The Banff Centre began as the Banff School of Drama in 1933. Initially, the program responded to the needs of the regional activist theatre of Alberta. Over the years, and under the direction of prominent Canadian actors and instructors, the focus of the program shifted to meet the needs of actors across Canada. Drama is only one of the areas covered by today's expanded Theatre Arts Department. Theatre Arts is dedicated to exploring contemporary repertoire and to developing new works in dance, drama, opera and song.
New works require and generate new skills.
Drama at The Banff Centre for the Arts is dedicated to the advancement of the form through intensive training for actors, special workshops and the Banff playRites Colony. The Colony was formed in 1974 under the leadership of Tom Hendry. Alberta Theatre Projects Annual Festival of New Canadian Plays, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Bob White and Keith Turnbull assumed co-directorship of the program. The Banff playRites Colony is an artist-centred program, designed to meet the specific needs of each participant.