About us

Who we are

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres are a century-old National Historic Site owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. They are the last operating vaudeville-era stacked theatres in the world.

Part of Toronto's vibrant theatre scene, the theatres also host many shows — including stage plays, operas, film premieres, concerts, dance, lectures and stand-up comedy. They can also be seen as the backdrop for many well-known films and television shows.

Mission

Rescued by the Ontario Heritage Trust and restored to their original grandeur, the theatres are a prime example of the Ontario Heritage Trust’s mandate at work. The theatres' operation serves the people of Ontario by:

  • conserving, stewarding and interpreting this unique national historical landmark
  • undertaking sensitive adaptations to ensure continued use as safe, viable and sustainable contemporary theatres while protecting the heritage value
  • providing unique places of assembly to complement the cultural infrastructure and serve the public’s interest
  • delivering a variety of performing arts and film programming by leading entertainment practitioners
  • offering an official provincial government location and gathering place to celebrate Ontario’s artists, people, achievements and history

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres are located at 189 Yonge Street in Toronto, just north of Queen Street, on the east side of Yonge Street, opposite the Eaton Centre. We are accessible via the Yonge Street subway (at the Queen Street subway stop).

Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres

189 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1M4
Email: ewg@heritagetrust.on.ca
TO Live Box Office telephone: 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754

Stage door

158 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1T6
Stage door telephone: 416-314-3718

Lost and found

  • 416-314-2885

Patron services

  • Lori MacLean, 416-314-2872, Front of House Manager
  • Kelly Mudie, 416-314-2878, House Manager

Administration

  • Gail Packwood, 416-314-2870, Managing Director
  • Samantha Serles, 416-326-1351, Theatre Services Manager

Bookings

  • Kevin Harris, 416-325-4144, Booking and Events Manager

Note:

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres recruit ushering staff throughout the year. If you are interested in applying, forward your resumé to:

Lori MacLean
Front of House Manager
Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres
189 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 1M4

Or email it to lori.maclean@heritagetrust.on.ca. Resumés will be kept on file for six months.

Ushers

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres seek friendly, dedicated and motivated individuals to fill part-time positions as ushers. This is an excellent opportunity for students, performers, retired or semi-retired individuals.

What we look for in theatre ushers:

  • sincere desire to contribute to a facility dedicated to providing exceptional patron/client care
  • availability to work evenings, some holidays, daytime shifts and at least one day on the weekend
  • ability to climb stairs, do some lifting, stand for extended periods of time and be fluent in English

Become a volunteer

The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres depend on volunteers to assist with special events and projects. They also provide guided tours of the theatre complex and staff the gift shop.

Restoration of the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres took five years to complete. During that period, hundreds of volunteers donated their time to the restoration. Their work included staffing promotional exhibits, conducting hard-hat tours, and assisting with fundraising activities. Volunteers also helped recreate dozens of beaded light fixtures for the Elgin Theatre and harvest beech leaves for the Winter Garden's ceiling canopy.

Since the theatres reopened in 1989, volunteers have continued to participate. We are grateful to this dedicated group.

If you would like to volunteer your time at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, check out the information below and/or complete the application form. For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 416-314-2873 and leave a message with your name and telephone number.

The following volunteer opportunities are available at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres:

Special event days

  • Doors Open Toronto — usually the last weekend of May
  • Ghost tours — the week of Halloween
  • each event offers the opportunities to volunteer with crowd control, back-up for tours, ticket sales and gift shop staffing

Gift shop

  • open and close the gift shop before and after performances — ensure a sufficient supply of merchandise
  • sell merchandise prior to performances and during intermission — record and tally sales transactions, and balance cash
  • answer questions from patrons – about the theatres, current and upcoming events and productions, local tourist attractions, etc.
  • provide directions in the building — washroom, coat check, etc.

Support us

Volunteering for the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres is not the only way to support our work. You can also make a financial gift to ensure that the building and the programs you care about are directed to the right place.

The Trust depends on support from government, corporations, foundations and individual donors to preserve and protect this landmark as a vibrant cultural hub. Current needs include:

  • support for ongoing capital restoration
  • programming celebrating the history of the theatres
  • live performances programming for youth and children