Our Mission

For half a century, The Belfry Theatre has operated as a professional theatre company in Victoria. Dedicated to promoting artistic, cultural, and educational events in the Greater Victoria Region, the Belfry Theatre embraces the leadership role achieved through years of hard work. We present up to 6 productions per season, which enhance our patrons’ knowledge and appreciation of theatre and Canadian culture as well as providing opportunities to participate in a broad range of artistic outreach events. This includes addressing the need for the cultural development of the community and the next generation.

The Belfry has seen dramatic growth and is now a leading and stable member of Greater Victoria’s arts scene. During the past five decades, the Belfry has grown from a company that employed four full time staff with an annual budget of $154,000 in 1980 to currently employing upwards of 90 people on a full-time, seasonal, and contract basis with an operating budget of close to $3 million (not including major capital needs).

The Belfry, like all charitable, not-for-profit organizations, is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Belfry Theatre is a not-for-profit professional company operating within the Canadian Theatre Agreement in association with Canadian Actors' Equity Association and is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and the Professional Arts Alliance of Greater Victoria (ProArt).

About THE BELFRY THEATRE SOCIETY

The company resides in a former Baptist Church built in 1880-90s. From the company's inception in 1976 until 1991, the Belfry rented the main theatre space in the building and shared the complex with a homeless shelter. In 1991, then owners, The Cool-Aid Society, moved out and the Belfry began the first of several capital campaigns to buy and restore the building. Renovations included the restoration of the exterior in 2000 and the upgrade of the lobby and adjacent areas in 2017. The building is listed in the heritage registry and has won a number of awards for its beautiful and painstaking restoration.

In 1981 the Belfry began an apprenticeship programme with the University of Victoria 's Theatre Department. The endeavour continues to be highly successful with many apprentices returning to the theatre as professionals. The company has also started initiatives aimed at encouraging participation through programmes like Belfry 101 (for high school students), Emerging Artists Enhancement Program, and the Belfry Leadership Training Program,  (for post secondary graduates and community theatre artists).