Centennial Theatre is the largest multi-purpose performing arts venue on Vancouver's North Shore and can accommodate a wide range of productions.
With 658 seats, the main theatre is an ideal venue for all kinds of touring acts and productions and features:
State-of-the-art sound, lighting and projection systems
Professional in-house technical staff
Versatile lobby space with a licensed concession
The theatre is suitable for performances, screenings, festivals, workshops and lectures, corporate receptions and events, celebrations and private functions. There is also a performance studio available for smaller special events, receptions, rehearsals, dance classes and the like. Box office services are available.
Located next to Highway 1 in North Vancouver, the theatre is easily accessible by car and transit from all areas of Metro Vancouver.
Centennial Theatre has an upgraded lighting system. Check out this short video to get a taste of the spectacular options that are available.
Stage A hardwood maple floor, sprung on rubber cushions. No screws, nails or other fasteners may be used.
Proscenium Opening Height: 16 ft. - Width: 36 ft. Drapes 'in', approx. 36 ft.
Floor space House Curtain to Cyc: 31 ft. House Curtain to front of stage: 13 ft. Wings: Extend 42 ft. each side. Height Limits: 16 ft. 10 in. per side.
Loading access Enter from 23rd Street, on east side of the Theatre. Dock height: 3 ft. 3 in. (.99M) Dock width: 14 ft. 9 in. (4.49M) The loading dock is at STAGE LEVEL.
Loading door Height: 12 ft. (3.65M) Width: 9 ft. 7 in. (2.9M)
Stage door Located in the same area as loading bay door at the bottom of the driveway on the east side of the theatre. All performers should be directed to the Stage Door for access.
Dressing rooms Access from stage door, below stage. Two (2) chorus dressing rooms, each with mirrors, make-up lights, washrooms. A separate lockable green room with a couch and tea/coffee facilities is available.
With rental of performance studio add on: Two 2-person star dressing rooms adjacent to washrooms. (No facilities inside these dressing rooms).
Performance studio 30 ft. by 36 ft. with a sprung hardwood floor, and 12 ft. height. One mirrored wall on the west wall. Black drapes on all walls. The Performance Studio is a flexible space that can accommodate 50 seated theatre style and is available for rental for special events and receptions, dance classes etc.
Staffing Two technical staff will be provided for all bookings (one Technical Supervisor + one Operating Tech). Additional crew will be provided by the venue at additional cost, or by the renter at the discretion of the Technical Supervisors, to operate equipment necessary for the production. A flyman provided by the venue at additional cost will be required to allow use of the flying equipment during the show.
Video Mainstage has 2 projector options. Both units run through a ROLAND V-60 Switcher/Scaler.
- Film Screen (Strong MDI Northview 1.0+ Black Back Non-Perforated 20 ft. x 40 ft. Screen) - {Approx. 19 ft. x 38 ft. Projected Area} -Located Downstage - Cyclorama (Twin-white Rosco Screen) - {Approx. 18 ft. x 30 ft. Projected Area} - Located Upstage
Six wheelchair accessible spaces – please contact the theatre ahead of time to reserve a spot.
Four rows of seats that can be removed for additional wheelchair access with advanced notice – please contact the theatre to arrange in advance.
Elevator access to lower level theatre seats – all public areas of Centennial Theatre can be accessed by elevator.
Accessible washroom cubicles.
Universal washroom designation on select washrooms.
The theatre is equipped with a Listen Technologies system for people experiencing hearing loss. These units can be obtained at the lobby concession. The Listen Technologies system can be used simultaneously with a hearing aid equipped with a telecoil.
Hearing aid supported audio system – please contact the theatre to confirm device compatibility.
Due to extensive construction in the neighbourhood, parking is limited. Visit our theatre parking page to learn more about parking considerations.
To make the theatre more accessible, Centennial Theatre is a scent-reduced space. Please avoid the use of personal scented products such as perfumes, colognes, scented oils, lotions, etc.
Please contact the box office at 604-984-4484 or ctcboxoffice@nvrc.ca if you have questions about accessibility.
“Everything went well from all the perspectives I know of. Your technical crew is first rate. Your team, from front of house to technical, is amongst the most professional I’ve worked with. Great ideas, solid support and a great feeling of all pulling in the same direction. Thanks again. I’m sure we’ll be working together in the future.”
Phillip Ditchburn, Producer, CBC Radio
“I love this theatre. It’s always alive, it’s always cooking.”
Ron James, Comedian
“Back in Havana, I wish to thank you in my own name and in the name of the whole company for the wonderful time we spent during our run at Centennial Theatre in Vancouver. The professionalism of your crew and the audience’s warm reception inspire our work day by day.”
Lizt Alfonso, Director, Danza Cuba
“Thanks for having us at the Centennial Theatre…It is a total pleasure working with you. I also want to say what a superb technical crew you’ve got. Not only are they totally competent and efficient, but friendly and engaging -they made that aspect of our visit a joy. What more can I say… Hope to be back one day…”
Adam Dymburt, General Manager, Sursaut Dance Company
“To me, the single most effective feature of this festival were the seamless presentations that were made possible by the top notch theatre crew …I must say the crew in Centennial Theatre is by far the best”
Pat & Baiba Morrow, Speakers, Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
“On behalf of Comedy Corner UK Ltd we would especially like to congratulate you and all the staff at Centennial Theatre on an excellent job in supporting us where possible, every request was never a problem. I have travelled many places around the world and can honestly say what a team you have.”
John Suraci, Joe Avati Live! UK Comedy Corner Ltd
“You, at the Centennial Theatre are truly blessed to have such a high calibre persons…may I commend all of your wonderful theatre staff, as they are always helpful, courteous & friendly to both performers and audience.”
Vickye Allard, Vickye Allard’s Dance Program at Delbrook Recreation Centre
“I just wanted to send a quick ‘Thank You’ for the prompt service of your Box Office. From the warm and friendly voice who greeted my inquiry less than 48 hours ago to actually holding the tickets in my hand… I am impressed. I have heard many complimentary stories of your staff and facility and now I know why.
Thank you very much – you made my day! ”
Jay Carson, Patron
If you have questions about renting the theatre, please contact Nathan Andreola, Theatre Client Services, at 604-984-4484 or email TheatreRentals@nvrc.ca.
Centennial Theatre is operated by North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC), an entity of the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver responsible for providing recreation and arts experiences that enrich the community.
Centennial Theatre is the largest multi-purpose performing arts venue on Vancouver's North Shore with 658 seats. Due to fire regulations, no additional seats, standees or people sitting on the steps are permitted.
The Performance Studio can hold 50 people seated theatre style depending on the performance set up.
The theatre is suitable for all sorts of events including performances, screenings, festivals, workshops and lectures, corporate receptions and events, celebrations and private functions.
The performance studio is available to rent for smaller special events and receptions, rehearsals, dance classes and the like.
Yes, but our calendar fills up early so it may be challenging to find a date.
Our current rental rates are posted on the Theatre Rental page of our website (see 'Rental rates' tab above).
Yes, as the theatre is frequently in use by other groups. Email TheatreRentals@nvrc.ca to coordinate a site visit.
We start taking bookings up to one year in advance. Our booking calendar opens on the first of the month. Bookings must be confirmed, with a signed contract and deposit paid, at least one month prior to your event date to provide sufficient time for scheduling our unionized staff and for the completion of all required paperwork.
Please submit your request online or via email (see 'How to book' tab above). Please include a description of your event to determine suitability for our theatre. New clients may be required to provide references from other venues they have rented with.
To hold a date, a completed application form must be submitted and approved. To confirm a held date, both a signed contract and a 50% non-refundable deposit are required. This deposit amount will be put towards your final amount owing.
The 50% deposit required to confirm your booking is non-refundable. Within 30 days of your event, all fees are non-refundable. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible to have your deposit rolled over to a new date within the same calendar year.
All rentals of the main theatre include one technical supervisor and one technician for the duration of your booking, and one front-of-house supervisor for six hours and three ushers for four hours each. More staff or longer shifts can be added for an additional fee.
For performance studio rentals, if it is being used for a rehearsal for less than 10 people, the room can be booked without staff or with a technical supervisor. If the rehearsal booking is for 10 or more people, a technical supervisor is required. If the space is being used for a performance, one technical supervisor and one front of house supervisor are included. More staff or longer shifts can be added for an additional fee.
See the current rental rates on the Theatre Rental page of our website for more details on fees, what staff are included and additional staffing costs (see 'Rental rates' tab above).
Centennial Theatre has state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems which are in included in your rental fee. There is also a projector available at an additional fee. Details of the Centennial Theatre’s equipment and inventory can be found at nvrc.ca/centennial-theatre/technical.
Any outside equipment may not be compatible with our equipment and systems. All outside equipment must be approved by the Technical Supervisor and must adhere to fireproofing standards. Please contact our Technical Supervisor at CTCTech@nvrc.ca if you have questions about using your own equipment.
Additional technicians may be permitted with approval from the Technical Supervisor, but Centennial Theatre technicians must still be present to supervise and assist, and cannot be replaced by your technicians.
Please contact our Technical Supervisor at CTCTech@nvrc.ca. Include the date of your event in your email.
Centennial Theatre uses Showpass as its ticketing system and provides a full-service box office that all productions must use for reserved seating events.
Advance ticket sales services are available online 24/7 and through our in-house box office Tuesdays to Saturdays from noon to 5pm with reduced hours in the summer months.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
There are two service charges which are paid by the ticket buyer and must be included the advertised price of the tickets.
You will receive regular ticket sales reports in the lead-up to your event.
An insurance certificate issued to the same name as on the rental agreement is mandatory before any event can take place. Getting an insurance certificate can sometimes take longer than you expect, so we suggest starting right away. It is recommended that you forward the info below (from the rental agreement) to your organization's insurance company and they should know what to do.
The facility renter shall, without limiting its obligations or liabilities herein and at its own expense, provide and maintain the following insurances with insurers licensed in British Columbia and in forms and amounts acceptable to the theatre:
Comprehensive general liability insurance with a limit of not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000) (or such other amount as the theatre may choose), inclusive per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage including loss of use thereof. Such insurance shall extend to cover the facility renter, its officers, employees, servants, agents, contractors, and volunteers and shall include the theatre, its officers, employees, servants, agents and contractors as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of the use or occupation by the facility renter of the site location. The facility renter shall provide the theatre with evidence of all required insurance at least four weeks in advance of your event. Such evidence of insurance shall be in the form of a certificate of insurance. When requested by the theatre, the facility renter shall provide certified copies of required insurance policies.
These certificates will be issued by the insurer or insurance broker of the facility renter and must contain the following information:
Name of insurance company and the binder or policy number; Name and address of the insured (facility renter); Policy period (covering at least the period the agreement is in place Policy limits; Description of insured operations and location(s) including coverage for the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, and the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission; Signature of authorized representative and date.
NOTE: Policies containing exclusions regarding injury to participants of sports or dance/performances shall not be acceptable to the theatre.
The Centennial Theatre operates its own concession and there is no additional cost to have concession available at your event. Concession services are subject to staffing availability. Alcohol is not permitted to be sold or served by anyone other than Centennial Theatre staff. Our liquor license prohibits alcohol outside the lobby, patio or main theatre.
The concession offers a number of cold and hot beverages and snacks. This includes beer, wine, cider, pop, juice, water, coffee, tea, chocolate bars and candy.
All food and drink sold by the Centennial Theatre’s concession, including alcoholic beverages, may be brought into the main theatre. Outside food and drink is not permitted except for tea and water.
All food and non-alcoholic drinks sold at the concession can be brought into the performance studio.
Catering is permitted in the lobby subject to compliance with health regulations required by Vancouver Coastal Health. Alcohol is not permitted to be sold by anyone other than Centennial Theatre staff.
Use of the lobby is included with your rental of the theatre. The lobby can accommodate 12 five-foot tables. Lobby sales for programs, CDs, merchandise, etc. can be arranged through the Front of House Supervisor.
Yes, Centennial Theatre has six wheelchair accessible spaces and four rows of seats that can be physically removed with advanced notice for additional wheelchair access. There is also elevator access to the lower level theatre seats and accessible washrooms. Please let the theatre know ahead of time if you are aware of patrons who will be using accessible spaces.
Universal washrooms are available. The theatre is equipped with a Listen Technologies system for people experiencing hearing loss. These units can be obtained at the lobby concession. The Listen Technologies system can be used simultaneously with a hearing aid equipped with a telecoil.
The theatre also has a hearing aid supported audio system – please contact the theatre at 604-984-4484 to confirm device compatibility.
Yes, please include a text-free horizontal image and short description of your event.
Yes, Centennial Theatre distributes a monthly email newsletter highlighting all upcoming events for the following month. As part of North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC), all Centennial Theatre events, including rentals, are included in a weekly community events newsletter.
No. We may be able to share a post or two, but you are responsible for creating your own events.
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