Calgary’s newest performance space gets a name

The city's newest performing arts space got a name Friday.

The name of Calgary’s new 1,000-seat performance space was revealed Friday.

President and CEO Alex Sarnian announced that it will be known as the Osten-Victor Playhouse. The venue is being built across the street from the current Arts Commons location, on Olympic Plaza.

It’s part of the Arts Commons Transformation Project, which includes developing a three-level, 170,000 square foot building to house the 1,000 seat theatre as well as a 200-seat studio theatre.

Sarnian said the new venue will fill a gap in Calgary’s current theatre market.

“What we are missing, even from within our own ecosystem, is that 1,000 to 1,200 seat theatre,” he said. “And when we zoom out and we look at Calgary, we realize that’s also missing within the city.

“And so as Calgary continues to grow, so too will our cultural aspirations,” he added, “and having a space that can accommodate that sort of gap right now, I think is pivotal for any creative artist wanting to develop new work.”

He said the venue will be for shows too big for the Max Bell Theatre but too small for the Jubilee.

The Osten-Victor Playhouse is expected to open by late 2028.

In addition, Arts Commons will be renamed the Werklund Centre.