Fraser Valley Musical Theatre

(Formerly known as the Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society)

Building Community Through Musical Theatre

At Fraser Valley Musical Theatre, we put community & fun at the heart of each production.

Fraser Valley Musical Theatre was founded in 1983 by a passionate group of theatre lovers. Their vision was simple: to bring people together through high-quality, community-driven theatre in the Lower Mainland.

Our productions are powered by dedicated volunteers, talented performers, and a supportive creative team. We are proud to offer a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for everyone involved. With over 40 years of history, FVMT is more than a theatre company, it’s a community. Many members return year after year, forming lasting friendships and helping us continue a legacy of creativity, connection, and joy.

Each year, FVMT produces two full-scale musical theatre productions:

Fraser Valley Musical Theatre

Scholarships & Awards

Jack Simms Award

Jack Simms was the first true Treasurer and one of the tireless volunteers responsible for the early success and continued existence of the Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society in the 1980’s. Jack never appeared on stage and never wanted to, but he worked behind the scenes doing whatever was needed — from set construction and painting to advertising, ushering, and ticket sales (in the early days, FVGSS volunteers served as ushers and sold tickets from a small booth in the old lobby of the Surrey Arts Centre).

After Jack passed away, the Society created the Jack Simms Award to recognize those members of the Society who best epitomized Jack’s selfless volunteer spirit. The award was not intended to necessarily be given away every year, but rather was intended to be awarded only to those special people worthy of Jack’s memory and spirit.

Harmony Award

Rob Habkirk first performed with the Society in 1992 as an ancestor in “Ruddigore”. He appeared on stage, in chorus and lead roles, plus he was our stage manager in several productions. Rob also served on our board of directors for several years, some as vice-president. Rob was a very friendly person and went out of his way to welcome people to our group. He was extremely easy going and loved to talk and joke around with everyone.

When Rob passed away suddenly in 1998, the Society decided to honour his memory with the Rob Habkirk Harmony Award. Not only did Rob love to sing “harmonies” but he loved to be “in harmony” with others. Now, at the end of each show, the cast and crew vote for the person they think exhibits these qualities too. The person is fun-loving, patient, kind, and “goes the extra mile” to help their fellow show members feel welcome and “in harmony” with each other.

Gary McGill Scholarship

Gary’s introduction to the Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society was as music director for Jack and the Beanstalk in 1988. As well as Jack and the Beanstalk he was our music director for 6 other productions: Sing a Song of Sixpence (1991), Ruddigore (1992), The Grand Old Duke of York (1992), The Gondoliers (1993), Aladdin (1993), and Frankenstein, The Panto (1994).

Gary was scheduled to be the music director for The Pirates of Penzance in 1995 until he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in February. Unfortunately Gary passed away on the opening night of Pirates in May 1995.

Gary had a beautiful baritone voice and appeared in a number of the Society’s productions. He served on the Board of Directors for 4 years from 1990 to 1994. When Gary was on the board of directors, one of the tasks he helped coordinate was to establish the society’s show scholarship. When he died in 1995, it was decided to dedicate the existing scholarship in his name. Gary enjoyed working with young people very much and it is a fitting legacy to have the Gary McGill Scholarship Award named in his honour.

This Scholarship is open to any cast or crew member to assist them in attaining their goals in their chosen field relating to the arts. The selection committee will be looking not only at the skills and talents of the applicant, but also attitude, cooperation and participation in all aspects of performance. Criteria include professionalism, artistic expression, technical ability and potential.

I-Wrote-It-On-My-Glove ‘CRUD-E’ Award

The CRUD-E Award (short for Creative Really Unusual Dramatic Effects) was born from one unforgettable moment of theatrical improvisation. When a cast member forgot their prop mid-performance, they quickly adapted by pretending to read an important announcement off their glove. That quick thinking and sense of humor captured the true spirit of live theatre.

This lighthearted award is lovingly bestowed upon the brave souls who, in the spirit of live performance, have delivered the most memorable mishaps, gaffes, or gloriously chaotic moments on (or off) stage. Whether it was a forgotten line, a missed cue, or a dramatic tumble into the props table, The CRUD-E celebrates those unforgettable instances that remind us why we love live theatre.

After all, the show must go wrong—er, on!

Our Volunteer

Board Of Directors

We are committed to bringing audiences back to the theatre by producing excellent shows that satisfy theatregoers and inspire the artists who bring them to life! Our board members contribute their time, expertise, and passion both behind the scenes and in support of each production.