Between Words Theatre is a community‑driven company founded in 2023 with a mission to grow and energize community theatre in Victoria. Rooted in the belief that local stories deserve local stages, the company creates space for a diversity of artists, voices, and creative practices to flourish. Through accessible programming and a commitment to nurturing emerging talent, Between Words Theatre has quickly become a catalyst for new work, new artists, and new collaborations in the region.
At the heart of the company is its flagship initiative, the Victoria One Act Play Festival, which showcases original and contemporary one‑act works by local playwrights, directors, and performers. The festival provides an essential platform for experimentation, artistic risk‑taking, and community connection.
Founded by Kurt Archer, a long‑time community theatre artist and advocate, Between Words Theatre is supported by a dedicated team of producers, designers, and board members who bring wide-ranging experience in directing, stage management, arts administration, clowning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary storytelling. Together, they champion a theatre culture that is welcoming, collaborative, and artist‑centered.
Whether uplifting first‑time creators or supporting seasoned artists exploring new directions, Between Words Theatre continues to expand the possibilities of community theatre in Victoria – one story, one stage, and one act at a time.
One-Act Festival Team
Kurt Archer – Festival Director
Kurt has over 10 years experience working in community theatre which began in Calgary as a former board member of Morpheus Theatre, also as an actor, producer, director, and playwright. His experience includes Gilbert & Sullivans’ Gondoliers and Ruddigore, It’s a Wonderful Life, A little murder never hurt anybody, and Death of Salesman. His premiere play was called The Great Shift and debuted at the first Victoria One Act Play Festival. Kurt is the Founder of Between Words Theatre and also co-founded the Greater Victoria Theatre Collective.
Taylor Guidotti – Festival Technical Producer
Taylor (she/they) is a stage director, intimacy director, and stage and production manager from Calgary, but now proudly resides in Victoria, BC. A recent graduate of the University of Victoria’s theatre program (BFA 2020), Taylor has worn many hats at various performing arts festivals in Alberta and British Columbia. She is thrilled to be returning to the One Act Festival, this time as the Technical Coordinator. Most recent credits include: [Co-Festival Manager, Technical Coordinator] Common Ground Festival; [Stage Management] The Incredible Glowing Woman (hapax), Abandoned (One Act Festival 2023); [Director] The Crime on Goat Island, Aphra, Such Creatures. The War of the Worlds (untitled theatrics). Much love to Benji, Mum and Arlo.
D’Arcy Briggs – Writer
With an adoration of the human condition and an appreciation for the arts, D’Arcy loves anything that centers authentic emotions and relationships. D’Arcy has worked as a facilitator, producer, writer, and performer and always strives to make every effort one that is inclusive, fun, and welcoming. He is a co-founder of The Bakery (2023-), regularly performs with Paper Street Theater’s Masterclass program and was a cast member of their Mythos performance (February 2024), and works frequently as a workshop facilitator and producer. He is also one half of Burger & Briggs (2024-). He has also worked as a juror for the Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize and his writing can be found in various journals, zines, and books of poetry, videogame reviews, and music discussion.
Alex Kennedy – Graphic Design
bio coming soon
Board of Directors
Kurt Archer (he/they) – President
Kurt has over 10 years experience working in community theatre which began in Calgary as a former board member of Morpheus Theatre, also as an actor, producer, director, and playwright. His experience includes Gilbert & Sullivans’ Gondoliers and Ruddigore, It’s a Wonderful Life, A little murder never hurt anybody, and Death of Salesman. His premiere play was called The Great Shift and debuted at the first Victoria One Act Play Festival. Kurt is the Founder of Between Words Theatre and also co-founded the Greater Victoria Theatre Collective.
Frances Matheu (he/him) – Secretary
Francis is a Filipino theatre artist who debuted in Canada with Theatre Inconnu’s production of Pepe in 2023. Since then, he has collaborated with local companies including Blue Bridge Theatre, The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, Lawyers On Stage Theatre Society, Langham Court Theatre, Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), and Attitude Theatre. He is a co-artistic collaborator for Bayanihan Creative Collective and a board member for Theatre SKAM and Victoria Theatre Collective. He is ConVerge 2024 artist in residence and holds an MFA in Directing from UVic.
Nomi Nagashima (she/her) – Treasurer
Nomi recently joined the Between Words Board. During the 2024 One Act Festival, Nomi’s first foray into Theatre was stage managing the play Notes for July.
Nomi firmly believes in the significance of sharing experiences and stories with others. Through various mediums, sharing can be a powerful way for people to connect, heal, and grow in this ever-changing world. Although theatre wasn’t a significant part of Nomi’s life until recently, she feels incredibly lucky to be a part of the Between Words Board and to support artistic endeavours on this beautiful island.
Jan Streader (she/her) – Director
A founding member of the Victoria Theatre Collective, Jan spent years promoting the Arts in Edmonton for Alberta Culture, the Art Gallery and Theatre Alberta, writing and hosting a weekly TV show and promoting major exhibits. She volunteered at Walterdale Theatre receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for work as P.R., then Artistic Director, also costumes and stage work. She studied acting at the Citadel and Dramaworks; Clown and Mask with Jan Henderson and Therapeutic Clown with pioneer Clown doctor Paul Hoosen. She clowned for more than 20 years at Edmonton’s International Street Performer Festival, also in Hospitals and Care homes throughout Alberta and now with Sunshine Clowns in Victoria. She performed on Film and TV also produced and toured in Fringe shows Shirley Valentine and Bronte: A Solo Portrait of Charlotte Bronte. Other credits include Sterling winner Elizabeth the Queen; Sterling nominee Treatment; The Lion in Winter and The Cripple of Inishmaan; at Langham as Dottie Ottley/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off and the Fairy Godmother in St. Lukes’ Cinderella.
Meera Mathew (she/her) – Director
Meera is an actor, director, playwright, event coordinator, and social change storyteller gratefully working and living on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen-speaking peoples. She believes in the power of stories to connect us more deeply to ourselves and our community. Previous credits include: The Drowning Girls (Assistant Director, Hapax theatre), Notes for July (Actor/Writer/Director – One Act Play Fest, Outstanding Performance 2024), Double Bind (Actor – One Act Play Fest), Crime on Goat Island (Production Coordinator – Untitled Theatrics), Beauty and the Beast (Actor – Victoria On Stage).