Monument-National
The campus of the National Theatre School stretches all the way to the Monument National in the core of downtown Montreal. This hundred year old theatre, owned and operated by the NTS, has been classed a heritage building. Situated in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles (Performing Arts District), on the famous “Main” and close the St-Laurent metro station, it is one of the first multi-functional buildings constructed in Canada. Recently restored and renovated, the Monument-National is composed of three performance halls, including a number of spaces offering unlimited conversion and transformation possibilities.
The Monument-National’s two stages can accommodate every kind of production, from small concerts to large-scale shows. The Ludger-Duvernay Theatre ingeniously integrates the latest technology into a 19th-century architectural gem, while the Studio Hydro-Québec, with its clean lines and Meccano-like permutations, offers exciting flexibility. On the third floor, we discover La Balustrade, a 55-seat cabaret style theatre.
The smart and contemporary Café Québecor is an ideal location for receptions, news conferences, and book and CD launches. The Salle Marie-Vincent provides a more intimate and classic setting for an opening-night reception, work session, or an important meeting.
Training Workshops
Within its walls are contained workshop spaces designated for the construction of sets, the elaboration and sewing of costumes, the design and manufacture of props, as well as for scenic painting. There is also a large rehearsal hall situated on the top floor of the Monument, as it is affectionately called, and it is in this theatre that most of the graduating class performances are held.
The Monument-National is one of the most important theatre complexes in Montreal and in Canada. During its renovations in 1993, the School made a point of creating a space that would serve both as a teaching establishment and a performance space. This dual mandate is quite a stimulating challenge as it allows students, teachers and staff of the NTS to rub shoulders with producers, artists and the public who frequent this amazing theatre.