He joined the staff in 2011, eventually becoming executive director in 2018, bringing with him the insight and desire to give the community a better understanding of what Kaleidoscope truly is. After theatre school, his first professional contract was Kaleidoscope’s The Hobbit, playing Bilbo Baggins. Rundell has been enamoured with Kaleidoscope since he was enrolled in classes as a self-described “a little loud and out there” teenager. (Photographer unknown, courtesy Kaleidoscope) Now the company’s focus is in Victoria, growing an extensive education and production program that includes classes and camps, vocal lessons, and mainstage productions. The 70s and 80s saw world tours to places like Brunei, Israel and Singapore. It wasn’t until the first artistic director joined the company that productions blossomed. In its first year in 1973, the focus was on providing free theatre workshops for kids. It’s professional actors, supported by professional administration, designers, arts workers, performing for kids and families.”Īs the Island’s oldest professional theatre company, with The Belfry starting a few years after, Kaleidoscope has made its mark in theatre both locally and nationally. “There are a lot of people who think it’s putting kids on stage, and that’s not what it is at all. “I think sometimes there’s a misconception in the country about what theatre for young audiences is,” Rundell said. As Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People in Victoria celebrates 50 years, executive and artistic director Pat Rundell wants people to know one thing about the company – their productions are not just for kids and the calibre and depth of theatre for young audiences often exceeds people’s expectations.
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