2023
/ 2024 SEASON
ANNUAL REPORT
A SEASON TO BELIEVE IN
VISION
Western Canada Theatre changes lives through inclusive performing arts events throughout the year.
MISSION
Leading cultural conversation through inclusive, innovative productions and arts education. WCT honours its audiences and community, engaging exceptional talent, on and off the stage.
WESTERN CANADA THEATRE IS HONOURED TO BE KAMLOOPS’ OWN
NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED LIVE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE COMPANY
As the world continues to recover from the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Canada Theatre has responded well to the challenges facing the arts and culture sector. Our audiences have returned in significant numbers (and continue to grow), and we are finding ways to maintain our level and diversity of programming in the face of increased expenses through new partnerships and innovative solutions.
We had a successful year at the box office, with over $1 million in ticket sales for the first time in the company’s history. Productions were strong and well-attended, including two large musicals. We attracted a diversity of established and emerging theatregoers with works as diverse as Shrek: The Musical, which brought thousands of young people to the Sagebrush, and Inner Elder, which showcased the engrossing, funny, and very personal story of well-known Indigenous writer and performer Michelle Thrush.
In these productions WCT continued to showcase emerging and established artists from the Kamloops region, including many young people from our Stage One Theatre School. We also continue to employ 16 full-time staff, 23 part-time and casual staff, and over 200 volunteers, all of whom reside and work here in Kamloops or the TNRD. These employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector in our region are a rarity, as we remain the largest not-for-profit professional arts organization between the Lower Mainland and Calgary.
While we increased revenue through ticket sales, earned revenue, and sponsorship/ donations, we continue to show a deficit largely due to increasing production costs and the rising cost of living for our staff. We are hesitant to pass on these costs to our audience in the form of increased ticket prices, which would create a barrier to accessibility. With the economic indicators over the next few years looking more stable, we feel that our ability to forecast with better accuracy will return the company to a balanced budget in the years to come. We are deeply grateful to the audiences who wholeheartedly support WCT through this process, along with the hundreds of local donors and sponsors who are the backbone of this company.
A highlight of the fall of 2023 was WCT being named “Not-for-Profit of the Year” at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. In their recognition of WCT, the Chamber cited the diversity of WCT programs that reach Kamloopsians of all ages and backgrounds, our commitment to excellence on our stages and behind the scenes, and our dedicated and (very) hard-working staff.
We settled into our new home at Kelson Hall, which allowed the Stage One Theatre
School to offer an unprecedented number of classes for children and adults with a record number of attendees. These numbers will continue to grow exponentially as we expand our class capacity in this modern, attractive venue.
Kelson Hall is “Phase One” of the new Kamloops Centre of the Arts complex, and we continued to work in partnership with the City of Kamloops, Ron and Rae Fawcett, and the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Committee on supporting the Build Kamloops initiative. Aside from providing much-needed infrastructure for the arts in Kamloops, the project has shone a light on the importance of WCT as part of the cultural fabric of Kamloops, and how a thriving cultural sector will contribute to quality of life for all Kamloopsians, as well as boosting tourism and economic development.
We continue to work collaboratively with our new roommates in Kelson Hall, the Kamloops Symphony, as well as with Project X Theatre, the Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Arts Council, Kamloops Film Society, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, Thompson Rivers University, the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, and many other community organizations towards the betterment of life in Kamloops. Through our stewardship and management of the Sagebrush and Pavilion Theatres and the Kamloops Live! Box Office, WCT supports hundreds of local and touring arts organizations and events. Our staff are also active in many community organizations including Kamloops Pride, Boogie the Bridge, Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, and Chimera Theatre.
At the end of the year our Executive Director of two years, Leslie Biles, returned home to Calgary and we’re pleased to have recently added our new ED, Matt Eger, also a Calgary native, who comes to us from working in Toronto theatre for fifteen years. Matt combines logistical skill and fiscal responsibility with the right blend of heart and care for the staff and the community at large in their new role. They will be a welcome and important addition to the Kamloops cultural scene for years to come.
The resilience of Western Canada Theatre is a reflection of the resilience of our great city. WCT’s recovery from the pandemic is a testament to the supporters, subscribers, ticket buyers, donors, sponsors, and funders whose belief in vibrant professional theatre in Kamloops has made the company thrive for almost 50 years.
We take pride in our position as a community-based professional theatre, with a commitment to employment and apprenticeship of local artists, administrators, and technical/production staff, as well as a commitment to developing appreciation and support of the arts for Kamloopsians of all ages. Without Western Canada Theatre our city would be a remarkably different, much less-lively place. We are proud of the role that we play in transforming lives of so many of our citizens and visitors.
Next season we look forward to honouring our 50th anniversary with a season of programming and community-wide events that will be a fitting tribute and celebration of our city, our artists, our community, and our company. Thank you for your support on our journey thus far – we have great things yet to come.
JAMES MACDONALD Artistic Director
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
Wey’tk,
As the theatre saying goes, “break a leg!” This is how we wish each other luck. Well, we didn’t just break legs this year—we won hearts and brought down the house!
What an exciting time to be part of live theatre in Kamloops! As a Board, we have witnessed so much incredible growth in the organization across the past year.
We have seen audiences embrace WCT’s productions with renewed enthusiasm, taking part in stories that made us laugh, cry, shiver, and dance—sometimes all in the same hour! By subscribing in record numbers, audiences showed that they believe in the value of live theatre as a way to connect and reconnect. Thank you to our patrons, donors, and sponsors for empowering WCT to continue the rich history of storytelling on the territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. Your generous support allows WCT to deliver world-class theatre that educates, entertains, and inspires.
We have seen also WCT’s entire staff, as many of them settled into their incredible new space at Kelson Hall, exemplify innovation and collaboration, led by our Artistic Director, James MacDonald, our previous Executive Director, Leslie Biles, and our new Executive Director, Matt Eger. We are deeply impressed by the passion and hard work that the WCT team delivers all year long, and we are honoured to serve as their Board.
As we turn towards the year ahead, we are seeing WCT’s dreams begin to become reality, with the recent approval of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts! The Centre will serve as a vital hub for world-class arts experiences in the downtown core. We recognize the colossal efforts of Build Kamloops, the Kamloops Sports Council, the City of Kamloops, and the entire Kamloops arts collective, in driving this initiative forward, as well as Ron and Rae Fawcett, who continue to awe us with their deep, longstanding commitment to the arts.
WCT’s 50th anniversary is just around the corner, and we cannot wait to see what happens next! Theatre changes lives, and we humbly accept our role in shaping our beautiful community.
CHRYSTIE STEWART
Board President
JAMIE CAVANAGH in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Thousand Islands Playhouse 2023) Director BRETT CHRISTOPHER | Set & Costume Design
DINNING
Design KEVIN TANNER | Photo by JPG PHOTOGRAPHY
“an extraordinarily talented, charasmatic performer... He leaves us in awe with his quick-change, quick-draw impersonations.” - Calgary Herald
RICK MILLER in BOOM YZ (2024)
Photo by TRUDIE LEE
A SEASON TO BELIEVE IN 2023/24 OVERVIEW
Believe in...yourself.
Believe in...fairy tales.
Believe in...mysteries.
Believe in...the future.
Believe in...the power of music.
Believe in...miracles.
Believe in...your inner voice. A CLASSIC THRILLER REIMAGINED FOR MODERN TIMES
7 3 150+ 31,202 Productions Stages Artists Patrons
GASLIGHT
OCT 19 to 28, 2023 | Sagebrush Theatre
Written by JOHNNA WRIGHT & PATTY JAMIESON
Based on the play Angel Street by PATRICK HAMILTON
In association with Chemainus Theatre Festival
Based on Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 mystery play Angel Street, where the term “gaslighting” was coined. This gripping new adaptation placed female resilience and solidary centre stage as Bella took her fate in her own hands to solve the mystery that plagued her mind. Coming to us from the Chemainus Theatre Festival, with the exception of local actor Kirk Smith - who jumped into the one male role - this production started off the season with a bang, thrilling audiences, and selling beyond expectations.
Cast
JENAYA BARKER* Nancy
NYIRI KARAKAS* Bella
ERIN ORMOND Elizabeth
KIRK SMITH^ Jack
Creative Team
SARAH RODGERS Director
HANS SAEFKOW Set Designer
CRYSTAL HANSON Costume Designer
MARK CARTER Lighting Designer
RICK COLHOUN Sound Designer
SIMON FON Original Fight Director
SAM JEFFERY Fight Director
KOH LAUREN QUAN Stage Manager
ALANA FREISTADT Assistant Stage Manager
Artist formerly from Kamloops LEGEND
NYIRI KARAKAS & KIRK SMITH in Gaslight (2023)
Photo by ELIZABETH NYGREN
Cast
FIORELLA ARTONI* Dragon / Ensemble / Understudy Gingy
GAELAN BEATTY Lord Farquaad
KATE BLACKBURN Fiona
BRIANNA CLARK* Teen Fiona / Ensemble / Understudy Fiona
FRANKIE COTTRELL Ensemble / Understudy Shrek
BECKY FROHLINGER Gingy / Sugar Plum
Fairy / Ensemble / Understudy Teen Fiona
JAKE KOPYTKO^* Ensemble / Understudy
Lord Farquaad
CONNOR LUCAS Pinocchio / Ensemble / Understudy Donkey
REM MURRAY^* Ensemble / Understudy Pinocchio
EVERLEIGH RIFE^+* Young Fiona
DAVID SILVESTRI Shrek
EMILY VUTEV^* Ensemble / Understudy Dragon
ALEX WIERZBICKI Donkey
Youth Ensemble
AIZA ABBAS^*
KAITLIN BRAIN^*
GRAY EDWARDS^*
BRIELLE ERNST^*
ANNA HAHN^*
ANNA MacFARLANE^*
ESMÉ MORRIS^*
EVERLEIGH RIFE^*
ADISON THOMPSON^*
SEREN WILLIAMS^*
Musicians
CHRISTOPHER KING Keyboard
KRIS RUSTON^ Guitar
JASON STARUIALA^ Drums
KERRY TARNAWSKY^* Keyboard
ALEXANDER WARD^ Bass
Creative Team
JAMES MacDONALD^ Director
CHRISTOPHER KING Music Director
TRACEY POWER^ Choreographer
ROSS NICHOL^ Set Designer
LOUISE GUINAND Lighting Designer
MORGAN BENEDICT^* Assistant Director
STEPHANIE McLEAN^* Assistant Choreographer
SABRINA STACE^* Costume Coordinator
KIM SMITH Stage Manager
LANI MARTEL Assistant Stage Manager
ELIZABETH NYGREN^* Apprentice Stage Manager
LIZZY KING^* Child Supervisor
+ Appears with special thanks to Canadian Actors Equity Association
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by WILLIAM STEIG
Book and Lyrics by DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE
Music by JEANINE TESORI
Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions
Based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film that captured the hearts of adults and kids of all ages, this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical brought the beloved movie to life with catchy songs and laugh-out-loud fun for the whole family, with a heart of green that proved beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.
Families attended this loveable musical in droves, and the cast included a talented youth ensemble of 11 young Kamloopsians, continuing a WCT tradition. Including young people in this way provides a great training opportunity and fosters community connection.
Top: Shrek The Musical CAST (2023)
Photo by MURRAY MITCHELL
Right: ALEX WIERZBICKI & DAVID SILVESTRI in Shrek The Musical (2023)
Photo by MURRAY MITCHELL
BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES STORY
In association with Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque
The play is afoot. A walking stick mysteriously left at 221B Baker Street by an unknown visitor. Legend spreads about a deadly hound stalking the moor. The new heir to a large family fortune might be the next victim of an unknown killer. Not to worry, dear Watson, everyone’s favorite detective is on the case!
Some came for the Sherlock Holmes, some came for the comedy, some just came to see a play, but everyone was tickled pink by this hilarious whodunnit filled with twists and turns. Five actors portrayed more than 40 characters, as our favourite investigator navigated a dizzying web of clues.
Cast
KARL ANG Actor 2
JAMIE CAVANAGH Sherlock Holmes
COLIN A. DOYLE Watson
CYDNEY PENNER* Actor 3
TIM WALKER Actor 1
Creative
BRETT CHRISTOPHER Director
KEVIN TANNER Lighting Designer
SHELBY VANLUVEN* Associate Lighting Designer
STEVE MARSH Sound Designer
REBECCA EAMON CAMPBELL Stage Manager
ALYSSE SZATKOWSKI* Assistant Stage Manager
THE MUSIC, CULTURE, AND POLITICS OF MILLENIALS AND GEN Z BOOM YZ
BOOM YZ
Written Directed and Performed by RICK MILLER
A KIDOONS and WYRD production, in association with Theatre Calgary and The 20K Collective
Rick Miller and his team returned to Kamloops for a third season in a row to complete his BOOM trilogy with BOOM YZ, which explored “Generation Y,” aka Millenials, and “Generation Z.” With his signature performance style, dazzling impersonations and mind-blowing multimedia, taking on over 100 voices, from George Bush to Lady Gaga to Leonard Cohen, he highlighted significant cultural moments from the past three decades, which included Harry Potter, Dance Dance Revolution, iPhones and social media. Floating and flying from 1996 to 2020 through the internet and found connections between global events, cultural milestones and personal stories, Miller brought us to present day - and this time the audience helped choose the future by voting on three possible endings...
Rick became an audience favourite over his three productions in Kamloops, and he continued to connect to the community through engaging talkbacks and a special fundraising event.
Creative team
RICK MILLER Writer / Director / Performer
JEFF LORD Executive Producer
AIDAN WARE Lighting Designer / Technical Director
NICOLAS DOSTIE Video & Projection Co-Designer
IRINA LITVINENKO Video & Projection Co-Designer
RICK MILLER Video & Projection Co-Designer / Set Designer / Sound Designer
VIRGINIE LECLERC Costume & Props Designer
CRAIG FRANCIS Stage Manager / Dramaturg
JAMIE CAVANAGH, CYDNEY PENNER & KARL ANG in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Thousand Islands Playhouse 2023)
Photo by JPG PHOTOGRAPHY
RICK MILLER in Boom YZ (2024)
Photo by TRUDIE LEE
Sagebrush Theatre
Ken Ludwig’s
WESTERN CANADA THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Cast
LAUREN BOWLER Simon / Ensemble / Understudy Annas & Peter
OLIVER CASTILLO King Herod / Priest ⁄ Ensemble / Understudy Caiaphas
JILLIAN MITSUKO COOPER* Ensemble / Understudy Mary Magdalene & Simon
MICHAEL COX Jesus
WILLIAM LINCOLN* Peter / Ensemble / Understudy Judas
GABRIEL MACDONALD* Caiaphas / Ensemble / Understudy Pilate
TRACEY POWER^ Mary Magdalene / Ensemble
HAL WESLEY ROGERS Annas / Ensemble / Understudy Jesus & King Herod
NICO SOLARTE* Judas
JACOB WOIKE* Pilate / Ensemble / Understudy Priest
Musicians
CLARE WYATT Keyboard
RICHARD GRAHAM ^ Drums
KRIS RUSTON^ Guitar
ALEXANDER WARD^ Bass
NAOMI CLOUTIER^ Keyboard
Creative Team
JAMES MacDONALD^ Director
CLARE WYATT Music Director
NICOL SPINOLA Choreographer
ROBERT SONDERGAARD Set & Lighting Designer
STEPHANIE KONG Costume Designer
STEVE MARSH Sound Designer
JESSICA BUCHANAN^* Assistant Director
SABRINA STACE^* Assistant Costume Designer
TREVOR TEWS Sound Engineer
LAUREL ONEIL Stage Manager
VICTORIA SNASHALL* Assistant Stage Manager
TWITCH TOBIN~* Apprentice Stage Manager
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & Lyrics by TIM RICE In association with Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque
While big family musicals are a tradition at Western Canada Theatre over the holidays, there are so many less-family-oriented musicals that people have been begging to see. This season we took a risk, and brought you a second musical in the spring, and it didn’t dissapoint.
The quintessential 1970’s rock opera wowed audiences worldwide for over 50 years! The explosive, dynamic telling of the last week of Jesus’ life, full of iconic music, exhilarating dance and stirring performances. This story of faith, passion and betrayal leapt off the stage in an all-new, original WCT production.
Jesus Christ Superstar CAST (Western Canada Theatre 2024)
Photo by ROBERT SONDERGAARD
Sagebrush Theatre
OLIVER CASTILLO in Jesus Christ Superstar (2024)
Photo by ROBERT SONDERGAARD
A CELEBRATION OF BLACK WOMEN, HISTORY, AND MUSIC
BLAK: ICONIC CANADIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC
MAR 05 to 09, 2023
BLAK: ICONIC CANADIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC
Created and Performed by KRYSTLE DOS SANTOS
The evening celebrated International Women’s Day with WCT’s fan-favorite Krystle Dos Santos (co-creator and performer of Hey Viola! ) and her band. Songs and stories from a variety of classical and contemporary Canadian artists in an array of musical styles included spirituals, jazz, blues, soul, R&B, pop and hip hop were featured and followed a powerful musical journey honouring notable Black Canadian women in music. Historically important stories about the underground railroad, civil rights movement, and key events in Black history weaved throughout iconic songs from the eras in which these women lived and performed.
In her second production at WCT, Krystle once again left audiences moved, inspired, and begging for more. She will return in 2025 with an even bigger band for Motown Get Down, about the birth of Rhythm and Blues.
Creative Team
KRYSTLE DOS SANTOS Creator & Performer
JEN LEWIN Musical Director, Piano & Backing Vocals
GINGER CHEN PIMENTEL Bass
SUSANA WILLIAMS Drums Percussion & Backing Vocals
APR 23 to 27,
INNER ELDER
Written and Performed by MICHELLE THRUSH
It took great imagination to survive. A young Indigenous girl growing up in Alberta navigated a world of substance abuse, aliens, and the spiritual presence of her guiding grandmothers. In her darkest moments, her superhero Kookum, with magic moccasins, appeared to help light the way forward. With humour, forgiveness, and truth, she was able to heal from the past and tranform her future.
Award winning Cree artist Michelle Thrush (from APTN’s Blackstone, CBC’s North of 60, Arctic Air) wove real life memories with laughter, grace and playfulness to explore her own inner elder. A mix of poignant recollections, beautiful humour, and intimate storytelling opened the hearts and minds of theatregoers in this performance.
This was the perfect close to the season. Many praised this small-but-mighty show as unforgettable and their favourite production of the season.
Artistic Team
MICHELLE THRUSH Creator & Performer
KAREN HINES Director
SANDI SOMERS Lighting & Scenic Design
SANDY SCOFIELD Composer
JP LORD Sound Design
DIANNE GOODMAN Company Manager
NEIL FLEMING Technical Director
GRANT BURNS Producer
MICHELLE THRUSH in Inner Elder (2024)
Photo by BEN LAIRD
KRYSTLE DOS SANTOS Promo shot for BLAK
Photo by CHELSEY SCHWAN
Pavilion Theatre
2023
Pavilion Theatre
SPECIAL EVENTS
2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
37TH ANNUAL KAMLOOPS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS
WCT received the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture Not-For-Profit of the Year Award
AN EVENING WITH RICK MILLER
Celebrating International Women’s Day Feb 16, 2024 | Lori Marchand Theatre I Kelson Hall
Rick Miller—star of the popular BOOM Trilog y took Kamloops audiences by storm—hosted an entertaining and eclectic evening that’s part cabaret, part coffee-house, part craziness. Rick sang songs from his 25-year career as a writer and performer, drawing from musicals (Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita) to songs from his award-winning solo shows. This limited-capacity event was a rare opportunity to hear personal stories from Rick and prepared the audience for the final installment of the BOOM Trilog y, BOOM YZ (Feb 22 to Mar 02, 2024 at Sagebrush Theatre).
WCT STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS: Back Row: CHELSEA ISENOR, GERALYN CORMACK, JAMES MacDONALD, LESLIE BILES, SUNNIE ROTHENBURGER. Front Row: CHRYSTIE STEWART, TIM RODGERS, TERRY SHUPE, SUZAN GOGUEN
Education and Outreach at Western Canada Theatre had a successful 2023/2024 year!
The Hub for Creative Learning has strengthened their educational pillars this year, continuing to offer wonderful educational opportunities for the community!
This year we continued with our dedication to Relaxed Performances. For three plays this past season (Gaslight, Baskerville and Boom YZ ) we adapted our performances and created play guides to allow all patrons an opportunity to see our shows. Without compromising artistic integrity, we provided a highly inclusive environment that could make patrons with children, mobility concerns and sensory sensitivities, a wonderful and safe place to enjoy theatre.
Our Audience Enrichment activities this year were highly successful. We continued to offer pizza nights, actor talkbacks, venue tours, study guides, as well as our very popular tea matinees. Our Community Engagement this year was encouraging as we worked with School District 73, Kamloops Adult Learners Society, South Kamloops Secondary Drama Department, Kamloops Museum and Archives and many more! We are particularly proud of our partnership with the Canucks Autism Network in the summer of 2023.
Our instructors taught drama in their summer programming and several staff members were involved in a professional development workshop they provided for us.
Our Theatre Classes are continuing to love Kelson Hall! Having this beautiful, permanent venue has strengthened our ability to provide a safe, comfortable, creative space for all of our students to return to season after season. Our Stage One program had solid numbers this year offering Introductory Acting, Musical Theatre, Teen Workshop Week and Performance Classes for ages 4-18. Our Next Stage programming for adults consisted of Intro Acting 1, Scene Study and Play Reading Class, in both the Fall and Spring.
Matinee programming saw some highs this year! Shrek sold out in record time for our student and tea matinees. We were so very proud to see all 10 youth ensemble members (and one adult!) that all were alumni or current students of our Stage One program! We opened up an extra student matinee for Inner Elder in the spring to welcome Indigenous youth and Elders from our region. Additional talk backs were also added to this partiular show, allowing two full houses to learn and laugh with the incredible Michelle Thrush.
TERRI RUNNALLS
Education & Outreach Director
STAGE 1 Performance Class
Education in Numbers
21
Classes
32
Teachers
261
Stage One students
39
Next Stage students
Sagebrush Theatre usage by type
385 events Stage One Classrooms Kelson Hall usage 42% Western Canada Theatre (124 days) 11% Kamloops Symphony Orchestra (34 days)
287 days booked at Sagebrush Theatre
307 events Lori Marchand Theatre 192 events Bruce Dunn Hall
146 days booked at Pavilion Theatre
Community Venue & KL!BO Clients (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024): Academy of Dance I Akimbo Dance Studios I BCLC I Joseph Brett I Brewloops I Chimera Theatre I City of Kamloops I Dan Quinn Entertainment I ECL Productions I Fashion Speaks International I Got Pop? Concerts Inc. I Grant Thorton Foundation I IG Wealth Management I James & Jamesy Performance Society I Johnny Showtime I Judy Baso Events I Kamloops Ambassador Society I Kamloops Arts Council (AIPS) I Kamloops Centre for the Arts Board I Kamloops Dance Academy I Kamloops Festival of Performing Arts I Kamloops Music Collective I Kamloops Performance Company I Kamloops Players Society I Kamloops Symphony I Kids Corner Productions I Krush Dance I Mia Sage I Misfit Night Market I Mission Dance Company I Moon Coin Productions I MPRO 4 Entertainment I Mur-Man Productions, Inc. I Nuance Dance I Paquette Productions I Parkinson Support Group I Project X Theatre Productions I Promotional Marketing Inc. I RadRock Productions I Ron Fawcett I Ryan Williams I S.A.M. Productions Ltd. I Santa Claus Parade I SD73 Art in the High Country I SD73 Band Festival I SD73 Choral Sharing I SD73 District Honour Band/Choir I SD73 District Strings I SD73 Kamloops School of the Arts I SD73 Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir I SD73 SKSS Art Department I SD73 SKSS Band I SD73 SKSS Career Education I SD73 SKSS Drama I SD73 SKSS Grad I SD73 SKSS Yoga I Shantero Productions I Sprott Shaw College I Tammy Robertson I The Dance Gallery I The Kelson Group I The Laughing Stock Theatre Society I The Roman Empire I Thompson Nicola Conservation Collaborative I Thompson Nicola Film Commission I Tourism Kamloops I TRU Actors Workshop Theatre I Vandelso Productions Inc I Western Canada Theatre I Wishing Well Parties & Events
IN ADDITION TO INTERACTING AT OUR SHOWS, WE LOVE ENGAGING WITH OUR AUDIENCE THROUGH PIZZA NIGHTS, ACTOR TALKBACKS, VENUE TOURS, STUDY GUIDES, AND OUR VERY POPULAR TEA MATINEES.
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Thanks to our supporters, donors, sponsors and government funders, WCT has been the cultural heartbeat of Kamloops and the surrounding regions for nearly five decades, bringing world-class professional theatre to the Thompson, Nicola, Cariboo, and Shuswap Regional Districts. As the largest professional theatre company east of Vancouver, WCT plays a vital role in nurturing artistic expression, fostering community engagement, and promoting cultural diversity.
PRESENTING PARTNER
TITLE SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
SHOW SPONSORS
SEASON SPONSORS
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals, companies, foundations, and government agencies whose support has made it possible for WCT to contribute to the social, economic, and cultural life of our community.
SUZAN GOGUEN Director of Development
GOVERNMENT FUNDERS
FOUNDATIONS
PAY-WHAT-YOUCHOOSE MATINEE SPONSOR
OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
PIZZA PRE-SHOW SPONSOR
Dr. Elspeth M. McDougall Foundation
ACCOMMODATION SPONSOR
ANNUAL GIFTS
Donors whose recent gifts help WCT enrich and transform lives.
Listings based on annual contributions from July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
DIAMOND COMPANIONS
$10,000 +
Anyonymous
Michael E. Black & the Late
Denise Fortier
Boogie the Bridge Society
RBC Foundation
PLATINUM PATRONS
$5000 - $9999
Hugh & Marilyn Fallis
Rae Nixon
GOLD PATRONS
$3500 - $4999
Anonymous
Mike & Margot Waithe
SILVER PATRONS
$2000 - $3499
Anonymous
Bill Adams & Katie McCormack
Eleanor Haner
Alan & Gwen Kerr
Roland & Anne Neave
Tim Rodgers
James & Barbara Wentworth
COPPER PATRONS
$750 - $1999
Anonymous
Judy Basso
Ed & Patti Bruzzese
The Dr. Elspeth M. MacDougall Foundation
Jessie & James Fedorak
Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger
Mirella & Bob Holden
Susie Safford
Ray & Susan Sewell
Terry Simpson
Colleen Stainton
PATRONS $500 - $749
Anonymous
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
Fearon Blair
Mavis Chalmers In Memory of Verna Loretta Cheramy
Grant & Nancy Chu
Geoff & Kathy Collier
Lois Crown
Fred & Helen R. Cunningham
Valerie Fitger
Allen & Sharon E. Frissell
John Helvoigt
Lyn Holborn
Hope Hyslop
James MacDonald & Tracey Power
Len & Laurie Marchand
Jonathan McCormick
John McCurrach
Robert W. McDiarmid
Tanya Mihura
Barbara Prystawa
Ginny Ratsoy
Dennis & Sue Reedman
Shelley Sanders
Jo-Anne Kobayashi & Don
Shaw
Terry Shupe
David & Rosemarie Stoltze
Jennifer Takahashi
Jolana Tamajka
Nicole Tougas
Sue Turner
Robert & Jill Walter
John and Sue P. Whitehead
INVESTORS $200 - $499
Anonymous (2)
Peter & Debra Allik-Petersenn
Ed & Dianne Barker
Francis & Helen Barnett
Ken & Joyce Beck
The Benevity Community
Impact Fund
Kathleen Biagioni
Vivian Birch-Jones
Margaret Brown
Maureen Brown
Brenda & Ken Christian
Luciana Comparelli
Kathy & Sinclair Dalgleish
Norma Dalke
Roxanne Dauncey
Joanne Dennstedt
Dan & Denise Douglas
Dawn Ebata
Shirlee Ezowski
Ralph & Mary Jane Finch
Sheena & Bill Flynn
Donna Geefs
David W. Gilmour
Jim & Joan Rosemary Gordon
Ivana & Homer Hamm
Lois K. Hollstedt
Bob & Jo-Mary Hunter
Bill & Sally Jennejohn
Rob & Lila Jennejohn
Gail Bonnie Jesten
Bob & Pat King
Wendy Krauza
Janet L. Kusler
Nancy Leake
Shanno Lebano
Catriona Leger
Barbara Lucas: in Memory of Reg Lucas
Terri MacLennan
Donna Marchand
Lori Marchand
Sharon Moore
Vic & Sally Mowbray
Bruce & Helen Newmarch
Dennis & Maxine Mucha
Wendy Nielsen
Margaret H. Patten
Laura Piva-Babcock
Karl & Debbie Rainer
Jeanne (Norma) Rodrigue
Christine Rogers: In Memory of Nathan Floyd
Terry & Susanne Rogers
Paul Ross
Ethel Sheremeta
Diana Skoglund
Al & Marijke Stott
Niki & Steve Remesz
Diane Mary Webb
Barb & Mike Webber
Dave & Maryanne Whiting
BENEFACTORS
$100 - $199
Anonymous (3)
Marilyn Allison
Wendy Bainbridge
Michael Baker
Pamela Bradley
Maureen Margaret Brady
Norm & Heidi Bryson
Sue Buzash
Patrick & Jeanne Callahan
Sue Cane
Sharon Carrell
Margaret Chrumka
Bill & Evey Chursky
Jean Crowe
Joan Cummings
Jeff Cummings
Donna M. Daines
Linnea Davies
Carol Dreger
Jim & Martina Duncan
Celia Dyer
Robert & Patricia Esdale
Reno & Marie Fabbro
Ruth & Michael Fane
Faye Fike
Marvyn Fitzpatrick
Blake & Linda Fox
Louella Garner
Cara Gates
Yanni Giftakis
Trudy Goold
Joy Gothard
Peter & Judy Gray
Elsie Griffiths
Cathy Hall-Patch
Janice & Blaine Hawkins
Dian Henderson
Dave Carl Hilton
Heather Inglis
Claire Johnson
Valerie Kemp
Sharon Kika
Kats & June Kitamura
Linda LaGroix
Evan & Wendy Lichlyter
Ivan Matthews
Kathy McArthur
Rob McInnes
Marilyn McLean
Wendy D. McLean
Lori Melnychuk
Beth & Jeff Morgan
Mona & Chris Marlene Murray
Kathleen Nadler
Kerry Ness
Daniela O’Fee
Ron & Louise Oyler
Edna Marie Park
Carl Pentilchuk
Chris Pincott: In Honour of Karla Pincott
Cindy Piwowar
Tracey Pointer
Barbara Puga
Valentina Putoto
Valerie Darlene Rampone
Laura Randall
Cookie Reimer
Jeff & Nicole Reynolds
Joan Roberts
Ron & June Routledge
Lynn Rutherford
Donna Sharpe
Karen Siggers
Don & Sandy Staff
Sean Sutherland
Shirley Sze
Laurie Ternier
Glenna Tomlins
Lynne Totten
Marilyn Triggs
Sally & Bob Zryd THANK YOU!
From 2021 to 2023, we were fortunate to receive significant COVID resilience funding, which was instrumental in stabilizing our operations through the challenges of the pandemic. With this funding now concluded, we face the ongoing task of maintaining our financial health in a postCOVID landscape, where the costs of goods and services remain elevated. Despite these challenges, our community’s dedication has shone through, with increased ticket sales and donor contributions that reflect the unwavering commitment of our patrons. This crucial support has enabled us to continue investing in our artistic work, sustain our operations, and fulfill our mission to provide exceptional theatre experiences.
Reflecting on this past year, we’re profoundly grateful for the support from our audiences and community partners, who have been a cornerstone of
our positive financial outlook. I’d also like to thank Leslie Biles for her invaluable guidance during her time with us; along with James, she skillfully navigated our financial course with steady and prudent budgeting. Their partnership enabled us to manage our resources effectively while growing our programming and community outreach initiatives.
As I step into the role of Executive Director, I’m inspired by the dedication of everyone involved with Western Canada Theatre and excited for the opportunities ahead. I am committed to transparency and accountability in our financial practices and will work to ensure every dollar we invest enriches our community and supports the talented artists who bring these stories to life.
MATT EGER Executive Director
$124,474 *detailed financials available upon request
VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteers are essential to Western Canada Theatre’s success. They are the ticket takers and ushers for every performance and all events at the Sagebrush Theatre, Pavilion Theatre and Kelson Hall.
They help us build costumes and sets, sell drinks and snacks in the concession, send out promotional mailings, make phone calls to thank donors, and a myriad of other tasks we couldn’t do without them!
9,850+ 3 THE NUMBER OF HOURS DONATED BY WCT VOLUNTEERS THIS SEASON! VOLUNTEERS VENUES
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR 2023/24 VOLUNTEERS:
JOY ANTONIA, SHERYL ASELSTYNE, PETER ASELSTYNE, AVA-VERONICA AST, ALEXANDRA AST, CLARE AUDET, MARY
AULIN, AL BAILEY, FAITH BAILEY, BEVERLEY BARTLETT, JILLIAN BEACH, LIANA BEAUDRY, NORA BENNETT, CAROLYN BENOIT, ANGELA BENSTEAD, MARY BENTLEY, HEATHER BEPPLE, SHERI BISSONNETTE, BARBARA BOECHLER, CINDY
BONDAROFF, JACKIE BONN, CAROLINE BOUCHARD, BONNY BOYCHUK, RUSSELL BROWN, VIENNA BUNDIC, ZARRA BUNDIC, LINDA BYMOEN, YVETTE CAMPBELL, MICHELLE CAMPBELL, SHARON CARRELL, GAYLE CARRIÈRE, JUDY
CARVISH, LAURIE CHAPMAN, JO CHIPPERFIELD, JOAN CHOW, HELEN COLLINS, SHELAGH CONROY, LORRAINE CORRIGAN, BERNIE CRAWFORD, GAIL CROSSLEY, PHIL CROSSLEY, MARJORIE CROSSLEY, SUSAN CULLUM, WENDY CUMMER, HOLLY CURRAH, DOREEN CZERKAWSKI, LAURIE DAHLGREN, HEATHER DAVIDSON, AMANDA DAVIDSON,JOYCE DAWS, JOANNE DENNSTEDT, BRENDA DERMOTT, ELIZABETH DEWHIRST, BARB DUBOIS-PAYNTER, GRAY EDWARDS, KRISTINA ERICKSON, HETTY FABER, KAREN FERGUSON, HELEN FERGUSON, DONNA FERGUSON, CAROLYN FISHER, DONNA FLEURY, KAREN FOLK, DIANE FORSTER, TAMMY FORSYTH, ABBY FRANCO, DEBBIE FRANSEN, LORELEE FRIEDEL, DENISE GAVIN, TRUDY GOOLD, SUE GRAY, ANNE GRUBE, GREG HALL, SUSAN HALL, LAURA HARDACKER, JULI HARLAND, SUSAN HELGASON, WENDY HILL, COLLEEN HODGSON, CATHERINE HOLMAN, DANITA HOWARD, CAROLA HUGHES, CARMELIZA HURST, CLARE JEFFERSON, KELLY JEFFERY, DEAN JESKE, DONNA JESKE, NIKKI JOHNSTONE, DORA JOHNSTONE, BOBBIE KALSI, MARIE KING, PATRICIA KIPP, GEORGINA KNIGHT, MARLY KRUEGER, LINDA KUPP, MARG LARSEN, MARYANN LEACH, LAURA LEADBETTERFUOCO, HEATHER LEBLANC, JANINE LEDUC, LORRAINE
LEVITT, MIKE LEVITT, WENDY LICHLYTER, MODESTA LUCA, NATASHA LYNDON, MONICA MACAULAY, JANICE MACDONALD, CHRISTA MAGUIRE, TINA MAJCHER, DAVID MAJCHER, ANNA MARIE MANKOWSKE, WENDY MATHESON, JANET MCGREGOR, BRAD MCGUIRE, MARLENE MCKAY, LINDA-LEE MCKEE, BEVERLY MCKEE, DEBORAH MCKEOWN, WENDY MCLEAN, MARILYN MENZIES, BETH MILBURN, MURIEL MILLER, ANDREW MITCHELL, BECKY MIZZI, AMANDA MJOLSNESS, KATHLEEN MOFFAT, KATHY MOORE, SHARON MOORE, KEISHA MORONG, CAROL-LYNN MORRIS, TERRY MORRIS, LYNNE MUGFORD, BEV MUNRO, LISA NEVIN, JUDY NICHOLS, SHELLEY O’GRADY, SANDY OSBORNE, RUSTY PATERSON, AURORA PAZMANONGDO, LULU PHILLIPS, MICHAEL PHILLIPS, HEATHER PICHE, MELODIE PIKE, SHEILA POWELL, MARILYN PUFF, ALLAN RASMUSSEN, TINA REBS, MARIE REED, INDIRA REMPEL, BRANDON RENNIE, PETER RENNIE, JOANNE RICHARDS, MARIA ROMEO, ANN ROBISON, MIA SAGE, HAYDEN SAMMET, GREG SAWATZKY, BILL SCOTT, LIL SELMAN, CLEO SHEPERT, BRENDA SHERWOOD, CATHY SHETHER, ELEANOR SHOOK, SHELDON SHORE, MYLO SIMCOE, LES SKINNER, ELAINE SKINNER, LOUISE SMIT, MELANIE SMITH, BONNI SMITH, CHRISTINE SORENSEN, MARNIE STORIE, LEANNE STURGEON, ELEANOR SUMMERS, KERRY TARNAWSKY, RENEE TAYLOR, KELLY TEMBLETT, CATHERINE THOMPSON, MICHELLE THOMSON, JEAN TILT, PATTI TOURAND, ALYA VAN LAER, MICHELLE VAN LAER, SARI VANDEGRAAF, PAT VARNEY, DIAN VERWEY, LYNN VICARS, ROSE-MARIE VOAKES, PAMELA WEBSTER, BEV WELLS, HARDLEY WILLIAMS, DEBBIE WOLDUM, NATSUMI YANAZAWA, CYNTHIA YAUNISH, IRENE YOUNG, SALLY ZRYD, and MICHELLE ZWOLAK
WCT STAFF & BOARD
WCT Board WCT Staff
CHRYSTIE STEWART President
TIM RODGERS Past President
SUNNIE ROTHENBURGER
Vice President
DIANA SKOGLUND Secretary
SHELLEY SANDERS Treasurer
GERALYN CORMACK
DIETER DUDY
BETH MORGAN
COLLEEN RYAN
GREG SAWATZKY
JOHN SCOTT
ALISON SIDOW
RADHIKA MAIRA TABREZ
DAVID ROSS†
TOM KERR‡
JUDGE T.W. SHUPE§
FRANCIS BARNETT*
GRANT CHU*
D. MICHAEL DOBBIN*
SHARON FRISSELL*
PEGGY GILMOUR*
MIKE LATTA*
ANNE MANSON*
MAUREEN MARSHALL*
LANNI SHUPE*
† Honorary Life Artistic Producer
‡ Founding Artistic Director
§ Honorary Life Chairman
* Honorary Life Member
JAMES MacDONALD Artistic Director | LESLIE BILES Executive Director‡
FINANCE
RON THOMPSON Finance Director
OLGA KILINNIK‡ Accounting Officer
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
CHELSEA ISENOR Marketing & Communications Director‡
KIRK SMITH Marketing & Multi-Media Manager
ELIZABETH NYGREN Digital Marketing Coordinator‡
DEVELOPMENT
SUZAN GOGUEN Development Director
STEPHANIE McLEAN Development Manager on Leave
JENNY EDWARDS Development & Administrative Assistant
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
TERRI RUNNALLS Education & Outreach Director
EMILY BROWN Education & Fund Development Assistant
Stage One Instructors
EMILY BROWN, JESSICA BUCHANAN, DES GEDDES, ASHLEY HIIBNER, JAKE KOPYTKO, BRITTNEY MARTENS, DEIDRICH ORTON, TERRI RUNNALS
PRODUCTION
CHRISTINE LEROUX Producer‡
BILL CHABASSOL Production Director
DANIEL JEWISON Sagebrush Theatre Technician & WCT
Technical Director†
BRITTNEY MARTENS Head of Properties
SABRINA STACE Head of Wardrobe
ASHLEY HIIBNER Production Assistant & Floating Technician
VENUE SERVICES
Rentals & Facilities
SKYLAR NAKAZAWA Rentals & Facilities Manager†
MORGAN BENEDICT Front of House Manager
JESSICA BUCHANAN Assistant Front of House Manager‡
House Staff
DIANE AKERS‡ , LEO BARRAGAN‡ , GREG BROWN, DENISE CLEVELAND, SOPHIA DIMOPOULOS, STEPHEN FINLAY, AARON FOSTER‡ , DES GEDDES‡, COLLEEN GIBNEY-TRELEAVEN‡ , MAGGIE JONES, LINDA KASSIS, JAKOB KOPYTKO, KELSEY LAUNIER*, LUCAS LOCHRIE, JULIA MCKIBBON, MALLORY MOGG*, REM MURRAY*, ELIZABETH NYGREN‡
Head Ushers
MARY AULIN, BARB DUBOIS-PAYNTER, KAREN FERGUSON, TRUDY GOOLD, KELLY JEFFERY, GEORGINA KNIGHT*, WENDY MATHESON, MELODIE PIKE, GREG SAWATZKY
KAMLOOPS LIVE! BOX OFFICE (KL!BO)
MICHELLE CHABASSOL Ticketing & Patron Services Manager
JANE HARESTAD Box Office & Patron Services Supervisor
Box Office Representatives
AVIE, CACHELIN*, STEPHEN FINLAY, LINDA KASSIS, GRACE LABOSSIERE‡ , MEGAN POLACIK*, ANNA SPADA‡ , ANN WELLER
SAGEBRUSH THEATRE
LIAM BEFURT Venue Technical Director
ADRIAN HARLAND Theatre Technician
JENSEN SCZEBE* Theatre Technician
*Notes: ‡ Left position in 2023/24
† Change in role in 2023/24
* New to organization in 2023/24
WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHAPE THE ARTISTS, ARTISANS, TECHNICIANS, AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE FUTURE THROUGH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND ONGOING EMPLOYMENT.
WESTERN CANADA THEATRE COMPANY SOCIETY
Incorporation Date: January 14, 1975
Charitable Registration: CRA# 119292985 RR 0001
WCT maintains active memberships and affiliations with: Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
B.C. Touring Council
B.C. Alliance for Arts and Culture
Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance
Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology
Associated Designers of Canada (ADC)
Playwrights Guild of Canada
Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP/ACTRA)
Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce
Pavilion Theatre & Kamloops Live! Box Office
1025 Lorne Street
Kamloops, BC
Sagebrush Theatre 1300 9th Avenue
Kamloops, BC
Kelson Hall
330 St. Paul Street
Kamloops, BC
MAILING ADDRESS Box 329
Kamloops, BC V2C 5K9
WCT Admin
250-372-3216
We are grateful to have been creating on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory within the traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation since 1969.
MICHELLE THRUSH in Inner Elder (2024)
Photo by BEN LAIRD