The Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) will receive accessibility and environmental upgrades after an investment of more than $1.3 million from the federal government.
Announced by Minister Dan Vandal, and Suzanne Munroe, MTYP Board Chair, this project will provide a more inclusive and sustainable space for the community to gather and express their creativity.
The funding will help provide barrier-free access to backstage and studio spaces, as well as public washroom modifications. Audiences, including neuro-diverse children, will also be able to enjoy the shows from a welcoming space with the redevelopment of the quiet room.
The project also includes renovations that will make the theatre a greener and more energy-efficient space. These include replacing the original roof and windows and updating overhead lighting with new LED technology as well as replacing the aging HVAC system. Once complete, improvements are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 81.7 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 288 tonnes annually.
MTYP has been creating and presenting professional theatre productions for children and families since 1982, and has grown to become one of the most respected professional theatre companies in Canada. The facility also houses the MTYP School, that delivers theatre-in-education programs to over 1,500 children every year. It is also home to Native Youth Theatre, an educational program that offers free classes to Winnipeg's Indigenous youth, directed and delivered by Indigenous artists.
