Running Time:Approximately 45 minutes with no intermission.
Photos and the videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all phones and refrain from using them for the duration of the performance.
Supported By:
Welcome from the Executive & Artistic Director
As we gather for the final production in Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People's 50th Anniversary Season, The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito, I am filled with gratitude and awe for the journey we have taken together this season.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the 100+ artists and staff who have poured their creativity, talent, and passion into bringing three wonderful productions to life on our stage. Your dedication and hard work have made this season truly special.
Embarking on this theatrical adventure, we are reminded of the enduring magic that storytelling and imagination bring to life and the transformative experience that live theatre offers. Over the past five decades, Kaleidoscope has remained committed to igniting the imaginations of young minds, nurturing creativity, and fostering a lifelong love for the arts.
As we reflect on our fifty-year journey of bringing stories to life, I express immense gratitude for the unwavering support of our audiences. Your presence and encouragement make these moments truly special. Thank you for choosing to be a part of our 50th Anniversary celebration and for playing an integral role in the vibrant Kaleidoscope community.
As we mark this significant milestone, I invite you to consider making a charitable donation today. Your contribution, regardless of its size, will have a meaningful impact, enabling us to continue inspiring and enriching the lives of young audiences through the enchanting world of theatre. Visit our website or speak with a staff member today to contribute and ensure that the transformative power of the arts continues to shine on our stage.
Here's to 50 years of sparking imagination, creating unforgettable memories, and inspiring generations to come. Thank you for being an essential part of our extraordinary journey.
Warm regards,
-Pat Rundell, Executive & Artistic Director
Director's Notes
When I was little, my cousins and I would get together at family events and spend hours making up dances and shows. We would meticulously cut out scraps of paper to make tickets for the rest of the family (okay, we tried to charge them but were happy they came regardless). At showtime we’d start the music and have a blast creating this world of entertainment to share. I’ve been reminded of those makeshift productions in the basement because I recognize the same energy and excitement in Mary Jane Mosquito as she puts together her cabaret and finally gets the chance to perform for you.
I hope you’ll enjoy the beautiful songs and words of acclaimed Cree playwright Tomson Highway, brought to life by this incredible creative team. Having the opportunity to revisit this show has been a blessing - like catching up with an old friend. It's my hope that it brings a similar feeling to the communities that will gather and share these songs.In bringing this show to life, I’ve had the opportunity to be nourished by what Mary Jane Mosquito learns - it’s important to give back, to share your gifts with the world, to love yourself, and above all, to be kind. The desire to make friends and the desire to connect are something we can all relate to - young or old. I hope you are delighted and inspired by the journey Mary Jane Mosquito undertakes to find companionship and connection. We invite you in to receive the lessons Mary Jane learns from her family, and to help her in her quest to give back.
Welcome to the Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito!
Kelsey is thrilled to return to Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People as the Stage Manager for The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito. Kelsey has had the privilege to work with Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People many times and enjoys the process of bringing a show to life for young audiences. Kelsey is a graduate of the University of Victoria with a BFA in Theatre focussed in Production and Management. Select credits include: The Lion,The Witch, and the Wardrobe (Stage Manager – KTYP, 2023), The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito (SM – KTYP, 2021), The Marriage of Figaro (ASM, Pacific Opera Victoria, 2024), Die Walküre (ASM – Pacific Opera Victoria, 2023), Bon Appétit and the Italian Lesson (App. SM – Pacific Opera Victoria, 2022), Flight (App. SM – Pacific Opera Victoria, 2020), Ghost the Musical (App. SM – Chemainus Theatre Festival, 2023), Macbeth (App. SM – Canadian Opera Company, 2023), and Controlled Damage (App. SM – Grand Theatre, 2023). Enjoy the show!
Danica Charlie (she/they) is a mixed Nuu-chah-nulth/settler actor from so-called “Victoria”.
She has endeavoured to learn more about her own indigeneity, through storytelling and creating her own beadwork.
Recent credits include: Father Tartuffe: An Indigenous Misadventure (Arts Club Theatre/Touchstone Theatre), Ghost the Musical (Chemainus Theatre), Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet (Blue Bridge), Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish (Axis Theatre), White Girls in Moccasins (the frank theatre).
She is proud to call the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as “Vancouver”, her home.
Danica is so excited to step into Mary Jane’s shoes again since the first production in 2021!
Canadian soprano, actor, and music director Abby Corpus (she/her), is located on the traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples (Victoria BC). Currently finishing up her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance under Dutch soprano Anne Grimm at the University of Victoria, she works primarily in opera and musical theatre. Some recent performance credits include Golijov’s Ainadamar (Chorus, Pacific Opera Victoria), Offenbach’s La jolie parfumeuse (Justine, Halifax Summer Opera Festival), and Charpentier’s Actéon (Aréthuse, Victoria Baroque with UVic Voice Ensemble).
Abby has worked regularly with Kaleidoscope Theatre for the past several years, both in administrative and educational roles, and she is thrilled to be a part of the team for The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito. In addition to her work at Kaleidoscope she works as a voice teacher at Long & McQuade Music, a choral scholar at Lutheran Church of the Cross, and a character performer at Island Princess Parties. Abby is passionate about music as a means of creating human connection, and is especially dedicated to inspiring creativity for young people and helping young creatives find their voice.
Alice is delighted to be back working with Kaleidoscope again having designed The Secret Garden. After graduating from San Jose State University theatre department, Alice honed her skills as a costume maker at the San Francisco Opera and Metropolitan Opera in New York. Now working as a Victoria based costumer she works with Pacific Opera Victoria, The Belfry Theatre, UVic Theatre Department and Saint Michael’s University School. Her movie and TV work include Spooksville, Super Pups and Pancake Manor. You may also have met her at The Makehouse working with kids in the summer and teaching people to sew throughout the year.
Lyle, John (August 12, 1959 – March 6, 2023) who’s Cree name is mutwêsinô kîsik (Sounding Sky), is a Plains Cree Knowledge Keeper, born and raised in Saskatchewan on One Arrow Cree Territory (Ka-Peyakwaskonam). He was a strong supporter of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, where he taught language, culture and traditional values.
Kaleidoscope dedicates this production to Lyle’s memory.
Born and raised in Mexico. Andrea graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba “Fernando Alonso” and later from the Canadian College of Performing Arts. Andrea has been performing with theatre companies in Victoria and is part of the Kaleidoscope Theatre for young people’s faculty.
Some performance credits include: The HalliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator (KTYP), The Guardsman, Ride the Cyclone (Blue Bridge Theatre), 1002 Nights (Story Theatre), It’ll Come to Me (Theatre Skam), Countess Maritza, Flight (POV), The Rocky Horror Show, Mind the Gap, Pandemonium (Atomic Vaudeville).
Patricia Reilly is a Canadian theatre designer, with a specific focus on costume and set design. Previous design credits include, Assistant Designer of Three Tall Women, Assistant Costume Designer of Merry Wives of Windsor, Private Lives, An Ideal Husband, Bakhai. (Stratford Festival); Costume and Set Design for Pacific Opera Victoria (Rattenbury, La Voix Humaine); for Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre (The Drawer Boy, Our Town, Judy!, The Glass Menagerie); Set Design for Theatre SKAM (Concord Floral, Shop Talk); Costume Design for Chemainus Theatre Festival (Lumberjacks in Love, Glorious!). Training: Master’s Degree in Theatre Design (Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts, London), BFA in Theatre Design and Technology (University of Victoria), Diploma in Technical Theatre Production (Red Deer College). Online: patriciareilly.com.
essica Schacht is a director, dramaturg, and writer living gratefully on Quw’utsun territory, Vancouver Island. She comes from Métis and Canadian families and her work and ethos centre around exploring identity and relationships through the cultural, environmental, and personal experiences that shape us. She is a graduate of the University of Victoria’s Theatre Program and has honed her craft at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity’s Dramaturgy for Dance residency, Theatre Replacement’s New Aesthetics Performance Intensive, as well as PTC’s Block A program. As a theatre artist she has worked across genres of theatre, opera, and dance.
Recent credits include: The Fiancée (Director – Chemainus Theatre Festival); Emerging Voices (Director/Dramaturg – TheatreOne); A Tiny Christmas Carol (Co-adaptor – Chemainus Theatre Festival); Gather: Stories in Nature (Dramaturg – Neworld Theatre/Pacific Theatre); Seasiders (Writer – Chemainus Theatre Festival); The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito (Director – Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People); The Apocrypha Chronicles Podcast Season 1 & 2 (Co-writer – Re:Naissance Opera); Sis Ne’Bi-Yiz: A Mother Bear’s Journey (Associate Director/Dramaturg – Heart of the City Festival); Dialogue Dances (Dramaturg – National Ballet of Canada); Kamloopa (Fire Igniter – WCT/The Cultch/Persephone/GTNT). Jessica has been the Artist in Residence at Pacific Opera Victoria and the Artistic Associate at TheatreOne, leading their new play development program.
Aaron Smail is a Canadian multi-hyphenate artist, currently based in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from the University of Victoria where he studied performance and sound design at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre. In addition to acting, Aaron composes original music for theatre, films, and other visual media. He released his first official soundtrack album for his score for the short film STAY (King Louie Films) in 2023. Aaron is simultaneously following his passions for acting and composing. Previous local sound design credits include The Children’s Hour (Phoenix Theatre), Fossils (Collectivus Theatre), Summer Bucket List (Collectivus Theatre), Constellations (Happy Theatre), and The Fitting Room (Collectivus Theatre – Pick of the Fringe 2018).
George Scott is a production professional in his third decade of practice. He has a recurring role as Production Manager for Kaleidoscope Theatre, with whom he has been working since 2005. In addition to his work with Kaleidoscope, George supports over 60 cultural events annually in Greater Victoria, from a concert series for Oak Bay to National Indigenous Peoples Day for Royal Roads. He also engages in event safety consultation and planning for indoor and outdoor events.
Tomson Highway, OC, playwright, novelist, pianist and songwriter (born 6 December 1951 in northwestern Manitoba). Highway is one of the most prominent and influential Indigenous writers in Canada. His works discuss and explore important issues affecting First Nations people, including residential schools, reserve life, Indigenous identity and more. Highway is an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 1998 was named one of the 100 most important people in Canadian history by Maclean’s. Tomson received the Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards in 2022.
Pat Rundell is a Canadian theatre director, actor, teacher, arts leader, and producer. Pat is the Executive & Artistic Director for Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People. Pat started with Kaleidoscope as an actor in 2003, and has stuck around since in various capacities, including work as a director, volunteer, teaching artist, marketing director, and Artistic Associate before being appointed Executive Director in 2018. Pat is the Co-Chair for the Theatre for Young Audiences Caucus for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and sits on the association’s Advocacy Committee. He is a past Board member of The Victoria Pride Society and the Victoria Operatic Society, a current board member of the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria and a member of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
Pat serves as the Executive Producer for all Kaleidoscope Productions, and directed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe earlier this season. Up Next: director and choreographer – Mean Girls: The Musical at Theatre Orangeville (Ontario)
About Kaleidoscope Theatre
For five decades, Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People has been the pillar of professional family entertainment on Vancouver Island. Established in 1973, Kaleidoscope has continuously inspired young audiences through our innovative, imaginative, and original theatrical experiences.
Founded in 1973 by Barbara McLauchlin and Paul Liittich, Kaleidoscope began with a vision to offer theatre workshops to children. Since then, the company has grown to become Victoria’s premier producer of Theatre for Young Audiences.
In our inaugural year, Kaleidoscope launched with a series of free drama workshops and toured two short plays, The Pirate Show and The Magic Stone, to local schools. Elizabeth Gorrie, our first Artistic Director, joined the team in 1974, shaping the company's artistic mandate to provide innovative and exploratory drama for young people.
Kaleidoscope's commitment to our mandate is unwavering, seeking to create theatre that surprises, challenges, and engages young minds intellectually and aesthetically. Today, Kaleidoscope continues to shine as a vital force in the arts community, inspiring generations of young audiences and artists alike.
Originally a touring company, Kaleidoscope’s work has been seen around the world, touring to Japan, Singapore, Israel, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., across Canada, performing in Toronto, Ottawa at the National Arts Centre, London, Winnipeg, Montreal, Vancouver, and every city and town in British Columbia.
Kaleidoscope has produced over 300 plays, many of which are world premieres, and have entertained, inspired and educated over 3 million children around the world.
Supporters
As a charitable non-profit organisation, Kaleidoscope relies on philanthropic and corporate support to ensure the strength and vitality of the company. Thank you to our supporters who believe in the magic of live theatre! If you feel you have been omitted in error, have questions or concerns, or wish to make a donation, please contact Amanda at 250.383.8124.
Community Supporters
$500+
David Zussman & Sheridan Scott
Keith & Jennifer MacLeod
Pat Rundell
Willy McCrea
$200 - $499
Yvette Guigueno
Christina Haska
Erica Kjekstad
Joan Rafferty
$100 - $199
Barb Prescott
F W Samis
Wes Johnson
$50 - $99
Fraser Black
Deborah Dosil
Catherine Gerus
Dawn Lang
Karen Manders
James Murray
Sarah Savidant
Katie Shaw
Karrie Wolfe
$20 - $49
Olivia Anderson
Christina Arsens
Anita Buljubasic
Ryan Britton
Kylie Buday
Erin Crowley
Cam Culham
Dana Dempster
Laura Devine
Therese Favreau
Jennifer Finlay
Susan Ghitan
Michelle Jennings
Richard Knight
Stanislav Konorov
Kyle Kushnir
Jennifer Langley
Brenda Leslie
Ken Marr
Yvon Ng-How-Tseung
Cameron Reid
Kaisha Scofield
Janice Shaski
Kelsey Stiefvater
Genevieve Von Petzinger
Lesley Wicks
Carla Yaxley
Anonymous
Reflects donations received June 1, 2023 through May 2, 2024. Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a registered Canadian Charity, 11897 6885 RR0001
Volunteers
As a not-for-profit charity, Kaleidoscope Theatre is grateful for our many committed volunteers, who share their time, enthusiasm, and talent with us. Volunteers play an invaluable role in the success of our company. Thank you!
Ikhlas Alasso
Mariajosé Aleglez
Jessica Burdge
Zoë Carroll
Arleen Cai
Jesse Charmley
Alistar Dhaul
Evie Faber
Michael Forbes
Yvette Guigueno
Kristen Iversen
Donna Jones
Erica Kjekstad
Makaeda Kelleway-Proulx
Daria Lannuzzi
Olivia Maillet
Elena Marchesan
Leonardo Marcoluca
Amy Marson
Abi Marson
Hailey Marson
Noelle Mason
Maria-Luisa Mastursi
Eshita Meduri
Heather Mislang
Elizabeth Monk
Julia Morgenstern
James Murray
Laurie Noel
Justine Peel
Best Pongsiripipat
Cameron Reid
Doug Rundell
Alana Rundell
Tricia Rundell
Francesca Saba
Laura Silva
Rich Scales
Kizuna Tagi
Ciaran Volke
Bethany Wilson
Carmen Jones
Liz Allen
Bruna Silveira
Our People
Staff
Pat Rundell – Executive & Artistic Director
Amanda Millar – Director of Business and Development
Shea O’Connor – Education Director
Lindsey Schneider – Front of House Manager
Kendra Bidwell – Programs Assistant
Abby Corpus – Programs Assistant
Andrea Lemus – Audience Services
Darby Thorogood – Programs Assistant
Willy McCrea – Bookkeeper
Board of Directors
Bethany Wilson, President
Yvette Guigueno, Vice President
Erica Kjekstad, Treasurer
Laura Silva, Secretary
Cameron Reid, Director
Donna Jones, Director
James Murray, Director
Alysha Trinca-Taillefer, Director
Performing Arts Studio Faculty
Elijah Bell, Jordyn Beyer, Kendra Bidwell, Abby Corpus, Kaya Crumley, Theodore Falkiner, Chantal Gallant, Josh Graetz, Andrea Lemus, Nadia Lurie,Geoff Malcolm, Julie McGuire, Elena Marchesan,Dalton Nelson,Sophia Radford, Camély Rouleau, Jazmin Saunders Scales, Anna, van der Hooft, Jan van der Hooft
Season Technicians and Crew
Nadia Myroon. Alex Sangster, Jeremy Scott, Lexy Kimler, Christian Tervo, Melissa Harwood, Emily Trepanier, Alicia Shapalata, Kyle Beaudry, George Scott, Rebekah Johnson
Mary Jane Mosquito Set Construction
The Opera Shop at Pacific Opera Victoria. Painted by Amy Frueh and Jennifer Hedge.
Production Illustrations
Julie McLaughlin
Mary Jane Mosquito Photograhper
Veronica Bonderud
Acknowledgements
Splatters Art Studio, Amy Frueh, Event Service Production, Carousel Theatre for Young People, Esquimalt Parks and Recreation, Peninsula Co-Op
Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional adult Artists who are members of Canadian Actors' Equity Association.
Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ), Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA), The Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria, The Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Union Internationale de la Marionette.
