2021-22 CBC Actors Conservatory Digital Brochure

CBC AC TO R S CONSERVATO R Y

CHRISTEF DESIR

ZARA JESTADT

KATHERINE FOGLER LEIGHTON WILLIAMS

BLESSING ADEDIJO JANET-ROSE NGUYEN IZAD ETEMADI

BLESSING ADEDIJO

h ps://vimeo.com/779741483 (password: blessing)

Blessing is an actor and writer who most recently completed the CBC Actors Conservatory at the Canadian Film Centre. Her training includes the acting conservatory at TMU’s Creative School (formerly the Ryerson School of Performance) and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her screen credits include The Good Doctor (ABC), Hudson and Rex (CityTv), What We Do in the Shadows (FX),and a recurring role on The Wedding Planners (Citytv). Since graduating from Ryerson, Blessing has performed in Vietnam, Australia and the U.S. She most recently completed filming Caitlin Cronenberg’s debut feature film, Humane.

To watch Blessing’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

CHRISTEF DESIR

Christef Desir is a talented actor hailing from Haiti and currently based in Toronto. He received his training at the Soulpepper Academy and the Canadian Film Center and has since appeared in various film, television, and theatre productions, earning a nomination for a Dora Mavor Moore award for The Royale. He appeared in TIFF O cial Selection Learn to Swim. Christef is represented by Larissa Giroux at OAZ and is commi ed to using his talent to make a positive impact on the world. With his dedication and passion for acting, he is an actor to watch out for in the coming years.

To watch Christef’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

REPRESENTED BY Larissa Giroux, Oscar Abrams Zimel + Associates Inc 416. 860.1790

larissa@oazinc.com

IZAD ETEMADI

h p://izadetemadi.com

Izad Etemadi is an Iranian-Canadian actor and writer. His onscreen credits include Orphan Black: Echoes (AMC), Ghosts (CBS), Overlord and the Underwoods (CBC/Nickelodeon), and Revenge of the Black Best Friend (CBC Gem). He originated the role of Samuel in the new Canadian musical Grow (from the producers of Come From Away) and most recently played Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical at The Grand Theatre. In 2017, he won the Emerging Queer Artist Award from Buddies in Bad Times. His comedy special Izad Etemadi: the solo show will premier this spring.

To watch Izad’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

REPRESENTED BY Karen Williams-Posival, Characters Talent Agency 416. 964. 8522

karenwp@thecharacters.com

JANET-ROSE NGUYEN

h p://janetrosenguyen.com

Janet-Rose Nguyen is an award-winning actress and writer. Her work explores magic, horror, feminism, queerness, and the Asian diaspora. She is the co-chair of the ACTRA Diversity & Inclusion commi ee, serves on ACTRA council, and is an alumnus of the Reelworld Emerging 20 Program and the CFC’s Actors Conservatory. She’s taught screenwriting to youth for INKSpire, and served on the Bursary commi ee of Firefly Creative Writing. Her films have been featured with the National Screen Institute and Myseum Toronto. She holds a BA in Creative Writing and BFA in Screenwriting from York University. You can hear her next in Doomlands.

To watch Janet-Rose’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

REPRESENTED BY Emily Klama, Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency 416.925.4255

emily@artagencyinc.com

KATHERINE FOGLER

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A er training in NYC at Atlantic Acting School, Katherine returned to Toronto where she studied and coached at Second City. There she co-founded Not comedy troupe which has toured and headlined internationally. Following her residencyin the CFC Actors Conservatory, Katherine played supporting roles in two upcoming features: the romantic comedy Loving Every Minute, and The Boy In The Woods (based on the best-selling book). Select credits include Murdoch Mysteries, and the lead in the award-winning feature The Dancing Dogs of Dombrova (Best Lead Actress, AFMX). Katherine also starred in the shorts Russet Season, directed by Sheila McCarthy, and Play it Again (Best Lead Actress, North Europe International Film Festival).

To watch Katherine’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

REPRESENTED BY Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates Inc

literary@oazinc.com

LEIGHTON WILLIAMS

h p://imdb.me/LeightonWilliams

Leighton Alexander Williams is an award-winning stage and screen actor, writer, and director based in Toronto. He's a graduate of York University's Acting Conservatory and is most known for his role of 'Satan' in Judas Noir – which gained him his first Dora Nomination, Toronto Critics Pick Nomination, and his first win as Ontario’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award. Leighton is a graduate of the CFC's Actors Conservatory. He has wrapped two feature films slated to be released later this year. Currently, you can watch him as a recurring character in the CSA winning series: Avocado Toast (season 2).

To watch Leighton’s short CloseUp: CLICK HERE

REPRESENTED BY Penny Noble, Noble Caplan Abrams 416. 920. 5385

pnoble@ncatalent.com

ZARA JESTADT

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Zara (she/her) is an actor, performer, and recent graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s CBC Actors Conservatory. Film and TV credits include The Discarded, TheWonderful, and Hudson&Rex. Selected theatre credits: Til Then (Eclipse Theatre), AnIdealHusband,JuliusCaesar,TimonofAthens (Stratford Festival), SmallMouthSounds (Segal Centre), AMidsummer Night’sDreams (Shakespeare BASH’d). She is a graduate of the Etobicoke School of the Arts, George Brown Theatre School, the Birmingham Conservatory, and McGill University. She is currently starring in and co-producing her first short and her singing voice can be heard on the upcoming film project Jusqu’audernierpoil.

To watch Zara’s short CloseUp: CLICKHERE

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ORIGINAL MUSIC SUPPORTED THROUGH

The CFC / Slaight Family Canadian Music Fund