The Adventures of Stuart Little

What is ICHTHYS?

ICHTHYS Theatre Productions is a Brantford-based community theatre and has been in operation since the Fall of 2000. We are dedicated to offering educational opportunities to audiences, casts and crews.
ICHTHYS' unique signature is contemporary dress, surround theatre productions, where interaction between the audience, actors and the action is key.
The action is played out on a thrust stage and in the wide centre aisle. There is no curtain and the house lights are most often left on in order to enhance the interaction between characters and audience.

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase the public’s appreciation of the performing arts and to offer educational opportunities to audiences, casts and crews as they participate in our productions and workshops. We present innovative and thought-provoking theatre focusing on life issues and exploring social themes of conflict, tolerance and justice that are especially relevant to young people. ICHTHYS' unique signature is surround theatre productions, where interaction between the audience, actors and the action is key.

An ICHTHYS performance
is not just live television. At ICHTHYS, we
SURROUND you.

Surround theatre is a style of dramatic presentation that seeks to maximize audience involvement and interaction with the actors and the action. Entrances and exits are made from the rear, sides and front of the auditorium, and much of the action takes place in the wide centre aisle. Centre stage becomes an eight foot diameter circle in the middle of the audience.
The “front row” of the audience moves with the action. Actors can talk to and touch members of the audience and vice versa. This is particularly exciting and involving for children. A thrust stage is also used for when the action calls for a set location and a backdrop. The stage thrusts out into the audience and has several height levels.
There is no curtain to shut the audience out, and thus there is a bare minimum of set pieces or furniture used; the focus is on the characters and their words and actions. Taking a play out of the picture frame of a traditional stage and into the audience creates more excitement and satisfaction for both audience and actors.