Acting Grads
Jillian Burke (they/she) is a multidisciplinary artist now living on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Their most recent credits at Studio 58 include The Tempest, Blood Wedding, Metamorphoses and A Chorus Line. They’ve also had the joy of Assistant Directing Vascular Necrosis at this year's rEvolver Festival and are excited to take it to Realwheels Theatre in 2024. Currently serving as Head Coordinator for Studio 58's Diversity Committee, they strive to use their voice and opportunities to create a space for those still looking for a way to share their own. Their work hopes to bring a spotlight to the stories exploring themes of culture, queer identity, connection and coexistence. Check out their debut as a director/playwright with Political, a mini-series about the current human rights movement in the middle east, streaming this winter, and the Gnawing Mind Series, a POV into the neurodiverse premiering summer 2024.
Janavi (she/they) is a theatre artist born and raised in Vancouver, BC on the unceded, traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Joining the improv team in high school sparked her need for theatre, which led her to train at Arts Umbrella in the Pre-Professional Senior Theatre Troupe. Her training there directed her to Studio 58! Recent credits include: Keeva (The Kitchen, Studio 58), Diana (A Chorus Line, Studio 58) and Diana/Stewart/Larry (Polar Opposites, Burnaby Arts Council). When she’s not in the theatre, she enjoys teaching the public about space at the planetarium! She would like to thank her family and all the teachers in her life for their continued guidance and support.
Caylen is a neurodiverse artist working on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. As a creative, Caylen has skills in dance, music and performance. His skills also extend past the stage and into the tech booth as a lighting and sound designer. Previous credits at Studio 58 include Boy in Blood Wedding, Stephano in The Tempest, Head Band Boy in A Chorus Line and Magi in The Kitchen. Caylen co-wrote Gillty as Fin, which will premiere as part of Studio 58’s FourPlay. Caylen is overjoyed to work in theatre and cannot wait to share his heart with you.
L started her artistic journey through her hands in painting, drawing and writing. As she grew older, her artistry reached through her hands and into her body where she fell in love with dance. Then, her artistry grew so much it overflowed out of her mouth. L believes there is no greater gift than sharing love through art with a community. She believes that art is for the whole world to experience and will do everything in her power as an artist to help everyone have equal opportunity and access to it. L has the absolute privilege to explore as an artist on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəyə̓m, Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations.
Serena Hatch is an actor, writer and artist living in Burnaby BC home to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. Since moving here, she has developed a strong bond with theatre and film, getting the chance to grow and expand her skills at Studio 58. Her experiences range from annual musicals to Shakespeare productions and devised theatre. Serena is passionate about queer issues and exploring the dark sides of people that make others uncomfortable. Previous credits at Studio 58 include Antonia (The Tempest), Hettie (The Kitchen), Bebe/Mel/Rosalie u/s (A Chorus Line), Ensemble (Metamorphoses) and Ensemble (enough is enough is enough). Serena is thankful for the wide range of opportunities that Studio 58 has given her and is grateful for the support of her friends and family on and off stage. She is excited to continue to push beyond barriers in her upcoming projects after graduation.
Samantha (she/her) is an artist living and working on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Passionate about performing since she was a toddler, Sam continues to be grateful for every opportunity to express herself through acting, singing, dance and music. Recent theatre credits include Gonzala (The Tempest, Studio 58), Diana (The Bright Young Things, Edmonton Fringe), Michaela (The Kitchen, Studio 58), June/Maggie u.s./Dance Captain (A Chorus Line, Studio 58), Arachne (Metamorphoses, Studio 58) and Ensemble/Co-Creator (enough is enough is enough, Studio 58). Sam is looking forward to crafting more original work for stage and screen, telling feminist stories and empowering the female voice. She lovingly thanks all her family, friends, and teachers for their support through Studio 58 and beyond.
Looking to embody fully realized and autonomous female characters, Katie Schram has been bringing her vision to the stage for over a decade. Inspired by the films of Martin Scorsese and his emotionally repressed male characters, this emotional young woman has worked both on and off stage, primarily as an actor and youth theatre director, and occasionally as a stage manager. Katie is most passionate about finding compassion and dignity for even the most seemingly reprehensible characters to ever set foot onstage. Her credits at Studio 58 include Prospera (The Tempest), Neighbour (Blood Wedding), Polly (The Kitchen), Kristine (A Chorus Line) and Caesar et al. (Metamorphoses). Most recently, Katie worked as an actor in the early development of an upcoming major motion picture script.
Emma Soothill is a performing artist born and raised in the Greater “Vancouver” Area, on the stolen lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. After joining her high school theatre program on a dare, Emma realized she could be an artist without being good at drawing (her skills of which are abysmal). Emma feels immensely privileged to have spent the last three years learning about and creating art here at Studio 58. Her credits with Studio 58 include: Caliban (The Tempest), Polly (The Kitchen) and Sheila (A Chorus Line). Looking ahead, Emma hopes to immerse herself in the theatre and film industry and continue learning about what it means to be an artist – while not taking herself too seriously! She wants to thank all her loved ones for their endless support, especially her parents and her Nana, for recognizing and nurturing the love Emma finds in the performing arts.
Hikari Terasawa (she/her) was born and raised in Nagano, Japan. She came to Canada in 2018 to pursue her performing arts career. She is grateful for the privilege to create and perform as an actor and dancer on the unceded traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She holds great pride in being a bilingual multidisciplinary artist who always remembers where she comes from. Recent credits include Ariel (The Tempest, Studio 58); Ray (The Kitchen, Studio 58); Violet, Ensemble, Dance Captain, Ballet Solo Choreographer (A Chorus Line, Studio 58); and Anna, Choreographer (Ikigai, Halfie Films).
Samuel Walmsley-Byrne’s first memories revolve around reading, writing, hearing and telling stories. This love of storytelling naturally led him to the theatre, and to his first ever role as Lead Crocodile (Once Upon a Lily Pad, Quadra Elementary). Throughout his life, Sam has found joy in many facets of the performing arts, including dancing ballet and playing woodwind instruments. Raised in Victoria, yet born in Palo Alto to British parents, he has been most influenced by the offbeat world of British comedy. Sam’s credits at Studio 58 include Father (Blood Wedding), Sebastian (The Tempest), Dimitri (The Kitchen), Bobby (A Chorus Line) and Actaeon (Metamorphoses). Samuel aims to find the heart of every character whose life he is fortunate enough to live for six days a week.
Terrence Zhou (he/him) is a Chinese-Canadian multidisciplinary artist raised in Fort St. John, BC, located on the traditional lands of the Dane-zaa First Nations within Treaty 8. Terrence was drawn to theatre in his final years of high school, having performed in musicals such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Wizard of Oz. After a small hiatus from acting, Terrence moved to Vancouver and is excited to explore the local arts scene. He has rediscovered his love for acting, singing and dancing, and hopes to do all three on stage for the rest of his life. Select credits at Studio 58 include: Hans (The Kitchen), Mike (A Chorus Line), Hecuba/Ensemble (Metamorphoses) and Ferdinand (The Tempest). He is currently working on a musical that will debut as a part of Studio 58’s FourPlay and is looking forward to seeing it brought to life.