The Sunset Theatre is located in the picteresque and remote setting of Wells BC, an old Gold Mining town in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains. Built originally in 1934, the Sunset Theatre showed movies, held town hall meetings and dances and was once used as a morgue during the 1950's.

2008 marked our third summer of programming and despite the downturn in the economy resulting in lower tourist numbers, the Sunset Theatre had its most successful season yet. This is entirely due to the dedication and talent of the artists who venture to the Sunset. Without them there would be no purpose. So thank you for a tremendous year.

As you can see we are revamping our website which is an on-going project so some links and pages are not working right now but check back as updates will be posted regularly. One feature being added is the Artist Registry. This will list all of the artists who have joined us at the Sunset, links to their website and email as well updates as to what they are up to now.

Retreats
One of the main visions behind the Sunset Theatre is to operate as a retreat for artists to come and create, revisit and or explore new work. Or simply get away. With this in mind and the ability to now offer accommodation, the Sunset Theatre is now offering spots for retreats throughout the year. For more information please visit the retreat page or contact: Karen Jeffery.

Play Development Submissions

Sunset Theatre New Play Development

 New Play Gold-pan Prospecting

"The arts are looking for gold in the Cariboo!"
1.) Looking for new One-Act works for prospective development. 100.00 per submission. each play will be given a written evaluation based on its style and content: including but not necessarily limited to genre, construction, character, dialogue, title and overall idea. Will also This will be followed up by a one-hour consultation by phone or in person.

2.) Based on our assessment of the work and our resources, 1 -5 submissions will be selected for round table readings with actors and dramaturge.

3.) Subsequently, again depending on our assessment of the works and of available resources, 1 - 5 works will be selected for staged public readings.

4.) At the conclusion of the season one or two will be selected to receive a workshop.

5.) Depending on the outcome of the workshop one or two of these will be slated for production at the Sunset Theatre in the following season.
It is the intention of the program to see at least one submission per season slated for production in the following year.

100.00 for written evaluation, one hour consultation and submission to Prospect program.
 
One-act plays only. (90 min maximum please)

We will accept submissions from anywhere but we have an admitted bias toward playwrights by or about Canada, Western Canada in general and the Cariboo in particular. We want to encourage Cariboo playwrights. 

We encourage the submission of experimental or unusual plays. Often plays are evaluated solely on contemporary notions of Aristotelian principles. There are other models for theatrical performance and the avant-garde has its own. Experimental works require, on the part of the playwright, at least as great an awareness of structure and content as traditional works. I've made a study of this kind of theatre as well as produced, directed, dramaturged and acted in many such. If you're writing something that's a little bit different, we can at least give you some useful sign-posts to help you find your way.

Caveat, though we do like things that are a little off-beat, we enjoy all styles of theatre and a good play is a good play. We do however reserve the right to refuse any submission with a full refund.