When it comes to iconic Calgary venues, the Jack Singer Concert Hall is usually the first that comes to mind. With 1,700 seats, an acoustic canopy that can be lowered to customize the perfect sound for every show, and the indomitable presence of the Carthy Pipe Organ (a gem of a beast, rising behind the stage to stare gloriously down at all who sit in her presence), it's a space defined by glamour and glory.
Or, perhaps, some may think of the Martha Cohen Theatre. Quaint in size but bold in aesthetic, the curved architecture and wooden beams bring to mind a ship's hull or, even, the iconic Globe Theatre in London.
But for those who know, the little Motel Theatre –– tucked away next to private meeting spaces, administrative offices, and cafés –– is a true powerhouse of Calgary's theatrical venues.
Admittedly, the Motel Theatre may not look like much. A black box-style room with no evident seating, an exposed ceiling, and black curtains framing windows that look down upon the excavated bones of Olympic Plaza, it's a space that to the untrained eye appears…simple.
But booking a venue for a performance –– be it a multi-platinum award-winning musician or a 6th-grade dance recital –– is an art in itself. As glorious as the Jack Singer Concert Hall may be, it is ill-equipped for the intimate moments necessary for a Downstage festival or an artist's networking affair. To bring people together in a way that emphasizes connection (and a vulnerability that can only be found in eye-to-eye contact between audience and performer), you need a space that can bridge that gap. This is the sweet spot where the Motel Theatre shines.
"Creating and sharing performances in the Motel Theatre is such a boutique experience," remarks Downstage artistic director Clare Preuss. "With only 55 audience members for each performance, there's an innate intimacy when we are all gathered together. Often, the seating arrangement is situated in such a way that audience members can see each other –– like the alley seating for Beautiful Man, or the in-the-round (square) seating for Are You The One?.
"Regardless of the seating arrangement, there's always a great awareness of being in community when we experience a show in the Motel Theatre. Feeling each other's breath, sensing the movement of our heads as we follow the action –– being so present with the actors, the design elements and each other as audience members. Live performance is such a gift in this often isolating digital era. The Motel Theatre provides a special opportunity for community bonding that I value so much as a theatre maker and live-arts lover."
So the next time you're exploring downtown, follow the quieter hallways and let your curiosity lead you to a room where spectacle gives way to closeness and live performance reminds us what it's like to truly gather together. The Motel Theatre isn't just a space –– it's an invitation to be brave, lean in, and belong.
Are You The One? (2025)
Downstage Presentation of the xLq World Premiere
Photos by Caitlind Brown
Created and Performed by xLq (all element except lighting)
Lighting Design by Adam Kostiuk
Beautiful Man (2024)
Downstage, Handsome Alice and Verb Theatre Co-Production
Photos by Mike Tan
Written by Erin Shields
Directed by Clare Preuss
Set Design by Cassie Holmes
Costume Design by Abbie Brokenshire
Light Design by Adam Kostiuk
Sound Design and Composition by Kathryn Smith
The Strategy of War (2024)
Downstage World Premiere Production
Photos by Chelsea Yang-Smith
Created and Performed by Mera Reyes
Directed and Choreographed by Javier Vilalta
Set/Lighting by Andy Moro
Costume Design by Rubén Sánchez
Original Music Composer & Performer - Arturo Alejandro Araya
The F Word (2025)
Downstage Presentation of the Purple Tamarind Production
Photos by Chelsea Yang-Smith
Created and Performed by Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda
Directed by Clare Preuss
Set Designer – Andy Moro
Projection Designer – Maezy Reign
Sound Designer & Composer – KP Smith
Puppet Designer & Builder – Ali DeRegt
Lighting Designer & Production Manager – Alexandra Prichard
Props Designer & Builder and Costume Consultant – Sarbkali Hayer