The Dave Dunnet Community Theatre is a 433-seat performing arts venue located inside Oak Bay High School at 2121 Cadboro Bay Road in Victoria, BC. If you’ve heard buzz about local productions or stumbled across a show listing, you’ve found one of Victoria’s genuine community theatre spaces where student performers, local companies, and visiting productions take the stage throughout the year.
Right now, the venue is gearing up for Finding Neverland: The Musical, running November 20-22, 2026, with tickets priced between $31.79 and $35.99. It’s the kind of production that draws families, musical theatre fans, and anyone craving that electric feeling of live performance in an intimate setting.
What makes this theatre worth your attention isn’t just its role as a school auditorium. It’s become a proper community hub where you’ll catch everything from high school showcases to professional touring acts. The space strikes that sweet spot between accessibility and quality, the kind of place where you can actually see performers’ expressions without squinting from the nosebleeds.
Getting there is straightforward, parking is manageable (a rarity in Victoria), and the vibe skews welcoming rather than stuffy. Steve Price manages the venue, and the programming reflects a genuine commitment to bringing live performance to Oak Bay and the greater Victoria area. Whether you’re a theatre regular or just looking for something to do on a weekend night, this spot deserves a bookmark.
What Makes Dave Dunnet Theatre Special
Most community theatres operate in standalone buildings, but Dave Dunnet Community Theatre breaks that mold entirely. Tucked inside Oak Bay High School at 2121 Cadboro Bay Road, this 433-seat venue pulls double duty as both a student performance space and a proper community theatre, and that unusual setup is precisely what gives it character.
The school setting strips away the stuffiness you might encounter at grander venues. There’s no velvet rope pretension here, just a genuine neighborhood gathering space where you’ll sit shoulder-to-shoulder with parents, theatre regulars, and curious first-timers. The 433-seat capacity hits a sweet spot: large enough to feel like a real event, small enough that you’re never far from the action. Even from the back rows, you catch facial expressions and feel the performers’ energy in ways that massive civic theatres can’t match.
This dual identity shapes everything about the venue. Student productions share the stage with community groups like Triple Threat Performers, creating a performance calendar that swings from high school musicals to ambitious community theatre projects. That variety keeps the space vibrant year-round rather than going dark between school terms.
The Oak Bay location also makes the theatre genuinely accessible to Victoria’s eastside neighborhoods. You’re not fighting downtown parking or navigating unfamiliar districts. It’s the kind of venue where locals can walk or bike to a show, grab a coffee beforehand at a nearby café, and still make it home at a reasonable hour on a weeknight.
What really sets Dave Dunnet apart is how it refuses to compromise on production quality despite the high school address. The technical capabilities support full-scale musicals, productions like Finding Neverland in November 2026 prove the space can handle complex staging, lighting, and sound. You get community theatre warmth without sacrificing the polish that makes a show memorable.
What’s On Stage in 2026
Right now, the spotlight at Dave Dunnet Theatre belongs to Finding Neverland: The Musical, running November 20-22, 2026. This production by Triple Threat Performers brings J.M. Barrie’s story of how Peter Pan came to be to Oak Bay’s stage, and it’s exactly the kind of ambitious community theatre work that makes this venue special.
| Production | Dates | Ticket Range | Presenter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finding Neverland: The Musical | November 20-22, 2026 | $31.79-$35.99 | Triple Threat Performers |
While the 2026 festivals list showcases massive outdoor events across the globe, Dave Dunnet operates on a different scale entirely. This is where Victoria’s performing arts community cuts its teeth: local theatre companies mount full-scale musicals, student productions share the stage with adult ensembles, and you’ll find everything from contemporary drama to classic Broadway revivals.
The programming tends to follow a seasonal rhythm. Fall and spring bring the bigger productions, often musicals that require the full technical capabilities of the 433-seat space. Winter might see more intimate shows or one-acts, while summer occasionally hosts youth theatre camps and their culminating performances. The venue doesn’t lock itself into a single genre or demographic, which means one month you’re watching high schoolers tackle Shakespeare, the next you’re seeing a community group deliver a polished musical theatre production.
What you won’t find here are the mega-budget touring shows that hit downtown’s larger venues. That’s the point. Dave Dunnet specializes in grassroots artistry, where the performers might be your neighbor’s kid, your coworker, or that music teacher everyone raves about. The theatre’s schedule reflects Victoria’s appetite for homegrown talent rather than imported spectacle.
Getting to the Theatre and What to Expect
The Dave Dunnet Community Theatre sits at 2121 Cadboro Bay Road in Victoria’s leafy Oak Bay neighborhood, tucked inside Oak Bay High School. If you’ve never been, don’t let the high school setting throw you. The theatre itself is a proper performance venue with 433 seats, not a makeshift gym with folding chairs.
Getting there is straightforward. The Oak Bay area is well-connected by Victoria transit, and if you’re driving, parking can be plentiful since you’re using a school lot. Evening performances mean spaces that are typically full during school hours sit empty. Just give yourself a few extra minutes before curtain, especially on opening nights when everyone else has the same idea.
First-time visitors often wonder what to expect from a school-housed theatre. The venue has its own entrance and feels separate from the classroom hallways. You’ll find a proper lobby, a box office area, and an auditorium that’s been designed for performances, not dual-purpose lectures. The acoustics work, the sightlines are solid, and you’re never so far from the stage that you lose the performers’ expressions.
Accessibility matters here. School venues typically follow public building codes, which means ramps, accessible seating options, and facilities that accommodate mobility needs. If you have specific requirements, contacting Theatre Manager Steve Price in advance helps ensure everything’s sorted before you arrive.
The vibe skews casual. You’ll see people in everything from jeans to slightly-dressier outfits, leaning toward the former. Community theatre audiences come for the performance, not the fashion show. Arrive fifteen minutes early to grab your seats, use the facilities, and settle in without rushing. The intimate size means everyone gets a decent view, but some seats will always beat others.
Ticket Pricing and How to Book
Tickets for Dave Dunnet Community Theatre productions land in that sweet spot where supporting local arts won’t wreck your budget. Take the upcoming Finding Neverland production: seats run $31.79 to $35.99, which is pretty typical for community theatre in Victoria. You’re looking at roughly $30-40 per ticket for most shows here, significantly less than what you’d pay at larger commercial venues downtown.
Booking depends on the specific production. For Finding Neverland and similar community-run shows, tickets usually go through platforms like Eventbrite or ShowPass rather than a centralized box office. Check the theatre’s Facebook page or the producing company’s website closer to performance dates for direct ticketing links. Some student productions might use different systems or offer door sales.
Here’s the thing about scoring good seats in a 433-seat space: there really aren’t bad ones. The theatre’s intimate setup means even back rows keep you connected to the action. That said, center orchestra seats (typically the higher end of the price range) give you optimal sightlines and acoustics. If you’re on a tighter budget, side sections or rear center still deliver a solid experience without the premium.
Pro tip: community theatre shows often sell strongly opening weekend, then see availability mid-run. Thursday and Sunday performances usually have better seat selection than Friday and Saturday nights. And because these productions genuinely rely on ticket sales to fund future shows, booking early helps the companies plan and supports Victoria’s local performing arts scene in a tangible way.
The Community Theatre Experience
Walking into a community theatre like Dave Dunnet feels fundamentally different than settling into a thousand-seat downtown hall. You’re close enough to catch the nervous energy radiating off performers before curtain, close enough to see every expression. That proximity creates a shared experience you don’t get when you’re watching a dot on a distant stage.
Community productions thrive on authenticity over polish. The singers and actors aren’t touring professionals passing through, they’re your neighbors, music teachers, that barista who mentioned rehearsals last week. You’re watching real people pursue their passion alongside day jobs, and that vulnerability makes every performance feel urgent and alive. When someone nails a difficult number or lands a comedic beat perfectly, the entire room erupts because we understand the work behind it.
School-based venues add another layer. Dave Dunnet exists because Oak Bay High invested in arts infrastructure that serves beyond graduation. Students perform alongside community members, creating intergenerational collaborations you rarely see elsewhere. The space carries that educational energy, a reminder that theatre grows from cultivation, not just consumption.
These venues matter for Victoria’s cultural health in ways a Canadian festival guide might not capture. Not everyone can afford premium touring productions, but community theatre keeps performing arts accessible and immediate. It creates live music moments and theatrical experiences for neighborhoods, not just downtown cores.
The charm lies in imperfection and heart. You might spot a missed cue or a wobbling set piece, but you’ll also witness someone discovering they can move an audience, a kid realizing theatre matters, a community gathering to celebrate storytelling. That’s what Dave Dunnet offers: art made by and for the people actually in the room.
Common Questions About Dave Dunnet Theatre
How do I find out what shows are coming up?
The theatre’s schedule typically appears on Oak Bay High School’s website and through community event listings in Victoria. For the most reliable updates, contact Theatre Manager Steve Price directly, as production schedules often change throughout the year.
Does the venue only host theatre productions?
While the Dave Dunnet Theatre primarily showcases theatre productions, its 433-seat capacity makes it suitable for concerts, recitals, and other performing arts events. The space serves both student productions and broader community performances.
Are shows appropriate for all ages?
It varies by production. Check the specific show details before booking, as some performances target family audiences while others may have age recommendations or mature themes.
When is the theatre season?
Community theatre seasons often run from fall through spring, with productions clustered around November through June. Summer months tend to be quieter, though special events can happen year-round.
If you can’t track down show listings easily, keep an eye on local Victoria arts publications and community boards. Unlike larger venues with robust online ticketing systems and constant programming, community theatres sometimes rely on grassroots promotion. You might also explore options like a free music live stream to discover broader performing arts content between shows, though nothing quite replaces the energy of live local theatre.
For direct inquiries about upcoming productions, accessibility needs, or group bookings, reach out to Steve Price at Oak Bay High School. He manages the theatre operations and can provide the most current information about what’s happening at 2121 Cadboro Bay Road.
The Dave Dunnet Community Theatre proves you don’t need a glitzy downtown address or sky-high ticket prices to experience memorable live performance. Tucked inside Oak Bay High, this 433-seat venue delivers the kind of intimate, accessible theatre that reminds us why local arts matter. There’s something genuinely special about settling into your seat knowing you’re supporting homegrown talent and community-driven creativity, not just consuming another corporate production.
If you’re in Victoria and haven’t checked out a show here yet, now’s your moment. Finding Neverland runs November 20-22, 2026, offering a perfect intro to what the theatre does best: bringing quality performances to your neighborhood without the fuss. Beyond that, keep an eye on upcoming programming throughout the season.
Community theatre thrives when people actually show up. Grab a ticket, bring a friend, and experience the kind of live performance that makes Victoria’s arts scene worth celebrating. The Dave Dunnet isn’t trying to be the biggest venue in town, it’s aiming to be one of the most welcoming, and it delivers.