Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People has been entertaining young audiences on Vancouver Island and abroad since 1973.

Here are some of our Frequently Asked Questions that we get asked by families and audiences: 

Where is Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People?

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s performing arts school, rehearsal studios, and offices are located in the Kaleidoscope Arts Centre at 613 Pandora Avenue in the heart of Victoria’s Old Town. Click for directions. (Note:  productions do not take place at this location.)

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People’s productions are primarily performed at the McPherson Playhouse in downtown Victoria. The McPherson Playhouse is located at #3 Centennial Square at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Government Street. Click for directions.

How are the age recommendations for each play determined?

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 and a half in length. Our age recommendations are general; parents make the final decision as to when their child is old enough to enjoy Kaleidoscope performances.

Can I bring my infant to the theatre?

Most of our shows are recommended for children ages five and older, but infants are welcome. For your convenience, the lobby of the theatre have seating and television broadcast of the play, should your child become restless or noisy.

Do children perform in Kaleidoscope productions?

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. Occasionally, there may be a child actor in the cast depending on the production. These children are also professional actors. Kaleidoscope’s winter musical features community artists – adults and children – who are mentored by professional artists, directors, and designers.

Performances by Kaleidoscope’s Performing Arts Studio feature child actors who are taking classes at Kaleidoscope’s theatre school.

How do you find your actors?

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.

Where are your performances held?

The majority of Kaleidoscope’s MainStage productions take place at the beautiful McPherson Playhouse in the heart of downtown Victoria. The 772 seat McPherson Playhouse opened as part of the Pantages chain of theatres in 1914. It is one of the finest examples of theatres from that period still standing.

Kaleidoscope’s Summer Tour performs in parks and public green spaces all over GKaleidoscope reater Victoria.