The Classical Theatre Project creates live entertainment for the digital generation.

CTP’s shows range from traditional Elizabethan productions of Shakespeare to technologically innovative adaptations of modern musical classics. What sets CTP apart is our commitment to creating relevant theatre for a new audience.

Whether we are playing to a young person attending live theatre for the first time, or Shakespeare’s biggest fan, CTP makes the experience entertaining, impactful and fun.

Since its founding by David Galpern and Charles Roy in 2001, CTP has played to more than 1,000,000 people in over 60 cities across North America. In addition to creating and touring first class productions of Shakespeare and various classic plays for young audiences, CTP produces a number of live theatre events for general audiences across Toronto, including ShakesBeer and The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged).

CTP’s extensive roster of productions includes Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, Oedipus Rex, Peter Pan and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

In 2013, David and Charles joined with storied producers Marlene and Geoffrey Smith to produce the box office hit Canadian revival production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS at the Panasonic Theatre. Since then, the vibrant creators behind the CTP have produced a North American tour of HAIR, the musical, and have a number of exciting projects currently in pre-production.

Milestones

2016

This year, CTP performs at both the Winter Garden Theatre in downtown Toronto, as well as the brand new Lyric Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

2015

With thanks to our friends at the City of Toronto, CTP returns to take up residency at the Toronto Centre for The Arts.

2014

CTP moves its productions to the historic Winter Garden Theatre in downtown Toronto for the Fall Season, 2014.

2013

CTP launches ShakesBeer at Artscape Wychwood Barns.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tours the US.
CTP produces CATS at the Panasonic Theatre in association with NuMusical Productions.

2012

CTP create a partnership with the Toronto Centre for the Arts to present Shakespeare in their 1,700-seat Main Stage Theatre.

2011

CTP’s biggest season yet: over 50,000 audience members visit CTP.

2010

CTP receives two Dora nominations for Will O’Hare’s production of Twelfth Night: Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences, and Outstanding Performance (The Ensemble), Theatre for Young Audiences.
CTP embarks on its first US tour with Romeo & Juliet. The show will visit more than 25 cities across North America.

2009

CTP creates an ensemble cast, performing 6 shows in rep over 9 months.

2008

CTP builds a new black box theatre at the Lower Ossington Theatre for The Great Gatsby.

2007

CTP performs at the Harbourfront Centre for the first time.
CTP receives Dora nominations for Outstanding Performance, Theatre for Young Audiences (Johnathan Widdifield as Mercutio in Charles Roy’s Romeo & Juliet) and Outstanding Production, Theatre for Young Audiences (Will O’Hare’s Macbeth).

2006

CTP moves into the Lower Ossington Theatre in Toronto.

2005

Charles Roy directs CTP’s first repertory productions. Romeo & Juliet set in Moorish Spain and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Adam Seybold, star of Smart Woman’s Survival Guide.
Will O’Hare directs Macbeth, which becomes our first touring production and one of our most popular productions of all time.
CTP tours to Ottawa for the first time.

2004

Our first performance at Hart House Theatre on University of Toronto campus. Over 5,000 students visit in 2004.

2001

Our very first production Romeo & Juliet is directed by Charles Roy and features company co-founder David Galpern as Mercutio.