Calvin Akler
My Very Own Normal Family
Calvin Akler is in his third year of theatre studies at the University of Toronto. Over the past few years he has become increasingly more involved in the Toronto theatre community, both on and off the stage. However, his primary focus lies in performance. Stage credits include George Gibbs, Our Town (Victoria College Drama Society); Jonathan Harker, The Passion of Dracula (Trinity College Drama Society); Oliver, As You Like It (UC Follies); B1, Us and Them (University College Drama Program).
Geet Arora
My Very Own Normal Family
Geet Arora is excited to be working with Newborn theatre for the first time! Geet is currently attending York University where he is completing his degree in Theatre Studies. His other credits vary from Greek king Agamemnon in William Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, to the German architect Erhardt in Oren Safdie's Private Jokes Public Places. Geet is grateful that he is not the only brown person in this show.
Hershel Blatt
My Very Own Normal Family
Hershel Blatt is extremely excited to be performing in his first production at the Odds and Ends Festival. He recently graduated from the Drama Program at Etobicoke School of the Arts and will be starting his first year in the Joint Theatre Program between Sheridan College and University of Toronto Mississauga in the fall. Hershel also recently performed in Artistic Director Rachel Ganz' play 'Benji Boy' at the InspiraTO Festival, and appeared in the History Channel's DocuDrama 'The Real Inglorious Bastards'.
Jessica Brown
Whipped Dream
Jessica is so excited to be sharing the stage with her other half!
After her graduating from Neptune Theatre's Pre-Professional Training Program, Jessica decided to pursue her love for acting and continue training at Dalhousie University. Favourite past productions include; Obeah Opera (Bcurrent/Theatre Archipelago) where it received a Dora nomination for Best New Musical/Opera, Steal Away Home (NeptuneTheatre),Blood Wedding(PPTP), Rocky Horror Picture Show (KTS),The Comedy Of Errors (Daltheatre). Jessica currently resides in Toronto where she is represented by The Characters Talent Agency and is an Artist in Resident for Newborn Theatre. She thanks her family and friends for all of their love and support.
After her graduating from Neptune Theatre's Pre-Professional Training Program, Jessica decided to pursue her love for acting and continue training at Dalhousie University. Favourite past productions include; Obeah Opera (Bcurrent/Theatre Archipelago) where it received a Dora nomination for Best New Musical/Opera, Steal Away Home (NeptuneTheatre),Blood Wedding(PPTP), Rocky Horror Picture Show (KTS),The Comedy Of Errors (Daltheatre). Jessica currently resides in Toronto where she is represented by The Characters Talent Agency and is an Artist in Resident for Newborn Theatre. She thanks her family and friends for all of their love and support.
Larissa Currie
My Very Own Normal Family & Smallpox in the Blankets
This is Larissa’s first time performing in the Odds and Ends Festival. She is featured in My Very Own Normal Family in the role of Mother, and in Smallpox in the Blankets as Daughter. She is currently studying theatre at York University in their Acting Conservatory program, and was most recently a part of Soulpepper’s Curtain Up acting and playwriting program. She has had the privilege of performing at the Hart House Theatre as Father in Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice for the Sears Drama Festival, and placed first in the Stratford Shakespeare Challenge as Helena from A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Avon Theatre. Special thanks goes out to Shelly Meichenbaum, Carla Johnston, Robin Andrews-Morton and her family for their continuous love and support.
Julia Hunter
My Very Own Normal Family & Smallpox in the Blankets
Julia Hunter is a recent graduate of the Fanshawe College Theatre Arts Conservatory training program. Her recent credits include The Laramie Project (Fanshawe College) and Comedy of Errors (Fanshawe College), which won several awards at the London Dish Awards including best overall production. Previously she attended Sheridan College Performing Arts Prep program where she studied dance vocal and acting. She is very excited to be a part of the Odds and ends Festival production of Concrete Rose and Small Pox in the Blanket. She is very happy to be a part of this festival and hope’s that you enjoy the shows as much as she does. Cheers!
Alexander Offord
Springsteen Wet
Alexander is a Montreal-born, Toronto-based actor, director, writer, &c. Recent acting credits include: Saturday, Sunday, Monday; A Fond Husband; Playboy of the Western World (GBC); A Madhouse Dramedy (Stage Mages). Directing credits include: The Hystericon (Good Old Neon), which he also wrote, and Or Be Eaten (Silent Protagonist). He will also be directing upcoming production of Mature Young Adults (Aim for the Tangent) for the 2013 Atlantic Fringe Festival. The production will make its Toronto debutpremiere at Videofag in November. Alexander also writes essays and fiction, and records some of the more lucid residue of his mental life on his blog, alexanderofford.com. He is also involved with local activist groups, including MiningWatch, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the Mining Injustices Solidarity Network, and the Toronto Environmental Alliance. He was born in Montreal and will likely die here, in Toronto.
Alexi Pedneault
Smallpox in the Blankets
Alexi Pedneault is part of Living Room Theatre (with Jesse Byiers and Andrew McKechnie) that focuses on the raw creative energy of new work. Recent credits include: Work in progress Companion: A dog-mask love story, Judas in Corpus Christi (Ignition Theatre) and Lord of the Flies (LOT)
Nisheeth Proshanti
My Very Own Normal Family
Nisheeth Proshanti has been a performer and has worked in various productions from a very early age. Currently, she is training at Toronto Academy of Acting for Film, Television and Theatre. From the year of 2010 to 2012, she has worked with Meneka Thakkar Dance Company in many dance drama productions. Nisheeth’s most recent performance was with Scarborough Players in ‘Inherit the Wind’. Nisheeth hopes to grow and develop as one of the most influential actors in her community and contribute as much as possible for the betterment and advancement of theatre in Toronto.
Olivia Quinn-Smith
Concrete Rose
A recent graduate of Fanshawe College’s Conservatory Theatre Program, Olivia is thrilled to be making her “out of school debut” by being part of the Odds and End’s Festival’s “Concrete Rose” directed by William Wong. This one is dedicated to the teachers to whom she owes so much.
Cassidy Sadler
My Very Own Normal Family
Cassidy Sadler is a second year student at the University of Toronto, studying English and Drama. She couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of this upstart theatre initiative. Cassidy is beyond lucky to be working with such wonderful and talented folks who each bring to the table that insatiable hunger for discovering truth on stage.
Karen Simpson
Concrete Rose
Born and raised in Mississauga, Karen has always had a love for the arts, both visual and theatrical. Theatre is the avenue she chose to put her energy into, making “Concrete Rose” her 8th stage appearance. Karen is fortunate to be a part of the Odds And Ends Festival for the 2nd year in a row. At last year’s Odds and Ends Festival, Karen had the privilege to have a role in “Children Don’t Cry”, a short play directed by Emily Dix. She recently worked under the direction of Dix in the stage production of “Doubt” where she played a very powerful role as Mrs. Mueller. Although she is most comfortable on the stage, Karen would eventually like to venture off and experience the film and television world and possibly some dabble in directing. When not she not attending auditions or working on any productions, Karen can be found at her full time job as a sale consultant in a kitchen and bath showroom where she has been for the past 7 years. Karen would like to thank all her family and friends for all their continued support. Enjoy the show!
Katie Solakofski
My Very Own Normal Family
Katie Solakofski is a performer currently residing in both Toronto and Brampton. A graduate of Fanshawe College's Music Industry Arts program, Katie is a vocalist and songwriter who performs with her band Ghost Tracks, as well as her own original material. She has previously worked for the post-production company, Tattersall Sound and Picture and has written for the publication Women’s Post. This is her first time participating in the Odds and Ends Festival and she is very excited for the chance to work with so many great artists.
Angela Sun
Whipped Dream
Angela Sun is a Toronto-based performer who studies Political Science at the University of Toronto. She has performed in such renowned festivals as the Paprika Festival, the SummerWorks Theatre Festival, and the Toronto Fringe Festival. Select credits include: Odyssey: The Musical, Shazam! or Schism on, Eternity, and Tonight's Special (Victoria College Drama Society); Birth Astride Grave (UC Follies); The Tempest (Trinity College Drama Society); The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, and H.M.S. Pinafore (The Vic Chorus); Show Us Your Bobs (The Bob Sketch Comedy Revue); The Vagina Monologues, and A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer (Hart House Social Justice Committee). She directed Plasterface for last year's Odds and Ends Festival and is excited to work with Newborn again. Upcoming performances include: Songs For A New World (UC Follies) and Whipped Dreams (Odds and Ends Festival).
Harmonie Tower
Springsteen Wet
Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Harmonie Tower is a 2011 graduate of George Brown College's Theatre Program. Recent credits include Crazy (InspiraTO Festival), Much Ado About Nothing (Single Thread Theatre) and We Few They Many (Toronto Fringe). This is Harmonie's inaugural production with this new festival. Enjoy!
Chaitanya Valladares
Concrete Rose
Chaitanya Valladares is currently a student at the University of Toronto and is focusing on a major in anthropology. However it was acting that first caught his eye and since he has moved to Toronto (2 years ago) he was played numerous characters in a variety of plays, some include Colin Richardson in Seventh Method's production of Private Jokes Public Places, Truffaldino in New Face's The Servant of Two Masters and Randyll the Timid in UC Follies' Slay the Dragon. Chaitanya is very excited and happy to be working with Newborn theatre at this year's Odds and Ends Festival and hopes that one day you'll catch him again in another production! Maybe one you're in!
Kevin Wong
My Very Own Normal Family
Hello, I am Kevin. I go to school at the University of Toronto's Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance. I have always loved theatre, and on top of that, have had the pleasure of acting with the Trinity and Victoria College Drama Societies, UC Follies, and Hart House Players in the last two years. When I grow up, I hope to get my big break in the theatrical world. I give all the credit for my success to my loving family, friends, and instructors. I also love themed biographies. Congratulations to the whole team at Newborn, and enjoy the festival.
Janice Yang
Concrete Rose
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, from an early age Janice was involved in the arts, visual arts, singing and dance. She has studied and/or continues to study at Second City, ProActors Lab with David Rotenberg, Bruce Clayton, Rae Ellen Bodie and at LBAS with Lewis Baumander and Georgina Reilly amongst other talents in the industry. She has participated in Canadian-Stage’s Young Artist Program working with Ravi Jain and Maev Beaty, Factory Theatre’s Playbuilding Ensemble, The Programme at Theatre Aquarius, Leading Ladies with Soulpepper Theatre Company as well as the A.M.Y Project with Claire Calnan having their piece showcased in SummerWorks’12. Janice also enjoys working with student and independent filmmakers on shorts such as her latest one, “Trois Nuits et Une Mort” directed by Stephane Dirschauer. Her biggest screen role was a principal role opposite both Josh Lucas and Callum Keith Rennie in the Canadian-American drama produced / distributed by NBC and eOne (Entertainment One Television) in association with Sony Pictures Television and Paramount Pictures, “The Firm.”
Mara Zigler
Whipped Dream
Mara is very excited to be part of her very first Odds and Ends Festival. A Toronto native, she studied theatre at Dalhousie University, returning to Toronto after her studies to pursue theatre. She is delighted to be able to share the stage this time around with her other half. Recent theatre credits include, Robin Hood the Legendary Musical Comedy; Hart House Theatre, The Long Run; New Born Theatre, Dracula; Shakespeare By the Sea.