2016-2017 | what are you looking for?

We know there are a lot of different reasons people love to come see our plays! While we obviously pick shows that we believe tell meaningful and engaging stories, they aren't all for everyone. Our communications manager, Andrea Loewen has put together a PT friendly guide to our 2016-2017 season. Now all you have to do is decide where to go to dinner before the show!

Looking for a great post-show conversation?
Our top recommendations are: A GOOD WAY OUT, SUITCASE STORIES, CORLEONE, and VALLEY SONG.

Want a fun date night?
Try out SUITCASE STORIES, HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW!, CORLEONE, VALLEY SONG, SIDESHOW, or OUTSIDE MULLINGAR.

Interested in uplifting stories?
SUITCASE STORIES, VALLEY SONG, AND OUTSIDE MULLINGAR will be your best bet.

Love a little music in your theatre?
Hear a song or two in HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW!, CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, SIDESHOW, and TESTAMENT.

Want to keep it local?
A GOOD WAY OUT, SUITCASE STORIES, and HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW! are new plays by local playwrights, and TESTAMENT is a new creation.

Looking to hear stories from around the world?
You can travel from your theatre seat with SUITCASE STORIES, VALLEY SONG, and OUTSIDE MULLINGAR.

a good way out | first production meeting

It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone and our 2016-2017 season is just around the corner. We just wrapped on our first production meeting for A GOOD WAY OUT, written by our very own Cara Norrish!

In this photo (left to right): Phil Miguel (production designer), Cara Norrish (playwright), Lindsay Curl (company apprentice), April Starr Land (stage manager), Anthony F. Ingram (director), Rick Colhoun (sound designer), Julie White (costume designer), and Paige Louter (company apprentice)

meet the apprentices | lindsay curl

Our apprentices are sought-after in the industry as actors, writers, directors, stage managers, technical directors, administrators, and producers, many of them going on to lifelong professional careers in the arts. Our final apprentice we would like you to meet is, Lindsay Curl!

About Lindsay:

Lindsay is a graduate of the UVic Acting Specialization program. Past credits include PET THE FISH AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE TALES (Chemainus Theatre Festival), THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR (United Players), THE DAUGHTER OF TURPENTINE (Hairpin Curves, Victoria Fringe Festival) and LION IN THE STREETS (Phoenix Theatre). She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.

What were you doing before the apprenticeship?

I worked at the Chemainus Theatre Festival this summer! I played Josephine in the KidzPlay production PET THE FISH AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE TALES by Mark DuMez.

What are your favourite shows you've worked on so far?

In August 2015, I played Pin in Hairpin Curves’ production of THE DAUGHTER OF TURPENTINE at the Victoria Fringe Festival where I was nominated for best actress. The role was very challenging and that made the opportunity incredibly exciting! There is a stark contrast between light and dark throughout the play and Pin has an immense breadth of emotions. This role required me to dig down deep to my emotional core and make a strong emotional commitment to the character throughout the rehearsal process and at every show. I love how the play exhibits both healthy and unhealthy perspectives of love. I admire how hard Pin loves and I was inspired by her bravery. Throughout the play, she takes each day step by step and continues striving for happiness, freedom and love in the face of adversity.

I absolutely loved playing Josephine in PET THE FISH AND OTHER IMPOSSIBLE TALES by Mark DuMez at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. I was inspired by Josephine’s incredible imagination and courage. I am very passionate about Theatre for Young Audiences as I believe theatre has the power to stimulate imaginations and encourage creativity, as well as inspire new thinking and discussion.

What is your non-theatrical specialty?

My non-theatrical speciality is being an auntie! I have a two year old niece named Kenlee and I love spending time with her. We love to read, swim, watch PAW Patrol and go on walks to the park!

What is the number one thing you are excited about doing during your apprenticeship?

The number one thing I am excited about doing during my apprenticeship is hopefully shadowing a professional actor and/or having the opportunity to act in a Mainstage production. I believe there is lots to be learned during rehearsals and throughout the run of a show.

Where did you train in theatre?

I graduated from the University of Victoria Acting Specialization program in 2015.

What was your favourite part of your training?

My favourite part of my training at UVic was getting to know my fellow classmates and certain professors very well! They were very inspiring, encouraging, loving and helped me grow as both an actor and a person.

Is there anything coming up in the apprenticeship that will be totally new to you?

I think the administrative and production areas of this apprenticeship will offer many new opportunities! I have worked as a Front of House Manager at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre in Victoria, but I have not worked in a box office before and I am excited to do so!

What would your top three categories in Trivial Pursuit be? (Invented or real)

Entertainment, Arts & Literature and Sports & Leisure!

If you received $1 000 000 and couldn’t keep it for yourself, what would you do with it?

First, I would put a portion of that money into a university fund for my niece! Then, I would make donations to theatres and arts programs throughout British Columbia.

meet the apprentices | danielle klaudt

Our apprenticeship program is part mentorship, part creative residency, allowing these fledgling artists a place to grow their craft, experiment, create, and try new roles in a professional environment, all while making valuable industry connections. The next apprentice we would like to introduce you to is, Danielle Klaudt!

What were you doing before the apprenticeship?

In the year before the apprenticeship I spent some time travelling, got married and moved to Vancouver.

What are your favourite shows you've worked on so far?

Although each show is special in its own way, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK will always have a special place in my heart for being a true and powerful part of our world's history; Anne is the only character I've played that was a real person. AGE OF AROUSAL was also a meaningful and challenging capstone university project for me with a stellar cast.

What is your non-theatrical specialty?

I'm an English Lit major so reading and writing are strengths.

What is the number one thing you are excited about doing during your apprenticeship? 

Acting! I'm dying to get back on stage and do some storytelling.

Where did you train in theatre?

The University of the Fraser Valley.

What was your favourite part of your training?

I loved the practical element of getting to work on the main stage season of theatre and annual directors festival in so many capacities all four years of my training.

Is there anything coming up in the apprenticeship that will be totally new to you?

I'm excited about challenging myself in some design roles; maybe costuming?

What would your top three categories in Trivial Pursuit be? (Invented or real)

Swim stroke technique, music of the big band Era, the art of tacos.

If you received $1 000 000 and couldn’t keep it for yourself, what would you do with it? 

Donate it to Pacific Theatre of course! (Did I pass?)

meet the apprentices | paige louter

Every season we introduce you to a new set of apprentices. You know them as the people who process your subsection, answer the box office phone, and run the front of house, but that's only a tiny portion of what they do! Our apprentices are all graduates from theatre training programs, on the verger of launching their professional careers. Now is your chance to meet them! Up first, Paige Louter!

About Paige:

I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. I started acting when I was six and got to see tons of theatre as she was growing up (my dad is a theatre professor). I’m done with school for now, and I’m excited to continue transitioning into the world of professional theatre!

What were you doing before the apprenticeship?

This past year I was in Ireland working on my MA in Drama and Theatre. I worked on a mixture of academic writing, playwriting and reviewing, performance, and theatre business.

What are your favourite shows you've worked on so far?

My favourite show so far has been a production of Dylan Thomas’s UNDER MILK WOOD during my undergrad. I helped paint the set, made the programme, and played six or seven characters. It was an incredible experience of an ensemble pulling together to create magic. I also really enjoyed the challenge of performing in a show called GHOSTS, which was an all-female physical theatre/dance piece loosely based on Dante’s Inferno.

What is your non-theatrical specialty?

My non-theatrical specialty would be creative writing (not playwriting, which I am still learning not to be terrified by). I particularly love writing short stories and creative nonfiction.

What is the number one thing you are excited about doing during your apprenticeship?

I don’t think I can pick just one thing to be excited about! I’m excited to be busy like crazy for next ten months doing what I love.

Where did you train in theatre?

So far my theatre training has been undertaken through my BA at Redeemer University College and my MA at the National University of Ireland Galway.

What was your favourite part of your training?

The best part of my theatre training has been learning to trust my own instincts and to push myself as far as I can go. Unfortunately, no one is going to make it easy for you to make a life in theatre, so learning how to be a self-starter has been crucial. It’s also been incredibly good to take ownership of my own body and voice and to learn to care for them.

Is there anything coming up in the apprenticeship that will be totally new to you?

What will be new about this year for me is getting the perspective of a theatre company’s operations over the course of a full season. I’ve done little bits of most things related to theatre, but I’m really looking forward to getting that overall experience.

What would your top three categories in Trivial Pursuit be? (Invented or real)

My top three categories from the normal game would be Arts and Literature, History, and Entertainment. But if there was a category specifically for The Lord of the Rings I’d definitely be winning every time.

If you received $1 000 000 and couldn’t keep it for yourself, what would you do with it?

I would donate it to the City of Hamilton to convert an unused building into a theatre space!

16-17 staff picks | frank nickel

Last but certainly not least is our very own Co-General Manager, Frank Nickel. Here are Frank's top three picks he is most looking forward to for the 2016-2017 season!

HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW!:
I’m a sucker for the holidays and getting time with Lucia Frangione’s hilarious characters makes it all the more exciting. I can’t wait for Folly, Buffoona and Guff to take me on a magical trip through the Nativity. Plus, who doesn’t like clowns at Christmas?

CORLEONE:
I love Shakespeare. I love the Godfather. I love David Mann’s writing. I love Classic Chic. Enough said.

SIDE SHOW:
A Night at the Improv
This one is pretty selfish since I’m hoping to be an improv player again. I’ve been away from Side Show for a couple of years and am excited to jump back into the thick of it with some of Vancouver’s finest improvisers.

16-17 staff picks | alison chisholm

Alison played a significant role in choosing the 2016-2017 season. Here are her top three shows she is most looking forward to!

HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW!:
Lucia is one of the most incredible playwrights I've had the pleasure to know. When I heard about her idea of this show, I had some high expectations of tenderness and hilarity. At our first read of the initial draft I was thrilled to see that not only were my expectations met, but exceeded.

VALLEY SONG:
I never made it out to see the show at the Gateway, so I look forward to finally getting to see it now and see how the incredible artists involved translate it to our intimate alley theatre.

SIDESHOW:
This might be my first time in a long time that I'll be in the audience rather than on the stage. Can't wait to see what this year's funny folk bring to this annual event!

16-17 season apprentices

A very warm welcome to our new apprentices whom start in our office today! Danielle Klaudt (University of the Fraser Valley), Paige Louter (National University of Ireland), and Lindsay Ann Curl (University of Victoria). We can not wait to see what you do this season at PT!

Stay tuned over the next week as each of the apprentices will be introduced in-depth on our blog!

16-17 staff picks | kayla heselwood

Up next in our staff picks series is our new Box Office and Marketing Assistant, Kayla Heselwood. Here's Kayla's top three shows she is most excited for!

A GOOD WAY OUT: 

During my apprentice year I had the honour of sitting in on one of the Working With groups where actors read Cara's play, A GOOD WAY OUT. I was completely blown away. The characters were genuine, raw and real and the story tugged at my heart strings. I am excited to see how the play has been developed over the past year and a half. Also, I get to sit beside the playwright over the next 11 months. How cool is that?

VALLEY SONG: 

I am very close to a family that moved to Canada from South Africa. I love listening to them speak Afrikaans and was excited while reading VALLEY SONG to learn they spoke some Afrikaans too! The piece is also poetic, tender and hopeful. My cup of tea!

TESTAMENT: 

One of my favourite moments at Pacific Theatre was when I was in the audience watching CHRISTMAS PRESENCE and the entire audience starting singing to a familiar song. I looked around and thought, "Wow! Now this is what life is all about. A group of strangers coming together to enjoy an evening of music, poetry and readings and celebrating the life of our saviour through various works of art". I'm excited for TESTAMENT because it's similar to CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, but without Christmas. Also, we get to explore and celebrate the life of Jesus together during Passion Week. Finally, because there's no script and anything can happen! I just love live theatre, don't you? 

16-17 staff picks | phil miguel

The next in our staff picks series is Production Manager, Phil Miguel. Here's Phil's top three picks for the 2016-2017 season!

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR:
I've heard many great things about the play. The cast has me very excited. Every time I've seen any one of them on stage it has been amazing work.

CORLEONE:
I'm delighted to finally see a Classic Chic show. I'm curious to see the intersection of Shakespeare and The Godfather.

SUITCASE STORIES:
I have a very personal connection with this story of being Asian in theatre. The play bears out many of the emotional and professional struggles I dealt with starting out.

16-17 staff picks | cara cunningham

Up next in our staff pick series is Cara Cunningham, Operations Coordinator. Here's what she's most looking forward to next season! 

A GOOD WAY OUT:
This is a dream come true for me and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

HOLY MO! A CHRISTMAS SHOW!:
I’ve never seen any of the other versions and I have heard such wonderful things. I think it will be a real treat.

CORLEONE:
The Godfather. Shakespeare. Women dressed as men. What’s not to love?

16-17 staff picks | andrea loewen

It's time for our "Staff Picks" series once again! With our 2016-2017 season fast approaching, we have lots to look forward to here at PT.  As a tradition, each one of our staff will share the top three shows they are most excited for, and a sentence or two about why. Up first is our director of publicity and marketing, Andrea Loewen! 

A GOOD WAY OUT:

I am always excited when we have new work by emerging writers, and I just love this script. I saw a staged reading of it a few years ago and found it to be an incredibly compelling look at the world of gang violence - one I have no familiarity with at all. My favourite kind of theatre gives me a glimpse into a world I’d never normally see. Plus, I am excited to see Andrew Wheeler play a terrifying gangster - we’ve never cast him in a role like this and I can’t wait to see him do it.

SUITCASE STORIES:

Maki’s story is so incredible, full of incredible luck and terrible hardships, all met with the most determination I have ever seen. She wrote this show as a series of short plays performed in our lobby over the course of a year a few seasons ago, and her performance is so vulnerable and open that you can’t help but give her your heart as you go along for the ride with her.

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR:

Shanley has always been one of my absolute favourite playwrights! It’s been a while since we did one of his plays and I’ve never seen this one done before. The language in it is so beautiful, I can’t wait to hear it come from this amazing cast.

2016-2017 | who's who at pt

Here at Pacific Theatre we are excitedly preparing for our 2016-2017 season! But wait... who's doing Alison's job? Don't worry, we've got it all covered. Below is a guide to help you identify the behind the scenes crew at PT and their new (or previously existing) roles for the upcoming season.  

Ron Reed

Founding Artistic Director

ron@ronreed.org

Frank Nickel

Co-General Manager

frank@pacifictheatre.org

Andrea Loewen

Director of Marketing and Publicity

andrea@pacifictheatre.org

Cara Cunningham

Operations Coordinator

cara@pacifictheatre.org

Kayla Heselwood

Box Office Manager and Marketing Assistant

kayla@pacifictheatre.org

Phil Miguel

Production Manager

phil@pacifictheatre.org

We look forward to seeing you at PT!

see ya real soon | alison chisholm

Last week we sent co-general manager, Alison Chisholm off to prepare for the arrival of her new baby girl. Alison, you are an irreplaceable part of the PT family and today we want to celebrate you and your contribution to PT over the past 10 years. We miss you already, but we are so excited to meet your little one!

Congratulations, Alison and Luke!

july 14-aug 20 | ensemble theatre company | pt artists

July 14th to August 20th catch some of our PT artists in Ensemble Theatre Company's 4th annual Repertory Festival. 

Here at PT we are always excited to see our artists in shows around town. Corina Akeson's most recent work at PT was for her sound design in WIT, and will be working on Classic Chic's production of CORLEONE that goes up on the PT stage in early 2017. Masae Day was last seen on the our stage back in 2011 in THE GREAT DIVORCE. Chad Ellis will be joining the cast of A GOOD WAY OUT kicking off PT's 2016-2017 season. In 2014, Ryan Scramstad delighted audiences in his role as Jimmy in THE RAINMAKER. Richard Wolfe's previous PT credits include directing THE BUSY WORLD OF HUSHED and THE MEAL.

July 14th to August 20th
Tickets $25-$30 available at ensembletheatrecompany.ca
BETRAYAL *Corina Akeson
THE COUNTRY WIFE *Richard Wolfe, Chad Ellis, Ryan Scramstad
THE ROMAN'S IN BRITAIN *Masae Day, Chad Ellis, Ryan Scramstad

aug 5 | creative mornings vancouver | Shauna Johannesen

Check out our talented friend, Shauna Johannesen (A GOOD MOTHER, COMMON GRACE), on Creative Mornings Vancouver on August 5th from 8:30-10 am!

Creative Mornings Vancouver
August 5, 8:30am - 10:00am PDT.
Hosted at SFU Woodward's — Goldcorp Centre for the Arts

aug 11-20 | tremors | eleanor felton, kaitlin williams, ryan scramstad, laura mclean

This year's Tremors Festival showcases four artists whose work you've seen on the PT stage. Eleanor Felton directs Better Angels; she apprenticed at PT in our 2014/15 season (A.D. Rainmaker, Dir ???), and directed A Good Mother on our Mainstage this season. Bull features a couple PT artists on the design side of things; costumer Kaitlin Williams apprenticed at PT in 2009/10, and has appeared many times as an actress (Godspell, Doubt, The Foreigner, It's A Wonderful Life, Smoke On The Mountain); sound design by Ryan Scramstad, who apprenticed in 2013/14 and played Froggy in The Foreigner and Jimmy in The Rainmaker. Laura McLean has stage managed a number of PT shows, starting with Godspell: she takes the director's chair for Dry Land, with Chris Lam in the cast (100 Saints You Should Know, It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol On The Air).

tremors 2016
aug 11-20
no shows mon aug 15

two performances of each show per evening | details below

Better Angels: A Parable by Andrea Scott
Akosua moves from Ghana to Canada for a better life and finds a special kind of hell tailored just for her. Think slavery is over? Think again, as liars get caught in their own webs.
Directed by Eleanor Felton
Two shows nightly | 7:15 / 9
Matinees Sun Aug 14 & Wed Aug 17 | 1:15

Bull by Mike Bartlett
Audiences get ringside seats as three coworkers fight to keep their jobs. Brutal and hard-hitting, Bull is an unflinching look at a toxic corporate culture from which no one escapes unscathed.
Costume Design by Kaitlin Williams
Sound Design by Ryan Scramstad
Two shows nightly | 7:30 / 9:30
Matinees Sun Aug 14 & Wed Aug 17 | 1:30

Dry Land by Ruby Rae Spiegel
Ester is a swimmer trying to stay afloat. Amy is curled up on the locker room floor. Dry Land dives into the lives of two teen girls and explores what happens in one high school locker room after everybody’s left.
Directed by Laura McLean
Featuring Chris Lam
Two shows nightly | 7 / 9:15pm
Matinees Sun Aug 14 & Wed Aug 17 | 1pm