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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a beloved theatre company that has been delighting young audiences on Vancouver Island and beyond for five decades. Since our establishment in 1973, this innovative theatre company has become known for our exceptional productions that captivate children’s imaginations and foster their love of the performing arts. Whether performing in schools, community centres, or major theatre venues, Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People never fails to entertain and engage its audience.

 

Box Office Terms and Conditions & Ticket Policies

Performing Arts Studio Policies & Procedures

Performing Arts Studio FAQ

 

If you’re curious about the company, here are a few frequently asked questions that families and audiences often have.

 

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s rehearsal studios, offices, and Performing Arts Studio are located in the Kaleidoscope Arts Centre at 613 Pandora Avenue in the heart of Victoria’s Old Town. Click for directions.

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s MainStage productions are performed at venues around Victoria. Please visit individual play pages to confirm their location.

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s MainStage productions are performed at venues around Victoria.

Details on the 2024-2025 Season will be announced Shortly. 

The company produces a range of plays and musicals that are specifically designed for young audiences. From classic fairy tales to contemporary stories, there is something for everyone. Kaleidoscope’s productions are performed by professional adult artists.

Age recommendations for each play are based on the text of the play and whether it contains abstract themes, a good deal of dialogue, or runs over an hour in length. Our age recommendations are general; parents make the final decision as to when their child is old enough to enjoy Kaleidoscope performances.

Most of our shows are recommended for children ages five and older, but infants are welcome. All children age 2+ must have a valid ticket to attend at Kaleidoscope production.

Babes-in-arms (younger than 24 months) are admitted free of charge to performances provided they remain on their caregiver’s lap. Babes in arms will be admitted free of charge if the child will be sitting in the adult’s lap for the duration of the event. If a patron wishes to have the child sit in their own seat, a child ticket must be purchased.

In consideration of fire safety, strollers and car seats must remain outside the auditorium. Please note that most venues do not have “stroller parking” available. Please plan accordingly when visiting the theatre.

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a professional theatre company. Kaleidoscope’s MainStage productions are performed by professional adult actors who are members of the Canadian Actors Equity Association. These actors are paid professionals.

Occasionally there may be performances by students of Kaleidoscope’s Performing Arts Studio. These performances feature child and teen actors who are taking classes or camps at Kaleidoscope’s theatre school. These performances primarily take place at the Kaleidoscope Arts Centre and are products of summer camps, classes, and other Kaleidoscope training programs. These performances will always be displayed under the banner of “The Performing Arts Studio at Kaleidoscope presents” or “Kaleidoscope’s Performing Arts Studio presents”

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a professional theatre company, and we hire actors who are members of the Canadian Actors Equity Association under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement. Each year we hold general auditions for the upcoming season. Audition notices are posted on Kaleidoscope’s website and on Canadian Actors Equity Association’s E-Drive.

Kaleidoscope employs the onstage talents of professional adult artists. Kaleidoscope does not accept submissions from child artists unless the audition notice specifically calls for it.

Play specific auditions are held by invitation only. You can learn more about auditions HERE.

 

Ticket purchases may be exchanged for a future performance of the same production, or returned and donated.  A tax receipt will be issued under the purchaser’s name for ticket returns of $20 or more. Certain tickets may be exchanged within the same production for tickets of an equal or lower price. Exchange requests can be made via phone, email, or at the theatre Box Office before the show. An exchange fee of $3.00 per ticket applies. Exchanges and Tax Receipts are not available for tickets for performances that are less than 48 hours away from the scheduled time of the performance.

Season Pass Holders receive one (1) complimentary ticket exchange per ticket for each production.

We accept Access2 cards. When a cardholder presents the Access 2 Card, the support person is then given one free admission to your selected performance. To book your tickets, please contact our Box Office.

For wheelchair specific accessibility, please contact our Box Office, as each venue has different accessibility access. To reserve Wheelchair / Accessibility Seating, please call or visit our Box Office. These seats are not able to be booked online. 

At all performances, Kaleidoscope is working to create an accessible environment for as many theatregoers as possible. If you have any accessibility needs, including an Access2 Pass, please feel free to email KTYP at tickets@kaleidoscope.bc.ca or call our Box Office Line at 250-383-8124 ext. 104 as soon as you can after ticket purchasing and we would be more than happy to discuss how we can meet your accessibility needs.

Kaleidoscope Theatre also has a relaxed come-and-go policy. If for any reason you or your child need to leave the theatre for a moment, our Front of House Staff will work to escort you back into the theatre as soon as possible, though potentially not back to your exact spot.

 

All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued for lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed ticket (or credit card in the case of a paperless ticket) or for a ticket claimed to be “undelivered”. Ticket purchases may be exchanged for a future performance of the same production, or returned and donated.  A tax receipt will be issued under the purchaser’s name for ticket returns of $20 or more. Certain tickets may be exchanged within the same production for tickets of an equal or lower price. Exchange requests can be made via phone, email, or at the theatre Box Office before the show. An exchange fee of $3.00 per ticket may apply. Exchanges and Tax Receipts are not available for tickets for performances that are less than 48 hours away from the scheduled time of the performance.

Season Pass Holders are entitled to one free exchange per ticket per production.

Seating for most Kaleidoscope Productions is assigned. Please contact our Box Office if you would like to relocate you seats. An exchange fee will apply.

We suggest arriving 15-20 minutes in advance so that you have enough time to park your vehicle, pick up your tickets, go to the washroom, and get to your seat.

We offer daytime matinee performances during the week for School Groups. To book a school group (For groups of 5+) please contact our Education Department at education@kaleidoscope.bc.ca

For all other group requests, please contact our Box Office at tickets@kaleidoscope.bc.ca

 

We would be happy to hear from you! Kaleidoscope Theatre has a regular volunteer roster, please contact us to be added to our volunteer distribution list.

Our office hours vary depending on the season, and our production schedules. We recommend calling before visiting.

As KTYP endeavours to create an environment for families to enjoy discussion and learning together, young people under the age of 12 will not be admitted into the theatre/auditorium without appropriate adult supervision.

Free Ticket Voucher – During the summer, Kaleidoscope attends many community events with our popular “Spin to Win” Prize wheel. Some lucky children may even win a Free Ticket Voucher. These vouchers can only be redeemed in-person at our Box Office at the Kaleidoscope Arts Centre. Please call for our most current hours. These vouchers cannot be redeemed online.

Promo Codes – If you have a promo code, it can be entered in the final check-out window of our Online Box Office, after you have selected seats, entered contact details, and before entering payment information.

Latecomers: Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the House Manager. There is no guarantee that you will be able to be seated in your reserved seats if you are late for a performance.

If you leave the auditorium during the performance, we may not be able to get you back into your original seats. Our Front of House Manager will re-seat you at a convenient in the performance.

Courtesy to others: Talking, candy wrappers and coughing are distracting to fellow patrons and actors. We ask each patron to please keep noise to a minimum during a performance. Thank you for your cooperation.

Prohibited: The use of cameras and recording devices is strictly prohibited. All mobile and electronic devices such as smart watches, must be turned off (even the vibrations can be heard). To be contacted in an emergency, leave your name and seat number with the House Manager.

Food & Drink: For most of our performances, Food and snacks are available for sale in the Theatre Lobby. Outside food and drink is not permitted inside the theatre.

How can I support Kaleidoscope Theatre?
If you’ve ever been to a Kaleidoscope production, you’ve already experienced the excitement of live theatre and understand our commitment to producing exceptional entertainment. Like many non-profit organizations, Kaleidoscope relies on the generous support of donors to help us continue to produce great theatre at affordable prices. Donations can be made on top of your ticket purchases, or as separate transactions on our website or you can call our box office manager at 250.900.8163.