RCMPI Awards

Royal City Musical Productions Inc. is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization that relies on the active involvement of its members to create the opportunities for maintaining a dynamic and enriching community arts organization. RCMPI has been entertaining Guelph since 1979 and the efforts and dedication of hundreds of people have made this possible.

Life Memberships

RCMPI provides its highest award - that of honorary life membership - to those individuals who have made a distinct, lasting and continuing contribution to the company.
Life Memberships have been awarded to:
John Allen
Karen Allen
Robert Brown
Gary E. Chapman
Lin Chapman
Helen Dumoulin
Victoria Harrop
Kay McKie
Al Norris
Anne Norris
Stephen O'Connell
Gladys Phillips
Ron Pickford
John T. Powell
Ruth Ralston
Corrine Saunders
Judy Steibelt
Sheila Todd
Bill Unser

Annual Awards

Starting in 2011, Royal City Musical Productions Inc. introduced a series of awards to be presented annually. These awards recognize outstanding contribution to the company during the year in different categories. The Awards for the 2018-2019 season were presented on May 25th, 2019.

View Memorial Award Information

View Past Award Recipients



2022 / 2023 Award Recipients

The Allan Finnie Memorial Award is presented to the "Most Supportive Cast Member" as voted by the cast of the spring show.
2022/2023 recipient: Milwaukee Baker
The Richard Vollans Memorial Award is presented to recognize back-stage contribution during the spring show.
2022/2023 recipient: Ben Wallace
The Mary Pickford Memorial Award is presented to the "Most Supportive Cast Member" as voted by the cast of the fall show.
2022/2023 recipient: Laura Gilmore
The John Akin Memorial Award is presented to recognize back-stage contribution during the fall show.
2022/2023 recipient: Ben Wallace
The Bob Purdy Memorial Award is presented to recognize long term dedication to the company.
2022/2023 recipient: Tom Gould
The John T. Powell Memorial Award is presented to recognize an outstanding contribution to the Company.
2022/2023 recipient: Sandra Conway
The David Blythe Memorial Award is presented to recognize contribution to the fall show production.
2022/2023 recipient: Megan Brown
The Al Norris Memorial Award is presented to recognize contribution to the spring show production.
2022/2023 recipient: Sandra Conway
The Kay McKie Memorial Award is presented recognize Artistic Excellence.
2022/2023 recipient: Orchestra (for Cabaret)
Outstanding Technical Achievement Award
2022/2023 recipient: Janet Mosney (for Matilda Cake)
The David Rogers Memorial Award is presented to recognize an outstanding vocal performance.
2022/2023 recipient: Ren Nash ('Cabaret', Cabaret)
Outstanding Vocal Performance as a Group Award
2022/2023 recipient: Quaid Lale & Company ("Wilkommen", Cabaret)
The Gary E. Chapman Memorial Award is presented to recognize a breakout performance.
2022/2023 recipients: Adam Kubik (Mrs Trunchbull, Matilda)
The Outstanding Choreography Performance Award is presented to recognize an outstanding dance performance.
2022/2023 recipients: Cabaret Ensemble ("Money", Cabaret)
The Outstanding Choreography Award is presented to recognize an outstanding dance choreography.
2022/2023 recipients: Megan Brown ("Wilkommen", Cabaret)
The Outstanding Staged Scene/Moment Award is presented to recognize an outstanding direction.
2022/2023 recipients: Thea Lale (Final scene, Cabaret)
The Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance in a Leading role.
2022/2023 recipient: Ren Nash (Sally Bowles, Cabaret)
The Outstanding Performer in a Featured Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance in a Featured role.
2022/2023 recipient: Susan Lawrenson (Fraulein Schneider, Cabaret)
The Outstanding Youth Performer in a Leading Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance by a youth performer in a leading role.
2022/2023 recipient: Quinne Stoltz & Fae Lewis (Matilda, Matilda)
The Outstanding Youth Performer in a Featured Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance youth performer in a featured role.
2022/2023 recipient: Alyssa Lodge & Sydney Pearl Ennis (Amanda, Matilda)
The Performer Ensemble Spring Show Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance by a ensemble member.
2022/2023 recipient: Milwaukee Baker (Cabaret)
The Performer Ensemble Fall Show Role Award is presented to recognize an outstanding performance by a ensemble member.
2022/2023 recipient: Evv Kaufman (Matilda)


Memorial Award Info:

John Akin: John was a founding member of Royal City Musical Productions, having been a member of the Guelph Light Opera Company. He was the Production Manager of RCMPI's first production of 'Oliver!' in 1979 and Producer for 'Fiddler on the Roof' in 1981. John Akin was a lifetime educator and served as vice-principal at four area high schools prior to his retirement. (Died Oct 2010)

David Blythe: David was a founding member of Royal City Musical Productions and a well-known Guelph actor. He starred in many of the early shows including the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in 1981 and Harold Hill in The Music Man in 1985. He was always very supportive of newcomers. David also served as president of RCMPI for the 1985/1986 season. (Died Oct 2000)

Gary E. Chapman: Gary joined Royal City Musical Productions in 1988 as a cast member in Oklahoma and for the next 24 years he worked onstage and backstage with equal passion. As well as being onstage in 25 productions, he was, in turns a member of the Board of Directors, Technical Director, Show Producer, Master Carpenter, and all around problem solver. Gary was the go-to guy when there was a job to do or a connection to be made with another theatre company, or technical firm; as he had a vast network of contacts programmed into his ‘phone contacts list. By day he flexed his organizational skills as the President of a local scientific instrumentation company. He always loved to share his theatrical knowledge with new cast, with the hope of bringing everyone along to a higher standard of community theatre. He was a friend to all, old, young, easy going or difficult. Gary was almost always the first to invite newcomers out to join in the traditional post-rehearsal trip to the nearest pub for their beverage of choice. He was a lot of fun. (Died Oct 2014)

Allan Finnie: Allan enjoyed his stage debut with Royal City Musical Productions in the 2003 production of Pirates of Penzance in which he played the role of the sergeant of police. Allan was instrumental in bonding the cast in what was to be RCMPI's first full spring show, and RCMPI's first foray into Gilbert and Sullivan. Allan discovered that he was ill shortly after the show and died just two months after the last performance. Dr. Allan Finnie was a doctor of internal medicine at Guelph General Hospital. (Died July 2003)

Kay McKie: Kay was a founding member of Royal City Musical Productions and was the artistic director for the four of the first six shows: Oliver! (1979), Carousel (1980), Fiddler on the Roof (1981) and Brigadoon (1984). Her extensive theatre background, knowledge of lighting, set design and costuming combined with her natural leadership made her a popular director. Both Kay and her husband Bill were strong supporters of RCMPI over the years. Kay was among the first recipients of a Life Membership award. Kay McKie founded the drama department at Guelph's John F Ross C.V.I. (Died Sep 2006)

Al Norris: Al was one of the first people that many people met in Royal City Musical Productions. Starting in 1991, Al was a fixture backstage. He often helped with set construction and as part of the stage crew and was assistant producer for Annie in 1994 and co-producer for South Pacific in 1995. Al joined the Board of Directors in 1993 and was a passionate advocate for the company. Al and his wife Anne were audition coordinators for many shows between 1997 and 2006 and together created very positive first impressions. (Died Nov 2008)

Mary Pickford: Mary was a cast member for over 10 shows, the first being Guys and Dolls in 1982 and she loved her every minute with RCMPI. Mary was a wonderful fun-loving spirit who loved her RCMPI family and welcomed them wholeheartedly into her home. (Died Sep 1998)

Dr. John T. Powell: John was a founding member of Royal City Musical Productions, having been a member of Guelph Light Opera Company. He was a cast member of several shows during RCMPI's first decade and was a generous and enthusiastic supporter. He was among the first recipients of a Life Membership award. John T. Powell was a professor at the University of Guelph in the field of Human Kinetics. (Died Oct 2000)

Bob Purdy: Bob Purdy joined Royal City Musical Productions in 1986 as a cast member in My Fair Lady. Over the following 25 years, Bob contributed on-stage and off-stage on many shows. Bob understood the value of a willing volunteer and RCMPI benefitted greatly from his positive attitude. Bob was passionate about involving youth in theatre and would make a point of encouraging and supporting the younger cast members. Bob Purdy was a music teacher in Waterloo County and an accomplished musician with a lifelong love of the piano and singing. (Died Feb 2011)

David Rogers: David was a founding member of Royal City Musical Productions and acted as musical director and conductor for the first three years, returning for several other shows including Brigadoon in 1984, My Fair Lady in 1986 and Annie in 1994. David Rogers was a music teacher at John F. Ross C.V.I. in Guelph where he directed musical theatre, stage and concert bands. (Died Aug 2010)

Richard Vollans: Richard was creative and dedicated. His energy and commitment were unmatched. He had a passion for theatre and passed that passion along to children developing March Break and summer theatre camps. Richard’s first production with Royal City Musical Productions was the fall 1997 production of 'Hello Dolly'. This was significant as he was the first RCMPI stage manager to manage a show in the River Run Centre. (Died Oct 2011)

Grace Wynen: Grace was 11 years old, and a first-time cast member of Royal City Productions 'Willy Wonka' in 2010. Those who knew Grace knew her great spirit, passion for life and compassion for others. She delighted in her friends and relationships with other people and brought that spirit with her to rehearsal. The spirit and enjoyment that Grace demonstrated is the same emotion that drives us all to follow our dreams. Grace died tragically as she was returning home from rehearsal when the vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck by another vehicle. (Died Oct 2010)