Rennie Wilkinson, who plays Sheree in The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, holds an early summer memory that is a perfect mix of determination and sibling encouragement. As a child at Buffalo Pound Lake in Saskatchewan, she was “learning to swim, kind of.” Her big sister was teaching her, Rennie was flutter-kicking bravely, and her hands were firmly planted in the sand for safety.
Summer, for Rennie, often meant work as well as play. Childhood vacations were few, as she spent many of those months attending dance workshops, camps, and conventions. That dedication paid off. Her first professional show came in 1988, marking the start of a career that now spans nearly 40 years. Looking back, Rennie is simply grateful to still be doing what she loves.
She arrives at Cow Patti following a three-month engagement at Stage West Calgary, where she appeared in Sister Act, bringing that recent stage momentum and musical comedy experience directly into The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.
These days, her favourite summer indulgence is not a specific food but a well-earned gin and tonic, preferably enjoyed somewhere calm. She is firmly Team Wiener Roast, and if given the chance to spend a summer evening by the ocean, she would choose to share it with her husband, Peter. It is a simple answer, and a telling one.
Rennie holds a deep affection for Alberta. She lived here during the early days of her professional career, which began in Edmonton, and she still has strong family ties to the province, with two of her four siblings calling Alberta home. That sense of connection and history continues to draw her back.
Music plays an important role in Rennie’s rhythm of life. “Walking on Sunshine” never fails to put pep in her step, which feels fitting for someone who brings both energy and warmth to the stage. She is also an unapologetic cat person. Rennie and Peter share their home with two cats, Ollie and Pippy, who undoubtedly run the show.
When she is not rehearsing or performing, Rennie enjoys settling in with a good mystery. She is currently reading Vintage Murder by Ngaio Marsh, whom she fondly describes as a New Zealand Agatha Christie. Over the years, she has worked with many notable performers, but one experience stands out most: working with Shawn Cassidy, whom she describes as humble, kind, and immensely talented.
If Rennie could offer her younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: be patient. Do not rush places, judgments, or decisions. It is wisdom she is still practising, and one that beautifully mirrors the heart of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.