Registration is now open
for the
Digital Actor Showcase
See Details Below
To purchase a credit for this showcase, you first need to create a profile. You can then purchase a credit from your profile page, or if you are already signed in, you can purchase a credit by clicking here.
The showcase opens November 1st and will end at midnight on November 30th or when 250 submissions have been reached (whichever comes first). Go to the “Getting Started” page to learn more about creating a successful submission.
– The top 40 actors from this showcase will be able to choose the agent they would like to have a one-on-one meeting with.
– Each participating agent will be sent ALL the submissions from the showcase (regarless of placement) for review. After the showcase, all the submissions will be sent to EVERY agency in the country. (you will have a chance to opt out of this if you don’t want your submission shared with everyone).
– All actors recieve at least 2 reviews of their work from the panel of industry professionals (3 reviews if you get into the top 50).
– All feedback will be given to all the actors, and the results will be delivered a maximum of 3 weeks after the close of the showcase.
During the meetings after the showcase, actors and the agents will be able to choose what they would like to focus on. The meetings are meant to be an introduction to the agent and actor. While there is a chance that an agent could take you on as a client after the meeting, you should not expect that outcome.
Optional Coaching from the Panel:
One of the most requested features we’ve had is now coming to A2A. When you submit your scene you will be asked if you would like to have a one-on-one zoom coaching session with a panel member of your choice.
You will be able to between a 30min coaching session for $40, or a full hour session for $75.
How you choose to use this coaching is completely up to you.
– Choose to ask questions about the feedback you got in the showcase.
– Record a new version of the submission scene and find out how you integrated the notes you got
from the panel into your performance.
– Use the time to shoot another scene or audition with the coach.
It is really up to you.
Agent information:
We are really excited to have such a great line-up of agents taking part! Each of them comes to the table with diverse backgrounds and all of them agree that fostering emerging talent is crucial to the life of our industry! Each agent is donating their time to this showcase and none are being compensated for their participation.
Although each agent has a “home” city, most represent actors from all across the country and even the world.
Toronto based:
Rick Gerrits – Noble Caplan Abrams
Rick began his career at a Talent Agent @ The Core Group in 2002, where he worked as an agent for 7 years, before moving to Ambition Talent Inc. in 2008. After 2 years at Ambition, Rick headed to L. A. where he spent 10+ years as an unscripted producer, creating and developing game shows. He is best known for 430 episodes of Celebrity Name Game, in syndicated daytime with Fremantle Media. Rick was nominated for an Emmy along with co-producers Courteney Cox and David Arquette and co-creator/producer , Laura Robinson. Rick and Laura also created and produced 65 episodes of Blank Slate on Game Show Network and a pilot and 6 episodes of 5 Second Rule for ITV/E!
Rick returned to Toronto in early 2022 to join the staff at NCA as Commercial Agent. In early 2025, he was elevated to film/tv/theatre agent, managing a roster of 150+ clients.
Maya Ritter – Ritter Talent Agency
A former principal actor turned powerhouse agent, Maya Ritter brings over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry. Beginning her career in front of the camera at age 10, she developed a lifelong passion for storytelling and the artistry behind film.
Now leading Ritter Talent Agency alongside her mother, Teri Ritter, Maya is known for her sharp eye for talent, her strategic approach to career development, and her dedication to fostering trust-driven, communicative relationships with her clients.
She thrives on working with career-driven actors committed to growth, guiding them to expand their range, elevate their craft, and carve out authentic, sustainable careers in entertainment.
Vancouver based:
Jayson Marshall – The Characters Talent Agency
Jayson Marshall is a highly respected Film and Television Agent with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Jayson began his career in front of the camera in the early 1990s, appearing in series such as Cold Squad and The Operative, as well as national commercials for brands like Molson and Toyota.
In 1994, Jayson transitioned to the business side of the industry when he was invited to manage Kirk Talent Agency’s Calgary office. Two years later, he relocated to Vancouver to join Kirk Talent’s expanding West Coast operations.
By 1999, Jayson founded The Howard Hill Talent Agency in Vancouver, quickly earning a reputation for strategic deal-making and career development. His early success included securing a three-picture deal with 20th Century Fox for a client in the X-Men franchise—an achievement that set the tone for the agency’s growth over the next decade.
In 2015, Jayson merged The Howard Hill Agency with Characters Talent Agency, opening Characters’ third branch in Calgary alongside its Toronto and Vancouver offices.
Scarlett Bruns – Leo Management
Scarlett Bruns is a Vancouver based talent agent and former actor whose career spans more than 30 years in the film, television, and
theatre industries. Originally from Germany, she has worked extensively as an actor, writer, producer, and casting director across film, television, and commercial productions, as well as serving as a director, choreographer and stage manager in theatre.
In 2012, Scarlett founded Leo Management where she continues to leverage her extensive industry experience, creative insight, and deep network to scout and develop emerging talent in the Vancouver market.
The Panel
Artist2Artist is thrilled to have assembled such a talented and generous group of industry professionals to give feedback to all the participants and to help determine the top group of actors.
Originally from Toronto, Christopher has been a working professional actor for over 30+ years, performing across Canada, and the States, in predominantly musical theatre in his earlier years before moving to Vancouver in the late ‘90’s to work in a thriving film&television market. Being a dual citizen has afforded him opportunities in Los Angeles and later in New York, and now he acts, teaches, coaches and producers, sometimes virtually while making his home between NY and Vancouver, with plans to be in the UK. Selected theatre credits include Broadway: Mamma Mia (Winter Garden Theatre). Off-Broadway/Regional: Curvy Widow (Westside Theatre), Going Down Swingin’ (NYMF), Lend Me a Tenor (Hangar Theatre), The Good Life (NoHo Arts Center). National Tours: The Book of Mormon, Les Miserables. Selected CAN Theatre: Night of the Iguana (Playwright’s Theatre Centre), El Salvador (The Cultch), Phantom of the Opera (the Pantages), Assassins (CAN Stage), Sunset Boulevard (The Ford Centre for the Performing Arts). and has over 100 film/television titles to his name. He’s won a Leo Award for best lead performance in THE INVITATION and a UBCP/ACTRA Award for Best Lead Performance in DEBRIS for NBC. He’s taught for Shoreline Studios, Michael Bean, and Langara College and is also a part time instructor with the Deena Levy Theatre Studio in NY. Studied with acclaimed director/teacher Larry Moss, Lesly Kahn and is developing a one person piece with Giles Forman (Founder of the New Drama Centre in London)
With over 135 professional acting credits, Catherine (Cat) Lough Haggquist is currently gaining fanfare and acclaim in the supernatural drama genre of television, with a recurring role on Motherland: Fort Salem as General Petra Bellweather.
Cat is equally industrious off-screen. In addition to having served in four capacities – including Vice President – on the executive board of the Union of BC Performers and as a National Councillor of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, she founded Biz Books in 1996 to provide a dedicated source for film, television, and theatre materials. Over 25 years later, Cat still operates BizBooks.net and owns TheDramaClass.com – both of which inspire creatives to feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported in pursuing their industry goals.
The recipient of the 2008 Women in Film and Television Vancouver’s Special Jury Award, Cat is also very proud to have been named as the 2013 International Women’s Day Honoree by UBCP/ACTRA. She was recognized again by UBCP/ACTRA in 2017 with a Lifetime Membership, and in 2020 with the Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award.
A trained multilingual, multifaceted and experienced, professional creative powerhouse of an Actor/Director & Producer. He was born in Karachi, Pakistan and he now lives in Toronto, Canada where he went to Film School and Drama school and started his career again from scratch. Working on projects from conception to completion is his strong suit. Ali has a penchant for languages and can speak English, Urdu, Hindi ,Punjabi, Persian, Pashto/Dari, French(basic) and Arabic. He has amassed a portfolio, peppered with multi-layered diverse characters.
His film “Funny Boy” by the amazing Deepa Mehta is in the Oscar race for Best picture and best adapted screenplay. He has just wrapped Pakistan’s first Superhero/Adventure flick “Umro Ayaar”. He was part of the Successful thriller running in cinemas across Pakistan and globally – “Laal Kabootar”. 4 Pakistani films released Worldwide In 2019- “Superstar”, “Baaji”, “Ishrat-reloaded” and “Altered Skin.” One mega hit “Sardarji”which after completing its 3 year cinema run is now on Netflix.
Recent North American Projects: Angelina Jolies “The Breadwinner”, Deepa Mehtas “Beeba Boys”, “Taken” -NBC Tv series, “Falling Waters” Season 2, “Jackson heights” “Baaghi” Pakistans Record-breaking hit TV series , “Badnaam”, 3 Ubisoft video games and many more. Resume attached and Links below.
He believes that “One cannot portray life on screen if one has not lived it!” He is a marathoner, triathlete, certified scuba diver. adventurer, traveller & dreamer. He shows no signs of stopping and his journey has just begun.
The world is full of magic things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper- WB Yeats
Instagram: @thealikazmi
Twitter: @thealikazmi
Facebook: Ali Kazmi
IMDB: www.imdb.me/alikazmi
Kimberly Huie an is an award winning actor, writer and producer. Recent and memorable screen credits include SELF MADE for Netflix with Octavia Spencer and PRIVATE EYES (Ion/GlobalTV) with Jason Priestly. Kimberly’s career has spanned across Canada and the US with an extensive list of television credits. Highlights include Grey’s Anatomy, The Blacklist, Rookie Blue, CSI Miami and Andromeda. Kimberly is a graduate of the Second City Toronto Improvisation program and trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School in NYC. A love of language and laughter inspired her short film, the intervention. It has shown in Film Festivals across North America and the Caribbean and won multiple awards. Born in Jamaica, raised in Canada, Kimberly Huie came of age in France. She speaks both French and English fluently and divides her time between Toronto and New York.
Hiro Kanagawa is a Vancouver-based actor and writer. His most recent play Indian Arm received the 2017 Governor-General’s Literary Award for Drama. Other distinctions include Jessie Richardson Awards for both acting and playwriting, an Asians on Film Award, and an MFA from Simon Fraser University. He is perhaps best known for his recurring roles and guest appearances on popular American television series such as Altered Carbon, The X-Files, iZombie and Smallville and comedic turns in Best in Show and the legendary Supernatural episode Changing Channels. A sought-after script doctor and consultant, he was story editor on the critically-acclaimed Canadian series Da Vinci’s Inquest, Da Vinci’s City Hall, Intelligence, and Blackstone.
Melanie Nicholls-King is a Canadian/American actress with Trini roots, best known for playing Cheryl in the HBO series, The Wire; Officer Noelle Williams in the ABC series, Rookie Blue and recently, Hazel LaCroix, in the beloved Netflix series, Anne with an E. She can also be seen in three of the series in the Law & Order franchise, Orphan Black, The Week Of with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, Star Trek: Discovery and Little Fires Everywhere to name a few. Upcoming, she can be seen in Showtime’s Your Honor with Bryan Cranston.
Based in Vancouver, Geoff Gustafson has been featured in numerous commercial campaigns including Busch Beer, BMO, Volkswagen, Weisers and Visa. Geoff has played Norman Dorman on Hallmark’s Signed Sealed Delivered for the past 8 years. His work has garnered him three Leo nominations. He most recently appeared in “The 27 Hour Day” along side Autumn Reeser and Andrew Walker for Hallmark. Gustafson had a recurring arc on “Rogue” as well as “Once Upon a Time” and has guest starred on episodes of “Emily Owens M.D.,” “Psych,” “Package Deal” and “Bates Motel.” In addition, Gustafson worked as a series regular on “Primeval: New World” for SyFy. When not onset Geoff is an acting instructor and is responsible for developing curriculum and managing the full time acting programs at Vancouver Acting School as the Director of Performing Arts.
Francesca Bianchi is an established actor and dialect coach here in Vancouver. Since arriving in Vancouver in 2019 Francesca has appeared on multiple TV series and films, including The Irrational, Allegiance, Project Blue Book, Five More Minutes and many others. Most recently she was the dialect coach on the Providence Falls Trilogy and has coached on multiple shows here and in Australia where she began her theatre career and earned her Bachelors in Fine Arts.
Francesca will be the first panelist who has (proudly) participated in Artist 2 Artist as an actor. After having achieved a place in the top ten in the Vancouver and the Toronto showcases multiple times, it’s time for her to lend her expertise to the panel.
Jason Bryden is an actor and a teacher. He focuses on scene study for beginners, non-actors and performers with disabilities. You can read his blog at bold acting.substack.com He lives in Toronto with his two boys and a singing cat.
Brittany Willacy is an actor, musician, photographer and audition coach originally from friendly Winnipeg! Currently moonlighting in the country band “Chase Coulee,” Brittany also actively auditions and runs Greens Department Studio in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver. Some life highlights include working as a reader and camera operator for Vancouver casting directors Sean Cossey and JJ Ogilvy, touring coast to coast in the rock band Head of the Herd, and landing a recurring guest star for 3 seasons of Hallmark’s “Chesapeake Shores.”
Kurt has appeared in over 100 film and television roles over the years including reoccurring roles in iZOMBIE, SUPERNATURAL, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, ROGUE, LEVEL UP, SANCTUARY and EXE’S and OH’s and has been nominated for a LEO for Best Male Guest star twice for his work in MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE and TIES THAT BIND. Kurt has also appeared on stage across western Canada and is a voice actor, writer, director and teacher. It is a highlight of his career to bring Artist2Artist to life!