Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People

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Since 1974, Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young Audiences has inspired generations of children and commissioned more than 100 new plays and original adaptations. Under founding artistic director Elizabeth Gorrie, the company played a significant role in the early years of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) in Canada, a legacy that we are proud to uphold to this day. Our current Artistic Director Roderick Glanville was appointed in 2011, after working with the company over a 25-year period as an actor, director, playwright and teacher.

Kaleidoscope is the only TYA company on Vancouver Island that provides a full theatrical experience, with all main stage performances being offered in the McPherson Playhouse. We present three major productions each year for a family audience, two of which are seen by organized school groups. Our work features original scripts every year, as well as classic stories told with imagination and creative interpretation. We also work with local and regional actors, puppeteers, and playwrights in area productions.

As one of only a few professional theatres on the Island (TYA and non-TYA), Kaleidoscope plays an important role in the ecology of Vancouver Island artists, assisting in building the belief that an artist can live here and be successful. Kaleidoscope collaborates with many artists from a broad spectrum – choreographers, visual artists, composers, musicians, dancers, mask and puppet builders, and established and emerging playwrights. We serve a broad range of audiences, and provide a diverse array of theatrical presentations.

Kaleidoscope’s Performing Arts Studio (KPAS) is Victoria’s only professional drama program focused exclusively on children and teens. Our innovative training, which exclusively uses professional members of the Island’s performing arts community as teachers and mentors to hundreds of young people every year, inspires creativity and imagination while exploring respected performing arts techniques. We offer classes for students from ages 3-18, at all levels of experience and knowledge. Students range from those who are just curious about the arts to aspiring professionals, many of whom have gone on to wonderful careers of their own, or even joined us on stage!

Kaleidoscope is a full member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and engages professional artists who are member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association. Kaleidoscope is an active member of the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteer Victoria.