Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
At the Heart of Our Community
Located at 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium is a landmark performing arts centre with 1,500 seats. Since opening its doors on October 16, 1985, the TBCA has welcomed millions of patrons and hosted countless world-class performances, becoming a true hub for arts and culture in Northwestern Ontario.
Paul Shaffer
On September 21, 2002, Thunder Bay proudly welcomed home Paul Shaffer for a celebration of his remarkable career in show business. Known worldwide as the longtime bandleader on The Late Show with David Letterman, Paul was honoured with a day that the community will never forget.
The festivities began with a troupe of kilted bagpipers leading Paul down a red carpet as local dignitaries paid tribute and officially dedicated Paul Shaffer Drive. The evening culminated in a sold-out, three-and-a-half-hour musical extravaganza—an unforgettable performance still remembered as one of the most legendary shows to grace the Auditorium's stage.
Today, the vestibule of the Auditorium proudly features a display of memorabilia from both the event and Paul's extraordinary career.
Pride of the Community
Celebrated as one of the finest concert halls in North America, the TBCA is renowned for its world-class acoustics. Its architecture balances warmth and intimacy with advanced versatility and technology. Key features include:
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A concert ceiling canopy that can be raised or lowered.
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Orchestra pit lifts that extend the stage, add seating, or create space for musicians and dancers.
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Fourteen large rolling panels that form an orchestra shell.
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Adjustable banners and draperies along the walls to tailor the sound.
Alongside these acoustic innovations, the TBCA is equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and theatre systems to accommodate everything from large touring productions to local performances. The stage can also transform into a cabaret-style venue for intimate shows, with tables and chairs set up around a smaller stage.
The TBCA's Marketing and Development Department and Box Office further support presenters by promoting and selling performances, ensuring every event is a success.
Versatility Plus
Beyond the more than 100 live performances presented each year, the TBCA's flexible spaces host a wide variety of non-performance events. From graduations, conferences, and conventions to weddings, banquets, trade shows, and exhibitions, the Auditorium offers a versatile venue that brings people together for life's most meaningful moments.
Symphonic Delights
The TBCA is proud to be the home of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, which presents a full season of Masterworks and Pops concerts. Over the years, the Auditorium has also welcomed internationally renowned ensembles such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Symphony Orchestra, and the USSR State Orchestra—further cementing its reputation as a premier concert hall.
A Few Quotes
I always feel like we are performing in a magnificent church or cathedral when we play at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. It is a beautiful hall and the sound is amazing! You should be very proud to have this here where you live.
Why do you call this a Community Auditorium? This is a MAGNIFICENT THEATRE!
From the state of the art theater to the excellent catering, the well thought out back stage and dressing rooms, it was a great experience for us and our crew. The Thunder Bay fans certainly know how to enjoy themselves and we had a lot of fun performing for them. Congratulations on your amazing venue!
The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium ranks with the very finest halls that I have experienced both in North America and in Europe. To rehearse and perform in it is a great privilege.