A Short History of Rainbow Youth Theatre
By Mike Butler , President
In 1988 I received a call from Carol Coulson asking me if I wanted to do the lighting In Powell River for the opening ceremonies for the International Choral Festivals.
I had met Carol in Courtenay in 1982 when she directed two shows for the Courtenay Youth Music Centre.
Myself, Dale Burgess and Hans Peterson travelled to Powell River, where we set up the lighting for the show. After the opening of " Kathaumixw" and our job finished, we were waiting on the ferry landing wondering what to do for the summer. The upshot of these discussions was the first production of the "Rainbow Youth Theatre's" 10 years of shows.

In January of 1991 we formed a Society under the Society Act and became the :

"Rainbow Youth Theatre Society"

Our Constitution States:

a) To promote and offer training, in all aspects of the performing arts to all of the residents of the Comox Valley, with the emphasis being on young people.

b) To contribute to the cultural development of the Comox Valley through theatre. To stimulate and emphasize the value of theatre as a career choice as well as an enjoyable pastime. To work with and encourage continuing co-operation with other theatrical groups on a regional, provincial, federal and international basis.

c) To promote and sponsor other entertainment groups from outside the community for the purpose of increasing local knowledge and understanding of the changes taking place in the Arts and the opportunity to work with professional artists and techinical people.

A Brief History of our shows

1988: Mother Goose to Broadway, directed by Carol Coulson

1989: Mother Goose Around the World, directed by Carol Coulson

1989: Crimes of the Heart, directed by Dale Burgess

1990: Snoopy, directed by Brian Mather

1990: The Tomorrow Box, directed by Ted Price

1991: Pinch Penny Opera, directed by Brian Mather

1991: Mother Goose 111 - A romp through time, directed by Carol Coulson

1992: Broadway North: Fiddler to Grease, directed by Carol Coulson

1993: Really Rosie, directed by Jim Rickson

1994: Neverland, directed by Jim Rickson

1994:  "Movin West" The Good, The Bad, and The History, directed by Carol Coulson

1995: Snow White, directed by Carol Coulson

1995: Crime Doesn't Pay, directed by Carol Coulson

1996: Godspell, directed by Lori Mazey

1996: A Journey Within, directed by Kymme Patrick

1997: Music Man, directed by Lori Mazey

1997: Wizard of Oz, directed by Jim Rickson

1998: Anything Goes, directed by Lori Mazey

1998: Mowgli, andthe Tales of the Rain Forest, by Carol Coulson

1998: Oliver, directed by Jim Rickson

1995 production of Snow White

BACK