A General Review of MacEwan Theatre in Edmonton
Posts on this site may have affiliate links. If you make a purchase using an affiliate link I earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. Thanks for your support.
I love going to the theatre, especially musicals. In April 2023 my friend and I got tickets to see the musical Spring Awakening put on by MacEwan University Theatre, and we both enjoyed the show. We both along with another friend got tickets for the Saturday matinees for MacEwan Theatre’s four shows in the 2023-2024 season.
I wanted to write a post about MacEwan Theatre and talk about whether it’s a good idea to invest in their season tickets.
About MacEwan Theatre
MacEwan University is a university in Edmonton, Alberta. Their theatre program offers a 4-year MFA in either Music Theatre Performance or Theatre Production. A majority of the shows at MacEwan Theatre are musicals. 3 of the 4 shows we saw in 2023-2024 were musicals, and the one that wasn’t still had a few songs in it. MacEwan is the only university in Alberta offering a music theatre program. Other Alberta universities have a theatre program but they’re not music focused.
Location
MacEwan Theatre has two theatres the Triffo theatre and the Tim Ryan Theatre Lab (more on those below). Both are located inside Allard Hall, on the MacEwan University campus downtown. There’s parking near the back of Allard Hall (paid with a rate of about $10 for a Saturday). There are bus stops on 104 Ave. If you’re taking the LRT then the closest stations are either Corona on the Capital Line or MacEwan on the Metro Line. Both are about a 15-20 minute walk away.
The Theatres
The Triffo Theatre is likely what you think of when you think of a theatre. The audience seats on the main floor face a raised stage. There are also balcony seats on the left and right side of the theatre. The Triffo has 415 seats, and tickets are assigned (so you can choose where to sit when you buy your tickets). For the shows we saw at MacEwan we were on the main floor, about 5 rows back in the centre.
The Tim Ryan Theatre Lab is black box style theatre. The venue is much smaller (100 seats) with the seating being on two sides of the stage. The main part of the stage is on the floor (not raised) but there is a scaffolding platform that was used during the shows as well. The seating here is not assigned, meaning you cannot choose where to sit when you buy your tickets.
Two of the shows in the season are at The Triffo and the other two are at The Theatre Lab. I definitely like the Triffo the best. The seats at The Theatre lab are very close together (literally touching), and they aren’t the most comfortable seats. I understand why The Theatre Lab is used; it’s a smaller, more intimate venue that works well for staging certain shows. If you’re seeing a show at the Theatre Lab get there a little early to grab the seat you want. However; I’d avoid sitting down until just before the show starts. Your butt will thank you.
The Theatre Season
MacEwan Theatre puts on four shows in a season. Each runs just under a week from Wednesdays to Sunday. The shows times are 7:30pm (no evening show on Sundays), with a 2pm matinee on Saturdays and Sundays. The timeline, which will vary a bit from year to year, is generally
- 1st show runs the beginning of November.
- 2nd show runs the beginning of December
- 3rd show runs middle of February
- 4th show runs end of March
Prices
For each show the previews (which are the Wednesday and Thursday nights of the run) are only $13 each. While I haven’t attended a preview for a MacEwan show before it’s good to know that previews are always a bit cheaper than the regular show tickets. This is because the previews are the shows where they might be working out last minute issues. For individual show tickets during the regular run (Thursday to Sunday) the prices are $28 for Adults, $23 for Seniors, and $18 for Students. If you’re buying a Student or Senior ticket you’ll need to have proof (via student ID or regular ID for senior tickets).
MacEwan also has a subscription for all 4 shows in a season. The subscription is $65 for an adult and $50 for a student or senior. If you get an adult subscription it works out to $16.25/show. Student/Senior tickets work out to $12.50/show.
Value
MacEwan Theatre is one of the best values for live theatre in Edmonton, especially for musicals. Theatre can be expensive. Professional theatre is usually $80 or more for a ticket. Even local community theatre shows can run around $30-$40 a ticket.
MacEwan Theatre technically isn’t a professional company, but it is a step up from seeing a community theatre show. This isn’t to lambast community theatre, something I love and strongly support. However; MacEwan Theatre you are seeing committed young adults who are paying thousands to study and work in theatre to presumable make this their career. To even get into MacEwan’s Music Theatre program students need to audition. Everyone on and behind the stage has talent and dedication to the theatre, something that’s apparent at every MacEwan Theatre production.
The Types of Shows at MacEwan
I love musicals, but sometimes there can be a lack of different shows that get put on in my area. Community theatres will often pick safe shows to put on, shows the average person is familiar with (or have at least heard of). This is understandable since licensing a show for production is expensive. Theatres and theatre companies need to make sure they’ll sell tickets to cover their costs. When a community theatre is deciding between an obscure musical that ran off-Broadway 15 years ago, or Annie, a show people know or have at least heard of, they’re likely gonna pick Annie.
MacEwan Theatre puts on shows that are a bit more obscure or daring than what a community theatre in the Edmonton area may do. For the shows I’ve seen (and the upcoming ones for next season) there are only a couple where I’ve thought, “yeah I could see a community theatre putting this on.” Essentially this means getting to see some shows that may not play in Edmonton otherwise.
2023-2024 Season
The past theatre season running November 2023 to March 2024 had four shows. In order they are
- [title of show]
- Legally Blonde
- Twelfth Night
- Sunday in the Park with George.
I’ve decided to make a podcast episode with my overall thoughts on each show. You can listen to that episode here. Resource for the episode are here.
2024-2025 Season
For the next season (November 2024 to March 2025) MacEwan is putting on 4 shows, one of which I’d never heard of before. They are
Glory. This show is the true story of a women’s hockey team in Canada. It’s set in 1933 and is told through song and dance. This is the show I’d never heard of before, but I’m interested to see it and what it’s all about.
Heathers. This is a musical adaptation of the cult movie of the same name. It’s black teenage comedy about 4 teenagers all named Heather and a new kid in school name J.D who’s got a bit of a dark side (to say the least). I love the movie Heathers. I don’t know everything about the musical adaptation, but there are couple of songs I’ve heard that I enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing this.
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (a.k.a The Great Comet). This is a sung-through musical by David Malloy based on a 70-page excerpt of War & Peace by Tolstoy. I travelled to Toronto in January to see the Canadian debut of this musical at the Crow’s Theatre. Any regrets travelling all that way just to have a production come to MacEwan in 2025? Not at all. I fucking love this musical and I’m beyond thrilled to get to see it again. I’m also excited to get to see how MacEwan Theatre will do the staging and the set design.
The Prom. This is a musical inspired by the true story from a few years ago where a young girl wanted to take her girlfriend to the prom, but was denied by the school board. Various celebrities rallied around the two teenagers to give them a “second chance prom.” I remember the story being in the news, but I haven’t seen the musical inspired by this true story. I’m excited to get to see this on stage at MacEwan.
Overall Conclusion
If you couldn’t tell I’ve been very happy with the quality of shows at MacEwan. My friends and I have already got out season tickets for the 2024-2025 season. If you want to see some more theatre in Edmonton, but find tickets are expensive MacEwan Theatre is a great option. If money isn’t a concern then you should still see the shows at MacEwan Theatre. It’s a way to help foster theatre in the community, and support talented performers and theatre technicians.
Things To Know
This post is not sponsored. I just really loved the shows at MacEwan Theatre and highly recommend seeing a show there if you live in or around Edmonton (or if you will be visiting).
If you’re interested in getting tickets for a MacEwan Theatre show go here.
If you’re travelling in to Edmonton see a show at MacEwan you can book your Edmonton hotel here.
Have you seen any shows at MacEwan University?