On Sunday, June 2, 2019 – the day of the National ArtsCentre’s 50th anniversary – the NAC is inviting Canadians to a free Open House that will featurethe largest public access to the NAC’s backstage in 25 years, music, theatre and danceworkshops, and surprise performances by Canadian artists. This unique event is in partnershipwith Doors Open Ottawa. And to conclude the day’s 50thanniversary celebrations, the NACOrchestra led by Alexander Shelley will perform a free concert featuring special guest artists thatwill take the audience through highlights of the Orchestra’s 50-year history.

“At the National Arts Centre, Canada is our Stage, but at our 50th Anniversary Open House, theNAC will be your stage,” said NAC President and CEO Christopher Deacon. “We invite the publicto join us and help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NAC, a home for Canada’s mostcreative artists, and a catalyst for performance, creation and learning across the country.”

The opening of the NAC on June 2, 1969 was a great moment of pride for Canadians. On itsopening weekend, tens of thousands of people flooded into downtown Ottawa to see it. The 50thAnniversary Open House will be another exciting historic moment in the life of the NAC, and weinvite the public to be part of it!

50TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE ACTIVITIES (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

The 50th Anniversary Open House on Sunday, June 2 runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includesfree activities for the whole family.

• SELF-GUIDED BACKSTAGE TOUR

  The highlight of the 50th Anniversary Open House will be a self-guided backstage tour, inwhich the public can enjoy a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the NAC. Beginning on SouthamHall stage (one of the largest in North America), with access to spaces like the scenic shop,the Asper Theatre and backstage dressing rooms, visitors will have the chance to go behindthe curtain to explore where so much of the hard work, creativity and ingenuity come togetherto create the magic of the performing arts. This public backstage tour will be the largest since1994, the year of the NAC’s 25th anniversary.

• CHOIR, DANCE AND THEATRE WORKSHOPS
  As part of the 50th Anniversary Open House, visitors can take part in music, theatre anddance workshops on the NAC’s stages. Workshops include:

  • Classic Canadian Songs led by 613 Casual Choir’s Lee Hayes

  • Pow Wow Step Groove led by Josée Bourgeois

  • Bollywood Contemporary Fusion led by Roger Sinha

  • Theatre workshops led by artists in English, French and Indigenous Theatre

• POP-UP PERFORMANCES AND ACTIVITIES IN NAC PUBLIC SPACES
  Visitors to the 50th Anniversary Open House can enjoy a variety of activities throughoutthe NAC’s Public Spaces, including a costume exhibition, artifacts from the NACarchives, arts and crafts, DJs and pop-up performances.

• NAC ORCHESTRA CONCERT (8 p.m.)
  The June 2 celebrations will culminate that evening with a free performance by the NACOrchestra, Music Director Alexander Shelley, and a number of Canadian guest artists and closefriends of the Orchestra. The program will take the audience through highlights of the Orchestra’s50-year history – from its beginning as a classical-sized orchestra through touring, recording,education and commissioning works by Canadian composers. Details on how to get tickets will beannounced shortly.