2026 calgary theatre critics awards

★ critics choice award
★ outstanding achievement in direction
★ outstanding semi-professional production
★ outstanding achievement fight direction

“these actors don’t hold back. . . they have all committed themselves completely. director jakob schaefer balances frenetic energy and stillness. . . like a conductor to a score leading all the elements to a unified purpose. can’t wait to see what he does next.” – calgary postcard reviews

mar 20-apr 4, 2026

the boss of it all

“like the other sets before, this too, has a beautifully clean aesthetic. . . i heard two patrons talking about how this show was better than a big theatre company’s show they had just seen–that is a clear win.” – calgary postcard reviews

he’s the head honcho. the top dog. the man calling the shots…or so everyone thinks. when an aloof company owner hires an actor to pose as the boss to avoid the business of being disliked, office politics explode into a comedy of errors.

jan 23-feb 7, 2026

the drawer boy

“the direction is outstanding. . . one of the best showings of directorial craftsmanship seen in the last two years.”

“richard beaune, as angus, renders a performance that is quite simply beautiful. it is a masterclass in performative realism.” ★★★★★★★★ ½ – calgary theatre reviews

the drawer boy is a tender and funny canadian classic—an unforgettable story about friendship, truth, and the quiet heroism of everyday life.

nov 1-15, 2025

scintilla

when michael and nora travel to visit his mother, a raging wildfire rapidly approaches. a complicated family history erupts into larger questions about survival on this planet.

“this is a small spark of what promises to be a roaring fire of a theatre company.” – calgary postcard reviews

sept 12-27, 2025