Expert: Peter Messaline - 9/27/2007

Question
I am British but now live in Ottawa, Canada as a permanent resident.  I have a performing arts Degree and I have a lot of experience in performing including working for Disney Cruise Line. I am currently a waitress as I fear Ottawa has nothing to offer, can you help?

Answer
I understand that Ottawa is in fact a busy place, but not of course for someone who has been parachuted in. You should contact ActOttawa
www.actottawa.com
Taking some classes will plug you into the Ottawa acting community, an the teachers could become another valuable source of up-to-date information.
Become a member of
canadianactor.com,
a valuable resource for basic Canadian FAQs and a busy discussion board, where people are very generous with their experience.
ottawatheatre.ca
is an amateur resource, but it might have some kernels of useful knowledge.
ttp://arts-ottawa.on.ca/
has a great list of Ottawa arts links, so you can spend some time looking for the elusive teeny tiny entrance door.
Give TheatreBooks a call
1-800-361-3414
and ask the knowledgeable people there is they can recommend a book about a Canadian acting career. There are probably all sorts of assumptions you are making from your tradition that simply don't apply now in Canada.

Stay strong

Peter M