Kelowna Actors Studio

The Kelowna Actors Studio is a dinner theatre company located in Kelowna, British Columbia. The studio is located at 1379 Ellis Street, across from the Kelowna Public Library. Recently renovated, the theatre offers approximately 11,000 square feet and seats over 200 patrons per performance.[1] In addition to the stage and audience areas, the theatre facilitates a mirrored rehearsal/dance studio, set and props construction & storage areas, costume workshop & storage areas, a kitchen, licensed bar and a general office area. Since its formation in May 2003, the company has produced over 50 plays and musicals. The 2017/2018 season marks the company's 15th anniversary.[2]

Kelowna Actors Studio
Formation2003
TypeTheatre group
Location
Artistic director(s)
Randy Leslie
Websitekelownaactorsstudio.com

Productions

The studio's season runs from September to August, ranging in number from 7-10 productions annually.

Mainstage Series

Forming the bulk of the company productions, the Mainstage Series includes six full-scale productions (usually four musicals and two plays). In previous years, mainstage productions ran Thursday through Sunday for four weeks, but have recently changed to Wednesday through Sunday for three weeks. The series has included such musicals as The Producers, Shrek the Musical, Sweeney Todd, Spamalot, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Les Misérables, and such plays as Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Arsenic & Old Lace, Brighton Beach Memoirs, On Golden Pond, A Streetcar Named Desire, Noises Off, and The 39 Steps.[3]

Concert Series (Discontinued)

In the past, the Actors Studio has produced musicals "In Concert." Similar to the famous Encores! productions at the New York City Center, the Concert Series (formerly known as the "Music Stand Series") musicals are performed on book, where the actors perform from music stands with the aid of their scripts.[4] During the performance, the actors may leave their music stands and perform with the ensemble behind. These productions focus on the music of the shows and the vocal talent of the performers. Concert productions ran typically for one week. Productions included Anything Goes, Brigadoon, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Guys & Dolls. The series ran its final production in January 2013.

Children's Theatre (Discontinued)

First produced in February 2013, the studio's Children's Theatre produced 3 full-scale productions tailored towards child and family audiences. Children's Theatre shows usually ran for one week. Productions were Disney's My Son Pinocchio, Cat in the Hat, and a musical based on Freckleface Strawberry.[5]

Dinner

The Kelowna Actors Studio is, by nature, a dinner theatre. A menu is designed specifically for each production. It features a four course dinner served at the patron's table, and includes appetizers, choice of entree, and dessert. The menu also includes vegetarian options, as well as the ability to meet other dietary concerns. A selection of cocktails, wine, beer, champagne and after-dinner drinks are available to order from the table, or at the bar in the lobby.[6]

Theatre School

Throughout the year, the Kelowna Actors Studio provides a variety of theatre classes for children and youth.[7] There are three semesters: Fall, Winter and Summer, and additional camps over spring break for different age ranges (usually 4 to 6, 7 to 12, and 11 to 18). Classes often focus on rehearsal and performance. Productions have included Guys and Dolls Jr, The Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh (based on the 2011 motion picture), and Mamma Mia! There are also courses providing instruction in improvisation and the basics of theatre and film acting, dance, and script work.

Academy

The Kelowna Actors Studio Academy (KASA) is a private academy that integrates the provincial education program with practical training in Musical Theatre. In addition to school hour instruction, students are involved in ongoing participation in Mainstage performances. The program services students in grades 10-12.[8]

References
  1. DeHart: Dinner theatre improves audience experience http://www.kelownacapnews.com/business/130160918.html
  2. https://www.kelownaactorsstudio.com/fixed/
  3. "Photo Archive" referenced on May 29, 2012 at http://www.kelownaactorsstudio.com/blog-3/photos/
  4. "Behind the Scenes with the Music Stand Series" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2hJbGucxRo
  5. "2012/2013 Season" Referenced on June 2, 2012 at http://www.kelownaactorsstudio.com/blog-3/blog-5/
  6. 10th season brochure
  7. KAS/speciality school/theatre school http://www.yelp.ca/biz/kelowna-actors-studio-kelowna
  8. "foundation". foundation. Retrieved 2017-02-18.

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