About TBC

The Society

THEATRE BC has served as the parent association for community theatre in the province since 1932. Its aims are to promote and encourage the development of community theatre by providing leadership as well as opportunities for participation, education and sharing in the enjoyment of diverse theatre experiences.

Club Card

Receive preferred rates for Theatre BC-sponsored festivals and other events, with a Club Card membership. See the application form to the right.

Card-holders receive box office discounts at participating community, student and professional theatres, art galleries and museums throughout BC. Members are entitled to attend general meetings and participate in the direction of the organization and may receive discounts on merchandise and services from a number of corporate sponsors, including Choice Hotels Canada, Biz Books and Budget Car Rental. Access to Theatre BC’s script library, newsletter and discounted fees for workshops, festivals and other events are just some of the benefits of membership in Theatre BC.

Zones

Theatre BC divides the province into 10 geographical Zones, each incorporating the community theatre groups within the region. Each group appoints a representative, who attends Zone meetings and helps elect a Zone Executive. The elected Chair of each Zone represents the region at provincial Theatre BC meetings and liaises with Theatre BC to coordinate festivals, workshops and instructor tours. An annual adjudicated theatre festival is held within each Zone in the spring, with the winning production going on to the Provincial MAINSTAGE Festival in July.

Mainstage

MAINSTAGE (since 1932) is the largest provincial theatre festival of its kind in Canada. It is British Columbia’s showcase of community theatre hosted in July at a different location each year. Productions chosen from the Zones by professional adjudicators compete for major provincial awards, trophies and recognition. The MAINSTAGE Festival also features a variety of course workshops called, Coffee Critiques and Workshop Play sessions to develop skills, as well as opportunities to meet with members of the professional theatre community and other Theatre BC members from around the province. Theatre BC’s Annual General Meeting is also held during the Mainstage Festival.