Resilience and ambition power Royal City Musical Theatre's 9 to 5
Maia Beresford and castmates draw on inspiring role models for a production marking the farewell of revered artistic director Valerie Easton
Maia Beresford in Royal City Musical Theatre’s 9 to 5. Photo by Emily Cooper
Royal City Musical Theatre presents 9 to 5: The Musical at the Massey Theatre from April 25 to May 11
IN ROYAL CITY MUSICAL Theatre’s upcoming production of 9 to 5: The Musical, based on the 1980 film, Maia Beresford plays Doralee Rhodes—a character immortalized onscreen by Dolly Parton. Beresford has had ample inspiration to prepare for a role so synonymous with female empowerment. For starters, she watched her mom defy the odds while she was growing up.
“My mom built her business [in skin care] from the ground up. I remember as a kid, she would come home late and work early the next morning,” Beresford recalls. “To this day, I think she’s so inspirational and such a powerhouse. She’s been so supportive of me, and I think having someone so powerful, cheering you on, transfers that confidence onto you.”
RCMT’s production of 9 to 5 is helmed by the co-direction of outgoing artistic director, the iconic Valerie Easton, and interim artistic director Chris Adams. Sharing the stage with Beresford will be Irene Karas Loeper and Madeleine Suddaby—two strong actors in the Vancouver theatre scene. For Beresford, this is a chance to make her mark.
For years, Beresford has performed in local musicals, as well as at parties and events as a singer with vintage vocal group the Dimes, and as a princess with Enchanted Events. Beresford hasn’t just worked 9 to 5. She’s worked around the clock.
“A lot of working actors, and creatives in general, pour their hearts into what they’re passionate about. But you can do a hundred auditions and not hear back—and question why you’re working so hard,” Beresford reflects.
The resilience she has found within herself over the years has helped her not only to power through her career, but also to identify with her character and this show.
Maia Beresford, Irene Karas Loeper, and Madeleine Suddaby in 9 to 5. Photo by Emily Cooper
“The women in this show are resilient and ambitious. They know what they want and they go for it. It’s scary to put yourself out there and take chances. But that’s how you find success,” she says.
In putting herself out there in the role of Doralee, Beresford has been mindful of avoiding the trap of delivering a Dolly Parton interpretation. Instead, she’s bringing her own interpretation to the part.
“I’ve needed to find Doralee’s essence and be the version of her that is most authentic to Maia,” Beresford says. “Doralee’s essence is that she’s funny, charming, and caring and kind. But she’s also not going to take crap. She’s strong, daring, and she’s going to stand up for herself.”
The essence of strong, daring women is shaping up to be the throughline of RCMT’s 9 to 5. Not only will Beresford, Karas Loeper, Suddaby, and the rest of the cast light up the stage of the Massey Theatre when the curtain rises on opening night, but the show will be a farewell to co-director and choreographer Easton, who for decades has led the Vancouver musical theatre scene, particularly with Arts Club Theatre Company and RCMT.
And in the audience will be Beresford’s biggest cheerleader and inspiration—her mom.
“I’m beaming with gratitude for this whole experience,” Beresford says. “It still feels a little surreal to me. It’s such a dream come true.” 
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