Carly Cohen

Carly Cohen heads up a dynamic and talented team of director, choreographer, and musical director who will work closely with our Silver Canvas participants. Carly is a professional choreographer, director and actor who is also a Curriculum Leader in the Toronto District School Board. Artists in the past have been Carly Hall, Norm Nurmi, Amanda Cordner, Laurel Brady, Craig Ramsay (Broadway star for the past five years and Michael Nadajewski (Stratford and Shaw performer) and Adrian Marchuk (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys)

Carly Cohen is the founder and Artistic Director of Silver Canvas Productions Inc. She has produced/directed/ choreographed many musicals over the past 15 years. Her favourites include, Fiddler on the Roof, Chorus Line and West Side Story to name a few. Carly is a graduate of Claude Watson School for the Arts and the University of Windsor B.F.A Honours program where she received the Francis Hyland Award for top applicant to the program. She is a professional actor/dancer/singer who has been coaching Broadway performers for many years. She was also a Curriculum Leader and teacher with the Toronto District School Board in the areas of dance and drama as well as a curriculum writer for the Ministry of Education in the Arts.

Carly Cohen - Acting

Professional Actress/Dancer/Singer Telephone: 416.358.9970
Height: 5’4 Weight: 130
Eyes: Blue/Green Hair: Brown

Film& Television:

Hostelity Lead Sibling Rivalry Prod/Mark McSween
Open Invitation Lead Norton Prod./Barb Kymlicka
Three of a Perfect Pair Lead Filmic Prod./Ross Milne
Prey Principal Independent
Know Chance Principal Integrity Prod./James Cohen
Teen Gambling Principal Documentary/M.Champion/McCann
Owl TV Principal Owl TV/C. Wagner

Selected Theatre:

Standing By Ellen Talk Is Free/Brian Rintoul
The Ballad of the Battle Chance DMC Co-op Prod./D. Carnwath
Between Power and Chance
Uncle Jeb’s Farm Mamma Starshine Prod./Dori Skye
A Doll’s House Nora University Players/B. Taylor
She Stoops to Conquer Miss Neville University Players/L. Walsh
Sweet Charity Charity Brook Players/C. Welton
Cabaret Sally Brook Players/D.Cohen

Acting Honours:

Francis Hyland Award : Top applicant to the University of Windsor Theatre Program
Theatre Ontario Award of Excellence

Training:

Bachelor of Fine Arts University of Windsor,2000 (Top Scholarships)
On Camera Auditioning Anne Tait and Michael Caruana
Acting Diana Mady Kelly, Brian Taylor, Brian Rintoul, Wenna Shaw, Anne Louise Bannon, Michael Keating, Mirium Lawrence.
On Camera Acting Brian Taylor, Nick Shields, Sean McCann
Movement/Dance Gina Lori Riley, Patti Laing, Caroline Smith, Parnel Davis, Dayle Hyde.
Improvisation Lionel Walsh
Voice Eric Armstrong, Michael Keating
Singing Jeanette Dagger
Leah Posluns Theatre School Judy Silver (11 years)
Claude Watson School for the Arts – graduate

Special Skills:

Professional choreographer, licensed driver, baseball, swimming, figure skating,
dance(jazz,folk,ballet,modern,latin,ballroom) horseback riding, teacher,playwright.

Carly Cohen - Teaching

OBJECTIVE: A drama position in an educational environment where I can utilize proven skills as a professional artist in the development of visionary ideas, create strategic planning for student success, team building, organizing, mentoring and problem solving to assist both administration and the teaching team.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Built an arts program for At-Risk youth. This program included dance, drama, art, musical theatre and music. As the only Arts teacher in the first three years of my teaching career, I crafted the curriculum and build a program that provided great student success. After only five years, the graduation rate of our At-Risk students tripled. In their comments, they thanked the arts program for helping them believe in themselves.
  • As a Curriculum Leader for the Arts at CALC, I mentored other teachers, student teachings and continued to build the Arts program with integrity and great success. I ran meetings, prepared workshops and had an open door policy that created a strong team of teachers.
  • Designed a snack program, which included researching an agency, writing a grant, multiple meetings with organizations, managing the distribution, ordering and organizing all snack. This program has led into a successful breakfast and lunch program.
  • Dance Curriculum Writer for the Ministry of Education
  • Guidance Curriculum writer for myBlueprint.ca
  • Constructed curriculum and assessments with Chris Kubsh on a course currently used in the Pod system. This course brings in the introductory understanding of both Psychology and Film.
  • Wrote two courses, one was in my first year of teaching that allows students to experience the “professional world of theatre.” Each quad I cut a hundred page script into twenty pages and teach students how to sing dance and act in nine weeks. Since I have been at CALC, I have designed eight shows solo and one show with a colleague.
  • A member of OISE, Kathleen Gallagher’s research team on Arts in Education through Drama. Book was published in 2014, Why Theatre Matters. Kathleen studied my teaching practice and used my work in her book.
  • Motivated four different groups of students to enter the Kiwanis Festival. I taught them a form of lyrical dance, a style they had never done, and each group won their division each year.
  • Guest Artist for the York University Dance AQ in the area of Musical Theatre Performance
  • On the Audition Selection Committee for Claude Watson School for the Arts
  • Built an after school music theatre company and camp where I bring Professional Theatre performers to work with students in their classrooms.
  • Wrote a Play with Brian Rintoul currently in talks with the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre about a future production

EDUCATION:

2015 June
Guidance Part 1 AQ, Queens University

2013
Dance Part 1 AQ, York University

2007 Summer
Dramatic Arts Honours Specialist, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

2003-2004
Bachelor of Education, Intermediate/Senior – Dramatic Arts, English (“Successfully Taught” in Dance as well as a professional dancer and choreographer) Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

1996-2000
Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours, University of Windsor
Major: Acting

1992-1996
Claude Watson School For the Arts

1985-1993
Leah Posluns Theatre School

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

2005/06
Co-Active Coaching (TDSB Initiative)

2003
Special Education Series, Evelyn Freedman

2003
Power Struggles in the Classroom, Barrie Bennett

2003
Students at Risk, OISE UT

1998-present
Professional Acting and Movement Coach

  • Craig Ramsay Currently on Broadway in (Fiddler on the Roof, Chitty)
  • Raymond Miller Mamma Mia, Disney
  • Marc Bondy Acting Company at The Globe, in London, England
  • Mike Nadajewski Shaw, Stratford, Broadway

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2016
CALC – TDSB – At Risk Youth

2013
LTO Sir John A Macdonald, Dance

2010-2012:
Supply work and Music Theatre/Dance Teacher at Newtonbrook S.S

2008-2012
Music Theatre Program Elementary Panel – Branksome Hall

Sept 04 – 09:
C.A.L.C – TDSB (At-Risk Youth EdVance Program) Curriculum Leader 06-09

  • Built an Arts Program where the students put on four shows a year
  • Wrote curriculum for a Social Studies course called Psychology Through Film
  • Won a grant to provide a lunch and snack program for students in need
  • Students won Kiwanis Festival 05-07
  • On the Staffing Committee 2006 school year

Jan 2011 – April :
DANFORTH TECH LTO Dance

  • Designed choreography for the senior dance show
  • Built curriculum that needed to be tight and assessed by the return of the teacher
  • Taught grade 9-12 including a Special Needs BOYS class

April/May
Internship in Brussels, Grades 7-13, IB program

  • Designed dance curriculum for new program
  • Directed/Choreographed Student shows
  • Taught and Assessed Grade 11,12,13 exam preparation classes

Fall/Winter 2003,2004
Student Teacher, Grades 9,11,12
Northern Secondary School, Toronto District School Board
Thornhill Secondary School, York Region

  • Designed and created curriculum for grades 9,11 and 12
  • Taught and Assessed lessons, incorporating a variety of learning-based strategies
  • Mentored choreography process for school show

December 02
Teacher Assistant, Grades 9-13, Behavioral/Emotional Needs
West Toronto C.I, Toronto District School Board

  • Organized and facilitated programs and activities to help students connect with society and successfully implemented modified programs for special needs students

June 2001
Drama/Dance Teacher, Grades 4-8, Audition Team (selected students for school)
Claude Watson School for the Arts, Toronto District School Board

  • Choreographed final show
  • Developed show with Acting majors, designed lessons and worked with teacher associates

2000-2001
Drama Teacher, Special Needs, Grades 4-8
RISE Academy, Private Institution

  • Designed curriculum for classes of diverse needs and concentrated on teaching basic life skills such as positive communication, focus, and group work.
  • Assessed report cards, worked with very “reactive” and violent students

2000-2001
Supply Drama/Dance Teacher – Claude Watson School for the Arts
Supply Teacher, CH Best, Rockford
Grades 4-8

  • At Claude Watson, worked as “guest artist in the classroom” in dance and drama
  • When lesson plans were not left, as a supply teacher, I used creative problem solving skills to develop lessons on short notice

1997-2000
Teachers Assistant, 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year
University of Windsor

  • Assisted in teaching voice and movement classes
  • Ran rehearsals, coached, assessed assignments

TEACHING RELATED EXPERIENCE

2002
Camp Walden – Head of Dance and Fitness, Ages 7-15

  • Designed lesson plans, working with staff of over 50 people
  • Directed, developed 2 dance shows, writing evaluations for all staff

1995-2000
Earl Bales Community Centre, Bayview Arena, Parks and Recreation
Dance Teacher – Parent and tot(2), jazz(7-11), Hip Hop (12-15), Ballet(7-9)
Jazz(11-12), and creative movement (2-3)

  • Created lesson plans, worked with parents, designed final show
  • Modified programs to aid students at all levels of dance.
  • Designed classes to modify down syndrome child

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

2010
Claude Watson School for the Arts, grades 4-8

  • Taught the feeder students who were interested in joining Canadian Dance Tapestry – this was a dance company that I was in where we represented CWSA and Canada all over the world

2000-2002
Newtonbrook Secondary School, Grades 9-13

  • Team-teaching with Carol Welton, ran workshops, directed after school rehearsals for shows

2001
Fenside Public School, Grade 1

  • Classroom assistant, lead children through drama/movement workshops

2000-2002
Shakesperience, Grades 7-13

  • Prepared Shakespeare workshops for students of all levels.

2001
Starshine Productions, Acting Company

  • Worked with inner city children during performance tour

1995-present
Flemington Adult ESL Centre, Bickford

  • Organized office and provided clerical assistance to office team
  • Communicated with students, dealing with classroom related issues

2000-present
Professional Arts Career

  • Performed in over 25 shows as a professional Actor/Choreogprapher/Dancer/ Singer
  • Accomplished Playwright and Poetry Award winner

AWARDS

Francis Hyland Award: Top Applicant to the University of Windsor
Theatre Ontario Award of Excellence
World Community Choreographer Award 2000
Dance Prize, Drama Prize 1996

Carly Hall

Carly Hall graduated from the York University Creative Ensemble Theatre program. Having started her career with the Toronto Paprika Festival she has had many wonderful opportunities to showcase herself not only as an actor but a singer, dancer, choreographer, director and stage manager. Her past roles have included Marian in The Music Man (Ryleepuss Productions); Erin in Dinosaur Ego (Bugs In Amber, Fringe Festival); Ms. Darbus in High School Musical (FAYC), Ensemble in HAIR (FAP); and Adelaide US in Guys And Dolls (FAP) which she also stage managed. Recently, she moved into a new creative aspect of the industry by being on a billboard in downtown Toronto. Having worked numerous times with brilliant young artists she is extremely excited to continue to help build and harness the immense talent they bring to every production.

Norm Nurmi

Norm Nurmi is a graduate of Queen’s University, in addition to work as a baritone with prominent professional choirs, Norman is also a composer and has written love songs, sacred solos, small-ensemble pieces, children’s choruses and commissioned choral compositions. Norm and his soprano wife, a Branksome alumna, have recorded three CDs featuring his music.

Laurel Brady

Laurel Brady is so excited to be involved with Silver Canvas Productions and the Branksome Halls’ Musical “High School Musical.” Laurel is a professional actor and writer for theatre and is currently expanding her skillset to include screenwriting and film acting. Laurel graduated from York University’s Theatre Program. Since graduating, Laurel has been passionate about sharing her love of the arts with children, teens, and adults through performance and teaching workshops. Enjoy the show!

Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly has been in the performing arts industry for over 20 years. From musicals: Mamma Mia (Mirvish), The House of Martin Guerre (Canadian Stage Co.), Cinderella & Robin Hood (Ross Petty/Elgin Theatre), to plays: The Normal Heart (Studio 180), Will The Real JT LeRoy Please Stand Up? (Buddies in Bad Times), and film and television: Bitten (SyFy), Queer As Folk (Showtime), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Cosmopolis (Cronenberg) as well as over 30 commercials, Ryan has experienced the full spectrum of performance in his career. He has been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award, A Genie Award, and two Dora Awards (and earned one). Most recently he was part of the cast of Avenue Q at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton that won a Sterling Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Amanda Cordner

Amanda Cordner is thrilled to be a guest artist at Branksome Halls’ Musical Theatre Camp and after school programs. She is a trained stage actor who is currently making her mark in the film and television industry. She graduated from York University’s Theatre Program. After university, Amanda has delved into different performance styles such as clown, improvisation and Bouffon. Amanda has a bustling passion to teach the art of stage performance to not just young aspiring actors but to all youngsters who want to express themselves through acting.

Mike Nadajewski

Mike Nadajewski: Mike has spent most of his career in plays and musicals at the Stratford, Shaw and Charlottetown Festivals. There have been many great adventures along the way, including playing the role of Peter in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar, George in Sunday in the Park with George at Talk Is Free Theatre (a theatre he co-founded with fellow artists), Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Oberon-Lysander in Peter Sellars’ re-imagined A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Chamber Play, Mr. Tumnus in The Lion,The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Einstein in The Physicists at the Stratford Festival, Captain Hannibal in Happy End at the Shaw Festival where he met his wife, actor Glynis Ranney. They both live in Stratford with their son, Emrys

Craig Ramsay

Internationally recognized in the fitness industry and Broadway community for his extensive knowledge and diverse expertise, Craig Ramsay has more than 15 years of documented success transforming the health, bodies, and lives of his many clients. Musical theatre called and Craig answered, appearing on Broadway in such hits as “Fiddler on the Roof” with Rosie O’Donnell; “Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang,” and “Mamma Mia!” He also appeared in television and films in such projects as “Once Upon a Mattress” with Carol Burnett and GLEE’s Matthew Morrison, An Englishman in New York with John Hurd and Cynthia Nixon, and “All My Children.” Along the way, Craig trained fellow performers using his vast understanding of kinesiology, muscle building techniques and nutrition to improve not only their physical conditions, but their overall wellbeing.
Craig still makes appearances on sitcom’s and soap operas the most recent being a guest star on the CBS hit sitcom “2 Broke Girls” and General Hospital.