About Us

Established in 2012, Artists' Collective Theatre is a vibrant theatre company located on Vancouver Island, Canada. Our mission is to produce new works or offer fresh perspectives on classic plays, while providing a platform for artists to showcase their talents in an ensemble context. We are dedicated to mentoring emerging artists and fostering their growth within the industry.

At Artists' Collective Theatre, we believe in the power of diverse storytelling. Our productions encompass a wide range of genres, including plays, musical theatre, site-responsive theatre, and touring shows. We strive to create engaging and thought-provoking performances that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.

Collaboration is at the heart of our artistic endeavours. We actively seek opportunities to collaborate with other local artists and organizations, fostering a sense of community and enriching the cultural landscape. Over the years, we have successfully partnered with esteemed groups such as DYI Theatre, Canmore Theatre, and Pinetree Players, and were instrumental in founding the Canmore Summer Theatre Festival.

Artists' Collective Theatre has garnered recognition for our outstanding work. We have been nominated for and received numerous awards, including the prestigious Best Overseas Production accolade from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. These accolades serve as a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in the performing arts.

In addition to our mainstage productions, we are passionate about arts education. We have developed touring shows for schools and collaborated with educational institutions to offer theatre programs that inspire and nurture young talent.

As newcomers to Vancouver Island, we are excited to contribute to the local arts community. Our goal is to showcase the abundant talent on the island and cultivate a thriving theatre scene that attracts artists and audiences from across the province. We envision Artists' Collective Theatre as a sought-after destination for both emerging and established artists, where creativity flourishes.

Artistic Director

Amanda (Liz) Cutting is an actor and director and coach. She is a graduate of the Mount Royal University Theatre Arts Program, Trinity College, and has attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, UK. 

Select Theatre credits as a director include: The Thin Man (Asst. Director, Vertigo Theatre) Romeo & Juliet (Pendley Shakespeare Festival), Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (CSTF), Diary of Anne Frank (2018 Canmore Tour, ACT 2016 season, Morpheus Theatre), GENESIS: The Mary Shelley Play, Alice's Wonderland, The Goat (or) Who is Sylvia, Almost Maine, Spring Awakening, Boiler Room Suite (ACT), Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Ella (or) La Cenerentola, Love Potion No. 9 - Asst. Director (Cowtown Opera), Peter Pan - Asst. Director (Storybook Theatre).

Artistic producer

Ben Francis is a graduate of the master class program at the Company of Rogues Actors Studio and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Select theatre credits include: Almost Maine, The Goat (or) Who is Sylvia?, The Vibrator Play, Diary of Anne Frank, GENESIS: The Mary Shelley Play, Haunted House Hamlet (Artists Collective Theatre), Measure for Measure (RADA), Romeo & Juliet, Taming of the Shrew (Pendley Shakespeare Festival), Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Canmore Summer Theatre Festival, PTP & ACT), Noises Off (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), The 39 Steps (Royal Canadian Theatre Company), The Guardsman (Blue Bridge Rep).

Production Manager

Allana Chatterton is a seasoned Production Manager with a diverse background in production management and stage management. Over the past 23 years, Allana has worked with a variety of not-for-profit arts groups across Turtle Island.

Passionate about supporting people in telling their stories, Allana enables artists to stay in their creative zone while she helps to carry out their vision. She begins by cultivating a clear understanding of a creative idea and determines the practical steps that need to be taken to fulfill the idea.

As a Production Manager, Allana supports the artist or project from start to finish, including tasks like helping with design, event planning, securing venues, hiring technicians, and more. She readily takes on stage management duties as well, working with the artist to uphold their creative vision.

Allana is a responsive and proactive communicator who carefully tailors her message to her audience. She works hard to build a safe and healthy work environment for production teams and artists. Combining her natural management abilities with logical thinking and expert organizational skills, Allana plays a pivotal role in creating compelling and thought-provoking art.

Allana lives and walks with respect in the unceded ancestral homelands of Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Board of Directors