One of the principal stages of the Stratford Festival, the Avon Theatre at 99 Downie Street in Stratford, Ontario has been presenting live performance since 1901. The building began life as a vaudeville and silent-film house before being converted to a cinema in the 1920s. When the Stratford Festival -- the largest classical repertory theatre company in North America -- needed a second indoor stage beyond its iconic thrust-stage Festival Theatre, the Avon was acquired and converted for live theatre use in 1967. The 1,083-seat proscenium-arch auditorium features a traditional orchestra-and-balcony configuration with warm acoustics and excellent sightlines from virtually every seat. The venue hosts a substantial portion of the Festival's annual season, which runs from April through October and typically presents a dozen or more productions across four stages. Programming at the Avon leans toward musicals, contemporary dramas, and comedies -- work that benefits from the proscenium frame and full fly-tower capabilities. The Festival itself was founded in 1953 under the direction of Tyrone Guthrie and has grown into an internationally recognised cultural institution, drawing audiences exceeding 500,000 per season. The Avon Theatre is a key part of that ecosystem, complementing the thrust-stage Festival Theatre, the Studio Theatre, and the Tom Patterson Theatre (rebuilt and reopened in 2020). Downtown Stratford wraps around the theatre with restaurants, shops, and the scenic Avon River and Lake Victoria, all within walking distance. The box office is shared across the Festival's venues and can be reached at 1-800-567-1600 or through stratfordfestival.ca. Pre-show talks and post-show discussions are offered for most performances, and the Festival operates its own on-site wardrobe, props, and scene shops.

Type: Theater / Concert Hall

Address: 99 Downie Street, Stratford, ON, Canada

Telephone: 1-800-567-1600

Website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca

Capacity: 1083

Opening Date: 01/01/1901