Our Mission

To create engaging and empowering theatre experiences for young people that fosters belonging, ignites creativity, and reflects our diverse community. 

About Kaleidosope

Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People (KTYP) has been the driving force behind professional  family entertainment on Vancouver Island for 5 decades.  Through a season of MainStage productions, and an emerging secondary stage series, KTYP inspires young people through innovative, imaginative, and original theatrical experiences.

Founded in 1973, KTYP serves as Victoria’s premiere producer of Theatre for Young Audiences, and is the resident professional theatre company on Vancouver Island presenting traditional MainStage programming catering specifically to children.

The company was born when journalist Barbara McLauchlin and actor Paul Liittich sat down in Victoria in 1973 with theatre director Glynis Leyshon to write an application for assistance in offering theatre workshops to children. Since then, KTYP has endured as an important force in the arts community on Vancouver Island, providing theatrical productions to entertain and a year-round theatre training school for young people.

KTYP’s artistic mandate, formulated in 1974 and faithfully upheld to this day states that the KTYP’s purpose is to “provide innovative and exploratory drama for young people”.  KTYP makes theatre that surprises, challenges, and engages young people, both intellectually and aesthetically.

KTYP is committed to exploring the art form of theatre through the development and presentation of new works. To producing and presenting theatre that reinterprets the classics, explores our history, or explores current social issues. To provide outreach through theatre-based educational activities. To produce works which provide young artists the opportunity to be mentored by theatre professionals. To provide high-quality professional touring productions for young people in our region and beyond.

KTYP quickly developed a reputation for fascinating audiences of all ages and has performed around the world in Japan, Singapore, Israel, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Washington State. The company has toured across Canada, performing in Toronto, Ottawa (including the National Arts Centre), London, Winnipeg, Montreal, Vancouver, and every city and town in British Columbia.

Our values:

At Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People we are guided by a set of core values that define who we are and how we engage with our community. At the core of these values is a deep-rooted respect for our audiences, our community, our environment, and our art. We believe in the transformative power of theatre, recognizing the intelligence of young people. These values inspire us to create impactful experiences that not only entertain but also educate and empower our audiences.

Inclusivity: We believe in the transformative power of theatre to bring people together. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. We celebrate the diversity of our community and strive to reflect this diversity in all we do. 

Accessibility: We believe that theatre should be accessible to all and are committed to making our productions, programming, processes, and spaces inclusive and accessible to audiences, artists, and participants of all ages and abilities. We believe that every young person should have access to engaging theatre experiences.

Creativity, Innovation, and Imagination: We embrace creativity, innovation, and imagination in all aspects of our work, pushing artistic boundaries and exploring new ways of storytelling to engage and inspire young people.

Education: We are dedicated to using theatre as a tool for education and development. We believe in the importance of programs that engage young people in meaningful ways. We believe that Theatre is more than entertainment; it's a tool to educate, inspire, empower, and develop empathetic, socially responsible young people.

Collaboration and Community Engagement: We believe in the power of theatre to strengthen communities and build connections. We value collaboration and partnership, working closely with artists, educators, and our local and National arts community to create meaningful and impactful theatre experiences for young people. We are deeply rooted in our community and are committed to being a positive force within it.

Environmental Sustainability: We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability in all of our operations and productions. We believe sustainability is a key factor in ensuring that theatre continues to thrive for generations to come, providing enriching experiences for children and families alike.

We uphold these values in all our interactions, building trust with our audiences, artists, and partners. Our commitment ensures that we deliver professional live theatre experiences that upholds the imagination and integrity of the young people we serve.

Since 2011, KTYP has premiered over 20 original adaptations for young audiences on Vancouver Island and has been the launching pad for countless young Canadian artists beginning their acting, design, and stage management careers.

To date, KTYP will have produced over 240 plays, many of which are world premieres, and will have entertained, inspired, and educated over 3 million children.