We produce theatre that illuminates the vast Jewish experience in order to inspire dialogue about Jewish culture and intersectionality in the community at large.
Our Vision:
The Jewish Experience
The Human Experience
On Stage
In aligning with the concept of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, our core values are:
Ingenuity
Vitality
Curiosity
Community
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre was established in 1987 and is a non-profit, Canadian, professional theatre company. Bev Aronovitch served as the founding artistic director and was succeeded by Kayla Gordon, Mariam Bernstein, Michael Nathanson, Ari Weinberg and the current artistic director, Dan Petrenko. WJT began its life as a community theatre producing two plays a year. In 1992, WJT became a professional theatre company and a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. WJT operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Theatre Agreement negotiated with Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
- WJT opened in 1987 with an audience of 700 people.
- In February 2011, The Globe and Mail chose to recognize WJT as “one of the gutsier theatre companies in Canada.”
- At the inaugural Winnipeg Theatre Awards in 2017, WJT’s production of The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez received awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play (Ray Strachan) and Outstanding Design (Brian Perchaluk, Set; Scott Henderson, Lighting; Paul De Gurse, Sound). The production was also nominated for Outstanding Production.
- WJT celebrated its 36th anniversary during the 2023/2024 season.