The New Gilles Desjardins Stage

What The New Gilles Desjardins Stage does

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins (LNSGD) is a non-profit French-language theater production and distribution center headquartered at 333 King Edward Avenue in Ottawa, Canada. Founded in 1999, it operates as the first professional theater entirely dedicated to Ottawa's French-speaking community and serves Francophone and Francophile audiences across the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The organization is governed by a collective management model formalized in 2023, in which general management is shared between LNSGD co-directors and the leadership teams of its four founding resident companies: Théâtre du Trillium (est. 1975), Théâtre de la Vieille 17, Vox Théâtre (est. 1979), and Théâtre Catapulte.

LNSGD's core products include professional theater programming across multiple seasons (e.g., 'Lumières, lumières, lumières' coproduced with La Comédie-Française, 'Dans tous les sens' from Vox Théâtre, 'Souviens-toi de la révolution' from Théâtre de la Vieille 17, and 'Girlboss'), dedicated school programming for CPE through grade 12 audiences, community activities (partner events, story time, benefit evenings), and venue rental services for external events. The physical venue comprises Studio A (173 seats), Studio B (70–80 seats), Studio CEPEO (~40 persons), and Bistro Marcil Lavallée (~100 persons). Underlying technology consists of standard non-AI third-party SaaS: TuxedoBillet for ticketing, Mailchimp for the Infolettre newsletter, and Google Analytics for web traffic — no proprietary systems or APIs are documented.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) ticket sales across a four-tier anonymous flexible pricing model ($0 Discovery, $15 Accessible, $30 Regular, $50 Solidarity, with group rates and free child admission), plus a $3.50 service fee; (2) space rental packages ranging from $1,403 to $4,860 per booking; (3) donations via online ticketing, CanaDon, and Benevity, including the completed $1 million ten-year Brigil pledge (December 2025) and the annual La Veillée 333 benefit evening; and (4) public grants from the City of Ottawa, Government of Canada, Ontario Arts Council, and Government of Ontario. LNSGD holds Silver-level Scène écoresponsable accreditation and reaches audiences through its website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and an annual season-launch event, distributing via in-person box office, online ticketing, telephone reservations, and direct booking for rentals and school groups.

Name

The New Gilles Desjardins Stage

Legal name

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins

Website

https://nouvellescene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins is a non-profit French-language theater production and distribution center in Ottawa, Canada, serving Francophone and Francophile audiences with professional theater programming, school programming, community activities, and venue rentals under a collective management model involving four founding resident companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

Keywords

• French-language theater
• Performing arts venue
• Theater productions
• Cultural programming
• Venue rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: Revenue from ticket sales for theatrical performances and shows, including regular programming and school programming. A flexible pricing model allows patrons to choose among four price tiers ($0, $15, $30, $50), with group rates available.
2. Space rental: Revenue from renting the venue's spaces (Bistro Marcil Lavallée, Studio A, Studio B, Studio CEPEO) for events including conferences, performances, cocktail parties, and meetings. Packages range from approximately $1,403 to $4,860 depending on space and configuration.
3. Donations and fundraising: Donations collected via online ticketing platform, CanaDon (monthly or one-time), and Benevity (corporate and individual donations). Major donor: Brigil contributed $1 million over 10 years for the 2016 reconstruction. The organization also holds a major benefit evening (La Veillée 333).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins is a French-language theater production and distribution center in Ottawa that produces and presents professional theatrical performances, school programming, and community activities. It operates a 333-seat venue (Studio A with 173 seats, Studio B with 70-80 seats, Studio C, and Bistro Marcil Lavallée) showcasing productions from its four founding resident companies, while also renting its spaces to external event organizers.

Product overview

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins is a French-language theater production and distribution center offering professional theatrical performances, school programming, and venue rentals. The core offering consists of diverse theater productions across multiple venues (Studio A with 173 seats, Studio B with 70-80 seats, Studio C for 40 persons, and Bistro Marcil Lavallée for 100 persons), complemented by educational programming for schools, community activities, and flexible ticketing services with multiple price tiers to ensure accessibility. The venue also offers space rental for external events and conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theater Productions (Programming) Main theater programming featuring professional French-language theatrical productions, including plays, puppet shows, and multidisciplinary performances presented throughout the season for French-speaking and Francophile audiences.
• School Programming (Programmation scolaire) Educational theater programming for schools from CPE/jardin through grade 12, offering age-appropriate performances covering theater, objects and puppets, dance, and multidisciplinary shows aligned with curriculum objectives.
• Space Rental (Location d'espaces) Venue rental services offering multiple spaces — Studio A (173 seats), Studio B (70-80 seats), Studio CEPEO (~40 persons), and Bistro Marcil Lavallée (~100 persons) — for corporate events, conferences, cocktail parties, performances, and private functions.
• Activities (Activités) Community activities including partner events, youth programs, story time and crafts sessions (L'Heure du conte et du brico), and benefit evenings (La Veillée 333) that animate the venue beyond regular performances.
• Flexible Ticketing Services (Notre billetterie flexible TD) Flexible ticketing system with multiple anonymous pricing tiers (Solidarity $50, Regular $30, Accessible $15, Discovery $0) enabling patrons to choose pricing that suits their budget, plus group rates and free admission for children.
• Lumières, lumières, lumières Theater production for adult audiences (75 minutes) by Théâtre du Trillium, coproduced with La Comédie-Française and Les songes turbulents, inspired by Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'. Includes a privilege rate option with parking, complimentary drink, and small buffet.
• Dans tous les sens Objects and puppets show by Vox Théâtre for youth (ages 5+), featuring a 50-minute performance about friendship and creativity.
• Souviens-toi de la révolution Theater production by Théâtre de la Vieille 17 examining Haitian history and colonial questions, featuring French and Haitian Creole with English surtitles for diverse linguistic audiences.
• Girlboss Theater production for all audiences, 75 minutes with intermission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Flexible ticketing model provides four price tiers from $0 to $50, with no proof of income required, making theater accessible regardless of financial means.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Théâtre français de TorontominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2027Coproducer of 'Souviens-toi de la révolution' alongside Théâtre de la Vieille 17, Fâcheux Théâtre, and Cie Bazou.
• Théâtre ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2026Théâtre Action is the initiator of the Feuilles Vives biennial initiative (created in 2012, 8th edition in 2026) supporting the development and promotion of Franco-Ontarian theatrical creations. LNSGD hosts this partner event.
• La Comédie-FrançaisemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Coproducer of 'Lumières, lumières, lumières' with Les songes turbulents. The production features two actresses from the Troupe de la Comédie-Française and was created at the Studio-Théâtre de la Comédie-Française in Paris in May 2026. Represents a rare artistic collaboration between the Paris institution and Quebec/Canada.
• Festival Franco-Ontarien (FFO)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026LNSGD is a partner of the 51st edition of the Festival Franco-Ontarien (June 2026). LNSGD will operate the 'Café Communal' during the festival at Major's Hill Park and will preview elements of its 26-27 programming, supporting mutual Francophone cultural promotion.
• Théâtre du TrilliumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999One of four founding and resident companies (CFR) of LNSGD. Founded in 1975, Théâtre du Trillium advances contemporary French-language playwriting in Canada's National Capital. It contributes productions to LNSGD's programming and participates in collective management.
• Théâtre de la Vieille 17coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999One of four founding and resident companies (CFR) of LNSGD. A creative theater company anchored in French Ontario with a global outlook, creating works for children and adults that address social and human concerns. It contributes productions and participates in collective governance.
• Vox ThéâtrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999One of four founding and resident companies (CFR) of LNSGD. Founded in 1979, VOX Théâtre creates sensitive and daring works for children and youth, exploring theatrical games, music, sets, and puppets. It contributes youth-oriented productions to LNSGD's programming.
• Théâtre CatapultecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999One of four founding and resident companies (CFR) of LNSGD. Théâtre Catapulte dedicates its productions to voices of women and artists from diverse minority backgrounds. It works closely with LNSGD to present creations to the general public and teenagers in Ottawa-Gatineau, with productions touring across Canada.
• Ambassade de France au Canada (Embassy of France in Canada)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Embassy of France in Canada is a sponsor and partner for the 'Lumières, lumières, lumières' production, a coproduction with La Comédie-Française and Les songes turbulents.
• TD Bank (TD Assurance)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTD Bank's flexible ticketing system is used by LNSGD, branded as 'Notre billetterie flexible TD', allowing patrons to choose pricing tiers that suit their budget.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Compagnie Jean Duceppe: Montreal-based francophone theater company producing a regular season of classical and contemporary plays with a focus on accessibility. Comparable to LNSGD in mission, programming structure, and reliance on public funding and ticketing.
• Théâtre du Rideau Vert: Historic Montreal francophone theater producing a season of plays, comedies, and contemporary works. Comparable to LNSGD as a similarly sized French-language producing theater with subscription-style season programming and institutional support.
• Théâtre du Nouveau Monde: One of Quebec's oldest French-language theater companies, operating its own venue and producing a regular season of classical and contemporary works. Comparable to LNSGD as a producing-and-presenting francophone theater with institutional funding and a multi-space venue model.
• Théâtre français de Toronto: Professional French-language theater company based in Toronto serving Canada's Franco-Ontarian and broader Francophone community. Directly comparable to LNSGD as a Francophone theater production house with similar target audience and touring/co-production partnerships (e.g., 'Souviens-toi de la révolution' co-production).
• Centaur Theatre: Montreal-based English-language producing theater with a multi-venue setup and regular season programming. Comparable to LNSGD in venue structure, seat capacity, and producing-presentation business model, with a similar Canadian regional-theater footprint.
• Théâtre de Quat'Sous: Montreal-based French-language theater focused on contemporary, socially-engaged playwriting. Comparable to LNSGD in producing French-language contemporary theatrical works with a similar scale and resident-company model.

Broad incumbents

• National Arts Centre (NAC): Canada's largest bilingual performing arts venue, headquartered in Ottawa, which originally owned the building LNSGD now occupies. Comparable to LNSGD as the dominant Francophone programming venue in Ottawa, and a key competitor for the same donors, partners, and audiences.

Regional players

• Théâtre du Trident: Quebec City-based French-language theater producing a season of classical and contemporary works. Comparable to LNSGD in institutional structure and public funding model, though serving a different geographic market.
• Théâtre de la Bordée: Quebec City-based French-language cooperative theater producing a regular season of contemporary plays. Comparable to LNSGD in cooperative production model and Francophone mission, though geographically focused on the Quebec City market.

Others

• Festival Franco-Ontarien: Annual Franco-Ontarian cultural festival with which LNSGD partners on the Café Communal and Programming. Comparable as a fellow Franco-Ontarian cultural ecosystem organization and mutual promotion partner, rather than a direct competing theater.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LNSGD
• Facebookfacebook.com/LaNouvelleScene
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/la-nouvelle-sc%C3%A8ne
• Instagraminstagram.com/nouvellescenegillesdesjardins
• TikToktiktok.com/@lnsgd
• Xx.com/LNSGDOttawa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The New Gilles Desjardins Stage