Located in Leslieville, Red Sandcastle Theatre is Toronto’s longest operating storefront theatre – an artistic hub where theatre artists, magicians, puppeteers, sketch comics and more can workshop, rehearse and mount their shows in an intimate venue. It’s also home to Eldritch Theatre, who are also the caretakers of the space.

Founded in 2011 by actor and playwright – and, more recently, Theatre Kingston Artistic Director – Rosemary Doyle, Red Sandcastle Theatre amplifies the idea that “Anything is possible”. In 2021, Eldritch Theatre came on board as the resident theatre company and caretakers, with Adrianna Prosser as General Manager and Eric Woolfe as Managing Director. Today, the new management continues to foster the theatre’s indie vibe and provide great rental rates – and secured funding to complete a renovation of the space.

What really sets Red Sandcastle Theatre apart is their fascinatingly creative (sometimes eccentric and macabre) storefront window, a space that hosts Artist in the Window exhibits, lately featuring a creepy yet captivating installation in partnership with the Museum of Uncommon Phenomena.

Red Sandcastle is a flexible space that can be used for rehearsals or as an intimate performance venue; it can seat up to 50, depending on the configuration. It’s also suitable for auditions, meetings, workshops or classes. Get rental information and specs here.

To learn more about the venue’s history, listen to the Stageworthy Podcast interview, where host Phil Rickaby chats with Rosemary Doyle, Adrianna Prosser and Eric Woolfe about Red Sandcastle’s origins and Eldritch Theatre taking over as caretakers.

(Photo credits: Red Sandcastle Theatre)

What we like about this theatre

We love the intimate, indie neighbourhood vibe of Red Sandcastle Theatre. It’s a place where audiences can easily become immersed in the performances, and performers can get up close and personal with their storytelling. We also appreciate that they support the indie theatre community by offering very reasonable rental rates – easing the financial burden for performing artists to tell their stories.

It’s also located along a cool stretch of Queen St. East in Leslieville – and the theatre is very much a part of the community there. If you arrive early for a show, you can grab dinner at a local pub or restaurant, get some ice cream or visit local indie bookstore Queen Books. (Written by C.M.)

Ideas for where you can go from here:

• Visit Red Sandcastle Theatre. If you happen to be walking by the venue, make sure to check out their storefront window.
• Take a look at what’s on at Red Sandcastle and book a ticket to see a show.
• Subscribe to their newsletter to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the theatre, and get discount codes and other insider info.
• Check out their venue rental info.
• Are you a performing artist with a show about the creepy, the uncanny, the haunted or the strange? Check out their call for artists.

Accessibility: Access to the theatre space and washroom is on the main floor of the theatre.

We love theatre spaces because they inspire you to witness stories unfold on stage. Witnessing stories unfold on stage allows you to experience storytelling with others in a social, collective way. Experiencing storytelling with others in a social, collective way is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring PERFORMANCE and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.

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