Hometown: Burlington, ON Canada
Education: BA in Radio & Television Arts. 2-Year Acting Conservatory Diploma from the William Esper Studio.
Select Credits: A Christmas Ham (The People’s Improv Theatre), First Date (Comedy Short) and Thrive Entertainment Inc. Presents (The Winter Garden Theatre). Girlstuff Boystuff (YTV/Corus Entertainment) and General Mills Cereal (YTV/Corus Entertainment) are voiceover credits.
Why theatre?: To be able to give in to and get lost in the creative process night after night - not knowing exactly where it will take you - is both exhilarating and frightening at the same time, and to do that in front of a live audience is unreal. You can't replicate the amazing energy you experience when performing in front of a live audience - it's a high – an adrenaline rush.
Who do you play in Becky Shaw?: Becky Shaw
Tell us about Becky Shaw: Becky Shaw is a dark comedy about relationships and money that revolves around a blind date gone wrong.
What is it like being a part of Becky Shaw?: It's absolutely amazing - I love it! It’s a new type of comedy for me - I haven’t really dabbled in ‘film noir’ before. So it’s a fantastic challenge – one that I love! It’s one of those opportunities where both growth and the learning curve are quite apparent to me. There’s an art to finding a really truthful way to play the truth of a sad circumstance, while maintaining the comedic aspect. It’s not an easy feat to find and keep that balance throughout. I discover something new every time I am on stage, which is exciting, and it also reassures me that I am understanding the character on a deeper level each time.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love theater that tells stories with compelling characters with whom the audience can relate to on some level, or be inspired by and moved as human beings - all while sitting in their seats. So by the time the show is finished, they walk out with a new mission or goal - something about the show has triggered a change. In terms of what inspires me as an artist - there's nothing greater than sitting and watching another artist completely lose him/herself in their performance/role. So much so that you want to jump up on stage with them immediately and get to work yourself.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I have a strong love for character acting! I really can't wait for that next meaty character role that involves an impediment or dialect of some sort - something completely new and different to me.
What’s your favorite show tune?: Well, I definitely have more than just one favorite show tune, but I will say that I love Abba's "Mamma Mia" and "Money Money Money" songs, as well as Chicago's "Cell Block Tango".
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: As I am at the beginning of my acting career, I have quite a list of names of those I'd love to work with on stage - Mark Rylance, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I've never actually thought about it before, but possibly Anna Kendrick - and the film would be called "Finding You".
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Rent
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Twelfth Night with Mark Rylance.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Dark chocolate and a reeeeallly good movie.
What’s up next?: Having recently graduated from the William Esper Studio, I am currently auditioning and working on a short film script collaboration with a fellow artist.