STORY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS SOCIETY

Story Theatre is a theatre for young audiences (TYA) company based in Victoria BC (Unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SANEĆ territories). For over 40 years Story Theatre has been inspiring imagination and encouraging literacy with a mandate to create and tour theatre productions that enhance and complement young people’s learning experiences. The principal purpose of the organization is to serve youth and the next generation and all activities programming financial and human resources are committed to serving this specific group. Currently the company commissions new plays written by Canadian playwrights with vibrant and diverse perspectives who through stories want to encourage children to learn and be the leaders of change. We produce these plays for a BC-wide school touring program led by professional artists. ACCESS: We tour theatrical to schools and public spaces in order to provide high-quality arts experiences in a format that is accessible for a wide-population of children. All public performances are offered by donation/pay-what-you-can to reduce cost barriers. EDUCATION: Connecting young people and their families to stories is an impactful way to frame important societal lessons while also allowing a community to experience these lessons together and bond. To take the learning further pre- and post-show educational activities are curated with care to be offered in partnership with each touring production. STC programming also includes drama and storytelling workshops and classroom residencies facilitated by professional teaching artists for both youth and educators as well as mentorship opportunities for artists from equity-deserving groups. REGIONAL: More than 70% of our performances occur in small towns and rural villages across Western Canada. We tour our work with an understanding that access to the arts is intrinsic to a quality education. PARTICIPATION: Building skills together is central to all of the programming at Story Theatre because we understand that children learn through movement play and hands-on engagement and participation.

Local theatre and arts programming as well as arts programming offered by-distance have been a large focus for the company. As an organization that serves a vulnerable and equity-deserving group youth and the next generation the pandemic has required us to create and implement new programming that connects us and meets our communities needs. This includes: -Drama programming and work experience opportunities for local teens (Creator Crew and Youth Advisory Board) -Drama programming for the very young and their caregivers (Baby Theatre for Age 0-2 and Preschool Theatre for Ages 3-5) -Arts Education delivered from a distance (Story Club delivered by mail and through youtube video tutorials) -Paid mentorship programs for emerging artists and playwrights entering the TYA sector -Youth mentorship programs