What kinds of shows does the Gladstone produce?
The Gladstone doesn’t actually produce shows! Instead, it acts as a shared venue, hosting an array independent theatre producers, each of whom is responsible for everything that happens in our space, between show selection and final curtain.
So who does produce at the Gladstone?
The producers who bring you shows at the Gladstone vary widely. So do their choices of what to produce. Depending on the producing company, you might see classic, musical theatre, comedy, contemporary, Shakespeare, youth productions, queer-focused, avant garde, or burlesque shows — choices limited only by the imaginations and resources of our individual producers. Some will emphasize the acting and the atmosphere, others will feature lavish sets and costumes.
No matter what their style of production, all types of local independent companies are welcome to produce at the Gladstone.
The Gladstone also hosts touring companies and groups who offer other types of live performance, such as the Gay Men’s Chorus, Unedited Women, and Ottawa Chamberfest.
Wait, what is independent theatre?
Ask that question to a group of theatre practitioners, and you’ll get as many definitions as there are people present to speak. The one thing the independent companies at the Gladstone have in common is that they don’t have their own facilities or corporate backers, and they are invariably operating on a shoestring.
How many types of independent theatre ARE there?
Our renters span a spectrum of theatre production, including professional, community, and youth theatre productions.
All of our shows are tagged to identify which category the company producing them belongs to.
Professional theatre companies are committed to paying their workers. Most of the professional companies producing at the Gladstone hire their artists through union contracts (for example, from CAEA: the Canadian Actors Equity Association). Most of these companies cover their expenses out of box office revenue, and then split remaining profits among participating artists.
Community theatre companies are volunteer-driven and focus on local participation. Some of the actors in these productions are making their stage debut, while others have been part of the community theatre scene for years.
Youth theatre companies offer young actors the opportunity to perform on a public stage. These companies usually defray costs by charging their participants tuition, to cover their instructors and production costs. A portion of ticket revenue may sometimes be directed to a charitable cause.
A professional commercial show might be a touring company based in Toronto or Halifax that recognizes the Gladstone as the perfect venue to share their show with a new audience.
No matter what you see on our stage — a professional production, a community show starring your neighbours, or a unique one-off event–the Gladstone provides an inclusive and transformative space where audiences can experience something special.
Is the theatre accessible?
The Gladstone is fully accessible and wheelchair friendly. We have one accessible washroom which is open to anyone (although we ask that priority be given to those with limited mobility). As of 2024, we have upgraded our venue doors and accessible washroom to allow for full mobility and emergency assistance needs.
The performance space is also accessible, with designated wheelchair seating spots in addition to removable seats in the front row.
Hearing assistance can be requested at the box office when you arrive. We have a Williams Sound hearing assist system that can be used with headphones (we provide). It can also couple the audio into hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil.
With the exception of the front row, our seats are not overly spacious. If you are big and/or tall, an aisle or front row seat is recommended.
For extra leg room, select seats G1, G2, G23 or G24.
Contact the Box Office for additional seating options tailored to your needs.
Please note that the Gladstone endeavors to be a scent-free space.
We honour Access 2 cardholders—contact the Box Office for more information.
Where are you located?
Located at 910 Gladstone Avenue, the Gladstone sits in the heart of Little Italy on Gladstone Avenue, just west of Preston Street, behind The Green Papaya restaurant.
What is the deal with PARKING?
Like many other businesses in the downtown core, the Gladstone does not have a dedicated parking lot.
Street parking is available in the neighbourhood on side streets.
PLEASE NOTE at the time of this writing (May 2025) the jury is out as to the times street parking is paid or not.
Paid parking lots in the area:
Help us be good neighbours: Please do not park across the street at Trattoria Caffe Italia or on either side of the theatre at The Green Papaya or Dragon Auto. Those spaces are for their patrons.
Public Transportation
OC Transpo buses #14 along Gladstone Ave. and #8 on Preston Street stop just steps away from the theatre, as does the O-Train line 2 (get off at the Corso Italia stop). Cycling, rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber, and taxis are also a good option.
Can I grab a drink/snack before the show or during intermission?
The focal point of our beautiful lobby when you walk into the Gladstone is our fully licensed and reasonably priced bar. The bartender often creates a themed specialty drink for the show, and we offer a variety of local craft beers and spirits, including non-alcoholic beer. We also serve coffee, tea, and a variety of seltzers and soft drinks. Chips and chocolate bars are also available for purchase.
Drinks are allowed into the theatre, but we do ask that snacks, especially the crunchy ones, be consumed prior to the start of the performance.
The bar is open 1 hour prior to any given performance and during intermission (if applicable). Accepted payment methods include cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Debit.
Please don’t forget to tip your bartender. They work hard!
How does ticketing work?
Tickets to the Gladstone may be purchased online or by calling/visiting our Box Office during open hours of operation or 1 hour prior to each show time. Accepted forms of payment include credit, debit, and cash. If you plan to purchase tickets at the door prior to a performance, please arrive early. We do not provide rush seating.
The Box Office is located at 910 Gladstone Avenue, immediately on your left when you enter the building. In addition to pre-showtime hours, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am-2:00pm ET.
When purchasing tickets online, you will be prompted to select “Box Office Collect” or “Print at Home.” If you select the former, you will receive a confirmation email and pick up your tickets at the Box Office upon arrival. If you select the latter, you can opt to print your tickets or use your device to show us the QR code you have received via email.
What are the terms and conditions?
All sales are final.
If you are unable to attend, credit in the form of a gift card may be issued with 24 hrs notice.
No credit for unused tickets.
Call the box office if you’d like to exchange your tickets for another date of the same performance.
How much are tickets?
The ticket prices are set in consultation with the independent production companies, so may vary from one show to another. Generally, resident companies offer a discounted ticket for preview performances; discounts for seniors, students, artists, and those without wages; and a pay-what-you-can option on Tuesday nights. Other companies producing at the theatre often do the same.
All tickets will include a small facility fee. As the Gladstone is a rental venue, the base ticket price goes entirely to the production company presenting the show. The facility fee is the only ticket revenue that goes to the Gladstone. These funds help make it possible for us to fulfill our mandate of offering accessible theatre production space to local independent theatre companies. The fee is built into all ticket purchases.
How can I avoid paying the facility fee?
There is no way to avoid this fee. The facility fee makes it possible for us to fulfill our mandate of offering accessible theatre production space to local independent theatre companies. That is why the fee is built into all ticket purchases.
Where does the money go?
Buying tickets to performances mounted at the Gladstone is one of the best things theatre lovers can do to help support a thriving independent theatre community in Ottawa.
After the Gladstone’s facility fee has been deducted, the balance of the ticket revenue goes directly to the company producing the show you have bought tickets to see. This funding covers fees paid to actors, crew, and designers; rental of the Gladstone and rehearsal space; licensing show right; sets, costumes and props; publicity and marketing; credit card and ticketing fees; and administrative costs. Most of the independent theatre companies that produce at the Gladstone every year have no other revenue sources. Many of them are led by artists who have staked personal funds to present their work.
Why isn’t the online ticketing working for me?
The Gladstone uses a third-party ticketing system called TicketSearch to process transactions and handle seat reservations. TicketSearch requires the most up-to-date web browsers to ensure the security of your digital information and transactions. If you are having trouble, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Update your web browser (visit updatemybrowser.org)
- Purchase tickets at home as your employer’s network may block TicketSearch (e.g., the federal government network)
- Try a different device
If these steps don’t work (or you’d just like a personal touch) pour yourself a comforting beverage and take a break! We are happy to book your tickets through our Box Office. We can be reached by phone at 613-233-4523 (Tues-Fri 11-2) or by email at boxoffice@thegladstone.ca.
Does the theatre have a coat check?
Come through the double doors into the lobby and you’ll see the coat check to your right. Our volunteer ushers will gladly hang up your coat for you. You can also stow small items such as umbrellas at your own (low) risk. There is no charge for our coat check.
Can I volunteer with the Gladstone?
Absolutely! Our work is only possible with support from our front-of-house volunteers. These dedicated community members help advance the Gladstone mission by greeting patrons, scanning tickets, managing the coat check, helping patrons find their seats, keeping the theatre tidy, and aiding patrons as needed during a show.
Check out our volunteer training video to learn more. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email our Volunteer Coordinator Elfrieda Bock at volunteers@thegladstone.ca.
Do you have group discounts?
We sure do! Bring 10 or more folks to the same performance and get 10% off your tickets. Enter Promo Code GROUP10 on the checkout page to activate your discount. Note that this discount doesn’t apply to already discounted performances such as Previews, PWYC and Weekday Matinees.
Can I wear my favourite signature fragrance when I come?
No. The Gladstone is a fragrance free facility, so we would ask that you leave all fragrances at home.
What does your seating plan look like?
Seats shown as blue on the seating chart are accessible/wheelchair seating with adjacent seats reserved for companions.
Note that all Row A seats are accessible and can be removed for wheelchair seating. Row A seats are level with the stage. All successive rows are 1 step up. Oversized seating is available. Inquire with the Box Office.
