Two Canadore final-year Theatre Arts students have been approached by the Toronto talent agency, AMI Management, after auditioning at Theatre Ontario’s Audition Showcase at the St. Lawrence Centre on January 15.

The Showcase features students from theatre schools across Ontario and Quebec performing a short audition piece for an audience of talent agents, casting directors, and artistic directors. For most students it is their first audition for industry professionals. Canadore students Cecelia McHugh and Vanessa Hallman were contacted by Robyn Friedman of AMI the day after their auditions with an invitation to meet and discuss representation after graduation.

More Recognition

On January 26, Toronto casting director Marjorie Lecker was impressed by the talent coming out of Canadore. Based on their work at the Showcase, she contacted students Cecelia McHugh and Karli Marshall to audition for the lead in a docu-drama for the Discovery Channel – Cecelia and Karli were two of only six actors asked to audition from the schools across the province. Cecelia was cast in a supporting role and will begin shooting in February.

“Canadore and its Theatre Arts students made a great first impression as the new theatre school on the block. We all knew Canadore had a lot to prove at the Showcase and the students did just that,” said Rod Carley, Coordinator of the new Theatre Arts program. “We’ve received positive feedback regarding the quality and individuality of the students’ auditions. It’s very encouraging to have interest in them from the industry so quickly after the Showcase. It doesn’t always happen that way. It certainly helps garner more interest in their Rep 21 performance season in Toronto at the end of July.”

Canadore College Theatre Arts program launched its new summer repertory theatre, Rep21, last month. For show and ticket information, please go to www.rep21.ca.