A New Play By JAKOB KOPYTKO
Based on the Story by HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
Directed by PAT RUNDELL
In Association with Project X Theatre
Step into a world of fairies, toads, and tall-tale adventure—where even the smallest can make the biggest difference.
Tiny Thumbelina has always felt out of place in her mother’s big, protective world—until she discovers a secret: somewhere out there are others just like her… fairies! But her search for belonging takes an unexpected turn when she’s swept into the heart of an age-old feud between the Fairies and the Toads. Suddenly, Thumbelina becomes the prize in a dangerous game of bargaining and power.
Armed with nothing but her courage, quick wit, and a surprising knack for swordplay, Thumbelina must navigate the dangerous swamp, outsmart her captors, and discover the true strength within herself.
Playful, adventurous, and full of heart, Thumbelina is a rollicking tale where the smallest among us can prove to be the bravest of all.
A Holiday Treat for the Whole Family!
Show Resources
Cast and Creative
*All Kaleidoscope productions are created, managed, presented, and performed by adult professionals.
Thumbelina received its world premiere at Project X Theatre (Randi Edmundson, Artistic Producer), July 2025, directed by Pat Rundell.
Pajama Party – Dress the kids (and maybe yourself!) in their favourite jammies, and come on down to the theatre for the ultimate bedtime story with Kaleidoscope and our special Pajama Party evening show. (Pajamas optional but highly encouraged!)
After School Special – Remember racing home from school to watch your favourite TV show? Now you can relive the thrill of childhood nostalgia with our ‘After School Special”. Bring the kids after school, grab your seats and enjoy a complimentary snack (while supplies last), for the ultimate LIVE experience.
Semi-Relaxed Performance – Our Semi-Relaxed Performance offers a welcoming, low-stress environment with a smaller audience, partially raised house lights, and a quieter, less bustling atmosphere. Designed to support comfort and flexibility, this performance is ideal for families, first-time theatre-goers, and anyone who benefits from a gentler theatre experience—all are welcome to enjoy the magic of live performance at their own pace.
Are you a School Group? Visit our Educator Page to book tickets for our special day-time School Matinee program, or contact our Education Department for all the details.
For Kaleidoscope: Selected directing includes The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Addams Family, Singin’ in the Rain, and Pinkalicious. On stage in Gruff, The Hobbit, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2003), Peter Pan, Anne of Green Gables, Amadeus (and more). Other Theatre: Selected Directing includes The Neverending Story, Mean Girls (Theatre Orangeville, Ontario), Thumbelina (Project X Theatre, Kamloops), A Christmas Story, 9 to 5 (VOS), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (LCT), Dog Sees God (Black Box), Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, Nevermore, Into the Woods, Peter Pan, and Treasure Island (Urban Arts). Other: Pat is the Executive & Artistic Director for Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People, and serves on the boards for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria. patrundell.ca
For Kaleidoscope: Debut Other Theatre: Thumbelina; James and the Giant Peach; The 3 Musketeers; Cinderella to name a few (Project X Theatre-TUTTS); Anne of Green Gables; The Sound of Music; My Fair Lady to name a few(Western Canada Theatre) Bemused; Girl in a Goldfish Bowl; to name a few (Theatre North West) Larger Than Life-the Musical (Firehall Arts Center); In a Blue Moon (Arts Club Touring Program); 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee); Urinetown-the Musical; (MacEwan University Theatre Dept); Complete Works of Wllm Shakespeare- Abridged; (Lunch Box Theatre Calgary); She Kills Monsters; Hearts Like Fists, Midsummer Nights Dream;(TRU/AWT Kamloops) Other: Marian’s theatre career has spanned 40+ years and counting (250+ productions) I started sewing around the age of 5, sitting on my Nana’s knee. I made clothes for my dolls and my cats. I have also have designed for Film and TV over the last 5 years. Favorite Children’s Book: The Water Babies; Maggie Muggins (my Mom’s book from childhood)
For Kaleidoscope: Debut. Other Theatre: Pride and Prejudice, Hurry Hard, It’s a Wonderful Life (Western Canada Theatre), The Emperor’s New Threads, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Project X Theatre), Plucker, The Comedy of Errors, Hearts Like Fists (TRU Actor’s Workshop Theatre) Training: TRU Actor’s Workshop Theatre. Other: Lukas wants to thank the Thumbelina teams in Kamloops and Victoria and is excited to share this play with a new audience!
For Kaleidoscope: Debut. Other Theatre: Wolf Cull (Urban Ink), With Project X: Head scenic paint and props :Treasure Island (TUTT 2024); Munsch Ado About Nothing (TUTT 2024) Assist. Scenic paint and props :The Hobbit (TUTT 2023); The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito (TUTT 2023) Finn is excited that Thumbelina and all of the hard work by all of the incredible artists can be shared with a new audience through Kaleidoscope Theatre. Enjoy! Her favourite children’s book is The Boy who Painted the Sun (@finn.modder)
For Kaleidoscope: Debut. Other Theatre: Hadestown: Teen Edition; The Bluff (Theatre Orangeville); Halfway There; Yesterday Once More (Drayton Entertainment); Cinderella: The Panto; Memphis to Motown; The Sweet Delilah Swim Club; Doris & Ivy in the Home; Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto; Where You Are; Come Down From Up River; Tip of the Iceberg; Buying The Farm (Lighthouse Festival Theatre) Other: Ben is beyond excited to be with the Kaleidoscope Theatre team and to help bring this magical show to life. Training: Sheridan College Favourite Children’s Book: The Little Prince
George Scott is a production professional in his fourth decade of practice. Based in Victoria since 2003, he works as a Production Manager, Technical Director, Crew Chief, Head Rigger, and generalist live entertainment technician. George has been the resident Production Manager for Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People since 2005, and has made shows happen for the company in theatres, under tents, in open fields, in quonset huts, as well as in schools and malls.
In addition to multiple festival projects in management, George also operates a small Victoria based event production company providing staging, tenting, lighting, sound and production services. Outside of his production work, George serves on the Performing Arts Standing Committee for ActSafe, on the board of the Performing Arts and Live Entertainment Labour Coalition, and as the President of IATSE Local 168.
In November of 2024 George was awarded the City of Victoria Creative Builder Award for his years supporting arts and culture in the Greater Victoria Region.
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when we gather to share a story. Something handmade with care, crafted in real time, and shared face to face. In a world so often filtered through screens, that kind of connection feels more vital than ever, and it’s exactly the kind of magic that audiences can expect with Thumbelina.
What drew me to Jakob Kopytko’s adaptation is its spirit. It feels like a tall tale—full of mischief, music, and a touch of dustbowl grit—but underneath the playfulness lies something tender and deeply human. At its heart, Thumbelina is a story about resilience. It’s about holding onto who you are, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. That quiet bravery, the kind that comes from staying true to yourself, is something I believe we all need to be reminded of.
I chose this story because it invites us to be curious, to imagine boldly, and to trust in our own voices. It’s a reminder that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Our hope is that audiences—whether big or small, young or not-so-young—leave this play with a renewed sense of wonder, and perhaps a little more confidence in the strength of their own hearts.
This production had its world premiere in Kamloops at Project X Theatre earlier this year. I’m thrilled to share it now with Victoria audiences, and grateful that you are here to experience it with us.
- Pat Rundell
Executive & Artistic Director
