About SKAM

“Theatre as it should be. Current, confrontational and provocative.”

– Victoria News Group

Mandate

Theatre SKAM creates innovative theatre and live events in Victoria and on tour. We nurture the professional careers of a wide range of artists, with a focus on Victoria-based and especially emerging artists. We strive to invigorate our community while centring our six core values in everything we do: Accessible, Curious, Equitable, Minimal Waste, Sustainable, and Transparent.

Mission

To be an incubator for the creation of high-quality, provocative theatre that inspires and challenges audiences in Victoria and beyond. Through the power of storytelling, we uplift those around us and create a better world moving forward. Known for our sense of fun, we create theatre that is innovative, engaging, and above all, never boring.

Vision Statement

Societal progression is an ongoing act, and future generations deserve to live in a world in which the accepted norms of today have become dated points of view. By living our core values, we effect societal change and never settle for ‘good is good enough.’

Core Values

Accessible: We recognize that the systems in place supporting historical ways of working in theatre often leave people behind. Through intentional incremental change, we strive to create a world that is welcoming to artists and audience members of all abilities.

Curious: We approach creation with a sense of curiosity. Play can happen at any age, and wonder is a vital part of our creative process. Asking new and sometimes challenging questions is an important part of both growing and creating.

Equitable: We create systems that meet artists where they are and provide the support necessary to achieve their potential. Removing systemic barriers provides a platform for lived experience to be shared and removes privilege as a condition of success.

Minimal Waste: Theatre SKAM is a minimal waste company. We prioritize sustainable environmental choices whenever practical and utilize various waste disposal methods to ensure we divert as much as possible from landfills. 

Sustainable: We approach work from a mental health-conscious perspective, recognizing that a healthy life-work balance is key to sustainable creative output. We prioritize intentionality in our programming and decision-making processes.

Transparent: We are open and honest in our conversations with artists and our community. Communicating clear intentions is vital to building healthy relationships.

SKAM’s history in American Sign Language (ASL)

Over the years, the company has produced numerous works to critical and audience acclaim, including Aerwacol and Billy Nothin’ by Sean Dixon, who has written several plays for the company as official playwright-out-of-residence; Hippies and Bolsheviks, The Wedding Pool, Black Box and My Three Sisters by founding Artistic Director Amiel Gladstone; and The Lieutenant Nun, by Elaine Avila, among many others. Recent work includes Cariboo Buckaroo, developed in partnership with the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation and presented with community partners throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin; Bike Ride, a festival featuring performances along the Galloping Goose Regional Cycling Trail, with the audience on bikes; and Smalltown, a new musical by Amiel Gladstone and Lucas Myers, selected as Victoria’s Critic’s Choice Spotlight Awards Best New Play.

Theatre SKAM has built a solid reputation as creators of innovative site-specific work and intimate elegant theatre. We play a pivotal role in the cultural life of our region and are recognized by peers across the country for our contribution to national networks and new work development.

Theatre SKAM has toured to Nanaimo, Vancouver, Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia, New York, France, Cardiff, and Bristol.