MARCO DA SILVA
@marcodasilva_official
THE DISSAPPOINTMENTS
YouTube Webseries
IRINA AYLYAROVA
@blessed_and_in_alignment
THE MEMORY OF PETRA
Matt Wisdom Productions
and
ACT V. NYFA
Brady Whitehouse Productions
BETH WILLETTS
@bethwilletts
CASUAL+Y
BBC Studios
PHILIP HULFORD
@philiphulford
GALE-STAY AWAY FROM OZ
Chilling Productions
NATALIE WINSOR
@nataliewinsorofficial
ROCK OF AGES
2023 UK Farewell Tour
TYILER HARGROVE
@ty_witha_i
REGENERATION SUMMIT
A Celebration Of Black Cinema
Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures
ASHA REID
@asha_reidz
F E M M E
Agile Films
MONIQUE YOUNG
@moniquebyoung
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Musical
United Kingdom Tour
MARK FRANK
@markfrank1007
NEON BLEED
A John Capone Film
La Famiglia Pictures
SARAH NAUDI
@sarahsnaudi
SAVANNAH
The Union Theatre
JORCHUAL GREGORY VARGAS
@jorchual
Ni Aquí Ni Allá
(Neither Here Nor There)
A Franco Machado-Pesce Film
LYNNE HUNTER-DAVIS
@lynnehdavis
SHADOW SELF
JR Vision Films
NICKO SABADO
@nickosabado
Aflac
National Commercial
Bud Light
Print Campaign
AMY PERRY
@amypez1
ALADDIN
Theatre Royal, Bath
IRINA AYLYAROVA
@blessed_and_in_alignment
SLOOGA
AI Royal Productions
JONNY LABEY
@jonnylabey
DARE TO DREAM
White Rock Productions
VICTORIA SUMMER
@victoriasummer
V I N D I C A T I O N
S W I M
Relsah Films
MARIA DARKINA
@mariadarkina
THE GRAY MAN
Netflix
LUCY FORKER
@ffforker
Schweppes
Commercial
GABE GOLDEN
@gabegolden310
LIGHTING THE PATH
Golden Productions
HOLLY HUBBELL
@hollyjohubbell
I’M FINE MABEL
MC² Repertory Theatre Company
SARAH NAUDI
@sarahsnaudi
LITVINENKO
itvx
MARCO DA SILVA
@marcodasilva_official
CRIMINAL MINDS
e v o l u t i o n
On Paramount +
LISSETH CHAVEZ
@lissethchavez
The Rookie
ABC
SONOYA MIZUNO
#SonoyaMizuno
Game Of Thrones
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
HBO
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Chris Edgerley
@chrisedgerley
Website
Spotlight
IMDb
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Hi, I’m Chris, and thank you to MC² Actors Studio for inviting me to be part of this wonderful spotlight feature. I was born and raised ‘up’t’North West of England. I moved to London to begin my professional training at East 15, and then a 3yr degree @artsedlondon . Fortunate enough to work on a variety of wonderful work from Shakespeare in Regents Park to Kids TV, and a multitude of Commercials and Panto.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting for me is a freedom to grow, a freedom to show and tell a story. It’s an opportunity for me to use the words that I can’t say myself. It’s a safe pass to explore and create in a world full of restrictions. Acting excites me, it scares me, and it’s something that I see myself forever growing in.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Because it’s so important. For years I tried different studios but never found the one that gave me the challenges I needed. I then returned to LA to spend time in workshops and class there. I adore and respect the LA approach to class, and felt the self-growth benefits. I’m so thankful now that MC² Actors Studio has a London class. Class challenges me, gives me the opportunity to develop behaviour needed for the roles I desire to play that I don’t get to exercise in real life. Class gives me the confidence, preparation, and continual development needed to be the best version of me. For that, I’m so thankful.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Ceili O’Connor
@ceili_oconnor
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Canada, grew up in England & spent Summers in Ireland w/ my beautiful family. I’ve always loved people watching, making people laugh & telling stories through dance, reading children’s books, or acting & singing. As long as I can remember impersonating people was one of my 1st loves! I’m a sucker for Doris Day. I’ve a lot to thank ‘Calamity Jane’ for. I love outdoors & traveling. I graduated from @artsedlondon in 2010 & performed in Musicals in the WestEnd, UK & Internationally. I’ve my own Company @prepyourrep_ldn a 360 nourishment program helping connect other creatives & actors in the industry whilst working on their mental health & craft, alongside finding the balance of life outside the industry. I love meeting people from all walks of life & truly believe we are made up of every single moment & interaction in life. This is what makes everyone so interesting!”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Stepping into the lives & shoes of other people is a true gift. We learn so much through watching people relive real life. There’s something so powerful in that. We also learn a hell of a lot about ourselves. I love the community it brings together, there’s nothing quite like working w/ creative people. Their imagination, heart & soul always seems magnified or at least it feels that way! I love surprising myself through exploring different styles, archetypes & genres. We naturally limit ourselves through fear of disappointing or not being good enough. It feels good to be fighting against that now.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“The beauty of life & studying is that you can never stop learning. I’ve found a new love for it too. My hunger for self development & growth feels stronger than it has in a long time & being around other people who feel like this too excites me. Stepping into that power & allowing myself to do what I know I’m capable of doing. Terrifying but exhilarating.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Beth Willetts
@bethwilletts
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“At 6 my parents channeled my inquisitive weirdness by enrolling me in the B’ham Rep Theatre, where I fulfilled my lifelong dream of being an alien! After a detour into an extensive career in dance. In 2015 I got the opportunity to work with the brilliant #BillCondon & some RIDICULOUS actors on #BATB. Which truly ignited the fire & led to more shenanigans on Aladdin, Dumbo, MM2 and recently Pinocchio.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Like all passions they are gifts, & where is the fulfilment/fun in having a gift if you don’t share it! Feeling connected to people through universal truths, we all have something in common. Living stories brings us closer together and reminds us what it is to be human.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“The journey is life long, so the learning should be, right!? With everything, if we don’t do it, we’ll lose it. I always want to remain inquisitive & maintain a growth mindset. Growth is the evidence of life & lost time is never found again. So I say find your people & get to it! I’ve definitely found my tribe with #MarioCampanaro & the inspirational humans at MC² Actors Studio.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Ivy Corbin
@ivycmorbin
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m a Londoner born & bred, meaning I walk too fast & never wait for the lights before crossing. There was a part of me that always knew I would be an actor, but as a kid, I was painfully shy. I was obsessed w/ film, which presented an alternate reality where life was magical & people did extraordinary things. The characters I saw on screen inspired me to imagine & dream of a world beyond the one I could see. That was the impetus. I just had to get over the small problem I had of combusting whenever I spoke in public.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“On a personal level, acting allowed me to find my voice & not be afraid of failure. I remember my classes in clowning being illuminating because the clown has to fail in order to succeed. Terrifying. But also, how incredibly freeing. Acting continually encourages me to live a life that’s authentic & as close to authentically me as possible. In the discovery & playing of characters, I get closer to aspects of myself that otherwise lay dormant, untouched, & unexpressed. I get to play, be silly, get mad, be mad, live in history or the future, meet creatures, meet people, move people & be moved. The magnitude of human emotion & experience is infinite. It is a relentless search that keeps me thirsty to find out more. ”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“It’s a very British thing to make it look like you’re not trying too hard, but training isn’t a sort of admission that one doesn’t know what they’re doing. It’s acknowledging that acting is hard & demands respect. There’s no secret ingredient to great work, it’s simply putting in the hours w/ the attention required. The structure of classes each week & working scenes w/ a partner, allow me to work muscles that perhaps haven’t been flexed in a while. I always leave feeling stronger & I am so grateful for Mario, the studio & the whole ensemble for the opportunity to get messy and keep growing.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Monique Young
@moniquebyoung
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Mission Viejo, California and lived here with my American Mom, British dad and 2 sisters before moving to the UK when I was 7. When I was younger I always loved dressing up and playing different characters. I have a memory of forcing my sister to act out the opening number of Beauty and the Beast with me! When I was 13 I auditioned for Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, until this moment I didn’t know I could do something I loved and pursue it as a career, I then went on to audition and spend 3 years studying at @ArtsEd, London and ever since graduating have been lucky enough to perform in places such as Paris, Australia, around the UK and The West End.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I love playing pretend, to I
imagine what it’s like to be someone else and the surroundings there in, it is pure escapism! It allows me to explore the depths of myself I didn’t even know existed!! And open my eyes to the world and always be curious.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“It’s all about growing as an artist, I love learning the craft and surprising myself. We never know what we are capable of until we push ourselves out of are comfort zone and breakthrough. THAT THRILLS ME!! I’m absolutely inspired by my fellow Ensemble members and feel unbelievably grateful to have found MC2 actors studio and excited to continue the journey!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Waylon Jacobs
@wayjay4
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Born and Raised in Swindon (South West England). Probably the biggest big kid you’ll ever meet. Marvel, DC, Disney, Anime, Games and Consoles make me very happy. I like to explore new things and will try anything (within reason) at least once. I have 8 siblings who have never been in the same room and I plan to make that happen one day. I will always fight for fairness and equality, one world, one people!”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I love acting because I like to share. What better way to do that than physically giving my time for people who give up their time to watch? Be it 5 mins or 2+ hours, creating a place for people to feel escapism, sending them on a journey through the life of the characters they witness, is the best gift I can give anyone. I love it.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Technique gives us freedom. I feel that we can never stop learning. Life changes daily and so do we. So if we don’t flow adapt and change how will we grow. Class gives us opportunities to listen to the world around us and work with it. If we stop learning and growing, are we saying we’re perfect? There’s always something you can do to better yourself and continuing to study and gain knowledge is the BEST WAY to do that! Just my two cents. Challenge yourselves today, you never know what you might find.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Kate Freer
@_katefreer
Spotlight
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Action girl/tomboy meets nature bunny/energy lover: I guess I live life at both ends of the scale. Aside from acting my passions are yoga/meditation/reiki OR rock climbing/motorbikes/BJJ/running in nature. Born in the Midlands (ready to slot into Peaky Blinders!) I was always on stage as a kid (lucky to have a mum who endlessly drove me around!) & began treading the boards in musical theatre. However, I couldn’t fight my desire for the depth that acting offered so went ‘back to school’ at BSA before escaping to London to follow my dream. That’s when I really began my journey as an actor though w/ coach Tom Radcliffe & I guess 12yrs later that brings me to today with a life of stage, screen & now training at MC² Actors Studio!”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I guess my lifestyle around acting replicates why I’m obsessed with acting; the desire to PLAY & the fascination w/ people/the mind.
I have never experienced real truth & vulnerability in life anywhere other than in an acting studio-nothing will give me life in the same way. Sadly society doesn’t often find space to allow for real truth but that’s what makes life fascinating to me-people have to adapt their inner desires to fit the present moment, which of course are subconsciously influenced by their beliefs & nurturing & THAT’S where the endless multi layers begin!! THAT’S what amazes me & THAT’S what I LOVE getting my teeth into in acting!!”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Training is a chance to GROW as a person & an artist. Three reasons: 1. You can experiment with roles that push & challenge you. 2. The one time you get to play with zero pressure to keep your soul alive. 3. Preparation. Life hurdles are uncontrollable & always effects us. The one thing we CAN control is our intention to keep our instrument open & perfect our craft ready for the next job. Learning is as long as our life is.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Callie Ott
@callieeott
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I grew up in Kansas City Missouri and at a very young age I found a passion for creating. Whether it was writing embarrassing pop songs with my best friends or forcing my younger brother to film ‘The Callie Ott Show’ with our VHS camera, I discovered a love for using my quirky voice to make a statement. I graduated with BFA from The University of Central Missouri and since moving to LA I have had the pleasure of acting in film, tv, and even writing and performing my award winning solo show, ‘Dear Jeff’- which completely changed my life.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Sometimes I feel like I have trouble expressing myself authentically in the world on my own. Acting and storytelling is the thing that gives me courage to have a voice. I’m so thankful I get to tell unique stories that help inspire people. Acting is my favorite way to give back and be a light in the world!”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“I am a person who loves to push myself and grow! Studying keeps me curious, imaginative, grounded, and challenges my point of view. By going deeper in the work I get to unapologetically experience different versions of myself and see the world through a different lens. But I think the most important reason why I continue to train is because it brings me joy. SO. MUCH. JOY.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Jennifer Cullen
@jenculllen
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m from Glasgow, Scotland, and have loved performing all my life. I danced from a young age and loved to sing and act. At school I was heavily involved in the performing arts departments and realised I had a passion for musical theatre. I went on to study dance at West College Scotland and then completed my degree last year at Addict Dance Academy, Leicester.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Within dance, I love to bring a performance to life using my acting skills. Portraying the character and the emotion of the piece, to me, is fundamental to a performance. Being able to move an audience and make them feel something in that time you are performing is really special.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“When I graduated, I searched for ways to develop myself as an artist. I knew I wanted to revisit acting as I had never trained professionally. Training with Mario and the ensemble is giving me the opportunity to fully understand and continue to work on the craft. Although this is just the beginning of my acting training, I believe it is important that I never stop. There will always be more for me to learn and more for me to give.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Celine Abrahams
@celine_abrahams
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Born and raised in London. My earliest memories are watching B&W movies with my pops, the likes of Jack Lemmon, Humphrey Bogart and Vivian Leigh sauntering around my living room. My dad also introduced me to Liza Minnelli’s performance in Cabaret which sparked my love of musical theatre, I eventually went on to train at the Urdang Academy. After graduating I danced for a while professionally and then moved into just acting. I’m pretty film and arts obsessed, outside acting I write, produce films, paint, take photos…”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Writers offering their deepest, darkest secrets so we can go ‘oh yeah, I get that, thank goodness I’m not alone’, means this work constantly keeps opening me up to myself and the human condition. It is a place where you are allowed to feel from your core and do anything (under the given set of imaginary circumstances! ) which at times for me has been the most freeing, moving and realised place. Also doing this work when it moves those who are watching so hopefully they can open up and do the same soul searching shows the work really is a necessary cycle to be involved in.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“An olympic swimming doesn’t stop getting in the water in between races, a boxer doesn’t stop drills in between fights, a pianist doesn’t stop playing the piano in between recitals, the list goes on. As an actor I am the instrument and I have to workout in between jobs (and there’s always time in between jobs). Also in the 10 years of training I’ve never not learnt something in every class I’ve attended so maybe there’s no end to the study?!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Lynne Mannino
@lynne.mannino
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I don’t think second acts are something most people consider a possibility…I’m not most people. I hail from White Plains, New York. Act I: built a career as a post production producer, a champion of creatives. I desired to do something more creative for myself, step out of my comfort zone…so I got into Improv it both scared and exhilarated me and I kept on doing it until I didn’t think I was going to die! I love the freedom of improv and the life lessons learned through listening and being present.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Act II: Stepping into Passion. Acting is my true creative expression. The opportunity to be a storyteller that takes my whole self, everything I’ve got to create, reveal and bring a character to life is exciting, satisfying, challenging and so much fun. To have an audience witness that transformation and to move, question or recognize something in themselves is true joy to me.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“I’m always interested in learning more about the craft and improving technique. MC² Actors Studio is a place where I continue to grow and learn. I feel so fortunate to have found Mario Campanaro as my teacher. His insight, laser sharp focus and love of the craft is awe inspiring!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Clementine Pinet
@clementine_pinet
IMDB
MC² Actors Studio
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m French, but I’ve also lived in Texas, and I’ve been in the UK for 7 years now; so imagine the accent! I originally came here to study Politics and Philosophy, but I realized I was happiest as an artist, so I changed course to train as an actor. Before MC² Actors Studio, I was very lucky to have incredible teachers, like Gary Condés (@garycondes) and Tom Radcliffe (@actorseast), who inspired me to always go deeper into the craft. In London, I found the most welcoming and supportive community of artists. Thanks to them, I’ve expanded my artistic range to also become a writer and producer of my own work.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“As an activist and an artist, my desire is to move people. The more I excavate the truth out of a character, the more I feel the audience vibrate with me. Art can heal people. It takes trauma and shakes it until it becomes a catalyst for change. People come to performers to feel what they can’t allow themselves to feel in their daily lives, and that is exactly what I long to do because collectively, sadness, anger and joy move mountains.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“So I keep in shape, so I always hold my work to a higher standard, so I always have the humility and curiosity of being a beginner, so I find new angles into a performance, so I can remember that enthusiasm and joy, more than discipline, are what constitute art. So many reasons. Mario and the MC² Actors Studio have provided that and more for me; I don’t think I’ve ever progressed into this craft with such speed and such awareness.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Matthew Russell-Jones
@vanablumusic
Spotlight
The Artists Partnership
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Originally from Lincoln…but now a Londoner for longer! I started out expressing myself as a dancer because, to be honest, I couldn’t keep still plus I got to listen to music more! I then slowly picked up other art forms via singing in church, being in a Shakespeare company and attending writing workshops. At 18, I studied at Arts Ed London, London which helped me to pursue a career in Musical Theatre. As well as working as a performer, I have worked so many other jobs along the way which really helped build my character more than ever. I now get to work as an actor, a music artist, a writer and within casting. Im grateful.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Escapism, relate-ability and the challenge. Not sure these all go together! I’ve never allowed my imagination to fade from where it was as a child (I still make toys talk!). Our brains are there to explore, no? But it also comes down to how things have made me feel that I have watched whether they move me or make me feel like I am part of something or not alone. It is fascinating to observe someone who has this almost ‘power’ and skill. Now I get to be one of these people.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Well, I still feel 18…and the challenge. To be honest, I never thought this time last year I would of had such breakthroughs an as actor that I have had recently…but that’s because I took the steps joining this ensemble. I was scared…but that is because I was taking myself out of my comfort zone and was putting myself there to be critiqued. I don’t want to regret anything, that is why I write, that is why I do music and that is why I continue to work on my acting craft.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Eden Lederer!
@edennledererr
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I am a recent graduate of USC’s BFA Acting program and was born and raised right here in Los Angeles! My path to acting, although now seems very clear, was not always that way. I was the kid always wearing a costume or a wig, without a thought in my mind, yet I never thought of acting as a potential career. Being the youngest of 3, I followed my brother through our high school theatre program where I found a home away from home. When it came to apply for college, I looked back at my life full of theatre and commercials, and thought to myself ‘what should I be when I’m older?’ Only to think of a costume designer. Four months before applying to colleges, I had a mental breakthrough, found Mario on the Internet, and the rest is history! I can’t wait to see what 2021 holds for the beginning of a hopefully long acting career!”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I love acting because with every character I embody, I become a little more empathetic, and a little more open minded. I not only learn more about people I would never have met in my own life, but I get the opportunity to live stories that may teach others, something about culture or the world, that they would never have experienced. Acting is a reflection of the world, and I believe reflecting can make the world a better place.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Even after the four years in a conservatory, I continue to study, because there is more to learn. It’s really that simple. Studying acting is studying humanity, and the study of humanity never ends.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Brendan Kane!
@citizenkane
BACKSTAGE
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was raised by two Colonels in the U.S. Air Force, which meant I moved every 1-3 years during my childhood. And unlike most actors who started acting from infancy, I only started taking acting at 14 to get out of gym class, and have loved it ever since. I graduated from Oklahoma City University with a BFA in Acting, and have found my way to LA. Since then, I’ve been part of numerous stage productions, short films, and V/O gigs, and I’m excited to see what 2021 makes possible.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Whether it be through a lengthy soliloquy in a work of Shakespeare, or a darkly comedic argument in a McDonagh play, acting makes me feel powerful. It fuels me with agency and ferocious energy. I love diving into a new world of text and making it my own, contributing my own verse to the role, and inevitably learning more about me in the process. ”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“I continue to study because I want to be the Actor Swiss Army Knife–to be as versatile as possible. I want to be able to jump from play to television to film to V/O with expediency and ease. Which is why I continue to study at MC²: because we work on complicated material in order for everything else to be accessible.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Corrinne Mica!
@corrinemica
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I grew up in East Bernard, Texas, where football was king and the arts were a hobby. Primarily a singer, I fed my creative side by singing with my mom at church and later was lucky enough to find a community theatre home in the town over. At age 9, I made my stage debut as Brigitta in ‘The Sound of Music’ and decided then and there that this was not merely a hobby, but my life. I graduated from Oklahoma City University, double majoring in Acting & Theatre for Young Audiences. After some time in the Chicago theatre scene, I made my way to LA where I’ve had a blast creating my artistic home. I’m currently filming a TV pilot and am in pre-production for a feature film that I couldn’t be more excited about!”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting keeps my child-self alive. It keeps me asking why and asks me to remain open and compassionate in a world that does its best to build up my armor. I am fascinated by the inner world we all have and in exploring and inhabiting someone else, I learn more about myself. Which is so challenging, but what a way to constantly grow! I also love the collaboration this art-form calls for–working with people on a soul level is the most fulfilling work. Stories keep cultures alive, help heal, transport us when reality is too much. I’m honored to tell and live those stories.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“There is always more to learn, to discover, to reveal! Studying keeps me on my feet and develops in me the discipline it takes to be a professional actor. Even when I’m not auditioning or working on a project, I have something to work on, and this ensemble keeps me accountable for that. I’ve found that you have to be ready when the door opens rather than getting ready when opportunity calls. Create a process, build a technique, practice vulnerability now so those muscles are ready when the time comes.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Muslima Musawwir!
@muslima.nm
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born and raised in Richmond, VA. I graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Acting. After graduating, I worked in the DC/VA theatre & film scene before moving to LA. I received an Honorable Mention at the Berlin Film Festival for my role in one of the first projects I booked in LA. My favorite part of being an artist in LA is that there are so many ways to remain inspired which is especially important to me right now. I’ve been finding inspiration in nature, my friends, and fellow ensemble members. I recently wrapped on a TV pilot and am looking forward to 2021.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I come from a huge family of strong willed independent people that don’t believe in the word ‘can’t’. It’s because of my family & a dear friend that I decided to pursue acting. I love acting because the word ’can’t’ doesn’t really exist. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Of course it’s a continuous hustle to make it as an actor. Also, of course, you have to stay within the given circumstances of the script but the safety net of acting allows me to explore without fear of being too much or not enough. I find a deeper meaning of humanity with each character I explore and create.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“My favorite Nina Simone quote is ‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the times’. As an actor, I believe it’s only possible to reflect the times if I truly understand what’s happening in the world of the character & how that relates to me & the current state of our society. I continue to study because with every new tool I learn, I am finding new ways to understand a character, reveal parts of myself, & connect to others.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Alex Raines!
@_alex_raines_
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m originally from Colorado, but I grew up around the Phoenix area before relocating to LA. I studied Theatre & Film at ASU and acted in multiple productions around the Phoenix theatre scene. I’m currently a member of The Knights Young production company, having produced/acted in multiple projects from TV pilots, short films to feature films.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting is the great craft of storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to it, being young and shy it would give me the outlet to express myself, and in turn it would move people. Diving into the work to create a truly authentic moment in time that resonates in people’s souls is a freeing and thrilling experience. It’s a wonderful feeling, and the collaboration with other artists is always so inspiring.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Because growth is a never ending journey. There is always more to learn, to explore, to discover. Training isn’t a finite moment where we say ‘oh that’s it, I’m done.’ It continues through all of life’s changes. I’ve always approached the work with sense of childlike wonder, wanting to explore the unknown. Having the proper tools and training is necessary when navigating these unknown roads, to create truth and authentic experiences.”
@katekellyflood
SPOTLIGHT
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m a London gal currently living in NYC w/ my hubby. I grew up in the seaside town of Brighton on fresh air & chip butties. My first experience on stage was at the ripe old age of 6 in a beauty contest having been entered by an overly enthusiastic neighbour. I was called last. But the stage had me hooked & I begged my parents for ballet lessons. In my final year at Dance college, I was told I needed a full Thoracic spinal fusion. And was prescribed ‘you’ll never dance again’. I gave a giant ‘let’s see about that?’ eye roll. Challenge accepted. I’m proud to say I proved them wrong. W/ blood, toil & tears I had an 11year career. A wild & wonderful time. But eventually the new physical limits on what I could do played heavy on my heart. In acting I found a new route of unrestricted expression, felt like total freedom. I’ve since had the opportunity to work on stage & screen. I’m truly grateful, but I’ve a feeling the best is yet to come.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“It makes me feel alive, totally alive. To breathe the love, life & struggle of a character off the page into a ‘real’ person is electric. A deep dive into the underbelly of being human. On a basic level, I love the imaginative weird world you get to create w/ the people you’re working with. If we say it’s Mars, it’s Mars. If it’s 1946, it’s 1946. And w/ the audience’s trust, we all agree that’s what world were in. That’s magic.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“I’ll never stop. We’re forever evolving. There will always be new things to discover & learn or unlearn! It allows me to keep the faith & trust my process. Being a human is hard, we suffer, & we survive by creating protective masks we don’t even realise are there sometimes. Class allows me to confront new self-discoveries in a supportive environment. Where better to keep shedding those bullshit layers than in the company of like-minded artists.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Joshua Lay!
@fakejoshlay
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I grew up in & around Surrey. When it came to hobbies, I was solely interested in performing. I grew up hooked on movies like All That Jazz, Edward Scissorhands & Baron Munchausen; obsessing over the sequences & creativity. I realized that as long as I was being creative I was happy. The BRIT School changed my life dramatically (in both senses). From the age of 14, I realized that the ‘strangeness’ in me could be celebrated & I saw that what I thought was ‘fun’ was actually a possible profession. After further training, I have since worked in the West End, In Paris, on Netflix, Sky Arts, in cinemas & regionally across the UK.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I feel like one of my main archetypes is a storyteller. I also have a keen fascination in minds & emotions, so when I see characters written down, I feel excited to try them on. I have always been interested in why people do the things they do & I love acting because it incorporates these fascinations & my general want to play at all times! My background is mostly Musical Theater & I have been asked before which discipline I enjoy the most; I realized that it depends on the character, the persons who is singing or dancing. That is where the fun lies for me.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“Because there is always more to learn & occasionally some resistance to make peace with! I feel really lucky to have found a place that allows me to work/play in a supportive environment like MC² Actors Studio. If it’s what you feel passionate about, then it doesn’t feel like a chore. The more I learn, the more curious I become. A ballet teacher once said, ‘technique is freedom’ & that has always resonated with me. I train to play with techniques & processes that allow me that freedom within my work. More freedom, more fun!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member George Smith!
@georgesmithinsta
Spotlight
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born & raised in remote Scotland & moved to London to train at the Arts Educational Schools (ArtsEd). I’ve been involved w/ the arts from the age of 7 when I joined my local drama group which I was involved w/ until I finished school. Even before I turned 10 years old I told my parents that I was going to ‘move to London & be an actor’. After graduating ArtsEd I was in the UK tours of Anything Goes, High Society & Fiddler on the Roof as well as regional productions of Hello, Dolly! & The Ha’Penny Bridge.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I loved acting from the time I was in my very first show aged 7. I was hooked! When I joined my local drama group, we did 2 productions a year, rehearsing every Sunday during term-time. Before I knew it I was wishing away my entire week, waiting for it to be Sunday again. It was the only thing that mattered to me. I didn’t have a great time at school, & Sunday drama got me through those years & made me feel like my existence mattered. Acting literally saved me.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“I left ‘the business’ when I was 29 because I lost my confidence, & I thought never to return. Now at 41, I can’t deny the bubbles in my stomach anymore. This is what I want to do, this is who I am. Coming back into acting training 12 years older & wiser has allowed me to enjoy it & understand it even more than before. I want to be the absolute best actor I can be. Thank you Mario for welcoming me into the safe & supportive space that is the ensemble & helping me reignite my dreams and passion.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Louise Lee!
@louiseleedevlin
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Born & raised in Liverpool in a working class family, playing ‘curby’ in the street & making crisp ‘butties’. I was a shy, sensitive kid who read & wrote poetry & was a massive Madonna fan. At 7 years old I was inconsolable when my Dad wouldn’t let me watch a VHS copy of ‘In bed with Madonna’. Being both an empath w/ a tendency for navel gazing & at the same time having a deep yearning to perform, express & move people to laugh or cry, I find acting provides a kind of useful synthesis for this dichotomy. At age 14 I was lucky to have been taken around Europe w/ Yellow House Theater Company devising shows w/ other young people, this ignited my passion for travel, theatre & exploring the imagination, all of which have kept me busy up till now.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“To make use of all these emotions! I find it incredibly satisfying to play & learn, be inspired & inspire as a collaborator. Human beings are wonderful & exploring the inner workings of the mind is a joy, the dark & the light. It gives me a greater understanding of human nature, & feels valuable in that way. There is definitely a rush in playing someone else, examining the details, bringing them to life, that will never go away.
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“To keep my child self alive, the one that doesn’t judge & feels free. To remind myself to be a sponge, absorbing the world around me. It’s so easy to forget our instrument needs constant practise to improve & be the best we can be. There’s so much to learn from others. It’s a difficult craft so a support network is helpful too. It’s important for me to keep working when there is no ‘work’, it keeps the creative part of me pumping, which means I feel happier. Also it’s fabulous to be up till midnight still discussing the why’s & wherefore’s of the way we think and react as human beings!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Lucas Rush!
@lukierush
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m half Swiss & half Irish. I was raised in London by my Mum, Jean. I have 2 dogs Lola & Doug. I first stepped on stage at the Hackney Empire at age 7 & knew instantly that I would spend my life in theatre. Later, I discovered the film & TV world & that came w/ its own buzz. My art has taken me all over the world & I’m eternally grateful for this.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I love immersing myself in a character. I find when I’m playing a role, my own character sort of melds w/ whatever character I’m playing. It’s wild! There was a time when I’d forgotten how I laughed as I had taken on so many of my characters laughs. It was a bizzare mesh of punks, clowns & pirates. There’s no better feeling than being fully immersed in a character on stage or set. When I know the entire room is w/ me & fully invested in the story & the character I’ve moulded, I’m immediately reminded why I ADORE what I do. It’s magic. I couldn’t NOT do it.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“I’ve always been of the mindset that there is not 1 ultimate technique to acting. There are tools that can help enormously but at the end of the day, you just have to get there. Training allows me to experiment w/ these techniques & develop my own route to a character, w/o the pressure of having to get it right! The more I train, the more confident I become. I spent a long time feeling like I was ‘blagging’ it. I did OK considering, but I always felt like I was doing myself a disservice by not putting in the time to really practice my craft. Turns out I was right! Just as an athlete needs to train, so do Actors. I guess they don’t HAVE to… But the athlete who doesn’t train is less likely to win the Gold. Also, to be in the company of other artists with the same passion for the work as me is just so totally inspiring. Not being in work does not mean I’m not an actor. I AM an actor & I DO the work. Delighted to have found this studio.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Sonoya Mizuno!
#SonoyaMizuno
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Tokyo, Japan and grew up in Somerset, England, I am of mixed Japanese/ English/ Anglo-Argentine heritage. I studied to become a professional ballet dancer at The Royal Ballet School in London. I danced professionally for a number of years, in many different countries, before I transitioned to acting. Outside of work I am studying for a BA in Arts and Humanities.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“There is a perfect balance of needle-point focus and total calm that I have occasionally reached whilst acting. It has happened very rarely but when it does it is truly amazing. There is something cosmic about it.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“I believe in artists as craftsmen. As a dancer, you never stop training and I see acting similarly. I owe it to myself and I owe it to the art of acting to do what I can to be as good as I can be.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Sarah Naudi!
@sarahnaudicinema
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Paris & raised on the beautiful island of Malta. At 15 I moved to the UK alone to study Performing Arts. Playing Vanessa in Lin Manuel Miranda’s ‘In The Heights’ in the West-End is definitely a highlight in my career. I’ve also loved being part of an ensemble in shows such as ‘Evita’ at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. My on-Screen highlights have been ‘By The Sea’ directed by Angelina Jolie & also ‘Genius: Picasso’ starring Antonio Banderas. My writing career began about 5 years ago where I started off writing a series of short films nominated at the Valletta Film Festival. I’m inspired by multi-faceted, flawed women who have always been shoved aside or misunderstood.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
”I was born w/ a club foot which meant that I probably wouldn’t amount to anything physically but my mother didn’t give up hope & sent me to ballet classes & acting classes. From then on it’s something I can’t really explain. Performing just became a part of me & my life. I’m so grateful to my mother who really pursued me having a normal active lifestyle which is now my chosen profession.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“Training doesn’t end at college as most of us are led to believe. I continue to train, learn & grow as a person & artist. That’s our duty. As Mario says, ‘to continually challenge & explore the human condition’. Let’s face it, we’re a very complex species.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Lynne Hunter Davis!
@lynnehdavis
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m a real down-home country girl born & raised in Mansfield, La. As a little girl I would always perform songs by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & the Pips, & pretend I was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz & Shirley Temple singing ‘on the good ship lolli-pop’. Then real-life hit, I got married, raised my children, raised my husband & forgot about the real joy in my life & that was Performing & Acting which I thought I had gotten too old. I was blessed to perform in numerous Theatre plays across LA, had a small role in SWAT w/ Shamar Moore & earlier this year shot a scene in Vivica A. Fox ‘Wrong Series’ on Lifetime & book several Commercials.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting is the most sacred place I can escape & completely become someone else. I love exploring characters & witness how they evolve & just surrender to it all w/o judgment, it’s most rewarding & fulfilling for ME!”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“Training & Studying the craft is the most intricate part, you can’t succeed w/o it. It’s literally going to the gym to work-out! It’s TOP PRIORITY especially w/ someone you trust & knows the work better than you. I LOVE ACTING & I’M NOT STOPPING”.
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Johnny Bishop!
@johnny_bishop1
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Heyy I’m Johnny I’m originally from Trinidad & Tobago. I moved to London when I was ten years old to study performing arts at Sylvia Young Theatre School & to follow my dream of becoming an artist & actor. Since being here, I had the opportunity to be in some fun & cool projects including some West End productions, films & tv shows. I’m really grateful.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I have always loved the stage. And I remember saying to my mum one night, when I was younger, after a show I had done, & pointing to the empty stage in the auditorium; ‘this is what I want to do.’ It is magical, transporting, fulfilling, exhilarating & fun.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“Seeing the work of others & being so inspired by them. I really wish to be excellent at the craft & the work, the way I’ve seen my friends & other actors/artist be. And so, my hope is that when I do perform that it is not luck that gets me through but love, knowledge, skill, talent and maybe one day some level of mastery.”
Meet Ensemble Member Amy Louise Pembeton!
@missamypembs
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Essex UK. Forever thankful for my Grandad Jim, dance coach Stacey Reeve Morgan, my lovely parents Jan, Keith & bro James & Chris Hocking (whipped my ass into shape at ARTS ED LDN). West end credits: Ariel-‘Footloose’, Lorainne-‘Jersey Boys’, Sherrie-‘Rock Of Ages’. So lucky to be part of Stephen Soderbergh’s ‘The Laundromat’, Gideon on DC’s ‘Legends Of Tomorrow’, ‘Arrow’ & part of the 4th season of ‘Scorpion’. It was in LA that my VO career began to grow but always so thankful to BBC Big Finish for casting me as Sylvester McCoy’s companion Sally Morgan in ‘DOCTOR WHO’. VO Credits: Fortnite, Game of Thrones, Unchartered 4, Titanfall 2, Sergio, Doc McStuffins, Tom & Jerry, Zoo Keepers Wife, Geostorm. I’m incredibly proud & honored to be a patron of ‘Headway UK-the brain injury association’.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“It’s wonderful to transport people to another world for a few hours. I’ll never forget feeling this way watching theatre the 1st time & being completely sucked into what was happening on stage. To watch incredible performances on tv/film & be so moved. When audience members would come to the stage door after a show & thank cast members for such a wonderful night where they could be taken on a journey. We never know what someone has going on in their life & how much the arts help people.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“I love studying the human condition & trying to understand why we are the way we are. We’re such complex beings. It’s fascinating to delve into studying the reasons behind this & really find the authenticity in my work. There’s always something to learn! My brain feels so much more alive & kicking when i’m in class & I always learn so much from my fellow ensemble members. It will be 8 years since I had the privilege of meeting Mario, one of the most genuine, talented, authentic & wonderful human beings I know. Thank you for everything.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Lucy Mills!
@lucyamills
Spotlight
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Originally from Swansea, South Wales, performing crept into my veins at a young age. I began dancing at 3 & my youth was spent running from competitions & classes to costumes fittings & dance shops. I took a slight detour to complete a degree in MORSE (Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics & Economics) at the University of Warwick but I knew pretty early on that a career in merchant banking was not the path for me, so moved to London to study Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“To me it represents an opportunity to climb into strange new & interesting voids in my own persona. I get to put on a new facet of myself, albeit defined by another person w/ real life issues, wants & needs. I can’t help but feel ‘acting’ simply reflects a learning experience for me to dive into a character, wander around in & leave behind at some point having learned something. I ‘love’ the opportunity to expand who I am, learn about life from new perspectives & empathize w/ human experiences, many of which I may not have been exposed to. What’s not to love?”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“Two personally important motivations…Studying causes me to stop, reflect & consider more than myself. This is a contrary action to daily life in a mega city, surviving w/ millions of other humans w/ their own needs & wants. Secondly, joining like-minded people & sharing an emotional journey in a class captures a very real feeling of belonging. I’ve no doubt it is tapping an innate sense of being in a tribe & story telling, but it’s like having another family. I feel very comfortable & close w/ my fellow class mates & enjoy sharing time.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Victoria Summer!
@victoriasummer
Spotlight
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born in Berkshire, England & raised in the small town of Wokingham. I was involved in the arts from the young age of three, dancing, performing pantomimes & singing in the church choir. After completing my degree at Arts Educational schools & performing in musicals in the West End, I decided to pursue a film career in Los Angeles. Some of my credits include Oscar nominee Saving Mr Banks, blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction & wartime spy thriller Game of Aces. Whenever I’m not in front of the camera or performing music, I can usually be found doing charity work including finding forever homes for rescue animals – including my cat Elton John & Pomeranian Bentley – & representing Teen Cancer America w/ my afternoon tea Event ‘Tea with Victoria Summer.’”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I fell in love w/ acting initially very young. At 11 years old I was Trixie in ‘Daisy Pulls It Off’ at school & I realised it was utterly native to me to act & I loved being on stage more than any other feeling in the world. I’ve fought for that ever since. Looking back now, I love acting because this challenging career has led me down a path of greater wisdom, personal development & self betterment & I am the person I am today because I am an actor. To know ones self & to have an understanding of life brings about a feeling of continual effortless creation & magic. That’s priceless.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“The artist in all of us should be nurtured – I consider the artist to be one of the most important roles in society, after all we inject life into culture & create new realities – often challenging the status quo. It’s my duty to be the best I can be & life without challenge & without growth, to me, is not living. I have to have the confidence to know that when I’m up for a big audition I’m ready & being in class gives me a sense of pride in my work & the ability to deepen my craft.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Jabari Redd!
@jabariredd
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I was born & raised in NY, where my path was leading to a medical career. I graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. During undergrad, I interned at Turner Broadcast & that essentially started my life in entertainment even though my family played a big role in my life in the arts. I recently booked my first feature film ‘B Boy Blues’ directed by Jussie Smollett based on the best selling novel ‘B. Boy Blues’ by James Earl Hardy where I was casted as ‘Derrick ”D.C.” Carter’’. I’ve also worked on a few other shorts & series. When not acting, I find myself directing, producing, & sometimes even doing art direction. Some clients that I’ve worked w/ are Smokey Robinson, Charlie Wilson, John Legend, & many more.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“‘I have a story to tell’ was always my answer. I think I’ve graduated as an artist to refine the way that I look at myself & the art because I approach the work w/ ‘I have a story to LIVE’ so the angle changes. I went from being humble about the work but being humble is not enough. I’m in attack mode. Someone has to be brave enough to live the life. After I realized that the journey is bigger than me, the ability to live & fight became abundant. Acting is where I’ve learned the true meaning of making sure I take up space, & being unapologetic about it.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“Life is something that you’ll not have all the answers to & so is acting. Acting is the replication of real life no matter the circumstances. It’s a constant journey of learning, experiencing, & understanding. Continuing to live in story in its most authentic way is most important when you want to take your audience through a spiritual journey. Making your work spiritual so it touches the soul. What’s more essential for the actor is living the story, not telling it. ‘In its place stood Progress; and Progress, I understand, is necessarily ugly.’ W.E.B. Du Bois”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Holly Dale Spencer!
@hollydalespencer
Spotlight
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Growing up in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, my mom an ex dancer, my dad a drummer/comedian, my sister a singer/dancer & my brother a Child actor-it was a pretty colorful household! Our house was full of laughter & music. I was brought up on classic MGM musicals, Morcambe&Wise, Victoria Wood, & the Royal Variety Show, whilst harboring a sneaky love of horror films! I feel extremely lucky I’ve had the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dreams of being on stage in the West End, as well as playing beautiful theaters such as the Old Vic, the Almeida & the Manchester Royal Exchange. My family remain my biggest support. They’ve always encouraged me to be myself, which has provided me w/ an inner strength w/ which to navigate the toughest waves I’ve had to ride so far.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting has allowed me to discover parts of myself that I had no idea were there, which I find hugely exciting & liberating. It allows me to express & explore myself in ways that I wouldn’t or couldn’t ordinarily in my own life. In order to do the work, I have to unapologetically bring my whole self & I love the honesty & bravery that this demands. I’ve always been fascinated by people & how they tick, so I love to explore characters & their experiences, in order to comprehend what truly makes them the way they are. I love to move people & to change their minds. I’ve always had a deep need to understand people & to make them feel understood.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY?
“We never stop learning. There’s not a finite point we get to: theres no Finish Line-we keep moving/growing/evolving. Every speed bump we hit, we learn & grow a little more. I feel there’s so much more to discover inside myself that I can share. I’m excited to explore more fantastic texts, characters & journeys & hopefully honor them w/ the truth & wholeness they deserve. I’m excited for more challenges, more discomfort & more surprises through the work.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio Los Angeles Ensemble Member Ashley Murray!
@ash8887
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Born to a rockstar father & a sweet southern mother, I was given the best of both worlds. I was born in Nashville, TN & was always outside, climbing trees & exploring the forest in my cape & Mickey Mouse boots. Our family moved to Raleigh, NC pretty early in my life, & I grew up playing all kinds of sports while being in as many plays as they’d let me. I graduated from UNCW w/ a degree in Theatre, & moved out to LA in 2013, where I’ve had the pleasure of working on a wide range of theatrical productions w/ Noisy Nest, making short films w/ talented friends, as well as wonderful feature films like ‘The Valley’ and ‘Sole’.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I’ve always been fascinated w/ peoples hearts. With connection. With how we live based on what has happened to us. I love the work because I get to go on a journey to breathe life into someone created on paper, & ultimately that journey always leads me to discovering so much more about myself. I’ve become a better, stronger, deeper, more connected human being thanks to the study of my craft. Then I get to share that connection in the hopes of opening others hearts to themselves.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY THE CRAFT?
“You should always be studying. There is always more to learn, further to stretch, & more growth to discover. MC² Actors Studio has shown me that the harder I work, the deeper I go, the more specific I am, the more life is revealed in every aspect of my work. I train so that I can learn as much about myself as possible, & give as much of myself as I can to my work & to the audience watching. The goal is to die on empty, so I’ve got a lot of giving to do. Better get to work!”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Jonny Labey!
@jonnylabey
IMDB
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:
“I’m a Jersey born actor living in London. I’ve had a varied career from West End to TV & Film & most types of small scale indie projects in between. As a dancer/singer I’ve always had a coexisting relationship w/ the arts from a young age. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Being part of collaborative & experimental projects throughout my life has led me to produce work when contractual work doesn’t present itself. Due to the COVID crisis, I’m working on a company that supports creatives across all platforms called @mywyspace which navigates funds made from consumer products to the Arts, whilst also acting as a networking platform whereby Artists/Creatives get to present themselves.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“Acting has always been a safe haven where I can explore being in a character’s perspective & existing inside it as my own. It helps learn about relationships that are either completely different or strangely similar to my own. I learn about myself whilst observing others. The trust you give each other lives above any ‘normal’ connection you feel to another person outside a place of work. I love the adrenaline, risk, messiness, being present & passionate about what you’re doing. It’s the same w/ dance, exercise feels good to do but w/ dance, you get that same elation whilst telling a story w/o words.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN?
“You have to continue to train. You CAN always teach an old dog new tricks, you just need to make sure it doesn’t hold its age accountable for giving up. Dancers need to work their muscles as well as athletes & dart players! It’s the same for acting & performing. This is my life, this is what I do & I’m proud to say I’ve made a great career from it. It doesn’t mean the work stops, the work never stops. I’ve loved diving back into acting with MC². It’s really made me realize so much about purpose & why we do what we do, & how to put myself in my work in a way I’d never imagined.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Sam Mackay!
@sammackay
IMDB
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“A born & bred Londoner, I was the product of a half working class, council estate, & half self-made middle class family. As a kid I would be taken from tea parties with a room full of university professors & scientists, to my Nans council house for ‘chinwags’ & a ‘cuppa’ (Americans might need to Google that!)Later in life I would go from rapping in a garage, doing pirate radio sets in Willesden, to dance classes wearing jazz flares. For years that left me feeling like I never belonged to any particular group, who was I etc. With time & age I realised what a gift that was. Seeing life from lots of different perspectives meant that, in fact, that was who I was, someone able & willing to communicate & connect with people from all warps of life. Which has, I hope, been one of my biggest strengths in life. It was certainly fuel to explore the human condition on all ends of lifes many spectrums.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING?
“I’m fascinated with understanding why I & other humans are the way we are. Why we make the choices we make. What deep rooted place our actions come from. I love being part of a community that brings to life these rich stories, be it on screen or on stage. To help people process their own lives or learn things about themselves & the world they live in, or even just escape that world for a few hours.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY THE CRAFT?
“With every passing year I learn new things about myself, experience new struggles, new successes. With every challenge that arises, comes an opportunity to understand & perhaps live through, a new perspective. Therefore the learning & exploration of what it means to be human never ends. How tiring, & bewildering and downright awesome is that.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio LOs Angeles Ensemble Member Holly Hubbell!
@hollyjohubbell
IMDB
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Originally from Texas, I ventured to California to continue to stretch my love for acting & stunt work. Some of my highlights include playing Mary Brown in CBGB, Anna in Quibi’s 100 Deadly Skills, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods.”
WHY DO YOU LOVE ACTING/THE WORK?
“I‘ve fallen in love with this work because I truly enjoy getting to utilize my entire instrument when approaching the art of storytelling. I find such excitement in breaking down the text to discover the humanity within the character & from there getting to marry my own mind, body & spirit to help build the person created by the writer in order to serve the greater purpose of the story.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO TRAIN/STUDY THE CRAFT?
“If you want to be an artist, you must ALWAYS be an artist.’ I choose to continue to study the craft to continue to stretch the muscle & to create a foundation of skills to which I can pull from & utilize based upon what the text is calling for. Having such a firm foundation allows for truthful discovery from moment to moment within the given circumstances. I‘ve now been studying with Mario Campanaro for a little over a year now & I can happily say that I am not the same actor that I was. I‘ve learned what it means to find the humanity within the text, the importance of bringing yourself to the work, & how glorious it is to fully live once the foundation has been built.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio London Ensemble Member Natalie Winsor!
@nataliewinsor1
Spotlight
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF:
“London born and bred Actress. Love this incredible journey through the industry. Highlights and treasured moments, Fame playing Carmen Diaz in the West End. Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Theatre Royal and Bury the Dead playing three leading Characters, Bess/Joan/Katherine.”
WHY DO LOVE ACTING/THE WORK?
“Acting is my greatest love. When the opportunity arises to bring a great vision alive, it is such an incredible yet indescribable feeling. Looking forward to where the path will lead me next.”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN THE CRAFT?
“MC² Actors Studio makes me believe and discover the impossible is very possible. Working with professionals in the industry and under the Leadership and guidance of Mario Campanaro is taking me to new heights and is helping sharpen and fine tune skills.”
Meet MC² Actors Studio LA Ensemble Member Laura New!
@laurajaynenew
IMDB
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:
“Australian born Actress with over a decade of experience in the industry. I’ve had the chance to work on major networks; NBC, ABC, Disney, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central. I’ve had a rewarding career so far performing for millions of people on Television and stage. I’ve ticked off huge performer goals of mine performing at the iconic Sydney Opera house, Londons West End, Radio music hall and a residency show on the Las Vegas Boulevard.
I also recently finished filming a feature called ‘Everything you are’ which I’m excited for its 2021 release.”
WHY DO LOVE ACTING?
“Acting is the air I breathe and my greatest love! I have always felt an overwhelming presence in my heart to storytell. Story telling to me is a reflection of life, a reflection
of the human condition in all its joys and woes and that’s the beauty of it to me. I believe that telling stories is a defining factor in personal growth and enables the discovery of a more fulfilling life. Acting gives me the opportunity to reflect the human experience so that Art can keep reminding us that we are human, living a beautiful human experience. The true Joy of acting is that I get to use my entire instrument/vessel and provide the audience an experience of the gamut of human emotion and ultimately if they will feel something more from life and learn from it, – Well, wow, that is my lifes work! !”
WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO STUDY/TRAIN THE CRAFT?
“First & foremost having a strong foundation of technique & craft provides the skill/backbone to then apply & allow for freedom in the work.I dedicate myself to training so that I can always do great work!The craft provides a toolbox that I draw from to do great work & execute at a higher standard as an actor.Studying with Mario Campanaro has taken me to new heights as a storyteller, experiencing my exponential growth as an actor while studying with him has been beyond rewarding & bloody exciting!Play after play,month after month.I‘m becoming a well versed Actor & ready for any project.”
