“The only plays that influence us are those for which we are ready and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have yet gone ourselves.”
To Paraphrase E.M. Forster:
The Belfry Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, and seeks to engage with and amplify the voice of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and other artists and theatre practitioners who have historically experienced discrimination and marginalization.
“The only plays that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have yet gone ourselves.” I use this paraphrased quote from novelist E.M. Forster as my guiding principle when programming for the Belfry.
Our primary focus is on Canadian playwrights and contemporary plays—plays with rigorous ideas, addressing issues in the world around us. We have a stated commitment to the work of Indigenous artists, and actively pursue stories that embrace the diversity of this country’s population. The development of new work, through commissions, dramaturgy, workshops, readings and first productions, is central to our artistic mandate.
It is our aim to produce plays that open doors to a new world or a new way of looking at the world we know, while engaging our audiences with captivating stories. In everything we do, from programming to community connections, there is an emphasis on advancing inclusivity and access—both onstage and off.
As south Vancouver Island’s flagship theatre, the Belfry plays a crucial role in the cultural ecology of our region. We have a responsibility as an artistic leader within Victoria, to nurture and support artists and theatre companies within our community.
We are actively involved in actions to decolonize our practice and engage with, and create opportunities for, BIPOC artists and future arts leaders. The Belfry continues to find innovative ways of integrating this region’s BIPOC community with its non-diverse community—onstage, backstage, and in our audiences.
We believe in sharing our resources and supporting cultural diversity. Within our isolated community, the Belfry dedicates significant resources to providing space and mentorship to independent theatre companies, apprenticeship programs for emerging and Indigenous artists and technicians, a dramaturgical community for playwrights, and a unique introduction for secondary school students to the making of—and the ideas delivered by—the plays in each season.
The production of exciting and meaningful theatre is the heart of who we are and what we do. We are also a unique and a valuable community resource—dedicating time and energy to our outreach and engagement activities, and our mentorship programs, which help to develop the theatre leaders, theatre artists, theatre technicians, and theatre audiences of the future.
Michael Shamata
Artistic Director
