Business Name: Mountain Play Theatre Company
Owner / Founder: Tara Whittick
Location: Invermere, British Columbia, Canada
Primary Contact: (check company website for most current contact details)
Website: mountainplaytheatre.com
Business Overview
Mountain Play Theatre Company is a community-focused theatre education and performance business based in Invermere, BC. Founded and led by Tara Whittick, the company offers a wide range of theatre classes, workshops, and performance opportunities for children, youth, and adults, fostering creativity, confidence, and artistic expression through the performing arts. The company has quickly become a vibrant part of the local cultural landscape, with classes regularly filling up and community events, like improv theatre nights, gaining enthusiastic participation.
Founder & Artistic Director: Tara Whittick
Tara Whittick holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Education, and brings extensive experience in theatre arts and education to her work with Mountain Play Theatre Company. Her background includes directing school productions, leading multi-grade musicals, organizing dramatic performances, and designing sets and costumes. Tara’s teaching philosophy emphasizes confidence building, creative risk-taking, collaboration, and authentic self-expression for students of all ages.
Services & Programs
Mountain Play Theatre Company provides a diverse set of theatre-related programs for different age groups and skill levels:
Youth & Children’s Theatre Classes
Creative Drama (Ages 4–7): A playful introduction to theatre skills like storytelling, movement, voice, and collaboration.
Drama Sessions (Ages 8–10): Encourages imagination, improvisation, and teamwork through structured weekly classes.
Advanced Training (Ages 9–18): Personalized coaching for older youth, including acting technique, character work, and performance preparation.
All youth programs culminate in performative experiences where students can showcase their growth and creativity to family and the community.
Adult Theatre & Improv
Adult Drop-In Improv Classes: Weekly drop-in sessions designed to help adults of all experience levels explore improv theatre fundamentals, build spontaneity, and strengthen confidence and listening skills. Participants are encouraged to play, connect, and grow in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Community Engagement
Mountain Play Theatre Company plays an active role in Invermere’s arts community. Weekly improv nights are hosted at the Invermere Seniors Hall, where locals gather for laughter, creative play, and social connection. These community events have cultivated a supportive theatre culture and drawn participation from a broad range of ages and interests.
Business Values & Educational Philosophy
Mountain Play Theatre Company emphasizes the transformative power of theatre arts, focusing on skills that extend beyond performance, including:
Communication and language development
Social skills and teamwork
Confidence and self-esteem
Creative problem-solving
Empathy through character exploration
Theatre can be used as a vehicle for personal growth and community building.
Why It’s Unique
Local Roots: A homegrown theatre initiative rooted in the Columbia Valley community with programming that serves all ages.
Inclusive Approach: Offers both structured classes and flexible drop-in creative opportunities.
Educational Focus: Balances performance with personal development competencies like collaboration, communication, and self-expression.