Well, here we go! My first entry to the Shaw Blog I’m excited to be here. Why don’t I tell you a bit about myself to get things started?

This is my first season here at the Festival. I arrived in Niagara on the Lake in the middle of February when rehearsals first started. This year I’m performing in Sunday in the Park with George (starring the brilliant Steven Sutcliffe and the wonderful Julie Martell), the rarely produced gem Star Chamber (directed by Kate Lynch), and the workshop of the new musical Maria Severa (written by the Shaw Festival’s own Paul Sportelli and Jay Turvey).

I grew up in Calgary (go Flames!) and moved out to Ontario about five years ago. After attending the University of Calgary for a couple of years for commerce, I decided that I wasn’t following my heart and that the stage is where I really wanted to be. With the support of my parents,  I studied acting back home at Mount Royal College’s Theatre program. After I finished there, I decided that I wanted to hone my triple threat abilities at Sheridan Institute’s Music Theatre program.

Since graduating a couple of years ago, I’ve been working in various places across the country. I’ve gotta say, though, this town is one of the more beautiful ones that I’ve had the pleasure of living in. It reminds me of Banff in a lot of ways. If you replaced the rockies with Lake Ontario, and the trees with wineries, you’d have Niagara on the Lake.

So, what am I gonna write about here? Whatever comes off the top of my head Anything from what life is like backstage, to how rehearsals are going, to what it’s like making a living as an emerging artist in this industry. If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to post em. I’m more than willing to answer anything that you may be wondering about!

Alright, I’m off to wolf down some dinner, then to get ready for the performance of Sunday tonight. Until next time…