Young People’s Theatre in Toronto, ON

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Telephone:	+1 416-862-2222
Website:	youngpeoplestheatre.ca
Address:	165 Front Street E, Toronto, ON, M5A 3Z4 Corktown, St. Lawrence
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	340 ftFront Street East 480 ftKing Street East 580 ftLower Sherbourne Street
Categories:	Performing Arts

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Good for Kids

Yes

Today

Today	9:00 am – 5:00 pm Open now
Local time (Toronto)	9:28 AM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday	9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Young People’s Theatre is the largest Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) company in Canada and a significant institution in the Canadian professional theatre community. Over our 50-year history we have produced many of the most important works that now form the canon of plays for young audiences in this country. Learning is at the centre of everything we do and YPT is renowned as the showplace for presenting important TYA work developed elsewhere. In addition to being a producer and presenter of theatre, YPT has also been home to a year-round Drama School for youth since 1969, offering year-round drama classes in 4 locations as well as March Break and Summer Drama Camps. At the centre of YPT’s artistic policy is a desire to have a positive and lasting impact on the emotional, social, and intellectual development of young people in order for them to grow into the unique and wonderful people they were born to be.

History

Established in 1966.

Young Peoples Theatre (YPT) was founded by actress Susan Douglas Rubes who would go on to receive the Order of Canada for her services to the performing arts. Her first production, «The Looking Glass Revue» was presented at the Colonnade Theatre. Other productions soon followed, including school tours of plays by Ionesco and Chekhov, school performances and classroom visits by performers. From the very beginning, YPT established its dedication to professional productions of the highest quality from Canada and around the world, written just for children and the people who care about them. Susan worked hard to develop quality new Canadian plays to stand alongside the best from around the world and was often quoted as saying «It’s for children — it has to be the best.». Housed in a beautiful, historic building since 1977, Toronto’s oldest not-for-profit theatre continues to experience tremendous growth and consistently develops innovative productions.

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5 reviews of Young People’s Theatre

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J D.

Place rating: 5
Toronto, Canada

Went here today to see their production called’ one thing leads to another’. It’s a 30 minute piece (with play time after) designed for children under 24 months but our 28 month old and 3 month old both loved it. I’ve never seen a room of kids so engaged and focused! The actors and director spoke afterwards to parents and interacted with the kids. All very passionate about this piece which was well researched and designed, using props u would have at home. Great morning, hope they do similar pieces in future.

Amanda H.

Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY

In March 2014 I attended a Saturday matinée performance of Minotaur at YPT. I’ve seen theater for young people all over the US (because I work in arts education) and couldn’t wait to see my first Canadian theater for young audiences show. I found out about the production because I recently directed a play in Brooklyn with children around the same myth. When I read further about YTP’s international collaboration (you can read about it here:
), youth ensembles, and in-school partnerships I really got intrigued.
From the get-go purchasing tickets online was easy, and I appreciated being given various seat selection choices — I paid about $ 30 a pop for 2 adult tickets. Arriving at the theater we were greeted by friendly box office staff and directed up the very whimsical stairway.
The house has very high ceilings, and is very grand feeling, I’m sure even more so for a child. We were surrounded by families, which we expected, and it was even more special to glance over and see little children on the edge of their seat, jaws dropped, or snuggled up next to their parents — especially for a play that creatively illuminates the famous Greek myth about the minotaur, Thesesus, and the labyrinth. The modern twist helped students to make connections to the story and reel in the audience.
After the show, a YPT staff member facilitated a conversation with the audience and actors. I was very impressed with the prepared questions for the kids, and the very thoughtful responses students made. You would have thought you were at an NPR taping — wonderful to witness a spotlight and respect for young voices. From the dynamic staging, sound design, lighting, versatile set, amazing costumes — not to mention a stellar acting ensemble, everything was professional as can be. I couldn’t agree more with YPT founder Susan Rubes, «only the best is good enough for children.» Bravo to the YPT staff, collaborators, and supporters!

Katya B.

Place rating: 1
Toronto, Canada

I’m sure the plays are great — but if you come here for lunch, get ready to pay upwards of $ 12 for a salad you can fit in your palm. When I tweeted at them with a simple, politely worded question asking what made them so pricey, I was attacked first with a hack account, then with direct messages telling me that «everyone was riled up» and «I started drama»
Give me a break. All I wanted was a real answer. Worst customer service of all time.

Susan F.

Place rating: 4
Oakville, Canada

The Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is an amazing, kid-friendly theatre with high quality production that even an adult can enjoy.
The theatre has a regular production schedule which includes really popular plays (Seusical, Never Ending Story), and some I have never heard of which are more unique to the theatre and the audience. The shows are just long enough to make it an afternoon of entertainment, and short enough so that a 5 year old can sit through without getting toooo bored.
The theatre itself has about 250 seats, and tickets range from $ 10-$ 16 for adults and children. You can buy tickets on their website and in person — they usually have seats the day of if you’re deciding last minute!
The theatre also accommodates school groups and other group sales — with all their event space for after a show, it’s a great place to rent out for a corporate family-style event!
p. s. If you’re not a fan of huge groups of loud kids, you might want to stay away from here, if that wasn’t obvious from the name of the theatre.

Todd V.

Place rating: 4
Toronto, Canada

I don’t have kids and my most recent nephew just hit the ground, so I don’t have that much opportunity to go see theatre that’s aimed at children. Heck, time being what it is, I don’t have much time to go and see theatre that’s aimed at me. When I had my first opportunity to go see a performance here, it was actually to perform other work at the theatre itself. Once done, I was able to sneak in and see what all the hubbub was about.
LKTYP, the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, was formerly known as YPT, Young People’s Theatre before a huge act of philanthropy occurred from the Kimsa family and effected a name change. Some circles still call it YPT. In fact, the local Chinese restaurant On the Rocks (
), still sells a huge YPT soup. But what’s in a name. The theatre is what makes this place.
The theatre is built to accommodate several busses of children at a time, making this an ideal venue for school outings and Drama class field trips. The theatre also runs programs and throughout the year that allow students to learn about theatre and then see it on stage. The seats are positioned great, the balcony seating still provides good sight lines as you’d want, and the theatre provides great light and sound capability as well. Don’t let the name fool you. In terms of production value, LKTYP is all grown up.