Kim Roberts

feeling it and it's a it's a really wonderful feeling it's it's quite exceptional actually and so it just yeah i think it makes the performances fly it makes you even more ever present and grounded and in the moment because something very live is happening something that can't be repeated ever again you know today's show is today's show and so yeah and every show is like that right and there'll be some shows where you're like is there anybody out there

feeling it and it's a it's a really wonderful feeling it's it's quite exceptional actually and so it just yeah i think it makes the performances fly it makes you even more ever present and grounded and in the moment because something very live is happening something that can't be repeated ever again you know today's show is today's show and so yeah and every show is like that right and there'll be some shows where you're like is there anybody out there

You know, it's very quiet. But, you know, that's when you draw your resources and you really have to bring it. You have to actually step it up a little bit to make sure that you stay on and that you still give them the experience. And then you'll find out that they were just as moved. It's just it's a different kind of response that you get.

You know, it's very quiet. But, you know, that's when you draw your resources and you really have to bring it. You have to actually step it up a little bit to make sure that you stay on and that you still give them the experience. And then you'll find out that they were just as moved. It's just it's a different kind of response that you get.

Not even on a best date.

Not even on a best date.

So many things. You know, interestingly enough, I didn't know you could swim in Canada until I was a teenager. Because I didn't know. We would go, you know, summer, we'd go back to the Caribbean. We'd go to Jamaica on a summer vacation. Or we'd go to Dominica, where my mother's from. And we'd swim in the ocean, you know. And when we were here, my mother didn't do beaches in North America.

So many things. You know, interestingly enough, I didn't know you could swim in Canada until I was a teenager. Because I didn't know. We would go, you know, summer, we'd go back to the Caribbean. We'd go to Jamaica on a summer vacation. Or we'd go to Dominica, where my mother's from. And we'd swim in the ocean, you know. And when we were here, my mother didn't do beaches in North America.

So I did not even realize. I think it might have been a trip to New York where we visited family and friends. Then we went, you know, they took us to the coast. And I swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I was like, what? You guys have an ocean? And they're like, you have an ocean too. It's on the coast. I was like, okay. You know, so there's that. I grew up in a very Italian working class neighborhood.

So I did not even realize. I think it might have been a trip to New York where we visited family and friends. Then we went, you know, they took us to the coast. And I swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I was like, what? You guys have an ocean? And they're like, you have an ocean too. It's on the coast. I was like, okay. You know, so there's that. I grew up in a very Italian working class neighborhood.

And at the time I was growing up, you know, racism was still a thing. Not that it's not still a thing, but it was a thing. You know, the civil rights movement had just kind of happened and things were switching. And, you know, I was the neighbor, I say specifically Italian working class because it was... you know, very particular culture. There were two parent families everywhere.

And at the time I was growing up, you know, racism was still a thing. Not that it's not still a thing, but it was a thing. You know, the civil rights movement had just kind of happened and things were switching. And, you know, I was the neighbor, I say specifically Italian working class because it was... you know, very particular culture. There were two parent families everywhere.

There was no divorce. There was no separation. My parents, you know, split when I was seven. My dad was kind of back and forth, but it was like ambiguous as to what was going on in their marriage. And I, you know, I was just like, he's away on business. Like he's been away a long time.

There was no divorce. There was no separation. My parents, you know, split when I was seven. My dad was kind of back and forth, but it was like ambiguous as to what was going on in their marriage. And I, you know, I was just like, he's away on business. Like he's been away a long time.

And then, you know, growing up, because I was one of the only Black kids, if not the only, yeah, I was one of the only ones. There was, you know, we had friends down the street who were also Black family.

And then, you know, growing up, because I was one of the only Black kids, if not the only, yeah, I was one of the only ones. There was, you know, we had friends down the street who were also Black family.

And what's interesting is that the girl who's closest to my age, she used to pick on me and fight with me at school to disassociate herself from me, you know, as opposed to where we could have maybe been allies and helped each other. Anything brown was a bad word.

And what's interesting is that the girl who's closest to my age, she used to pick on me and fight with me at school to disassociate herself from me, you know, as opposed to where we could have maybe been allies and helped each other. Anything brown was a bad word.

I remember being, you know, on the playground and, you know, chocolate milk or caca merida or whatever was a bad word thrown in my direction. There were times I didn't think I'd make it home from school alive. And it was just, it was tough. It was really tough. There was a lot of bullying. There was a lot of name calling. The boy I like told me he couldn't date me because I was black.

I remember being, you know, on the playground and, you know, chocolate milk or caca merida or whatever was a bad word thrown in my direction. There were times I didn't think I'd make it home from school alive. And it was just, it was tough. It was really tough. There was a lot of bullying. There was a lot of name calling. The boy I like told me he couldn't date me because I was black.

This is in grade like six. He's like, now my dad would kill me. Kill me. I couldn't I couldn't take you to the dance. You know, so I grew up in a really kind of strange reality. But then on the other side, we had, thankfully, a really strong Caribbean circle of family and friends.

This is in grade like six. He's like, now my dad would kill me. Kill me. I couldn't I couldn't take you to the dance. You know, so I grew up in a really kind of strange reality. But then on the other side, we had, thankfully, a really strong Caribbean circle of family and friends.

And my parents stayed, well, my mom stayed very connected, you know, and made sure that we were, you know, holidays and just weekends. We'd hang out with our cousins or whatever. So I had on this other side, a real validation of who I was and a real love for Caribbean culture. So I think that helped me maintain a sense of self even though I was being beaten down on at times.

And my parents stayed, well, my mom stayed very connected, you know, and made sure that we were, you know, holidays and just weekends. We'd hang out with our cousins or whatever. So I had on this other side, a real validation of who I was and a real love for Caribbean culture. So I think that helped me maintain a sense of self even though I was being beaten down on at times.

There was this real dichotomy growing up. And, but then, you know, you joined the larger world. And as I said, I got to university and there are all these, you know, first generation Caribbean kids there as well. And even though we weren't part of the fabric of the school at that time, we formed our own quilt and it was so strong and so beautiful. We had the best parties.

There was this real dichotomy growing up. And, but then, you know, you joined the larger world. And as I said, I got to university and there are all these, you know, first generation Caribbean kids there as well. And even though we weren't part of the fabric of the school at that time, we formed our own quilt and it was so strong and so beautiful. We had the best parties.

Kids would come from schools all across the country to be at our, you know, cultural show events and parties and whatnot. And we formed bonds that were lifelong and that were so strong. So, you know, was that, that, that quote about something making diamonds, polishing stone, you know, sometimes it's the hardship that really makes it forces you to either shine or, or bend.

Kids would come from schools all across the country to be at our, you know, cultural show events and parties and whatnot. And we formed bonds that were lifelong and that were so strong. So, you know, was that, that, that quote about something making diamonds, polishing stone, you know, sometimes it's the hardship that really makes it forces you to either shine or, or bend.

And, you know, I think hopefully I came out the right end.

And, you know, I think hopefully I came out the right end.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. All the food is here. There's all the good West Indian food you can get here. Jerk chicken and curry chicken. And I mean, my mom is from Dominica, which is a Creole island between Guadalupe and Martinique. And so the food from there is also really good. It's like French influence, but it's Caribbean with African roots. And it's just lots of goodies.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. All the food is here. There's all the good West Indian food you can get here. Jerk chicken and curry chicken. And I mean, my mom is from Dominica, which is a Creole island between Guadalupe and Martinique. And so the food from there is also really good. It's like French influence, but it's Caribbean with African roots. And it's just lots of goodies.

That's all good. We're doing some Uber Eats looking for your ackee and saltfish after we get off here.

That's all good. We're doing some Uber Eats looking for your ackee and saltfish after we get off here.

Well, it was such an innocuous thing, you know, it was at the time, nobody knew it was going to be the show that it became.

Well, it was such an innocuous thing, you know, it was at the time, nobody knew it was going to be the show that it became.

And I just, you know, I had an audition like any other, went into the casting suite. It was just the casting director and myself and the reader. You know, I did the scene. I think there was only one scene for the audition or maybe two. Yeah, I think there was only the one scene, the one with Johnny Rose, not even the one with Roland. So I read the scene as a bureaucrat kind of thing.

And I just, you know, I had an audition like any other, went into the casting suite. It was just the casting director and myself and the reader. You know, I did the scene. I think there was only one scene for the audition or maybe two. Yeah, I think there was only the one scene, the one with Johnny Rose, not even the one with Roland. So I read the scene as a bureaucrat kind of thing.

And the casting director said, thank you, that was great. And I went home, you know. Then I hear I booked it. Fine. And we're shooting, you know, up north in cottage country. So they kind of pick you up and you trek up there. And, you know, at the time it was just a show. But I do remember halfway through taping, You know, I'm there with Eugene Levy, who's comic genius.

And the casting director said, thank you, that was great. And I went home, you know. Then I hear I booked it. Fine. And we're shooting, you know, up north in cottage country. So they kind of pick you up and you trek up there. And, you know, at the time it was just a show. But I do remember halfway through taping, You know, I'm there with Eugene Levy, who's comic genius.

And then, you know, Chris is absolutely phenomenal, who plays Roland. And so I'd done my scene with Eugene and that was a lot of fun. It was just so lovely to ping pong and back and forth. And then we shot to the second scene when Roland comes in. And I remember at one point, A, first of all, like, you know, we just kind of, we'd never met each other before.

And then, you know, Chris is absolutely phenomenal, who plays Roland. And so I'd done my scene with Eugene and that was a lot of fun. It was just so lovely to ping pong and back and forth. And then we shot to the second scene when Roland comes in. And I remember at one point, A, first of all, like, you know, we just kind of, we'd never met each other before.

We had never, we hadn't even rehearsed the scene. You know, we did one kind of blocking and immediately, like, We just had that chemistry and the fun and the play was there. And so it was, it was, it was just a no brainer. It was just an easy scene to shoot. We just played, we had fun.

We had never, we hadn't even rehearsed the scene. You know, we did one kind of blocking and immediately, like, We just had that chemistry and the fun and the play was there. And so it was, it was, it was just a no brainer. It was just an easy scene to shoot. We just played, we had fun.

And then I remember when I go back around the desk and the two of them are sparring, I'm looking at Chris Elliott and I'm looking at Eugene Levy and I'm like, this is comedic genius in front of you right now. You need to really just appreciate this moment, you know?

And then I remember when I go back around the desk and the two of them are sparring, I'm looking at Chris Elliott and I'm looking at Eugene Levy and I'm like, this is comedic genius in front of you right now. You need to really just appreciate this moment, you know?

And so I really, I did have a, I did have a fangirl moment while being in the scene being like, yeah, this is, you know, you're playing with the really good, really good talent here. And so that was fun. But, you know, I just, I really enjoyed myself doing that, doing that show, doing that, you know, we shot the scenes in a day. And like I said, Chris Elliott was just, you know, it was a joy.

And so I really, I did have a, I did have a fangirl moment while being in the scene being like, yeah, this is, you know, you're playing with the really good, really good talent here. And so that was fun. But, you know, I just, I really enjoyed myself doing that, doing that show, doing that, you know, we shot the scenes in a day. And like I said, Chris Elliott was just, you know, it was a joy.

We just like, it was, yeah, it was very easy, very natural. And lo and behold, the show became what it became. You know, nobody could have predicted or even hoped for how big it's become. And it's lovely to feel that I've been a part of something that will be iconic. You know, that'll be one of those shows that gets talked about. Like when I was young, we had ours, you know, so.

We just like, it was, yeah, it was very easy, very natural. And lo and behold, the show became what it became. You know, nobody could have predicted or even hoped for how big it's become. And it's lovely to feel that I've been a part of something that will be iconic. You know, that'll be one of those shows that gets talked about. Like when I was young, we had ours, you know, so.

Oh, this is what you don't know about being Canadian. Our royalty checks will buy you that jerk chicken maybe that you're talking about. Yeah. That's about it. We don't get paid like y'all do down south. It's a whole different system, which is another topic for another day, maybe. But yeah, no, our royalty checks are horrible. Our deal is not good at all.

Oh, this is what you don't know about being Canadian. Our royalty checks will buy you that jerk chicken maybe that you're talking about. Yeah. That's about it. We don't get paid like y'all do down south. It's a whole different system, which is another topic for another day, maybe. But yeah, no, our royalty checks are horrible. Our deal is not good at all.

We get our rights get bought out for about four years. And so you don't see anything more. You maybe get like an extra fee on your fee. But it's not like in the States, whereas you'll get your full fee once it airs and then you get royalty checks equivalent to that or even higher. We get like $17.50 checks.

We get our rights get bought out for about four years. And so you don't see anything more. You maybe get like an extra fee on your fee. But it's not like in the States, whereas you'll get your full fee once it airs and then you get royalty checks equivalent to that or even higher. We get like $17.50 checks.

Pretty much.

Pretty much.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Dude, it's usually the last one. So Margaret White from Get That Hope that I just played at the Stratford Festival this summer is currently my favorite character. Yeah.

Dude, it's usually the last one. So Margaret White from Get That Hope that I just played at the Stratford Festival this summer is currently my favorite character. Yeah.

See, you go in the room and you forget about it. So I can't even remember what rule I might have wanted. That's fair. Yeah.

See, you go in the room and you forget about it. So I can't even remember what rule I might have wanted. That's fair. Yeah.

Okay. Honestly, no idea.

Okay. Honestly, no idea.

I'm a good cook. There are a few. These are tough questions. My favorite meal that I cook. Dude, I don't know. I mean, I roast a good chicken. I make a great curry. Maybe my curry chicken. Yeah, curry chicken.

I'm a good cook. There are a few. These are tough questions. My favorite meal that I cook. Dude, I don't know. I mean, I roast a good chicken. I make a great curry. Maybe my curry chicken. Yeah, curry chicken.

That's cool.

That's cool.

Oh, that's, you just have to stick with it. I think that's the word on the street. It's like, you just do something long enough. Don't give up. And, you know, eventually, hopefully you're, you know, you'll have longevity. That's all I can give you.

Oh, that's, you just have to stick with it. I think that's the word on the street. It's like, you just do something long enough. Don't give up. And, you know, eventually, hopefully you're, you know, you'll have longevity. That's all I can give you.

So true. So true.

So true. So true.

Well, I'm currently in a film called All the Lost Ones. It's in select theaters here in Canada right now. It's at the Imagine Carleton Cinemas in Toronto, but it's going to be debuting on Paramount Plus December 13th. So you can check that out called All the Lost Ones. I'm on Paw Patrol as Mayor Goodway, as always. And that's so much fun. What else?

Well, I'm currently in a film called All the Lost Ones. It's in select theaters here in Canada right now. It's at the Imagine Carleton Cinemas in Toronto, but it's going to be debuting on Paramount Plus December 13th. So you can check that out called All the Lost Ones. I'm on Paw Patrol as Mayor Goodway, as always. And that's so much fun. What else?

I mean, I think there's a lot of my old Christmas movies popping up around this time of year. So I've been getting all these texts. We saw you in a Christmas movie. So, you know, Christmas Dance Reunion is out right now. There are a few of them out there. So, yeah, just keep your eyes peeled.

I mean, I think there's a lot of my old Christmas movies popping up around this time of year. So I've been getting all these texts. We saw you in a Christmas movie. So, you know, Christmas Dance Reunion is out right now. There are a few of them out there. So, yeah, just keep your eyes peeled.

Yeah. Everybody's like, what's next? I'm like, club bed. Club bed is next. Club bed for like a month.

Yeah. Everybody's like, what's next? I'm like, club bed. Club bed is next. Club bed for like a month.

That's right. That's awesome. It was one of the Christmas movies.

That's right. That's awesome. It was one of the Christmas movies.

Nice. Nice.

Nice. Nice.

I'm like, where's my turkey plate? Since I was a part of the family gathering, I'm expecting a little package.

I'm like, where's my turkey plate? Since I was a part of the family gathering, I'm expecting a little package.

Okay.

Okay.

I'm sure it was great.

I'm sure it was great.

Oh, just, I love you guys. Thank you for, you know, following my career and, and, you know, being there. I'm, Yeah, I just happen to be a part of this industry and getting to do the thing that I love to do.

Oh, just, I love you guys. Thank you for, you know, following my career and, and, you know, being there. I'm, Yeah, I just happen to be a part of this industry and getting to do the thing that I love to do.

Thank you, Mick. That's very kind. I feel the same way about you. You're just amazing. I love getting to sit down and talk with you any, any and every time.

Thank you, Mick. That's very kind. I feel the same way about you. You're just amazing. I love getting to sit down and talk with you any, any and every time.

How about that?

How about that?

I am. I'm going to get a little sun, a little rum, a little family time. It'll be good.

I am. I'm going to get a little sun, a little rum, a little family time. It'll be good.

I will. I'm actually on a hunt. Ray and Nephew has been unavailable for almost a year. And that is my rum. I mean, you can't be a Jamaican without a bottle in your house. So I'm going I'm going looking for it. So, yeah, there you go. I find it. I got you.

I will. I'm actually on a hunt. Ray and Nephew has been unavailable for almost a year. And that is my rum. I mean, you can't be a Jamaican without a bottle in your house. So I'm going I'm going looking for it. So, yeah, there you go. I find it. I got you.

Well, it's a pleasure, Mick. Thanks for having me.

Well, it's a pleasure, Mick. Thanks for having me.

Oh, golly. There are a few. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else. So that would be the because. But there are more becauses.

Oh, golly. There are a few. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else. So that would be the because. But there are more becauses.

It's also at this point in my career because I am laying track for those that are coming behind me. I feel like I've been doing that throughout my career. You know, there are doors that weren't open when I got into this business that now I see the next generation just flying through. They run in and they're like, yeah, we want this. We want that. I was just like, thank you.

It's also at this point in my career because I am laying track for those that are coming behind me. I feel like I've been doing that throughout my career. You know, there are doors that weren't open when I got into this business that now I see the next generation just flying through. They run in and they're like, yeah, we want this. We want that. I was just like, thank you.

Thank you for letting me be here, you know, when it was my turn. So it's really nice to see the progression. It's nice to see that the work you do opens the doors for others to follow. Working on this, the play that I did this summer at Stratford, Get That Hope, I worked with two younger actors who are phenomenally gifted, Savian Roach and Celia Loma.

Thank you for letting me be here, you know, when it was my turn. So it's really nice to see the progression. It's nice to see that the work you do opens the doors for others to follow. Working on this, the play that I did this summer at Stratford, Get That Hope, I worked with two younger actors who are phenomenally gifted, Savian Roach and Celia Loma.

And, you know, they came with such a level of respect for what Conrad Coates and I had already done in our careers. And they were just eager sponges. And I realized that I still have a lot to share. You know, there are things that I've learned throughout my career in terms of acting technique, in terms of the business itself, that really is valuable to the next generation.

And, you know, they came with such a level of respect for what Conrad Coates and I had already done in our careers. And they were just eager sponges. And I realized that I still have a lot to share. You know, there are things that I've learned throughout my career in terms of acting technique, in terms of the business itself, that really is valuable to the next generation.

So there are many reasons to be doing this. And they're all really fulfilling.

So there are many reasons to be doing this. And they're all really fulfilling.

Well, I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well.

Well, I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well.

Oh, golly. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else.

Oh, golly. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else.

So luckily I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me. And also most of them were not of color, you know, because at that point in time, there weren't a lot of sisters doing what I'm doing. Right. So I had good teachers, you know, very good allies, people who really just believed in my talent and wanted to see me succeed.

So luckily I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me. And also most of them were not of color, you know, because at that point in time, there weren't a lot of sisters doing what I'm doing. Right. So I had good teachers, you know, very good allies, people who really just believed in my talent and wanted to see me succeed.

But also, like I said, it's always been a thing that I love to do. So, you know, I say this to anybody who's pursuing, you know, all the time, they're like, how do you make it as an actor? How do you keep up? I'm just like, if it's in you, it's in you.

But also, like I said, it's always been a thing that I love to do. So, you know, I say this to anybody who's pursuing, you know, all the time, they're like, how do you make it as an actor? How do you keep up? I'm just like, if it's in you, it's in you.

It's something you're going to have to let out, you know, so just do your work, be good at it, you know, always be working, always be training, whether you're being paid or not. You know, I remember when we started, our friends used to get together, actor friends, and we'd do our own scene study classes, you know, where we'd bring in

It's something you're going to have to let out, you know, so just do your work, be good at it, you know, always be working, always be training, whether you're being paid or not. You know, I remember when we started, our friends used to get together, actor friends, and we'd do our own scene study classes, you know, where we'd bring in

scripts or pieces of work and we'd work with each other and then we'd critique each other as actors you know and um you just kind of got to find it wherever you can as a kid you know my cousins used to make us um not make us but my cousin used to direct us in his performances at summer so june you know school's out and be like here's a raising in the sun learn it we're doing it in september for the family that was my family right so um it was kind of like that

scripts or pieces of work and we'd work with each other and then we'd critique each other as actors you know and um you just kind of got to find it wherever you can as a kid you know my cousins used to make us um not make us but my cousin used to direct us in his performances at summer so june you know school's out and be like here's a raising in the sun learn it we're doing it in september for the family that was my family right so um it was kind of like that

I don't think I did. Honestly, I think I really didn't. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going right, because I loved doing it. But when I went to school, I, you know, I come from a West Indian Caribbean household, first generation Canadian.

I don't think I did. Honestly, I think I really didn't. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going right, because I loved doing it. But when I went to school, I, you know, I come from a West Indian Caribbean household, first generation Canadian.

So, you know, as far as my mother was concerned, I had to be a lawyer or a doctor. Those are the options. And, you know, and when I was 12, I decided it would be doctor. And then I reached my mid teens. I was like, I don't like blood so much. So maybe we'll do lawyer. And so I went to university. I went to the University of Western Ontario, which is now just Western.

So, you know, as far as my mother was concerned, I had to be a lawyer or a doctor. Those are the options. And, you know, and when I was 12, I decided it would be doctor. And then I reached my mid teens. I was like, I don't like blood so much. So maybe we'll do lawyer. And so I went to university. I went to the University of Western Ontario, which is now just Western.

And I majored in poli sci, politics, and I minored in philosophy, which I actually adored. Like if there was a career in philosophy, that would be another choice. And, you know, the thing about it was at that time, you know, in hindsight now, I can see some of the reasons why. But at that time, I just thought I was a bad kid because I didn't like to go to school. I wouldn't wake up in the morning.

And I majored in poli sci, politics, and I minored in philosophy, which I actually adored. Like if there was a career in philosophy, that would be another choice. And, you know, the thing about it was at that time, you know, in hindsight now, I can see some of the reasons why. But at that time, I just thought I was a bad kid because I didn't like to go to school. I wouldn't wake up in the morning.

Yeah. You know, I kind of make my midday classes, maybe. I played a lot of backgammon with my roommates till like 4 a.m. and then was too tired for class. But, you know, it's interesting, a group of us who were kids of color at Western, now, you know, many years later, kind of formed an association called BAWA, which is Black at Western, to help out students with bursaries and support.

Yeah. You know, I kind of make my midday classes, maybe. I played a lot of backgammon with my roommates till like 4 a.m. and then was too tired for class. But, you know, it's interesting, a group of us who were kids of color at Western, now, you know, many years later, kind of formed an association called BAWA, which is Black at Western, to help out students with bursaries and support.

And in talking to each other, I realized that I wasn't alone. We were all feeling really isolated by being just like, you know, one group. kid of color in your whole class, right? Like there may be three to four hundred black kids on campus out of many thousands. And you talk about that first year experience, frosh week and all that bonding.

And in talking to each other, I realized that I wasn't alone. We were all feeling really isolated by being just like, you know, one group. kid of color in your whole class, right? Like there may be three to four hundred black kids on campus out of many thousands. And you talk about that first year experience, frosh week and all that bonding.

But I didn't really get invited to a lot of those things. Right. And what happened is you had the Caribbean Students Organization, which formed its own kind of nucleus. And we'd have parties and events and cook and It became a family. We became a family to this day. They're still my family. You know, I'm auntie to everybody's kids and vice versa. And it's strong and it's beautiful.

But I didn't really get invited to a lot of those things. Right. And what happened is you had the Caribbean Students Organization, which formed its own kind of nucleus. And we'd have parties and events and cook and It became a family. We became a family to this day. They're still my family. You know, I'm auntie to everybody's kids and vice versa. And it's strong and it's beautiful.

But in talking to each other, we realized how isolated each of us felt in our experience there. So what happened is I needed extra credits because I was skipping a lot of classes. I took a theater course when I came back to Toronto at York University. And it would have given me an English credit. So that's why I took it. And I love theater.

But in talking to each other, we realized how isolated each of us felt in our experience there. So what happened is I needed extra credits because I was skipping a lot of classes. I took a theater course when I came back to Toronto at York University. And it would have given me an English credit. So that's why I took it. And I love theater.

But it was taught by the chair of the theater department, Ron Singer. And he did it as a labor of love every summer. And at the end of the course, you get an evaluation. And he sat me down. He said, I think you could really do this for a living. Would you like to come to York and be a part of our second year stream of theater students?

But it was taught by the chair of the theater department, Ron Singer. And he did it as a labor of love every summer. And at the end of the course, you get an evaluation. And he sat me down. He said, I think you could really do this for a living. Would you like to come to York and be a part of our second year stream of theater students?

And I mean, that was a huge honor that I didn't even comprehend. You know, in first year, they led in 1,500 theater students and second year goes down to 200. And so he was just like giving me a fast pass. I was like, Thank you so much. But I've got a great schedule next year. I've got no classes before 10, no classes after three. Friday's off. So I think I'm going to go back.

And I mean, that was a huge honor that I didn't even comprehend. You know, in first year, they led in 1,500 theater students and second year goes down to 200. And so he was just like giving me a fast pass. I was like, Thank you so much. But I've got a great schedule next year. I've got no classes before 10, no classes after three. Friday's off. So I think I'm going to go back.

You know, I got a really good apartment. So I just like my life that was happening in London. So I went back again, didn't go to classes very much. I had a great year of life with my roommates. And then at the end of that year, I decided to come to York, asked him if I could come now. He's like, I'm gone. I'm on sabbatical. You know, I'll pass you over to the next administration.

You know, I got a really good apartment. So I just like my life that was happening in London. So I went back again, didn't go to classes very much. I had a great year of life with my roommates. And then at the end of that year, I decided to come to York, asked him if I could come now. He's like, I'm gone. I'm on sabbatical. You know, I'll pass you over to the next administration.

And they were like, we don't know you. But, you know, based on his... We can put you in at first year. You'll probably be really bored. But if you'd like to come. So I did, you know, just to not be killed by my mom. And again, didn't go to class very much, but got some valuable experience. They threw me out on side jobs that people would call the university looking for students for.

And they were like, we don't know you. But, you know, based on his... We can put you in at first year. You'll probably be really bored. But if you'd like to come. So I did, you know, just to not be killed by my mom. And again, didn't go to class very much, but got some valuable experience. They threw me out on side jobs that people would call the university looking for students for.

Because I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well. So luckily, I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me.

Because I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well. So luckily, I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me.

And then two years later, somebody I had been in that class with, Diane Roberts, was stage managing a show for a professional theater company. And she called and she said, I'd like you to come audition for this. And I said, well, no, I'm finishing my degree. I finally like, you know, I got three, three, three months left to finish this degree. I'm just going to do it.

And then two years later, somebody I had been in that class with, Diane Roberts, was stage managing a show for a professional theater company. And she called and she said, I'd like you to come audition for this. And I said, well, no, I'm finishing my degree. I finally like, you know, I got three, three, three months left to finish this degree. I'm just going to do it.

And she said, why don't you do it for the experience? And it was with the Company of Sirens and Audrey Zina Mandiela was directing and they had canceled the auditions, but she was there just in case I showed up because they couldn't get me. And I showed up and her daughter was with her and her daughter climbed in my lap, started playing with my hair and she was kind of astounded.

And she said, why don't you do it for the experience? And it was with the Company of Sirens and Audrey Zina Mandiela was directing and they had canceled the auditions, but she was there just in case I showed up because they couldn't get me. And I showed up and her daughter was with her and her daughter climbed in my lap, started playing with my hair and she was kind of astounded.

And she was like, as we talked, she says, well, why don't you just do your piece? And so I did the piece. She said, can you sing? And I said, yeah. And I sang. She said, can you start Wednesday? And that's how my career started. I thank Jujube Mandela for climbing in my lap.

And she was like, as we talked, she says, well, why don't you just do your piece? And so I did the piece. She said, can you sing? And I said, yeah. And I sang. She said, can you start Wednesday? And that's how my career started. I thank Jujube Mandela for climbing in my lap.

Diane Roberts. Same as mine. No relation.

Diane Roberts. Same as mine. No relation.

No relation, I promise.

No relation, I promise.

Well, there are various schools of acting, right? There's the Meiser technique. There's, you know, I can't even remember half of them, but everybody, there are all these techniques out there. I personally have always been the kind of actor who's just very much You know, the character grows from me, right? So it's like some people want to put on a character and build certain things.

Well, there are various schools of acting, right? There's the Meiser technique. There's, you know, I can't even remember half of them, but everybody, there are all these techniques out there. I personally have always been the kind of actor who's just very much You know, the character grows from me, right? So it's like some people want to put on a character and build certain things.

For me, the truth comes from what parts of me relate to this character? Where can I see myself or people I know reflected in this character? And I believe in truth, right? You have to really start from a place of truth. Something that I find very amusing is people always say, well, how do I know you're not acting right now?

For me, the truth comes from what parts of me relate to this character? Where can I see myself or people I know reflected in this character? And I believe in truth, right? You have to really start from a place of truth. Something that I find very amusing is people always say, well, how do I know you're not acting right now?

You know, how do I know you're, I'm like, if I was A, you're not paying me, but B, you know, really. It's my job. But B, it's like to be an actor, you really have to embrace the truth. You have to embrace the truth in yourself, the truth in humanity. You have to see it. You have to observe it. You have to understand it because that way you can play it without judgment.

You know, how do I know you're, I'm like, if I was A, you're not paying me, but B, you know, really. It's my job. But B, it's like to be an actor, you really have to embrace the truth. You have to embrace the truth in yourself, the truth in humanity. You have to see it. You have to observe it. You have to understand it because that way you can play it without judgment.

Whether you're playing a good guy, a bad guy, whatever kind of character you're playing, you have to understand the truth of that person. what they believe, what they feel, what motivates them, why they think they're right. And so, yeah, so, I mean, that's kind of the work of an actor. And so I look for those things within myself. I look for what parts of me resonate with that character.

Whether you're playing a good guy, a bad guy, whatever kind of character you're playing, you have to understand the truth of that person. what they believe, what they feel, what motivates them, why they think they're right. And so, yeah, so, I mean, that's kind of the work of an actor. And so I look for those things within myself. I look for what parts of me resonate with that character.

And if I personally don't have much experience, I look for who in my life might, you know, can I reflect upon that is like that person? Or, you know, who can I associate with that character that gives me an in, gives me some understanding to how that person thinks? Yeah. You know, you just come from a place of truth and it just kind of grows.

And if I personally don't have much experience, I look for who in my life might, you know, can I reflect upon that is like that person? Or, you know, who can I associate with that character that gives me an in, gives me some understanding to how that person thinks? Yeah. You know, you just come from a place of truth and it just kind of grows.

I don't think I did, honestly. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going, right? Because I loved doing it.

I don't think I did, honestly. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going, right? Because I loved doing it.

Well, it's kind of its own thing, right? Because you're in the studio. It's you in a booth with producers and a director on the other side of that glass, right? They're just telling you what it is they want. But you get to go crazy. You get to be very free in the booth and create, you know, that character. So in terms of like Mayor Goodway, for instance, I'll go in. I've got the script.

Well, it's kind of its own thing, right? Because you're in the studio. It's you in a booth with producers and a director on the other side of that glass, right? They're just telling you what it is they want. But you get to go crazy. You get to be very free in the booth and create, you know, that character. So in terms of like Mayor Goodway, for instance, I'll go in. I've got the script.

I've read the script. I know what's going on. But I'm really just reciting Mayor Goodway's lines. Nobody's really reciting lines against me. Sometimes the director will feed you back and forth. But I get to just have fun, you know, and paint the words with my voice. And there's a real freedom in voice work because you're not really tied to anything but expressing what's on the page.

I've read the script. I know what's going on. But I'm really just reciting Mayor Goodway's lines. Nobody's really reciting lines against me. Sometimes the director will feed you back and forth. But I get to just have fun, you know, and paint the words with my voice. And there's a real freedom in voice work because you're not really tied to anything but expressing what's on the page.

You know, you don't have to worry about how you look. It's not about makeup or hair or wardrobe. It's not about hitting your mark and being here under this light at the right spot, right? You know, it's just about freeing yourself up and delving into that character. So it's a lot of fun, actually.

You know, you don't have to worry about how you look. It's not about makeup or hair or wardrobe. It's not about hitting your mark and being here under this light at the right spot, right? You know, it's just about freeing yourself up and delving into that character. So it's a lot of fun, actually.

I think there's a lot of truth to it. The one thing that I think I would add to it is that when you're performing in theater, when you're on stage performing before a live audience, there's an element to that that is so exceptionally beautiful that charges an actor, and that's the audience. When you're in the studio doing voice work, it's you, right? Just you.

I think there's a lot of truth to it. The one thing that I think I would add to it is that when you're performing in theater, when you're on stage performing before a live audience, there's an element to that that is so exceptionally beautiful that charges an actor, and that's the audience. When you're in the studio doing voice work, it's you, right? Just you.

When you're on set, it's you and the crew and the fellow actors and the director, but you don't have that feedback. When you're on stage, you hear them, you feel them, you see them. They're right in front of you. So they actually do become a part of the work. They inform the work. You know, different audiences, you know, our director would say this all summer long.

When you're on set, it's you and the crew and the fellow actors and the director, but you don't have that feedback. When you're on stage, you hear them, you feel them, you see them. They're right in front of you. So they actually do become a part of the work. They inform the work. You know, different audiences, you know, our director would say this all summer long.

He's like, you know, you run the show. We charge the show. We're setting the pace. So you don't let them slow you down or speed you up. You do your show. But at the same time, the reactions you're getting totally inform how you feel. There were shows that were so meaningful because the audience was so with us. You'd hear every gasp. You'd feel them crying. You'd hear them laughing.

He's like, you know, you run the show. We charge the show. We're setting the pace. So you don't let them slow you down or speed you up. You do your show. But at the same time, the reactions you're getting totally inform how you feel. There were shows that were so meaningful because the audience was so with us. You'd hear every gasp. You'd feel them crying. You'd hear them laughing.

And some audiences, they couldn't even get through. The show took twice as long because they'd laugh at so many things. They'd get everything. And when you've got that kind of exchange, it's so exhilarating. It's exhilarating. It's like you're really in tandem doing this thing. You know that you're providing an experience and that people are with you and they're

And some audiences, they couldn't even get through. The show took twice as long because they'd laugh at so many things. They'd get everything. And when you've got that kind of exchange, it's so exhilarating. It's exhilarating. It's like you're really in tandem doing this thing. You know that you're providing an experience and that people are with you and they're

feeling it and it's a it's a really wonderful feeling it's it's quite exceptional actually and so it just yeah i think it makes the performances fly it makes you even more ever present and grounded and in the moment because something very live is happening something that can't be repeated ever again you know today's show is today's show and so yeah and every show is like that right and there'll be some shows where you're like is there anybody out there

You know, it's very quiet. But, you know, that's when you draw your resources and you really have to bring it. You have to actually step it up a little bit to make sure that you stay on and that you still give them the experience. And then you'll find out that they were just as moved. It's just it's a different kind of response that you get.

Not even on a best date.

So many things. You know, interestingly enough, I didn't know you could swim in Canada until I was a teenager. Because I didn't know. We would go, you know, summer, we'd go back to the Caribbean. We'd go to Jamaica on a summer vacation. Or we'd go to Dominica, where my mother's from. And we'd swim in the ocean, you know. And when we were here, my mother didn't do beaches in North America.

So I did not even realize. I think it might have been a trip to New York where we visited family and friends. Then we went, you know, they took us to the coast. And I swam in the Atlantic Ocean. I was like, what? You guys have an ocean? And they're like, you have an ocean too. It's on the coast. I was like, okay. You know, so there's that. I grew up in a very Italian working class neighborhood.

And at the time I was growing up, you know, racism was still a thing. Not that it's not still a thing, but it was a thing. You know, the civil rights movement had just kind of happened and things were switching. And, you know, I was the neighbor, I say specifically Italian working class because it was... you know, very particular culture. There were two parent families everywhere.

There was no divorce. There was no separation. My parents, you know, split when I was seven. My dad was kind of back and forth, but it was like ambiguous as to what was going on in their marriage. And I, you know, I was just like, he's away on business. Like he's been away a long time.

And then, you know, growing up, because I was one of the only Black kids, if not the only, yeah, I was one of the only ones. There was, you know, we had friends down the street who were also Black family.

And what's interesting is that the girl who's closest to my age, she used to pick on me and fight with me at school to disassociate herself from me, you know, as opposed to where we could have maybe been allies and helped each other. Anything brown was a bad word.

I remember being, you know, on the playground and, you know, chocolate milk or caca merida or whatever was a bad word thrown in my direction. There were times I didn't think I'd make it home from school alive. And it was just, it was tough. It was really tough. There was a lot of bullying. There was a lot of name calling. The boy I like told me he couldn't date me because I was black.

This is in grade like six. He's like, now my dad would kill me. Kill me. I couldn't I couldn't take you to the dance. You know, so I grew up in a really kind of strange reality. But then on the other side, we had, thankfully, a really strong Caribbean circle of family and friends.

And my parents stayed, well, my mom stayed very connected, you know, and made sure that we were, you know, holidays and just weekends. We'd hang out with our cousins or whatever. So I had on this other side, a real validation of who I was and a real love for Caribbean culture. So I think that helped me maintain a sense of self even though I was being beaten down on at times.

There was this real dichotomy growing up. And, but then, you know, you joined the larger world. And as I said, I got to university and there are all these, you know, first generation Caribbean kids there as well. And even though we weren't part of the fabric of the school at that time, we formed our own quilt and it was so strong and so beautiful. We had the best parties.

Kids would come from schools all across the country to be at our, you know, cultural show events and parties and whatnot. And we formed bonds that were lifelong and that were so strong. So, you know, was that, that, that quote about something making diamonds, polishing stone, you know, sometimes it's the hardship that really makes it forces you to either shine or, or bend.

And, you know, I think hopefully I came out the right end.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. All the food is here. There's all the good West Indian food you can get here. Jerk chicken and curry chicken. And I mean, my mom is from Dominica, which is a Creole island between Guadalupe and Martinique. And so the food from there is also really good. It's like French influence, but it's Caribbean with African roots. And it's just lots of goodies.

That's all good. We're doing some Uber Eats looking for your ackee and saltfish after we get off here.

Well, it was such an innocuous thing, you know, it was at the time, nobody knew it was going to be the show that it became.

And I just, you know, I had an audition like any other, went into the casting suite. It was just the casting director and myself and the reader. You know, I did the scene. I think there was only one scene for the audition or maybe two. Yeah, I think there was only the one scene, the one with Johnny Rose, not even the one with Roland. So I read the scene as a bureaucrat kind of thing.

And the casting director said, thank you, that was great. And I went home, you know. Then I hear I booked it. Fine. And we're shooting, you know, up north in cottage country. So they kind of pick you up and you trek up there. And, you know, at the time it was just a show. But I do remember halfway through taping, You know, I'm there with Eugene Levy, who's comic genius.

And then, you know, Chris is absolutely phenomenal, who plays Roland. And so I'd done my scene with Eugene and that was a lot of fun. It was just so lovely to ping pong and back and forth. And then we shot to the second scene when Roland comes in. And I remember at one point, A, first of all, like, you know, we just kind of, we'd never met each other before.

We had never, we hadn't even rehearsed the scene. You know, we did one kind of blocking and immediately, like, We just had that chemistry and the fun and the play was there. And so it was, it was, it was just a no brainer. It was just an easy scene to shoot. We just played, we had fun.

And then I remember when I go back around the desk and the two of them are sparring, I'm looking at Chris Elliott and I'm looking at Eugene Levy and I'm like, this is comedic genius in front of you right now. You need to really just appreciate this moment, you know?

And so I really, I did have a, I did have a fangirl moment while being in the scene being like, yeah, this is, you know, you're playing with the really good, really good talent here. And so that was fun. But, you know, I just, I really enjoyed myself doing that, doing that show, doing that, you know, we shot the scenes in a day. And like I said, Chris Elliott was just, you know, it was a joy.

We just like, it was, yeah, it was very easy, very natural. And lo and behold, the show became what it became. You know, nobody could have predicted or even hoped for how big it's become. And it's lovely to feel that I've been a part of something that will be iconic. You know, that'll be one of those shows that gets talked about. Like when I was young, we had ours, you know, so.

Oh, this is what you don't know about being Canadian. Our royalty checks will buy you that jerk chicken maybe that you're talking about. Yeah. That's about it. We don't get paid like y'all do down south. It's a whole different system, which is another topic for another day, maybe. But yeah, no, our royalty checks are horrible. Our deal is not good at all.

We get our rights get bought out for about four years. And so you don't see anything more. You maybe get like an extra fee on your fee. But it's not like in the States, whereas you'll get your full fee once it airs and then you get royalty checks equivalent to that or even higher. We get like $17.50 checks.

Pretty much.

Yeah.

Dude, it's usually the last one. So Margaret White from Get That Hope that I just played at the Stratford Festival this summer is currently my favorite character. Yeah.

See, you go in the room and you forget about it. So I can't even remember what rule I might have wanted. That's fair. Yeah.

Okay. Honestly, no idea.

I'm a good cook. There are a few. These are tough questions. My favorite meal that I cook. Dude, I don't know. I mean, I roast a good chicken. I make a great curry. Maybe my curry chicken. Yeah, curry chicken.

That's cool.

Oh, that's, you just have to stick with it. I think that's the word on the street. It's like, you just do something long enough. Don't give up. And, you know, eventually, hopefully you're, you know, you'll have longevity. That's all I can give you.

So true. So true.

Well, I'm currently in a film called All the Lost Ones. It's in select theaters here in Canada right now. It's at the Imagine Carleton Cinemas in Toronto, but it's going to be debuting on Paramount Plus December 13th. So you can check that out called All the Lost Ones. I'm on Paw Patrol as Mayor Goodway, as always. And that's so much fun. What else?

I mean, I think there's a lot of my old Christmas movies popping up around this time of year. So I've been getting all these texts. We saw you in a Christmas movie. So, you know, Christmas Dance Reunion is out right now. There are a few of them out there. So, yeah, just keep your eyes peeled.

Yeah. Everybody's like, what's next? I'm like, club bed. Club bed is next. Club bed for like a month.

That's right. That's awesome. It was one of the Christmas movies.

Nice. Nice.

I'm like, where's my turkey plate? Since I was a part of the family gathering, I'm expecting a little package.

Okay.

I'm sure it was great.

Oh, just, I love you guys. Thank you for, you know, following my career and, and, you know, being there. I'm, Yeah, I just happen to be a part of this industry and getting to do the thing that I love to do.

Thank you, Mick. That's very kind. I feel the same way about you. You're just amazing. I love getting to sit down and talk with you any, any and every time.

How about that?

I am. I'm going to get a little sun, a little rum, a little family time. It'll be good.

I will. I'm actually on a hunt. Ray and Nephew has been unavailable for almost a year. And that is my rum. I mean, you can't be a Jamaican without a bottle in your house. So I'm going I'm going looking for it. So, yeah, there you go. I find it. I got you.

Well, it's a pleasure, Mick. Thanks for having me.

Oh, golly. There are a few. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else. So that would be the because. But there are more becauses.

It's also at this point in my career because I am laying track for those that are coming behind me. I feel like I've been doing that throughout my career. You know, there are doors that weren't open when I got into this business that now I see the next generation just flying through. They run in and they're like, yeah, we want this. We want that. I was just like, thank you.

Thank you for letting me be here, you know, when it was my turn. So it's really nice to see the progression. It's nice to see that the work you do opens the doors for others to follow. Working on this, the play that I did this summer at Stratford, Get That Hope, I worked with two younger actors who are phenomenally gifted, Savian Roach and Celia Loma.

And, you know, they came with such a level of respect for what Conrad Coates and I had already done in our careers. And they were just eager sponges. And I realized that I still have a lot to share. You know, there are things that I've learned throughout my career in terms of acting technique, in terms of the business itself, that really is valuable to the next generation.

So there are many reasons to be doing this. And they're all really fulfilling.

Well, I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well.

Oh, golly. My because for being an actor is because it's just in me. You know, it's the kind of thing that when I have the opportunity to do the thing that I love to practice my craft, it's like breathing, right? It's a source of air that I can't get anywhere else.

So luckily I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me. And also most of them were not of color, you know, because at that point in time, there weren't a lot of sisters doing what I'm doing. Right. So I had good teachers, you know, very good allies, people who really just believed in my talent and wanted to see me succeed.

But also, like I said, it's always been a thing that I love to do. So, you know, I say this to anybody who's pursuing, you know, all the time, they're like, how do you make it as an actor? How do you keep up? I'm just like, if it's in you, it's in you.

It's something you're going to have to let out, you know, so just do your work, be good at it, you know, always be working, always be training, whether you're being paid or not. You know, I remember when we started, our friends used to get together, actor friends, and we'd do our own scene study classes, you know, where we'd bring in

scripts or pieces of work and we'd work with each other and then we'd critique each other as actors you know and um you just kind of got to find it wherever you can as a kid you know my cousins used to make us um not make us but my cousin used to direct us in his performances at summer so june you know school's out and be like here's a raising in the sun learn it we're doing it in september for the family that was my family right so um it was kind of like that

I don't think I did. Honestly, I think I really didn't. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going right, because I loved doing it. But when I went to school, I, you know, I come from a West Indian Caribbean household, first generation Canadian.

So, you know, as far as my mother was concerned, I had to be a lawyer or a doctor. Those are the options. And, you know, and when I was 12, I decided it would be doctor. And then I reached my mid teens. I was like, I don't like blood so much. So maybe we'll do lawyer. And so I went to university. I went to the University of Western Ontario, which is now just Western.

And I majored in poli sci, politics, and I minored in philosophy, which I actually adored. Like if there was a career in philosophy, that would be another choice. And, you know, the thing about it was at that time, you know, in hindsight now, I can see some of the reasons why. But at that time, I just thought I was a bad kid because I didn't like to go to school. I wouldn't wake up in the morning.

Yeah. You know, I kind of make my midday classes, maybe. I played a lot of backgammon with my roommates till like 4 a.m. and then was too tired for class. But, you know, it's interesting, a group of us who were kids of color at Western, now, you know, many years later, kind of formed an association called BAWA, which is Black at Western, to help out students with bursaries and support.

And in talking to each other, I realized that I wasn't alone. We were all feeling really isolated by being just like, you know, one group. kid of color in your whole class, right? Like there may be three to four hundred black kids on campus out of many thousands. And you talk about that first year experience, frosh week and all that bonding.

But I didn't really get invited to a lot of those things. Right. And what happened is you had the Caribbean Students Organization, which formed its own kind of nucleus. And we'd have parties and events and cook and It became a family. We became a family to this day. They're still my family. You know, I'm auntie to everybody's kids and vice versa. And it's strong and it's beautiful.

But in talking to each other, we realized how isolated each of us felt in our experience there. So what happened is I needed extra credits because I was skipping a lot of classes. I took a theater course when I came back to Toronto at York University. And it would have given me an English credit. So that's why I took it. And I love theater.

But it was taught by the chair of the theater department, Ron Singer. And he did it as a labor of love every summer. And at the end of the course, you get an evaluation. And he sat me down. He said, I think you could really do this for a living. Would you like to come to York and be a part of our second year stream of theater students?

And I mean, that was a huge honor that I didn't even comprehend. You know, in first year, they led in 1,500 theater students and second year goes down to 200. And so he was just like giving me a fast pass. I was like, Thank you so much. But I've got a great schedule next year. I've got no classes before 10, no classes after three. Friday's off. So I think I'm going to go back.

You know, I got a really good apartment. So I just like my life that was happening in London. So I went back again, didn't go to classes very much. I had a great year of life with my roommates. And then at the end of that year, I decided to come to York, asked him if I could come now. He's like, I'm gone. I'm on sabbatical. You know, I'll pass you over to the next administration.

And they were like, we don't know you. But, you know, based on his... We can put you in at first year. You'll probably be really bored. But if you'd like to come. So I did, you know, just to not be killed by my mom. And again, didn't go to class very much, but got some valuable experience. They threw me out on side jobs that people would call the university looking for students for.

Because I mean, I won't say that I didn't have guidance and wisdom. I did. You know, there was a generation that came before me and they were, you know, knocking down those doors as well. So luckily, I had a couple of mentors who shared their experience with me.

And then two years later, somebody I had been in that class with, Diane Roberts, was stage managing a show for a professional theater company. And she called and she said, I'd like you to come audition for this. And I said, well, no, I'm finishing my degree. I finally like, you know, I got three, three, three months left to finish this degree. I'm just going to do it.

And she said, why don't you do it for the experience? And it was with the Company of Sirens and Audrey Zina Mandiela was directing and they had canceled the auditions, but she was there just in case I showed up because they couldn't get me. And I showed up and her daughter was with her and her daughter climbed in my lap, started playing with my hair and she was kind of astounded.

And she was like, as we talked, she says, well, why don't you just do your piece? And so I did the piece. She said, can you sing? And I said, yeah. And I sang. She said, can you start Wednesday? And that's how my career started. I thank Jujube Mandela for climbing in my lap.

Diane Roberts. Same as mine. No relation.

No relation, I promise.

Well, there are various schools of acting, right? There's the Meiser technique. There's, you know, I can't even remember half of them, but everybody, there are all these techniques out there. I personally have always been the kind of actor who's just very much You know, the character grows from me, right? So it's like some people want to put on a character and build certain things.

For me, the truth comes from what parts of me relate to this character? Where can I see myself or people I know reflected in this character? And I believe in truth, right? You have to really start from a place of truth. Something that I find very amusing is people always say, well, how do I know you're not acting right now?

You know, how do I know you're, I'm like, if I was A, you're not paying me, but B, you know, really. It's my job. But B, it's like to be an actor, you really have to embrace the truth. You have to embrace the truth in yourself, the truth in humanity. You have to see it. You have to observe it. You have to understand it because that way you can play it without judgment.

Whether you're playing a good guy, a bad guy, whatever kind of character you're playing, you have to understand the truth of that person. what they believe, what they feel, what motivates them, why they think they're right. And so, yeah, so, I mean, that's kind of the work of an actor. And so I look for those things within myself. I look for what parts of me resonate with that character.

And if I personally don't have much experience, I look for who in my life might, you know, can I reflect upon that is like that person? Or, you know, who can I associate with that character that gives me an in, gives me some understanding to how that person thinks? Yeah. You know, you just come from a place of truth and it just kind of grows.

I don't think I did, honestly. I mean, it was something I did because I loved it. I always joined the drama clubs. I always took part in the school plays, whatever was going, right? Because I loved doing it.

Well, it's kind of its own thing, right? Because you're in the studio. It's you in a booth with producers and a director on the other side of that glass, right? They're just telling you what it is they want. But you get to go crazy. You get to be very free in the booth and create, you know, that character. So in terms of like Mayor Goodway, for instance, I'll go in. I've got the script.

I've read the script. I know what's going on. But I'm really just reciting Mayor Goodway's lines. Nobody's really reciting lines against me. Sometimes the director will feed you back and forth. But I get to just have fun, you know, and paint the words with my voice. And there's a real freedom in voice work because you're not really tied to anything but expressing what's on the page.

You know, you don't have to worry about how you look. It's not about makeup or hair or wardrobe. It's not about hitting your mark and being here under this light at the right spot, right? You know, it's just about freeing yourself up and delving into that character. So it's a lot of fun, actually.

I think there's a lot of truth to it. The one thing that I think I would add to it is that when you're performing in theater, when you're on stage performing before a live audience, there's an element to that that is so exceptionally beautiful that charges an actor, and that's the audience. When you're in the studio doing voice work, it's you, right? Just you.

When you're on set, it's you and the crew and the fellow actors and the director, but you don't have that feedback. When you're on stage, you hear them, you feel them, you see them. They're right in front of you. So they actually do become a part of the work. They inform the work. You know, different audiences, you know, our director would say this all summer long.

He's like, you know, you run the show. We charge the show. We're setting the pace. So you don't let them slow you down or speed you up. You do your show. But at the same time, the reactions you're getting totally inform how you feel. There were shows that were so meaningful because the audience was so with us. You'd hear every gasp. You'd feel them crying. You'd hear them laughing.

And some audiences, they couldn't even get through. The show took twice as long because they'd laugh at so many things. They'd get everything. And when you've got that kind of exchange, it's so exhilarating. It's exhilarating. It's like you're really in tandem doing this thing. You know that you're providing an experience and that people are with you and they're