A yellow colour block that reads "The Play Theatre Studio" in Cranberry hued text with small green sunbursts next to it. Handdrawn stars hanging from a thread are on either side of the logo.

I'm Erica, a multi-disciplinary artist and creative mama based on the unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples.

I've been playing in the theatre and performing arts world professionally for 20+ years. My career began as an actor and theatre teacher, and I’m circling back to those roots by opening The Play Theatre Studio in Victoria, BC.

I have always had a passion for working with youth and the Next Gen through play creation and empowerment. From babies to emerging artists, the Play Theatre Studio is my love letter to youth, families, and creatives in the community who want to immerse themselves in imagination, story, and the craft of acting and live theatre.

Welcome to the studio. Let’s play!

-Erica Petty, Artist & Creative Director

The Play Theatre Studio is a drama studio that specializes in, you guessed it, PLAY! With emphasis on self expression, consent, and sharing of power, professional artists lead participants towards the creation of new works - even (or especially!) the littlest of littles in our community. Make art, design, fumble and fiddle through engaging collaborative processes - there’s a program for everyone at The Play Theatre Studio.

Small group sizes allow everyone to be hands on, heard and celebrated in their unique human expression.

PROGRAM LISTINGS FOUND BELOW -

A woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair, wearing a black printed blouse and rust-colored velvety skirt, standing with her hand on her hip and smiling slightly, with pink hand-drawn hearts floating to her left against a green background.
A woman and three children are on a dark stage with colorful lighting. The woman is kneeling and holding a yellow pom-pom, interacting with the children who are standing nearby. The stage is decorated with hanging ropes and props.
A woman and a young child playing with bubbles indoors, with the woman blowing bubbles and the child reaching up to touch them.
Pink flower-shaped logo with black text reading "The Play Theatre Studio."

Programs

an image of young children playing with glowing orbs, yellow flowers are layered on top of the photo
Children playing and laughing outdoors with large yellow flowers and a green tree on a yellow background, promoting drama and acting classes for children and teens at theplaytheatre.com.

Sensory Theatre birth-4

Drama + Acting 5-15

Design promoting a creative workshop for adults and emerging artists, featuring a woman sitting on a bench, a large moon, and illustrated butterflies on a teal background with pink text.
A promotional poster for a company program and teen theater audition at The Play Theatre featuring a group of teens sitting and standing, some using electronic devices, with pink background and decorative flowers.

Creative Studio Adult 19+

Teen Actor’s Company 14-19

A woman sitting on a modern wooden bench with white cushions, laughing and touching her face, with a colorful background featuring pink and green sections, pink hand-drawn hearts, and a yellow flower logo that says 'The Play Theatre Studio'.

When I'm not teaching, creating or directing, I provide creative consulting for non-profit arts companies across Canada. I am currently the Artistic Producer for The Story Theatre Productions Society, and continue to create my own performance work independantly.

I have been the recipient of many residencies, grants, and awards, including the Mid-Career Artist Award at the Greater Victoria Professional Arts Awards in 2023.

Anti-oppression consulting (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion), grant-writing services & script development support are available upon request.

I bring my identities as a queer, disabled, single/ low-income mother born of white colonial European ancestors to my work and the ways I lead.

Latest Theatre Projects

FISHIES! (Created & Directed, 2024)

Sound Garden: Sensory Theatre for Babies (Created & Performed, 2022)

The Great Bloom by Sydney Marino (Artistic Producer and Co-Director, 2024, Director 2025)

Dreamweavers by Adonis Critter King (Artistic Producer, 2025)

TWIMS (Co-Created, Produced & Performed, 2020)

-Erica Petty, Artist & Creative Director

Pink flower-shaped logo with black text that reads 'The Play Theatre Studio'.