Tarragon Theatre

Tarragon Theatre

Logo of the Tarragon Theatre
Address	30 Bridgman Avenue Toronto Canada
Type	performing arts centre
Capacity	Main Space: 205 Extra Space: 100
Opened	1970
Website
www.tarragontheatre.com

The Tarragon Theatre is a theatre in Toronto, Canada, and one of the main centers for contemporary playwriting in the country. Located near Casa Loma, the theatre was founded by Bill and Jane Glassco in 1970. Bill Glassco was the artistic director from 1971 to 1982. In 1982, Urjo Kareda took over as artistic director and remained in that role until his death in December 2001. Richard Rose was appointed artistic director in July 2002, and Camilla Holland was appointed general manager in July 2006.

In 1987, Tarragon purchased and renovated the building that has been its home since 1971. There are two playing spaces: Mainspace (205 seats), The Extra Space (113 seats).

Tarragon is well known for its development, creation and encouragement of new work. Over 170 works have premiered at Tarragon. Playwrights who have premiered their work here include Morwyn Brebner, David French, Michael Healey, Joan MacLeod, Morris Panych, James Reaney, Jason Sherman, Brendan Gall and Judith Thompson.

The theatre is housed in a building originally designed for light industrial use - for instance, it was once a cribbage board factory.

It has championed the work of Canadian playwrights David French, Michel Tremblay, Judith Thompson, Jason Sherman, Michael Healey and others, as well as productions of plays by canonical playwrights such as Anton Chekhov and August Strindberg.

The theatre holds two performances venues, containing approximately 200 and 100 seats respectively. One of their rehearsal halls can also be used as a performance area, seating 60.