Our Story
Est. 1989
Royal City Musical Theatre is a volunteer-led organization that brings theatre professionals, emerging talent, and volunteers together in an inspiring environment to produce exceptional musical theatre that engages our community. Each year we welcome more than 10,000 audience members to New Westminster B.C.
It was 1989…
The Royal City Musical Theatre Society was established by nine leading citizens from New Westminster, to create a small musical theatre society with big dreams. It grew out of a love of music, theatre and dance.
At that time Founder President Evelyn Benson and her Board, Artistic Director Ed Harrington, Choreographer Dolores Kirkwood and Music Director James Bryson had a dream to make full use of the magnificent Massey Theatre by presenting Broadway quality musicals at affordable prices. It would also provide our finest and brightest young performers an opportunity to perform in a professional atmosphere.
Their first production, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor was an enormous success and our company and society has continued to grow our offering and our audiences ever since.
James Bryson has been a part of the RCMT musical directing team since the first show, and always enjoys the challenge of bringing excellent vocal and instrumental work to each production. James retired from RCMT in 2023, his last show being the well-loved Crazy for You.
In 2010, Valerie Easton became Artistic Director. Since then, she has directed and choreographed the recent successful productions of Crazy for You, Singin’ In The Rain, Cabaret, Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly!, The Will Rogers Follies, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other directing credits include Legally Blonde, Mack and Mabel, A Chorus Line, Tom Foolery, Cabaret and The Thing About Men and The Story of My Life.
Some of her other choreographic credits across Canada include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Western Canada Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew, Love’s Labor’s Lost (Bard on the Beach), Music Man, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Fiddler On the Roof, West Side Story (RCMT), Anne of Green Gables, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz (Gateway Theatre), Carousel, Annie and Kiss Me Kate (TUTS).
Valerie stepped down from RCMT as Artistic Director in summer of 2024. She is still planning to direct and choreograph all around town including coming back to RCMT as Co-Director and Choreographer of 2025’s 9 to 5 The Musical.
A community affair
The wonderful productions you see on stage would not be possible without the support of our patrons, along with many donors, sponsors, members and amazing volunteers who put in countless hours to make everything seem effortless.