Five Points Theatre

On show nights, the southwest corner of Barrie’s historic Five Points intersection glows like a lantern. Through the tall glass walls, audiences gathering for a play, a concert, or a community gala become part of the downtown streetscape, signalling that something creative is happening at the heart of the city. That sense of connection – between performers and audience, building and street, culture and everyday life – sits at the core of Five Points Theatre (formerly the Mady Centre for the Performing Arts).

Developed on the former Scotia Bank site at 1 Dunlop Street West, the 10,000 sq. ft. facility was conceived as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and a showcase for Barrie’s homegrown talent. Salter Pilon Architecture, in association with Lett Architects, worked closely with the City of Barrie, local arts organizations, and community stakeholders to envision a theatre that would serve as “a crossroads of culture in Barrie,” supporting accessible arts experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The theatre’s multi-level lobby addresses the busy intersection with eighteen-foot-high glazing that blurs the boundary between inside and out. This transparency turns everyday pedestrian movement into an extension of the pre-show experience and keeps the activity of the theatre visible to the city. Inside, the lobby accommodates ticketing, reception, bar service, informal performance and exhibition, and pre- and post-event mingling, while supporting catered functions, festivals, and community events.

At the heart of the building, the main studio is a highly adaptable room serving theatre, music, dance, film screenings, community meetings, and corporate presentations. The automated riser and seating system allows the space to transform between end stage, thrust, centre stage, and flat-floor layouts, accommodating approximately 120–200 patrons depending on configuration. A sprung performance floor supports dance and movement work, while acoustic treatments and draperies allow the room to be tuned for amplified concerts, intimate spoken-word events, or unamplified chamber music.

Behind the scenes, the theatre includes a generous green room/lounge, performers’ dressing rooms with lockers and showers, shared office and storage space for resident companies, and support zones designed for casts of more than twenty-five. A full catwalk grid and technical gallery provide extensive options for lighting, sound, and projection, enabling local groups to stage technically sophisticated productions and making the venue attractive to touring artists.

Since opening, Five Points Theatre has hosted professional theatre companies, emerging performers, community festivals, business conferences, and youth arts programs, reinforcing downtown Barrie as a regional cultural destination. Designed as an iconic yet user-friendly community space, the theatre gives Barrie a versatile civic living room – a place where local stories are told, new audiences are welcomed, and culture continues to shape the city’s urban core.