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Visionary
Diane Lynn Dupuy, CM, a member of the Order of Canada, is Founder and Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Famous PEOPLE Players, a professional black light theatre company that combines music with life size characters that pay tribute to the music and artistry of Famous People.
Diane’s remarkable imagination is what you see on stage. What you don’t see is inspirational, as her performers are PEOPLE who are developmentally challenged. Diane’s commitment to the arts and to her special players has gained the highest respect and accolades around the world. Like the late great Annie Sullivan, Diane has used sheer will, power and determination to bring out the best in all that come in contact with the Famous PEOPLE Players.
Diane founded the company in 1974 with the belief that the disabled must be integrated into society.
Diane’s work, so extraordinary on both the artistic and humanitarian levels, has led her to be the recipient of many awards.
- 1981 - was named Women of the Year
- by B’Nai B’Rith Women
- 1982 - appointed to the Order of Canada
- 1984 - received the first Ernest C. Manning
- Award for Merit for her innovative
- achievements in the arts.
As well, she was the first Canadian to receive the Library of Congress Award along with Helen Hayes.
She is also the recipient of the Vanier Award and holds honourary degrees from the Universities of Brock, Windsor, Calgary, Trent and Toronto.
From time to time, Diane presides over the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony to administer the Oath of Citizenship to new Canadians.
Diane is married to Bernard Dupuy. They have two daughters, Jeannine and Joanne and grandson Dustin.