ACTRA Spotlight

In Part Two of our exclusive #ACTRAspotlight conversation, join Junior's Giant director Paula Brancati, writer-actor Deb McGrath, actor Kinley Mochrie (who also serves as moderator) and actor Eric Peterson (winner of a 2023 Outstanding Performance ACTRA Award for his role) – for this discussion about everything from the importance of performers telling their own stories to advice for performers getting started in the industry (and more)!

Junior’s Giant, a short film about how a close-knit grandfather and his trans granddaughter struggle when his dementia sparks an imaginary giant and gender confusion, has been hitting the festival scene this spring and summer…and picking up a few awards along the way!

Missed part one of this great conversation? Listen here: https://actraspotlight.com/deb-mcgrath-eric-peterson-kinley-mochrie-paula-brancati-from-juniors-giant-part-one

In our latest episode of ACTRA Spotlight, Stunt Performer and Coordinator Daniel Lavigne sat down with ACTRA Toronto's 2023 Award of Excellence recipient (and his sibling ACTRA Toronto member) Angelica Lisk-Hann for a heartfelt conversation about everything from the importance of mentorship to advice for her younger self to the legacy she wants to leave in the film industry (and more).

Join us as we have a delightful conversation with the cast and creators of the ACTRA Award-winning JUNIOR'S GIANT. Performer Kinley Mochrie (who also stars in the film) moderates the conversation with performer Eric Peterson, writer Deb McGrath and director Paula Brancati. Don't miss it!

This is part one of a two part conversation - stay tuned for part two which will be released soon!

Join host David Gale in a funny and insightful episode of #ACTRAspotlight as he chats with Bruce McCulloch of The Kids In The Hall, and Vance Banzo and Tim Blair of TallBoyz.

This episode was originally recorded in February, 2020, just before the pandemic hit and the world shut down. As such, we did not feel it appropriate to release at the time. However, since our recording The Kids In The Hall have produced their new season, and the TallBoyz second season debuted. The conversation with David is a compelling listen after two years, as Bruce reflects on his past with The Kids In The Hall, and working on the launch of TallBoyz. Vance and Tim then share stories about their show, and working with Bruce.

Join host Thom Allison in our latest episode of #ACTRAspotlight as we chat with Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald of The Kids in the Hall. Hear about what brought The Kids back for the new series, writing and developing new characters for the show, working together again, advice for sketch writers and performers, and more. Don't miss this great conversation and don't miss the new episodes of The Kids in the Hall on Amazon Prime! If you enjoy this episode, please check out other ACTRA Spotlights, where we've had in-depth discussions with Canadian performers including Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo, Jo Vannicola, Jean Yoon, Cara Ricketts, Karen Robinson, Peter Keleghan, Rick Mercer, and more. 

Watch The Kids in the Hall on Amazon Prime: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0FH2H6ISQIZX8XOPPZDSLBT22H/

Watch this ACTRA Spotlight episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oJiYVpumyok

Give a watch to the wonderful Sort Of, now streaming on CBC Gem!

Join host David Gale for an inspiring conversation with Emmy award-winning actor, author and activist Joanne Vannicola. Listen as Joanne discusses being a non-binary performer, their memorable acting roles over the years, becoming an author, their work with ACTRA Toronto as the chair of outACTRAto, and more.

Read more about Joanne's memoir, All We Knew But Couldn't Say:

https://www.joannevannicola.com/memoir

Watch outACTRAto's Queer Your Stories PSA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163zfH1go8s

Join host David Gale as we have a wonderful chat with the ACTRA Award-winning Cara Ricketts! Listen as Cara chats about life during COVID-19, reflects on her background in theatre, her time at the Canadian Film Centre, her award-winning role on Anne with an E, being second on the call sheet on Street Legal, video game performance in Far Cry, and more.

Join host David Gale as he chats with former ACTRA Spotlight host, co-star of Kim's Convenience and 2020 ACTRA Award of Excellence recipient, Jean Yoon! This podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at ACTRA Toronto's Winter Conference in February 2020. In this episode Jean chats with David about her role as Umma on the smash hit Kim's Convenience, her past roles in stage and screen, living around the world, and more.

As mentioned in the podcast, Jean gave a wonderful speech at the ACTRA Awards, which shortly followed the recording of this podcast. You can give it a watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5noqpAvkGI

In our first ACTRA Spotlight of 2020, join host David Gale as he chats with former ACTRA Award of Excellence recipient Peter Keleghan. Peter is one of Canada's most well-known faces, having been the first Lloyd Braun in Seinfeld, plus starring in many famous Canadian shows including The Newsroom and The Red Green Show. Peter discusses his famous family connections, the origin of his name, how he helped instigate the creation of the Creative Arts Savings and Credit Union, and more!