Our TheatrE Company
About Us
About KCP
The Kempenfelt Community Players (KCP) is a community theatre group performing in Barrie and the surrounding area for over 38 years. We are enthusiastic members who love live theatre. New members are always welcome, both onstage and behind the scenes.
The Mission of KCP is to:
- Entertain and inspire our audience by producing memorable musicals
- Create opportunities for the community to participate in high-quality productions both on stage and behind the scenes
- Enhance the development of youth in the arts by providing a variety of educational experiences in all aspects of theatre, supporting the Ontario Curriculum
- Celebrate the talent, commitment and achievement of our volunteers
- Build and foster a diverse and inclusive community both on stage and behind the scenes
Our Story
Since 1977, the Kempenfelt Community Players (KCP), formerly known as the Teachers’ Music Theatre Workshop has been presenting musical theatre to the people of Barrie and surrounding area.
The group was founded by Barbara McCann, now a retired teacher and consultant. Barbara is a highly-respected andwell-known musical presence in the area and currently the Music Director of the King Edward Choir in Barrie. Barbara was, from 1975-1998, the music consultant for the Simcoe County Board of Education, and started the Teachers’ Music Theatre Workshop as a course to help teachers present musicals with in the county’s elementary schools with students involved in each production. At that time, she was also the director (and founder) of the Barrie Boys’ Choir. The logical choice for the first production was “Oliver!”.
Other shows followed every two years until 1999 when the group decided to do one show every year. The evolution and transformation of the group continued moving from a teacher based organization to one which welcomed all who answered the annual call for auditions.
Over those twenty plus years the Teacher’s Music Theatre Workshop developed a large audience of loyal followers, and most of the February shows were sold out. Since the original productions were offered as a course, many people contributed to the significant amount of work involved in each one.
In 2000, the biggest change in the groups’ history occurred with the renaming of it to the Kempenfelt Community Players (KCP). This name change better reflected who it represented in the growing Barrie and surrounding area. In addition to the name change a formal Board of Directors was formed and the group became a legal entity.
Other changes began to occur to keep up with the growing demand for amateur theatre in the area. A full season was developed and continues today varying from 2-3 shows per season. The KCP has seen a tremendous response to its productions and with each season come new and exciting opportunities and improving the quality on each production remains a focus of the organization.
In 2007 the KCP celebrated it 30th Anniversary and positioned itself as Barrie’s premier community theatre organization providing high quality entertaining productions. As the Barrie and surrounding area continues to grow so does the Kempenfelt Community Players.
Check out our Show Archives to see a listing of the productions we’ve put on.
A Great Team
Our Board of Directors
JULIE UNDERHILL
Chair
ANDRÉE DAY
Vice Chairperson
Andrée is a retired TD Bank IT Senior Business Analyst. She has 3 sons, 6 amazing grand-children, and a beautiful little great grand-daughter. Andrée always had a love of all things theatre; and it was a natural process for her to get involved with KCP when her grand-daughters were cast in KCP shows. She has produced numerous productions over the past 11 seasons and has been on the Board of Directors for the past 6. She thanks KCP for the opportunities given to her and she is delighted to be a member of such a great organization.
Kari Bacon
Secretary
Kari is so excited to be joining the board. After being a KCP member for the last few years, she is ready to be more involved with this great organization. She is looking forward to KCP’s future and continuing her love of theatre by being on stage and helping out behind the scenes.
KATHY Patterson
Executive Producer
LORI Scholten-Dallimore
Fundraising / Special Projects
A member of KCP since 2011, Lori is very excited to serve on the KCP Board of Directors this year. The performing arts have been a part of her life since childhood and she is so grateful that KCP has offered such incredible theatrical experiences for her whole family over the years. To be part of the board for such a wonderful organization is an honour and Lori is looking forward to promoting arts and culture within our community and give people of all ages and walks of life the incredible adventure of live theatre. It’s so great to be back!!
LORIE HANLEY
Treasurer
Lorie is a founding member of KCP and is excited to be rejoining the Board. In 2004 she helped found the KCP Youth Troupe and she directed their first production Fee Fi Fo Fum, which toured many local schools. The next year Lorie directed The Tales of Andergrimm, which was written specifically for the “character” initiative. Lorie enjoys the stage as well and in 2014 won a Thea for Best Supporting Actress in KCP’s production of Once Upon a Mattress. Lorie is married to John. They have amazing adult kids who have blessed them with beautiful grandchildren, which she hopes to see on stage one day!
JAMES DOBSON
Director for Communications
James joined KCP in 2009 when he was cast in the role of Ruben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He had so much fun that he played parts in Anne of Green Gables, The Fully Monty and Spamalot. James was a member of the Board of Directors for KCP from 2011` to 2014. James is an administrator with the Simcoe County District School Board and can’t wait until he can join his KCP family back on stage.
Tom Mercer
Director for Programming
Mariah Johnstone
Director for Facilities
Mariah has been involved in many KCP production over the past 8 years through performing, building sets and making costumes. She is a wood shop teacher and the lead equity and diversity teacher at the school she teaches at. Mariah brings that passion and skill set to her position as Director of Facilities
MICHAEL Whyte
Director of Marketing and Media Relations
Michael is excited to be on the board of KCP. He is a veteran film/television writer/producer/director. He is looking forward to using his marketing experience in the advertising world to further KCP’s goals. Michael has been behind the scenes as a volunteer in the live theatre world for the better part of two decades. He is also a playwright and a screenwriter.