The group was formed under the name of “Twin City Operatic Society”. They rehearsed at The Church of The Good Shepherd at Queen Street and Margaret Street in Kitchener. Their first stage presentation, “The Chocolate Soldier”, was an instant success.
As the years passed with continued successful productions, KWMP moved to the auditoriums of Kitchener Collegiate Institute and Waterloo Collegiate Institute for their presentations.
In 1964 KWMP once again began a search for a new rehearsal facility. At this time, a one room school house on Ottawa Street North became available. The KWMP decided to become their own landlord and they purchased the property.
In 1968, KWMP received its current name, since by this time their productions were Broadway musicals and musical revues. The name “Twin City Operatic Society” no longer reflected the type of productions being undertaken.
After the departure of Don Gillies, their first profession director, Alan and Blanche Lund accepted an offer to provide leadership. Alan Lund was considered Canada’s premier director of musical theatre and his genius made KWMP productions more and more professional.
In 1981, a major addition was completed to the schoolhouse, which provided a new rehearsal hall, office, lounge and basement storage. This rehearsal hall provided the space required to stage shows for The Centre in the Square which opened in 1980.
Every year since “Mame, KWMP’s first show at The Centre in the Square, KWMP has presented major productions each fall including “Okalahoma”, “Carousel, “Sound of Music”, “Camelot’, “Oliver”, “South Pacific”, “Me and My Girl”, “West Side Story”, “Oliver”, “Peter Pan”, “Seussical the Musical” and “A Christmas Carol”.
Thanks to the efforts of directors such as Alan Lund, Alex Mustakas, Robert More, Tim French and Gord Davis, the scores of volunteers, performers and backstage workers over the years, KWMP continues to be regarded as one of Canada’s leading non-professional producers of Musical Theatre.
