What Imago Théâtre does

Imago Théâtre is a registered non-profit professional English-language feminist theatre company based in Montreal (Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang), Quebec, founded in 1987. Its core offering consists of theatrical productions — typically several per year, including world premieres — staged at partner venues (Centaur Theatre, Théâtre La Chapelle) and presented with accessibility features such as French surtitles (since 2022), relaxed performances, and Pay-What-You-Decide ticketing. Upcoming productions include The Sound of Dogs (October 2026, Centaur) and the English-language world premiere of Akuteu (January 2027, La Chapelle). Beyond mainstage productions, Imago operates four structured artist-development programs: ARTISTA (youth mentorship for women, gender-diverse, trans, and non-binary people aged 17-22, currently on hiatus), The 2.0 Project (producing mentorship), Creators Circle (drop-in community space), and Nested Circles (newcomer artist residency). Complementary offerings include the Inside Imago podcast, study zines, talkbacks, and educational programs for schools.

The organization operates with a small core staff of approximately 6-8 personnel led by Artistic & Executive Director Krista Jackson, with a volunteer board of directors providing governance. Revenue is multi-stream and not publicly disclosed: ticket sales (regular $34; arts workers and seniors $25; Pay-What-You-Decide), individual donations, and grants/funding from a diversified public-private base including Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, CALQ, Conseil des arts de Montréal, and private foundations (Cole Foundation, Zeller Family Foundation, McLean Smits Family Foundation, Desjardins). The company relies on co-production and venue partnerships to scale distribution, and brand reputation is supported by 20+ Montreal English Theatre Awards across multiple categories. As a registered charity (CRA #118966548RR0001), Imago is positioned as a mission-driven arts organization rather than a venture-scale business, with its economic engine anchored in grant funding, donor cultivation, and audience-earned revenue.

Name

Imago Théâtre

Legal name

Imago Theatre

Website

https://imagotheatre.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Imago Théâtre is a Montreal-based non-profit English feminist theatre company, founded in 1987, producing award-winning live productions and mentorship programs for women, gender-diverse, trans, and non-binary artists, supported by ticket sales, donations, and arts grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Feminist theatre productions
• Live performing arts
• Artist mentorship programs
• Theatrical accessibility services
• Community theatre programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from live performance tickets at partner venues. Regular tickets priced at $34, Arts Worker & 60+ at $25, with Pay-What-You-Decide options available.
2. Donations and Fundraising: As a registered non-profit (Charitable Registration Number: 118966548RR0001), Imago receives donations from individuals and foundations. Currently running 40th Anniversary campaign targeting $40,000 by December 31, 2026.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Montreal Arts Council, and private foundations including Zeller Family Foundation, McLean Smits Family Foundation, and Cole Foundation.
4. Educational Programs and Group Bookings: Revenue from discounted group bookings (10+ tickets) for educators and students, plus classroom visit programs on sliding scale.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Imago Théâtre produces and presents professional English-language feminist theatrical productions at partner venues in Montreal, alongside artist development programs (mentorships, residencies, community circles) and educational resources for audiences and educators. The organization also offers accessible live performance features such as French surtitles, relaxed performances, and Pay-What-You-Decide ticketing.

Product overview

Imago Théâtre operates as a professional English feminist theatre company based in Montreal since 1987. The organization offers a portfolio of theatrical productions (including world premieres like The Sound of Dogs and Akuteu) alongside artist mentorship programs (The 2.0 Project, Nested Circles, ARTISTA), community-building initiatives (Creators Circle), educational resources (Zines, study guides, classroom visits), and media content (Inside Imago podcast). The company centers intersectional feminist values through accessible live performing arts, offering programs such as Pay-What-You-Decide tickets and French surtitles to increase accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inside Imago: A podcast hosted by Jimmy Blais featuring conversations about upcoming productions, projects, artists, and the feminist stories they tell.

Products and services

• The Sound of Dogs A live theatrical production exploring Deaf culture and the CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) experience, blending American Sign Language, spoken English, and movement. World premiere scheduled for October 2026 at Centaur Theatre in Montreal. Targeted at general theatre audiences and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
• Akuteu English-language world premiere production written and directed by Soleil Launière, exploring identity and belonging of a young Innu woman. Premieres January 2027 at Théâtre La Chapelle in Montreal. Targeted at general theatre audiences interested in Indigenous storytelling.
• The 2.0 Project A producing mentorship program for developing and early-career producers offering hands-on experience producing a festival (Simmer Festival), with skills, resources, and tools for sustainable change through artistic programming. For emerging producers seeking professional development in feminist theatre.
• Creators Circle A monthly drop-in community space for feminist Montreal theatre creators to gather, share knowledge, spark ideas, and create community. Open to creators in any discipline at any level of training.
• Nested Circles A self-directed newcomer artist residency pairing artists who moved to Montreal from another country with mentoring artists, with a focus on contemporary, anti-colonial, inclusive, community-oriented, and land-based dramaturgical practice.
• ARTISTA A free theatre mentorship program for women, gender-diverse, trans, and non-binary people ages 17–22, empowering participants to tell their own stories through theatrical experimentation and supporting them toward public performance.
• Educational Programs for Educators Programs for educators and students including discounted group tickets (10+ booked directly with Imago), classroom visits on a sliding scale, talkbacks, study zines, and podcast content for pre-show learning. Targeted at teachers and students in Quebec.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 Montreal English Theatre Awards received across multiple years including Outstanding Direction, Ensemble, Set Design, Sound Design, and PACT Production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major funder, notable and member.

• Production AUENcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2027Co-production partner for Akuteu, written and directed by Soleil Launière, English-Language World Premiere at Théâtre La Chapelle.
• The Sound of Dogs CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2026Co-production partner for The Sound of Dogs, a play by Jennifer Roberts directed by Micheline Chevrier and Pamela Witcher. Selected as Centaur Theatre's Brave New Looks Selection for 2026/27.
• La Chapelle Scènes ContemporainescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating venue partner for Akuteu English-Language World Premiere. Theatre space supporting contemporary performance.
• Centaur TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary venue partner presenting Imago productions. Selected Imago's The Sound of Dogs as part of Brave New Looks 2026/27. Also partnered on Okinum and other productions.
• Playwrights' Workshop MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for play development. The Sound of Dogs and Akuteu developed in collaboration with PWM. Commissioned translation developed with their support.
• Canada Council for the Artsmajor funderOthersMajor government funder supporting productions, artist programs, and operations through grants and contributions.
• Canadian Heritage / Patrimoine canadienmajor funderOthersFederal government funder supporting Canadian arts and culture through grants.
• Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)major funderOthersProvincial Quebec arts council providing operational and project funding.
• Conseil des arts de Montréalmajor funderOthersMontreal municipal arts council supporting local theatre productions and programs.
• Climate Play / wâhkôhtowin ProjectnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner2024 collaboration with wâhkôhtowin Project and Concordia University Department of Theatre. Verbatim theatre workshop series on climate change perspectives across Canada.
• National Queer & Trans Playwriting UnitnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner2022-2024 partnership with Zee Zee Theatre and national theatre companies. Imago presented reading of Seven and One Heart by Smokii Sumac.
• OnishkacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Okinum by Émilie Monnet, English-Language World Premiere at Centaur Theatre and National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre.
• Feminist Art ResidencynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported development of One Spectacular Moment by Adjani Poirier in early stages.
• Belfry Theatre, Persephone Theatre, University of ReginanotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts Leadership Training Program providing internship opportunity for Dominique Ireland as Artistic & Administrative Assistant.
• Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT)memberOthersMember of national association representing professional English-language theatres in Canada.
• Québec Drama FederationmemberOthersMember of provincial drama federation supporting English-language theatre in Quebec.
• English-Language Arts Network (ELAN)memberOthersMember of network supporting English-language artists and arts organizations in Quebec.
• Canadian Green AlliancememberOthersMember of organization bridging sustainability, climate change action, and theatre. Committed to environmental practices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Geordie Theatre: Montreal-based professional English theatre producing original and touring work. Previously co-produced Persephone Bound with Imago, indicating direct operational and creative overlap; comparable as a peer-scale producing company in the same Montreal ecosystem.
• Teesri Duniya Theatre: Montreal English-language theatre company producing work from culturally diverse perspectives. Directly comparable to Imago as a peer-scale Montreal English theatre with overlapping funder base and similar community-program offerings.
• Zee Zee Theatre: Vancouver-based theatre company with a queer/trans mandate. Partnered with Imago on the National Queer & Trans Playwriting Unit (2022-2024); comparable as a peer-scale equity-mandated Canadian theatre with a comparable awards track record.
• Native Earth Performing Arts: Toronto-based Indigenous performing arts company. Comparable to Imago on equity-mandated programming, mentorship pipelines for underrepresented artists, and similar Canadian-arts funder base, with overlapping content themes given Imago's Indigenous co-productions.
• Youtheatre: Montreal English-language theatre serving young audiences with educational programming. Comparable to Imago in operating scale, Montreal focus, school-group programming overlap, and similar non-profit funding structure.
• Black Theatre Workshop: Montreal-based professional English-language theatre company focused on Black voices and stories. Comparable to Imago as a small professional Montreal English theatre with a defined equity mandate, parallel funding profile (Canada Council, CALQ), and similar award-eligible production cadence.

Broad incumbents

• National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre: National-scale Indigenous theatre department at Canada's National Arts Centre. Co-presenter of Imago's Okinum; comparable on Indigenous-theatre mandate but operates at far greater institutional scale and budget.
• Centaur Theatre: Montreal's largest English-language theatre company and Imago's primary venue partner. Operates at significantly larger scale than Imago but in the same market, with overlapping funder base and audience pool.

Emerging players

• Onishka: Montreal-based Indigenous arts producer and Imago's co-production partner on Okinum (NAC Indigenous Theatre). Comparable as an emerging producing partner with overlapping Indigenous-theatre programming and shared funder relationships.
• Playwrights' Workshop Montréal: Montreal play-development organization collaborating with Imago on The Sound of Dogs and Akuteu development. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player feeding new works into Imago's production pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubemusic.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNOXe2cTEyFexu82_MKgdLASttimhjBIf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imago-theatre-ca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Imago Théâtre