Ben Kopelow

Ben Kopelow was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 10th, 1927. began his education in Victoria Albert Elementary followed by a stint in Hugh John McDonald where he attended secondary school. While in High School, he was an active cheer leader and a member of the YMCA.. Ben worked in the family store. He worked at the store fulltime until 1948, when his father decided to move the family to Vancouver where his father quickly founded Kopelow’s supermarket on West Broadway. Ben met Max Pawer in the 50’s when both were involved with Vancouver Little theatre productions. Both were actors/ producers who decided to turn professional with their first theatrical production under the name of “The Barnstormers”- Stalag 17 was the first play they produced . The last play the “Barnstormers” produced was The Diary of Anne Frank at the Denman Auditorium in 1955/56. After disbanding the “Barnstormers”, they auditioned for TUTS “Theatre under the Stars”in 1957. They first found roles in Cole Porter’s “Kiss me Kate” and later in“Annie get your Gun” and ‘Guys and Dolls’. Mr. Kopelow then went on to become a noted agent and Producer for many years.