ABOUT

OUR VISION

To nurture the power of creative expression.

OUR MISSION

To be the hub for inspiring inclusive arts and cultural experiences.

The Al Whittle Theatre is a soft-seat venue in Wolfville, Nova Scotia (Canada), which is owned and operated by the volunteer-run Acadia Cinema Cooperative, and made up of the following:

  1. Al Whittle Theatre, a 160 soft-seat venue

  2. Studio-Z, a multi-purpose smaller venue;

  3. Jack’s Gallery, a theatre lobby art gallery

While the Al Whittle Theatre is the newest reincarnation, the site's original life as a theatre venue began in 1911. Read more about our history here.

The Acadia Cinema Co-operative Ltd. exists to encourage, support and sustain Nova Scotia’s cultural community by providing, operating and continually improving affordable state-of-the art facilities in the historic Acadia Cinema building (a Provincial and Municipal Heritage building since 2018) on Main Street in Wolfville.

Serving the Annapolis Valley and beyond, this unique community-based non-profit co-operative provides an innovative, sought-after cultural complex to facilitate and stimulate cultural activity year-round, encouraging and attracting the broadest range of presenters and presentations.

AL WHITTLE

The Board of Directors of the Al Whittle Theatre / Acadia Cinema Co-op regrets to announce that our Honorary Director Al Whittle passed away on January 23, 2021 at age 91. We extend our condolences to his family and all those close to him. Al was the face of our theatre for decades and played a crucial role in enabling its transfer to our member-owned cooperative. There is a link to his obituary below. We urge you to watch this short film below, in which Al recalls his career as the theatre operator. This was filmed in 2013.

Albert Ellsworth “Al” Whittle obituary

A native of Port Elgin, New Brunswick, A. Ellsworth (Al) Whittle began working in movie theatres at the age of 19. In 1953 Al was hired in a permanent position at the Acadia Cinema, making him the youngest theatre manager in Canada. For the next 47 years, Al ripped tickets, made popcorn, chose the movies, and worked as a projectionist. In short, he was the heart of the cinema. He retired in 2000. Al is a founding member of the Fundy Film Society (now Fundy Cinema) and an honorary director of the Acadia Cinema Cooperative. His popcorn recipe remains the best (and most secret) in town.