Specializing in theatre and film, CTORA Productions is a performing arts non-profit organization that employs emerging artists in local theatre productions.

The company also has an academy program for students.

CTORA Productions puts on a couple of shows each year. Their next big production is West Side Story in May 2025. The other play in their 2024/25 season was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in October.

Visit the CTORA Productions website for details about the theatre company, its academy and for tickets to its shows.

CTORA Productions Theatre Company

CTORA Productions is a local theatre company that provides both professional and young, aspiring performers the opportunity to take the stage. The company puts on plays and other theatrical shows. The organization’s headquarters are in Richmond, but CTORA’s shows take the stage at various venues in Metro Vancouver. CTORA Productions has a theatre academy where children of all ages can take acting classes at various locations too.

The fall 2024 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory played at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver in October. CTORA Theatre’s spring 2025 production of West Side Story is at Granville Island Stage on Granville Island from May 8th to 24th.

The cast and crew of CTORA shows are Lower Mainland locals! If you want to support local theatre and artists here in our community, then this is a good place to do it!

West Side Story Production 2024

West Side Story is CTORA’s next show. It’s an adaptation of the famous musical that has been a hit on the stage and on the big screen since the 1950s.

The story is a version of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale, but set in modern times in New York City. The protagonists are Tony and Maria, two teenagers from rival gangs who fall in love with each other. Their attempted romance is besieged on multiple sides by those who want to keep them apart from each other.

CTORA rates the show as PG-13. There is violence during the show as well as some language that might not be suitable for young children. But for kids who are a little older (as well as their parents and any other adults) it’s a great show.

Opening night in 2025 is on Saturday, May 10th. There is, however, a preview show earlier that afternoon as well as on the two days beforehand. After the official opening the production runs Thursdays to Sundays until May 24th.

On Thursdays and Fridays there’s an evening performance at 8:00 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays there is both a matinee show at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 8:00 pm, except for the 24th when there’s just a 2:00 pm show. There’s also a bonus Victoria Day show at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 19th.

All the shows are at the Granville Island Stage, located at 1585 Johnston Street in Vancouver. Ticket prices start at $38 and go up to $68 for the best seats. For more details on tickets, go to the CTORA Productions website.

Origins of CTORA Productions

The theatre company was founded in 2017 as the Children’s Theatre of Richmond Association. While it’s a relatively new addition to the local theatre scene, CTORA has provided a platform for plenty of artists of various kinds.

In addition to its stage plays, CTORA has also created short films, music videos and TV series. The organization is dedicated to giving both emerging and more established local artists the chance to strut their stuff for an audience.

For full details and tickets for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, visit ctora.ca.

CTORA Academy

One of the ways in which CTORA nurtures young talent is through its Academy Programs. The company offers workshops and acting classes for students in Grade 1 all the way up to Grade 12, and there are multiple youth productions each year.

For children in Grade 1 to Grade 3, there is the Fall Show Choir Program which runs from September to December. Participants learn famous Disney songs and get to perform them in front of their families and friends.

For those who are a little older there are both “Fine Arts & Stagecraft” and “Acting for the Camera” classes that run at different times during the school year. Not only do these classes give children and youth the chance to hone their skills, but the registration fees also help fund CTORA’s main stage productions.

In addition to these regular workshops and classes, there are also staged youth shows. As an example of what you can expect, in 2024/25 there’s A Charlie Brown Christmas (Grades 1 to 3), Honk Jr. (Grades 4 to 7) and Into the Woods Jr. (Grades 8 to 12). All the performances take the stage several times at Pal Studio Theatre in Vancouver, in either January or March.