The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize

THIS IS NOW AN ARCHIVED PROGRAM.

This annual opportunity is open to musical theatre artists who are under-exposed in Toronto and its surrounding areas. The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize for Emerging Musical Theatre Artists generously provides two musical theatre artists the opportunity to advance their careers through financial assistance, mentorship, and increased exposure.

The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize

THIS IS NOW AN ARCHIVED PROGRAM.

The Prize

Two emerging artists are awarded the prize through an annual open audition process, each winner receives:

1. A $2,500 CASH PRIZE.

2. A CABARET STARRING BOTH WINNERS, CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR RBC APPRENTICE COHORT.

3. AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM ALONGSIDE LEADING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AS A PART OF THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY’S SEASON.

4. MENTORSHIP WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS THROUGHOUT THE 2022-23 SEASON.

The 2022-23 Banks Prize Winners

Vinnie Alberto (he/him)

Vinnie Alberto (he/him) is a multidisciplinary Métis storyteller, singer, actor, dancer, and creator raised on Treaty One Territory. He is incredibly grateful to have been chosen as one of the 2022-23 Syd & Shirley Banks Prize recipients. He would like to thank everyone at Musical Stage for this opportunity. Vinnie is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program. Recent credits include Sky in Mamma Mia! (Drayton Entertainment), Ensemble/Wizard u.s. in The Wizard of Oz (Rainbow Stage), Sebastian in Twelfth Night: The Musical & Lead Dancer/The Artist in Working Title (Theatre Sheridan). Vinnie is grateful to have been taught and mentored by some of Canada’s leading fellow BIPOC artists. Vinnie is an advocate that BIPOC voices need to be heard and valued in theatre and beyond. #EveryChildMatters @vinniealberto

Taylor Garwood (she/they)

Taylor is a performer from Elmvale Ontario, currently residing in Toronto. Along with being a theatre artist, over the past two years she has become a baker, a nanny, and an aunt. Taylor received an Honors Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance degree form Sheridan college where she graduated in 2020. In their final year Taylor performed in the musical Cabaret, playing the role of Fraulein Schneider. Taylor is eager to use music theatre to tell nuanced and truthful stories about the queer existence. Theatre reminds them to be curious, considerate, to try new things, and to be an active player in her own life. They are continuously interested in the places where queerness and creativity intersect. Along with all of this, in her free time Taylor is learning how to skateboard! Taylor is so grateful to be this year’s recipient of The Syd and Shirley Banks Prize, to have the opportunity to learn more about this art form and to fine tune their place in it.

Past Recipients

2021-22: Rosie Callaghan & Matthew Joseph

2020-21: Dillan Chiblow & Germaine Konji

2019-20: Eva Foote & Kale Penny

2018-19: Brandon Antonio & Michelle Bouey

2017-18: George Krissa & Celine Tsai

2016-17: Jahlen Barnes & Arinea Hermans

2015-16: Brittany Banks and Colin Simmons

2014-15: Alessia Lupiano and Graham Scott Fleming

2013-14: Dana Jean Phoenix and Jordan Till

2012-13: Alexis Gordon and Ana Ceréna Sierra

Banks Prize

The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize

Sponsors

The Syd & Shirley Banks Prize

The Prize

1. A $2,500 CASH PRIZE.

2. A CABARET STARRING BOTH WINNERS, CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR RBC APPRENTICE COHORT.

3. AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM ALONGSIDE LEADING PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AS A PART OF THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY’S SEASON.

4. MENTORSHIP WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS THROUGHOUT THE 2022-23 SEASON.

The 2022-23 Banks Prize Winners

Past Recipients