Experience the Magic of Badanai Theatre

Since 1999, Badanai Theatre has been delighting Thunder Bay audiences with heartfelt and hilariously entertaining theatrical productions. What began as a backyard summer project for founder Lawrence Badanai has grown into one of the city’s most beloved independent theatre companies, dedicated to the joy of storytelling and the power of live performance.

Joined by his creative partner and wife, Candi Badanai—who has also directed and choreographed many of the company’s shows—and now with their daughter Emmy carrying the torch, Badanai Theatre has become a multigenerational force in the local arts scene.

Over the years, they’ve brought to life productions both grand and quirky — from The Producers, Sister Act, and Mamma Mia to Young Frankenstein, Little Shop of Horrors, The Addams Family, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Something Rotten. Summer favourites have included Greased, Downtown Abbey Road, and The Marvelous Wonderettes.

But their impact doesn’t stop at their own shows. The Badanais have proudly supported numerous other local professional and amateur theatre companies and festivals, offering guidance, resources, and good old-fashioned theatre love to the broader community.

Looking to the future, they’ve expanded their focus on youth education with the creation of Badanai Young Company — a training ground for young performers to explore their creativity, build confidence, and embrace the magic of performance.

Committed to continuous growth, the Badanais regularly attend workshops in New York City, keeping the connection between Broadway and Thunder Bay alive and thriving. What started in a backyard has become a citywide stage, inviting performers of all ages and backgrounds to shine.

Badanai Theatre believes in the power of community — of coming together to create, to cheer each other on, and to share stories that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be. Their mission? Simple: make theatre fun again.

Badanai Theatre is a space where artists and audiences alike can laugh, cry, dream, and belong. Here’s to 25 years of unforgettable moments — and many more to come!