Toronto – April 19, 2021 –Today, ACTRA Toronto presents a Showcase featuring a curated selection of self-taped scenes by established and on-the-cusp Black performers in its membership at https://www.diversityshowcase.ca/.

The site is a public-facing, online promotion of the depth and diversity of ACTRA Toronto’s membership, made with the financial assistance of Ontario Creates and in collaboration with The Casting Directors Society of Canada (The CDC). It is the latest of their collaborations to promote ACTRA Toronto’s diverse membership, including previous diversity casting calls, networking events and support for ACTRA’s online diversity talent database https://diversity.actraonline.ca/.

The Black Performer Showcase is the first of several showcases. Plans are underway to follow the Black Showcase with a Latinx Showcase, an Asian Showcase, a Showcase for performers living with disabilities, a Queer Performer Showcase, and more.

ACTRA Toronto President David Gale says, “This resource is meant to catch the eye of U.S. and international producers and casting directors who may not realize that you can truly “cast the world” in Toronto. The depth of diversity in our membership is something we are very proud of. We know this impressive Showcase will draw attention to the wealth of potential and talent our province holds. Not only do our locations offer a gold standard in COVID safety protocols, but you can find actors to play anyone in the world right here in Ontario.”

Richard Young, ACTRA Toronto’s Treasurer and Chair of ACTRA National’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, says, “Building on the work of ACTRA’s existing performer databases, The Black Performer Showcase is a fantastic tool highlighting the deep bench of talented Black performers in Ontario.” Jenn Paul, ACTRA Toronto’s Industry Relations Specialist: Anti-Black Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, adds: “Producers can cast performers here with the specific cultural background to authentically tell their story.”

ACTRA Toronto gratefully acknowledges the assistance of The CDC and its Co-Chair Jenny Lewis, and financial assistance from Ontario Creates.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 15,000 of Canada’s 27,000 professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. An advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.

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