The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts is preparing to celebrate a milestone season in downtown Brantford, marking 40 years since the historic theatre reopened as a live performance venue.
A Milestone Season for Brantford’s Historic Theatre
The 2026–2027 season will officially begin on October 2 with a special 40th anniversary open house, inviting the community to step inside one of Brantford’s most treasured cultural landmarks. The event will give residents an opportunity to tour areas of the theatre that are not always open to the public, reflect on the building’s history, and celebrate the people who helped preserve it for future generations.
The anniversary is especially meaningful because the Sanderson Centre’s story is closely tied to the history of downtown Brantford. The building first opened in 1919 as the Temple Theatre, serving as a venue for vaudeville performances and silent films. It later became the Capitol Theatre in 1930 and operated for decades as a movie house before the City of Brantford purchased the building in the mid-1980s and restored it for live entertainment.
At the season launch, Mayor Kevin Davis reflected on the importance of that decision and the theatre’s lasting role in the community. He noted that the Sanderson Centre has become more than just a performance space. It continues to be an anchor for downtown activity, a home for the arts, and a gathering place for residents from across Brantford and the surrounding area.
The 40th anniversary also recognizes the ongoing work of the Sanderson Centre Foundation, which was created in 1986 to help support the restoration and long-term care of the theatre. Stephanie Herman, president of the foundation, spoke about the role donors, volunteers, partners, and community supporters have played in helping the venue continue to grow.
As part of the anniversary, the foundation is encouraging symbolic $40 donations to support future improvements and preservation efforts. The goal is to help ensure the Sanderson Centre remains a vibrant cultural hub for the next generation of performers, audiences, and community members.
Theatre Manager Glenn Brown also highlighted several projects underway or planned for the historic venue, including stage floor work, plaster repair, lobby restoration efforts, refurbished original glass doors, historically inspired lighting, and curtain replacement work designed to respect the building’s original character. These improvements are part of the ongoing effort to balance the needs of a busy modern theatre with the preservation of one of Brantford’s most important heritage spaces.
The upcoming season reflects that same balance of history, community, and entertainment.
The Sanderson Centre’s 2026–2027 lineup includes concerts, theatre, comedy, family shows, films, educational programming, local productions, and rental events. In total, the season includes more than 30 Sanderson Centre Presents performances, three films, and more than 50 rental events already confirmed.
Among the major names announced for the new season are I Mother Earth, Big Sugar, Tim Hicks, Brent Butt, Susan Aglukark, Classic Albums Live, Erth’s Shark Dive, and Chris Funk. The lineup is designed to offer something for a wide range of audiences, from rock and country fans to families, theatre lovers, students, and those looking for unique cultural performances.
The season will also include a number of Canadian and international productions. Highlights include She Carries the Song, featuring Indigenous women artists; Three Roads Home, connecting Canadian folk music with Irish heritage; Dance of the Emerald Isle, direct from Ireland; TAIKOPROJECT; and By A Thread, a contemporary circus work from Australia.
The theatre program will feature productions such as 500 Words by Jamie Norris, Marsh Marigolds: An Agricultural Thriller, A Very Merry Middle Raged Sketch Comedy, Hold On To Your Butts, and The Psychology of Cults. Family-friendly offerings include The Nutcracker, Chris Funk: Redefining Wonder, and Erth’s Shark Dive.
Music will once again be a major part of the season. Classic Albums Live will return with performances of The Beatles’ White Album, Van Halen’s 1984, and Madonna’s The Immaculate Collection. Other concerts include John McDermott, Ocean Blue, DeeDee Austin, Swing Sensation with Ross Wooldridge and his Orchestra, The Great Canadian Road Trip, The Story of Ozzy Osbourne, Big Sugar EARTHLINGS! Live, I Mother Earth, and Tim Hicks’ Going Somewhere Tour.
The Sanderson Centre will also continue to serve as a home for local arts organizations, community performances, rentals, dance competitions, concerts, and theatre productions. Brown noted that the theatre’s calendar has become increasingly active, with strong demand from renters, touring productions, local companies, schools, and cultural organizations. That activity not only supports the arts but also brings people into downtown Brantford, benefiting nearby restaurants, hotels, and businesses.
The anniversary season is also a reminder of the many people who keep the theatre operating behind the scenes. From box office and marketing staff to technical crews, volunteers, sponsors, donors, renters, and community partners, the Sanderson Centre’s success continues to depend on broad local support.
Tickets for the 2026–2027 season will be available to the general public starting Monday, June 22 at noon.
The Sanderson Centre also offers benefits for Centre Stage Patrons and annual members. Patrons who purchase tickets to four shows in one transaction can receive savings on Sanderson Centre Presents tickets, avoid service fees throughout the season, and access tickets before the general public. Annual memberships are also available and include similar benefits, along with instalment payment options and select two-for-one offers.
For more information about the full season lineup, ticket availability, membership options, or the 40th anniversary open house, visit the Sanderson Centre website or contact the box office.
As the Sanderson Centre prepares to begin its 2026–2027 season, the milestone is about more than a list of upcoming shows. It is a celebration of Brantford’s commitment to preserving its history, investing in the arts, and keeping live entertainment at the heart of the downtown community.
