The Virtual Stage facts for kids

The Virtual Stage is an exciting theatre company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was started in 2000 by its Artistic Director, Andy Thompson. This company is special because it combines new technology with live theatre. They often use ideas and techniques from movies in their stage shows.

Exploring New Theatre Ideas

The Virtual Stage is known for trying out new and creative ways to tell stories on stage. They explore how technology can make theatre even more amazing. This includes using video, special effects, and interactive elements.

Early Productions and Awards

Soon after starting in 2000, The Virtual Stage made a short film called Game Over. The next year, they put on their first full play, Valparaiso, in North Vancouver.

In 2002, the company presented a brand new play by Andy Thompson called The Birth of Freedom. This play was a big success. It received three nominations at the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in Vancouver. These awards celebrate excellent theatre. The company even won an award for "Outstanding Performance by an Actress In a Supporting Role" for Colleen Wheeler.

In 2004, they brought Valparaiso back to the stage. This showed how much they loved this particular play.

Science Fiction and Innovation

After learning from the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, The Virtual Stage created another new play in 2006. This was a science fiction comedy called SPANK!. It was performed at the Roundhouse Community Centre. SPANK! also earned three nominations at the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. It won an award for "Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress" for Sasa Brown.

Touring Shows and Digital Media

In 2008, The Virtual Stage worked with Electric Company Theatre on a unique show. It was a "live-cinematic interpretation" of No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre. This show was a huge hit! It received eight nominations at the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. It won for "Outstanding Production" and the "Critics’ Choice Innovation Award."

Because No Exit was so successful, it went on a tour across Canada in 2009-2010. It was performed in cities like Kamloops, Toronto, and Calgary.

In 2011, The Virtual Stage took No Exit to the United States. They performed it in San Francisco. This was their first international tour! Also in 2011, they created a multi-media stage version of George Orwell’s famous book Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Later that year, The Virtual Stage joined an international filmmaking contest called the Film Racing Grand Prix. Their film, a superhero comedy called Repair Man, was the best Canadian film in the competition. It finished third overall!

Interactive Adventures

In 2012, the company created a very unique show called The Zombie Syndrome. This was a theatrical scavenger hunt that took place on the streets of Vancouver. Audience members used their smartphones and GPS to find different scenes. The Vancouver Police Department even helped to make sure everything was safe. This interactive show was praised for being very original. People compared it to the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books.

See also

• Theatre of Canada
• List of Canadian plays
• Vancouver's Arts and Culture