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Acacia during a tap dance segment of a performance in the 2024 season of the Gold Fever Follies. (Image Credit: Supplied)
acacia roshel

Lacombe performer earns Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship for performing and visual arts

Jul 27, 2026 | 11:18 AM

A Lacombe performer is the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Scholarship for Performing and Visual Arts.

Acacia Sproule was announced earlier this month as one of two scholarship recipients, along with eight others receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Medallion.

“I have always had enormous faith in Alberta’s young people, and this year’s recipients demonstrate a level of creativity, ambition and community spirit that would be remarkable in people twice their age,” Alberta Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani said during a ceremony.

“Applying their intellect and leadership skills to make life easier for others is especially noteworthy and reflects the compassion of Queen Elizabeth II. I look forward to seeing where their abilities take them in the future.”

Roshel, speaking to rdnewsNOW, shared that as an actor, one hears “no” often, so receiving a yes to her scholarship application, especially after not getting it in 2022, left her excited and in disbelief.

“Financially, I had been putting myself through my degree with student loans and working during the school year and summer, so knowing that for my fourth year of the program, a large portion of my tuition would be covered was truly amazing,” says Roshel, who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario.

“During my degree, I was involved in improvisational acting in and outside of school. I would take extra classes in the evening with a local improv company and became very interested and involved in improv and comedic acting. Both of those have been major contributors to the characters I get to play now and the spontaneity and humour I like to bring to a project.”

Acacia during the 2025 season of Gold Fever Follies.
Acacia during the 2025 season of Gold Fever Follies. (Image Credit: Supplied)

Between school years, Roshel worked for the Rossland, B.C.-based Gold Fever Follies as a performer, choreographer, and scriptwriter for the 2025 summer show called Yours Truly.

“My career goals post-graduation from college are to use my training as an actor, dancer, and singer to work professionally in a variety of artistic mediums (film/TV, theatre, voice over, musical theatre, writing etc.). The exciting thing about a job in the arts is that I can be multidimensional and use my skills for a variety of different things. The possibilities are truly endless,” she adds,

“To anyone out there pursuing an unconventional dream or career path or simply contemplating it, go for it. Dream big because miracles are real and you are worth it.”

Roshel can currently be seen playing Jan in Grease at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque, Ontario, which she says is an absolute blast.