08/17/2026
Its been one month since the final curtain fell on Reconciliation Theatre's summer theatre tour of Vancouver Island. Accounts are slowly settling up, our incredible company has returned to their amazing lives, and the final report will be presented to the board this coming Thursday night.
To say 2026 was a year of growth would be a profound understatement. From our move to our new venue where we hosted Summer Theatre in the Shaw Auditorium at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, our successful engagement of The Port Theatre box services to our hosting the Intermational touring and philanthropic sensation Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life, Reconciliation Theatre took risks in 2026, and Nanaimo and Vancouver Island audiences showed up to support us...and we raised $2000 for Literacy Central Vancouver Island
The cornerstone of this summer was WOMEN OF THE FUR TRADE by Frances Koncan. Although the upcoming The Belfry Theatre production prevented us from returning to Victoria and our friends at Langham Court Theatre, we still found over 900 supporters between the Vancouver Island Conference Centre , Sid Williams Theatre, Rivercity Players, The Capitol Theatre - Port Alberni and Ladysmith Little Theatre Society.
Director Lisa Rokeby brought together five fantastic individual to cast Koncan's fun yet demanding script. Autumn Grace, Kelly Erin, Talela Manson, Jesse Wilson and Daniel Kingshott brought professionalism and love in equal measure to each and every rehearsal and performance. Their mutual support did not tire throughout the four months and the trust created between the five truly allowed for a higher calibre of creativity and audience engagement.
Technical Director Tom Rokeby knows that a touring crew must be skilled, adaptable and relentlessly dedicated to telling the story. Brittany Gueulette, Damon Mitchell and Car Rokeby ran a tight show and were devoted to supporting their cast and each other. Designers William Mahoney, Frank Rokeby, Grace Smiley and Sierra Clark created a world for Koncan's script that was at once profound and effective, yet could be packed into a utility trailer each night.
The support we receive from our institutional funders (City of Nanaimo Local Government, City Of Port Alberni) donors (Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me) and finally our audiences leaves us full of gratitude. When individuals hear about our work, and part with their hard-earned money to spend their precious leisure time with us, it moves us to work harder to earn your support.
We will see you at the Hallowe'en Spooktacular at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Huy c:ep qu siem
