Why should you support the NTS?

The NTS is one of the leading theatre training institutions in the world. With over fifty years of history, and close to 1,900 graduates in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Production and Set and Costume Design, the NTS is a treasured national institution and a centre of remarkable creative activity.

NTS alumni are a testament to this creativity. Such artists as Roy Dupuis, Colm Feore, Martha Henry, Wajdi Mouawad and Sandra Oh first honed their skills here at the National Theatre School.

In order to fulfill its mission of nurturing gifted and committed artists, and to maintain its position as the country’s pre-eminent training institution in the Theatre Arts, the National Theatre School relies on the support of individuals, foundations and corporations as well as on the support provided by the provinces and by the Federal Government of Canada.

Your generosity is integral to the development of our artists and as such — of our country’s cultural life. A donation to the National Theatre School is a gift that will have tangible results in communities across the country and on stages around the world.

Please consider supporting the National Theatre School of Canada.

Ways you can give to the NTS

The NTS accepts donations in a variety of forms — from monthly credit card charges, to cheque payments, or online through Canada Helps or via one of our community foundation accounts held at any of the following:

• Vancouver Foundation
• Edmonton Community Foundation
• South Saskatchewan Community Foundation
• Winnipeg Foundation
• Toronto Community Foundation
• Foundation of Greater Montreal
• Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The NTS also provides support for planned gifts and opportunities for sponsorship. Sponsorships are available at the NTS as well as at the School's beautiful performance venue, the historic Monument-National theatre in the heart of the 'entertainment district' of Montreal.

For more information you are invited to contact Catherine Rideout at 514 842-7954 ext. 141 or catherinerideout@ent-nts.ca or you can go to our How To Give section on this website.

Where to give, and how your support is assured

Through our Revealing Talent Campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of the School, the NTS seeks support in five broad areas. It is important to note that we view your donations to our campaign as an investment in the National Theatre School and as such, we will report to you the results of your generosity — either through direct contact or through our website.

When we receive a donation that is 'undesignated' — a financial contribution that is sent without indication of where it should be spent — we will direct it to "Greatest Needs" which allows us the flexibility to use the donation as we determine most beneficial to the operation s of the NTS.

If you wish to designate or direct a donation to a specific fundraising area, please note this with the payment by writing it on the cheque or including a letter with your donation.

Your support can go to any of the following five areas of need:

1.    Students — Students at the NTS are dedicated and hard working with challenging and intense training schedules. Bursaries, awards and emergency funds are continuously being developed to meet the needs of our students. Support for students can be endowed (invested in perpetuity with a disbursement paid annually) or funded directly.

2.    Teaching — Funds are being developed for engaging the most distinguished and prominent instructors, principally theatre professionals, but also musicians, choreographers, architects, historians, writers and visual artists.

3.    Creation and Technology — This fund provides access to advanced technological resources for our students in Directing, Set and Costume Design and Production. Through this increased access to a broader range of equipment and expertise, students are able to experiment and create using technology to enhance their work. Donations to Creation and Technology will provide direct funding and funding in perpetuity which will ensure that students are able to develop their skills, fuel their imaginations and create the magic that is theatre — from the spectacular to the extraordinary.

4.    TEC — The National Theatre School is continuing to support cultural and artistic leadership through the growth and development of a new fund, the Theatre Engaging Communities fund (TEC). This fund is replacing the very successful Cultural and Artistic Leadership Project. TEC funds have now been established across Canada, in community foundations from Vancouver to St. John's so that in perpetuity works by new and emerging artists will have financial support. TEC funds are available for National Theatre School students and recent graduates. TEC serves as a catalyst for projects conceived and produced to reach communities through Fringes and other festivals. The NTS offers access to TEC funds twice yearly — in the autumn and the spring — through a call for proposals made public via this website.

5.    Special Projects — Support is being sought for a range of special projects allowing the NTS to seize opportunities that will impact on the development of our young theatre artists. Such funding has allowed for the students' annual fieldtrips to Stratford or to the Shaw Festival and for the 2011 trip to Fogo Island. Special Projects include everything from Open House celebrations to Homecoming events and offer direct opportunity for connecting with communities.