has Been There for Orpheus, And We're Grateful

Over the past few days, we've been overwhelmed by the support shown to Orpheus as we navigate the temporary closure of Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe.

A sincere thank you to Bell Media, CBC, and the many journalists and hosts who have helped share our story and explain the impact this closure has on Orpheus and community theatre across Ottawa.

Since Friday, we've had the opportunity to speak with audiences through:
📺 CTV Ottawa News at Six
☀️ CTV Your Morning Ottawa
🎙️ CFRA Ottawa Now
🎙️ CFRA Ottawa at Work
📻 CBC Radio

We've included links to the available stories below if you'd like to catch up.

As we reflect on the importance of journalism and community storytelling, yesterday's passing of Lloyd Robertson feels especially poignant.

Many may not know that before becoming one of Canada's most respected journalists, Lloyd Robertson lived in Ottawa as a CBC reporter and even appeared on the Orpheus stage in our 1961 production of Bells Are Ringing.

When Orpheus celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2006, Mr. Robertson sent us the humble and heartfelt letter pictured here, recalling his time "treading the boards" with Orpheus and wishing us many more years as "a cornerstone of our capital's entertainment spectrum."

Looking back on that letter today, it serves as a testament to his genuinely kind spirit and a reminder of the remarkable history that has shaped Orpheus. Twenty years later, as we face another challenge, and another opportunity, in our 120-year journey, his words feel even more meaningful. They remind us that Orpheus has weathered change before, and that it is the people who have believed in this organization, from volunteers to audiences to champions like Lloyd Robertson, who have carried it forward.

Thank you, Lloyd Robertson, for your kindness, your encouragement, your contributions to Orpheus, and for the extraordinary legacy you leave in Canadian journalism.

And thank you once again to every member of the media helping tell our story today. Your support means more than you know. ❤️

07/31/2026

It is with great sadness that we must share some difficult news.

As many know, Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe experienced significant flooding due to the heavy rainfall and sewer overflow on July 1. The theatre suffered major damage, requiring extensive restoration work before it can become fully operational again. As such, the City of Ottawa has made the difficult decision to keep the theatre closed for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year.

As a result, our 120th Season opener, Frozen, has been postponed until further notice.

This closure has widespread impacts, not only on Orpheus, but on the many local arts organizations that provide theatre and charitable programming to thousands of volunteers and audience members every year. Our hearts go out to our fellow theatre companies, as well as the staff and volunteers of Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, as they continue to weather this storm.

To our donors, subscribers, single ticket holders, volunteers, and everyone who was looking forward to Frozen, we share in your disappointment. The Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe Box Office will be contacting ticket holders regarding refunds. We appreciate your patience as they work through the significant volume of impacted performances.

As for what's next, our commitment remains unchanged. We are actively exploring every possible option, including alternative performance venues and future dates at Centrepointe. We intend to produce Frozen, and our focus is now on finding the best possible path forward with as little disruption as possible for our audiences and the hundreds of volunteers who have already dedicated so much time and heart to this production.

When we launched our 120th Season, we called it UNBREAKABLE.

Over the past 120 years, Orpheus has weathered wars, economic hardship, venue changes, a global pandemic, and countless other challenges. Every time, our volunteers and supporters have demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination. This is simply the next chapter in that story.

We remain optimistic. We remain determined.

We remain UNBREAKABLE.

We will share further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

07/30/2026

🎭 We Have a Change in Staff 🎭

As Orpheus grew, we knew more support was needed to meet the demands of our members, volunteers, and patrons alike. Two years ago, Arielle Voght joined us as the first Assistant to the Managing Director, helping us not only keep pace with that growth, but continue building upon it.

In that time, Arielle has served Orpheus exceptionally well, quickly becoming a valued member and an outstanding ambassador for the organization. While you know her as the friendly voice on the phone or the one who answered your emails, her contributions extended far beyond our day-to-day administration.

Arielle played a significant leadership role in strengthening volunteer engagement and organizational development. She developed new volunteer resources, onboarding processes, and training opportunities, and was the driving force behind several initiatives that have become important parts of the Orpheus experience, including the launch of our merchandise, the establishment of our 50/50 raffles, our annual Stratford Trip, and the expansion of our Schoolhouse programming with the introduction of Summer Camps.

Through all of this, Arielle has left an indelible mark on Orpheus and has helped build a stronger organization for the new communities and generations that will carry us into our next 120 years.

While difficult to say goodbye, it is for a very exciting opportunity. Arielle has accepted a newly created position with the Ottawa Fringe Festival, one developed with her talents in mind. It is well-earned recognition of everything she brings to the arts community and a wonderful next step in her theatre career.

Please join us in thanking Arielle for her tremendous service to Orpheus and wishing her every success in this exciting new chapter. 💙

At the same time, we're delighted to welcome Sarah Cousineau into the role.

Sarah is no stranger to Orpheus members and patrons, having graced our stage in Mamma Mia!, Grease, Newsies, and most recently as Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain. Beyond that, Sarah brings an excellent background in administration, experience in arts and youth development programming, and strong connections throughout the Ottawa theatre community.

Just as importantly, Sarah is someone who leads with kindness, enthusiasm, and positivity. Her energy, professionalism, and genuine love of community theatre make her an outstanding fit for this role, and we're confident she will quickly become a favourite source of support to Orpheans.

Please join us in giving Sarah a warm Orpheus welcome! 🎉

Sarah's onboarding has already begun, though there will be more transition as she settles into the role. We appreciate your patience during this time and look forward to having everything running smoothly for our 120th Season: UNBREAKABLE.

Here's to celebrating one incredible chapter, welcoming another, and continuing to build an even stronger future for Orpheus together. 💙

07/29/2026

🎉 3,200 Subscribers and Counting! 🎉

We're excited to celebrate another milestone as 3,200 subscribers have already secured their seats for our 120th Season, including an incredible 637 brand-new subscribers joining the Orpheus family for the very first time.

Even more exciting? Many performances are already filling quickly:

🎭 1st Sunday: 54% subscribed
🎭 1st Saturday: 40% subscribed
🎭 1st Thursday: 40% subscribed
🎭 2nd Friday: 40% subscribed

Subscriptions already make up a remarkable portion of our audience months before opening night. Thank you for your continued support and for helping make our milestone season one to remember.

🎟️ Single tickets are now on sale, and they're continuing to claim more of the best available seats every day. In fact, only 275 seats remain for the First Sunday performance of Frozen! If you're planning to join us for Frozen, Les Misérables, or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now is the perfect time to book.

Better yet, become a subscriber to save on every show while securing some of the best seats available before they're gone. And don't forget, Group Subscriptions offer even greater savings. Our subscriber ratios can help you identify the best performances for groups of 10 or more.

Don't wait too long. Our most popular performances are filling faster every week!

🌐 orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/boxoffice
📞 613-580-2700

07/27/2026

🎭 Take the Next Step with Orpheus!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be part of the leadership team behind one of our productions?

We're opening additional Apprenticeship opportunities for Frozen, giving Orpheus members and beyond the chance to work alongside experienced production leaders while developing the skills and confidence to take on future artistic and production roles.

Current opportunities include:

🎼 Apprentice Music Director
📋 Apprentice Production Manager
🔧 Apprentice Technical Director
🪚 Apprentice Master Carpenter

Whether you're looking to build your experience, learn from seasoned volunteers, or prepare for future leadership opportunities, the Orpheus Apprentice Program is designed to help you grow while contributing to our milestone 120th Anniversary Season.

If you've been thinking about getting more involved, now is the perfect time.

⏰ Applications close Friday, July 31.

Apply today and take the next step in your Orpheus journey! orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/applications

❄️ Thinking about stepping on stage instead?

Our Frozen audition notice is now live, so now's the perfect time to start preparing!
orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/auditions

📅 Audition bookings open:
• August 4 for Orpheus Members
• August 11 for the General Public

We can't wait to see who will help bring Arendelle to life this November! 🎭

07/15/2026

🎟️ Single Tickets Are On Sale Now!

The wait is over!

Single tickets are now available for our 120th Anniversary Season, UNBREAKABLE, featuring three amazing musicals and the 2nd annual fundraising spectacular.

❄️ Disney's Frozen
November 20 - 29, 2026

🇫🇷 Les Misérables
March 5 - 14, 2027

🌈 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
June 4 - 13, 2027

🎤 Show Tune Showdown
April 24, 2027

Whether you've been waiting for your favourite title, planning a family outing, or gathering a group of friends for a night at the theatre, you can now secure your seats. Our 120th Season is shaping up to be one of our biggest in years, and many of the best seats have already been claimed by subscribers.

Looking to see all three productions? Subscriptions remain on sale, offering the best prices, the best seats, and exclusive subscriber benefits throughout the season.

We can't wait to welcome you to another incredible year of community musical theatre.

🎟️ Book today:
orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/boxoffice
613-580-2700

07/13/2026

🎭 The magic is about to begin!

Orpheus is buzzing this week as we welcome campers for the first day of our Summer Musical Theatre Camps. Before long, that same excitement will fill the building again as performers step through our doors to audition for Frozen, the opening production of our milestone 120th Season.

The Frozen Audition Notice is now live!

Whether you're dreaming of Arendelle, looking to join an incredible company of performers, or simply want to know what to prepare, now is the perfect time to start getting ready.

📍 Visit orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/auditions for everything you need to know.

Please note that audition booking is not yet open, but you can save these important dates:

🗓 Orpheus Members: Audition booking opens August 4
🗓 General Public: Audition booking opens August 11
🎤 Information Meeting: Sunday, August 23 at 7:00 p.m.
❄️ Auditions: August 24-27

Not planning to audition? You won't have to wait much longer to experience the magic from the audience.

🎟 Single tickets for Frozen, Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Show Tune Showdown go on sale this Wednesday!

But before you wait for single tickets, here's something many people don't realize: Under 30 and Group pricing is available with subscriptions too. Under 30 Subscriptions are just $78, and discounted Group Subscription packages let you save while enjoying all three productions. It's the best value, the best seats, and the best way to experience our 120th Season.

SUBSCRIBE today at orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/26-27season.

Address

17 Fairmont Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1Y1X4

Telephone

+16137294318

Website

http://www.orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca/

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