Since VACT has launched into success, their organization has become known not only in Vancouver, but across Canada and even in the United States. Originally a show that involved stand up and sketch comedy groups, it eventually became a competition between sketch comedy groups from across the continent. Teams from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Toronto flew in to Vancouver to compete for the Sketchoff!#%!! Rice Bowl Trophy.
With their 11th annual comedy show coming up, the tradition is still going strong, although they have recently put limitations on who may participate. Rather than inviting talent from across the continent to participate in their shows, they felt that as a Vancouver-based company, they should encourage exposure for Vancouver’s local talent. While they certainly had successful shows in the past inviting guests from all over North America, their main focus now is to allow Asian-Canadians to express themselves on stage through comedy and theatre.
Although their organization focuses on Asian-Canadians, they do not discourage other ethnicities from participating in their theatre shows. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition, although most of the lead roles tend to be offered to Asian-Canadians to uphold their original goals. For their sketch comedy competitions, they allow all ethnicities to participate as long as half-plus-one of their team members self-identify as Asian. This way, VACT can promote a united environment between Asian-Canadians and Canadians of other ethnicities while staying true to their mission statement as stated on their website:
Although their organization focuses on Asian-Canadians, they do not discourage other ethnicities from participating in their theatre shows. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition, although most of the lead roles tend to be offered to Asian-Canadians to uphold their original goals. For their sketch comedy competitions, they allow all ethnicities to participate as long as half-plus-one of their team members self-identify as Asian. This way, VACT can promote a united environment between Asian-Canadians and Canadians of other ethnicities while staying true to their mission statement as stated on their website:
"(VACT) is a non-profit organization motivated to stage Asian-Canadian productions. As an ethnically diverse theatre company in Vancouver, our role in the artistic community is:
To provide opportunities for Asian-Canadian actors in artistic and significant roles
To reclaim the Asian stereotypes portrayed in mainstream media
To stage productions that provide non-stereotypical roles
To showcase Asian-Canadian cultural themes and stories
To represent the hyphenated Asians on stage in a contemporary setting"
