Although officially incorporated in 1975, the theatrical contributions of Western Canada Theatre began approximately eight years prior to that time with, primarily, the instructional abilities of Tom Kerr. Through the efforts of committed volunteer Board members and dedicated, talented artists, Western Canada Theatre has developed into one of the largest producing theatres in British Columbia. Western Canada Theatre is situated in Kamloops, a city of approximately 80,000 people in the interior of British Columbia. We have developed over the years a community of technicians, directors, designers, stage managers and administrative staff. We continue to assist in the development of performers, but this is a small community where we are the only employment opportunity for professional performers. As a result, we continue to rely on artists in all disciplines from outside of the community, which is an added cost to every production. Nevertheless, we have an average attendance of approximately 6% of the community for each production; we continue to enjoy a high level of financial support from the corporate and private citizens who are in the community; we have a talented and dedicated staff who perform above and beyond the call of duty in every way, and; we have a record of artistic and financial excellence based on the production and creation of works from the Canadian and world stages.
The Mission Statement is the basis of the Artistic mandate of Western Canada Theatre and remains:
Western Canada Theatre will provide the Kamloops regional community with challenging professional live theatre. The Company will entertain, educate, enrich, and interact with the cultural mosaic of its community.
Western Canada Theatre will promote and assist the performing arts through the provision of educational, theatrical, and artistic opportunities and services, and through the management and operation of facilities. All of this will be accomplished with fiscal integrity.
With this vision as our guide, Western Canada Theatre now produces a professional five play main stage season, a two play second stage series, and hosts one to two alternative pieces during the season; manages and maintains both the Pavilion Theatre, a 150 seat black box theatre, and the Sagebrush, a 700 seat proscenium theatre; and manages and operates a box office which provides ticketing services for both of the above-mentioned venues, as well as additional venues upon request. Western Canada Theatre was instrumental in the construction of both theatres, including the installation of new seats in the Sagebrush in 2003, undertook the restoration of the heritage Sheep Breeders Building which now acts as our storage facility, and was responsible for the addition of the box office facility to the Pavilion Theatre.
We continue our history of, and dedication to providing education in the arts in a number of ways. The Stage One Theatre School still operates under the auspices of the theatre company based on the availability of qualified instructors. We have a successful apprenticeship programme to develop and train technical staff. Our staff participates in workshops and developmental community work such as Theatre BC’s New Play Festival. Our Artistic staff make themselves available as dramaturges, adjudicators, and design and production consultants, locally and provincially. We continue to act as mentors in all aspects of production to the emerging artists involved in the alternative theatre companies, Saucy Fops and Project X. We continue our connection to the local and regional education system by providing matinee performances at a very reasonable costs to high school and university groups, including reduced season passes for Thompson Rivers University (TRU) students. In fact, we pride ourselves on our accessibility to all groups, from community to professional.
Western Canada Theatre continues to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and stability. There have been no major fluctuations in either our projected revenues or expenditures. We have a dedicated core of volunteers, both backstage and in our front of house. Western Canada Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and our staff participates in numerous committees locally, provincially, and nationally.
By Lori Marchand, General Manager
Western Canada Theatre is committed to respecting the personal information of all Western Canada Theatre patrons. In order to protect the privacy of our supporters and patrons Western Canada Theatre has the following policies:
Collection of Information:
1) Western Canada Theatre collects personal information (such as addresses or ticket history) only from ticket buyers, donors and others who have actively shown an interest in the Company.
2) Individuals will be informed about the purposes for which this information will be used when a ticket is purchased.
Storage of Information:
1) Personal information is stored in our data base and in hard copy files. Only authorized Western Canada Theatre personnel have access to this information.
2) Visa and Master Card numbers are not retained after point of purchase.
3) Personal information that is no longer required to fulfill the stated purpose will be destroyed or made anonymous.
Use of Information:
Western Canada Theatre uses personal information to better serve our patrons and to expand our community. Primarily this includes:
1) mailings (by post or electronic) and phone calls to provide information about tickets and donations.
2) mailings (by post or electronic) to issue tax receipts.
3) mailings (by post or electronic) or phone calls to invite supporters to special events.
4) phone calls to sell subscriptions, tickets and to solicit donations.
Western Canada Theatre is committed to using personal information in a respectful and useful way. Patrons and supporters will receive information that we believe will be in their interest. Western Canada Theatre will also commit itself to making sure patrons and donors do not receive more than a reasonable number of letters or phone calls.
If an individual requests that their personal information not be used for one of these purposes as noted above, or for any other purpose, that request will be honoured. The individuals account will be updated accordingly.
Disclosure of Information:
Western Canada Theatre never discloses the personal information of subscribers, single ticket buyers or donors to any third party.
Individual Access, Questions & Requests:
If you have a question about the contents of your file or a request about the use of disclosure of your personal information, please contact Western Canada Theatre’s Privacy Officer at 250-372-3216.