At Western Canada Theatre we are passionately invested in the role theatre has in the education and enrichment of our community, built on a foundation of equity, diversity, inclusion and access. WCT’s new venture, The Hub for Creative Learning, organizes all of our education, creative development, and community outreach activities under one umbrella. ”The Hub” provides opportunities for teachers, creative artists, theatre lovers, and theatre newcomers of all ages to become actively engaged in these activities. We are excited to share our love of theatre with you! The Hub for Creative Learning has five pillars, each one designed to highlight a different area where theatre can contribute to learning, connection, communication and growth. Explore this page to learn more.
Stage One Theatre School: For over 40 years, WCT 's Stage One Theatre School has been the home for theatre education for young people in our community. These classes build confidence, and teach collaboration and communication skills. There is a space for every child in this fun and engaging program geared towards all skill levels from ages 4 -18! Stage One runs year-round, with after-school programs, week-long camps, special workshops and even performance opportunities. Next Stage Theatre Classes: For theatre lovers over 18, The Next Stage offers a great way to meet people in the community, build your performance skills, and enhance your appreciation of live theatre. There are introductory classes as well as more advanced classes for those keen thespians. Not interested in being on stage? Our weekly Play Reading Group offers a great chance to gather with other theatre lovers to read and discuss a play, and enjoy light refreshments. A perfect night out!
Ages 4–7 March 20 - 24, 2023 Daily from 9am - 3pm | Kelson Hall $285+GST
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register by FEBRUARY 27, 2023 to SAVE $25!
A super fun introduction to acting! Students will get to play tons of fun theatre games, all while creating, exploring, and discovering their creativity. With a focus on body and movement, storytelling, and collective creation, students will learn early fundamentals of the stage while using costumes, puppets, and their imagination. The final class finishes with a small performance for parents and families.
Ages 8-12 March 27 - 31, 2023 Daily from 9am - 3pm | Kelson Hall $285+GST
Introduce your children to theatre and build their confidence with a theatre class filled with games, activities, and performing! Students will have the opportunity to learn and develop drama fundamentals such as character development, script work, and creative storytelling all while using their imagination. Students will also learn the process of rehearsal and performance techniques. The final class will showcase their developed skills in a presentation for family and friends!
Ages 10-18 March 20 - 24, 2023 Daily from 9am - 3pm | Kelson Hall $285+GST
Introduce your child to the wonderful world of Musical Theatre. Singing, dancing, and acting—all in one class! In this week-long course, students will have an opportunity to work with a professional musical theatre artist in and fun and fast paced environment.
Ages 13-18 March 27 - 31, 2023 Daily from 9am - 3pm | Kelson Hall $285+GST
Calling all theatre loving teens! This week-long course will focus on a particular scene for study, as well as variety of mini workshops through-out the week taught by specialized instructors. This course is not to be missed for any teens interesting in acting and theatre.
The Henry Vandenberghe Memorial Bursary is awarded to students in financial need with a strong interest in the arts. The bursary pays for entrance into the Stage One Theatre School. Contact Terri Runnalls, terri@wctlive.ca, for more information and an application form.
Ages 19+ February 13 - May 01, 2023 (10 Classes*) Mondays from 7–9pm *no class on Feb 20 & Apr 10 Kelson Hall $275+GST Register by January 13, 2023 to save $25! Curious? Always wanted to try your hand at acting? Are you excited to return to something you once loved? Or are you looking to enhance your confidence and presentation skills? Through our Next Stage Theatre Program, Western Canada Theatre is excited to offer Adult Acting Classes, a wonderful beginning to all of the above! This 10-week course is taught by a theatre professional with guest instructors brought in to teach in a subject of their specialization. Take the leap, bring your friends, and join us for this fun and valuable class!
Ages 19+ February 22 - April 26, 2023 10 Group Gatherings with reading and moderated discussion Wednesdays from 7–9pm Kelson Hall $150+GST Register by January 13, 2023 to save $20. Don’t want the spotlight, but love the theatre? Join our Play Reading Group! Moderated by a theatre professional, each Tuesday, we will read and discuss a new play. Special guests will be brought in to enhance the conversation while you sip some tea or wine and enjoy an engaging night out with a group of wonderful people.
If you have questions about Stage One or Next Stage classes please contact Education & Outreach Director Terri Runnalls at terri@wctlive.ca.
Our play development programs have brought over 50 world premieres to our stages, plays that have been seen all across Canada and beyond. Acting and playwriting workshops; mentorship programs for emerging theatre professionals in the area of performance, design, and technical theatre; student career placements in theatre production and administration; all of these ensure that the creative minds of tomorrow have a place to grow. Thanks to personal donations and community support, bursaries have been created to make these programs accessible for everyone.
Hey Viola! is one of many plays that have been developed, in part, at WCT. There are many steps that go into bringing a script from an idea, to a script, to a fully-staged production, and we are proud to had a hand in facilitating so many of these projects.
WE HAVE VARIOUS APPRENTICESHIP & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Interested in a career on the stage? Maybe you want to become a lighting designer or a sound technician. We have had the pleasure to watch so many theatre professionals get their start at WCT and go on to successful careers, both in Kamloops and beyond. Some have come to us through co-op programs with TRU, some start as an apprentice or come to learn in a mentorship placement, thanks to community grants and sponsorships. Get in touch to learn more.
Get the full-show experience! Join us for pre-show Pizza chats and post-show artist Q&As. Weekday tea matinees feature light refreshments, good company and stimulating conversation before taking in the play. Audience Enrichment activities at WCT include regular backstage and venue tours, online play guides for all of our productions, and special group discounts. Bring your next office party to the theatre!
TAKE YOUR SHOW EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL, WITH:
Pizza Preshows
Weekday Tea Matinees
Performance & Venue Guides
Backstage Tours
Actor Talkbacks
Group Rates
Hearing Assist
Special Relaxed Performances
Our affordable matinee programming for schools and groups ensures that young people across the region can be introduced to the wonder of live theatre. In addition, teachers and other educators can access Study Guides (an inside look into the history, creators, and hot topics) for all of our productions, schedule backstage tours, arrange for students meet the casts, and participate in actor talkbacks and in-class workshops with the artists or one of our Education team instructors.
We create Study Guides aimed at students for most of our shows. There's lots of information about the shows, their history, the creative teams and themes. They also feature in-class activities. Get in touch to learn more.
Click below for this season's Study Guides:
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play - Study Guide
BOOM X - Study Guide
Hurry Hard - Study Guide
We can also arrange to have one of our staff come to your class, and run some activities with you. If you're looking for something fun to do with your students in the last few weeks of school or even at home with your own kids, we have a whole video series of improv games. Here's one of them. Click here for more .
From our annual Halloween Family Dance Party to participation in events such as Brewloops and the Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, we love partnering with our community to bring entertainment and enrichment to our lives here in Kamloops. Did you know that WCT offers workshops in public speaking, improvisation, and team-building, led by our dynamic, experienced, creative staff? Brought right to you, these activities encourage communication, confidence, and collaboration in the workplace and ensure that boring meetings are a thing of the past.
CORPORATE & SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS:
Revitalize your team, and increase collaboration, engagement, and drive. Our experienced, dynamic staff will come to you. Workshops do not require previous theatre experience or interest in performing. All workshops can be customized to reflect your environment and timeframe, and are sure to create a more pleasurable work place! We are excited to connect with you to create the perfect workshop for your team!
Improvisation Workshop Get ready to have a blast! This workshop will have your team up on their feet without anyone feeling put on the spot! Improvisation develops the skills and strategies for communicating under pressure, encourages creative potential, builds leadership skills and interpersonal relationships. Your team will work on listening, body language, communication and contributing to a “yes, and….” environment.
Public Speaking & Presentation Skills Workshop Looking to become a more effective communicator? Want to connect with and inspire your listeners? Our public speaking and presentation skills workshop will focus on vocal qualities (tone, pacing, volume and inflection), presentation of oneself, audience questions, body language and visual aids, ultimately focusing on boosting you and your team’s confidence.
Team Building Workshops Engage your team with this fun and effective workshop that will foster a strong team dynamic. Through a series of upbeat and inspiring activities, your team will build trust, mitigate conflicts, increase collaboration and work as a more cohesive unit towards company goals.
Contact Education & Outreach Director, Terri Runnalls for more details: terri@wctlive.ca
KEEP AN EYE OUT HERE FOR UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
TERRI RUNNALLS | Director of Education and Outreach terri@wctlive.ca