As Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People in Victoria celebrates 50 years, executive and artistic director Pat Rundell wants people to know one thing about the company 鈥� their productions are not just for kids and the calibre and depth of theatre for young audiences often exceeds people鈥檚 expectations.
鈥淚 think sometimes there鈥檚 a misconception in the country about what theatre for young audiences is,鈥� Rundell said. 鈥淭here are a lot of people who think it鈥檚 putting kids on stage, and that鈥檚 not what it is at all. It鈥檚 professional actors, supported by professional administration, designers, arts workers, performing for kids and families.鈥�
As the Island鈥檚 oldest professional theatre company, with The Belfry starting a few years after, Kaleidoscope has made its mark in theatre both locally and nationally.
In its first year in 1973, the focus was on providing free theatre workshops for kids. It wasn鈥檛 until the first artistic director joined the company that productions blossomed. The 70s and 80s saw world tours to places like Brunei, Israel and Singapore. Now the company鈥檚 focus is in Victoria, growing an extensive education and production program that includes classes and camps, vocal lessons, and mainstage productions.
Rundell has been enamoured with Kaleidoscope since he was enrolled in classes as a self-described 鈥渁 little loud and out there鈥� teenager. After theatre school, his first professional contract was Kaleidoscope鈥檚 The Hobbit, playing Bilbo Baggins. He joined the staff in 2011, eventually becoming executive director in 2018, bringing with him the insight and desire to give the community a better understanding of what Kaleidoscope truly is.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 always been what Kaleidoscope has struggled against, is our community鈥檚 understanding of who and what we are,鈥� he said.
That who and what includes being the chair for the Theatre of Young Audiences Caucus nationally, one of only two theatres in Victoria that engage under the Canadian Theatre Agreement 鈥� a standard of working conditions, ethics and payscale 鈥� and being a company that breaks box office records. In 2002, for instance, over 10,000 people saw The Hobbit over 10 days.
But beyond that, the organization鈥檚 calibre is all in service of creating innovative theatre that honours the imagination of young people, while providing affordable and accessible productions, programs and services that benefit children and their families.
One of Kaleidoscope鈥檚 recent initiatives to invite people back into the community of theatre is the Family FUNdays program, a free Sunday morning drop-in event for families with storytime, dance-alongs, crafts and music.
鈥淪eeing them leave inspired with their imagination just ignited,鈥� Rundell said. 鈥淭hat is the most rewarding and memorable part of what we do here.鈥�
Throughout his 20 years at Kaleidoscope, Rundell said the difference that theatre can make in young people鈥檚 lives is powerful, whether it be through a show that explores topics and themes that kids or young adults are interested in, or through educating theatre students to find themselves.
鈥淚t has so much more benefits than just 鈥業 want to be an actor.鈥� I鈥檝e seen students walk into our studio who are very timid and shy, who don鈥檛 know how to find their own voice, and after a course, suddenly they are singing loud, they鈥檝e found new confidence, they鈥檝e gained public speaking skills, they鈥檝e been empowered to be who they are.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the magic of what theatre for young people can be.鈥�
This season, Kaleidoscope is presenting The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from Dec. 14 to 23 at The Roxy Theatre, The AlliHippoRhino-Crocodilligator from March 7 to 17, 2024 at The Roxy Theatre and The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito from May 1 to 12, 2024, outdoors in Esquimalt Gorge Park. Find out more at .
Whether young or old, the depth of the productions is sure to offer something for everyone.
