Acting

Involved in theatre from a young age, I consider myself an actor first and foremost.  Below you’ll find a (semi-complete) listing of my theatre and film experience; in addition, I have done voice-over work for radio commercials, public speaking, and hosted events.

A graduate of Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School’s Integrated Arts Program, I went on to flunk out of theatre school, make a feature-length film with some friends, and have been increasingly focused on filmmaking over the past few years.   Recently, I’ve started to return to my roots as an actor.  In addition to my theatre experience, I also have some fight training from FDC instructors, some basic ballroom dance training, basic dance training (many styles), and my motorcycle license.  I have also worked around fire and special effects, and have learnt how to eat fire as well as been rigged with squibs to simulate a gunshot wound. And yes, I’ve done background work in film – the ones you’ve heard of where sometimes you can almost see me in the background of a shot are A Cool Dry Place and Jumper.

I’m working on completing this list – changes of computers and moves over the years have meant misplaced records.  If you can add to or correct this information, or have photos or video, I’d greatly appreciate it!

Film Work

2009 State of the Art Stratagem Entertainment

Candace Shaw and Gloria Shapiro in State of the Art, 2009

Elisa
Director Sean Bruce
An independent feature film about an artist who discovers she has an unusual ability, and uses it to take revenge on the local crime syndicate.  Currently in post-production.

2007 Peterborough Time Super Popular Studios
Andrea Forsell (Voice Actor)
Director Barney Wornoff
An independent animated feature about an evil local politician and his attempt to turn downtown Peterborough into the world’s largest used car dealership.  Foiled by the combined efforts of local artists led by Washboard Hank, the film features local celebrities and artists playing each other.  Released November 2007.

2005 Rigoletto… in Bluegrasss Firewire Channel
Flirt
Director Rob Swales
An independent feature musical adaptation of Guiseppe Verdi’s 1851 opera Rigoletto, adapted to the characters of small-town Canada and set to bluegrass music.  Released 2006.

1999 Flick B3 Productions
Joey Balthazar
Director William Tedford
An independent feature film about a young filmmaker named Simon and his attempts to make a film and escape the numbing 9-to-5.  Released November 2001.

Theatre Work

2010 The Threepenny Opera Max’s Cabaret
Mrs. Peachum
Director Max Price

2007-2009 Max’s Cabaret

Laurel Paluck, Candace Shaw and Leigh Macdonald - 2007

Penny Dreadful
Director Max Price
Max’s Cabaret is a Peterborough arts institution, presenting performances as fund raisers for arts organizations.  In the past, Max’s Cabaret has supported Mysterious Entity Theatre, The Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, and Trent Radio.  Penny Dreadful is a character that I created for the Cabaret; a little ditsy, a little risqué, Penny dances and sings torch numbers.

2007 The Boom Theory 24 Hour Project
Mother Earth
Director Marissa Conlin
The Gordon Best Theatre
The 24 Hour Project is a challenge to actors, writers, and directors to pull together a one-act play in just 24 hours, from writing to performance.  The Boom Theory was written by Gerry McBride.

2007 The Possibilities End of April Theatre Cooperative
Various
Director Laurel Paluck
The Peterborough Arts Umbrella
A series of short plays by Howard Barker, The Possibilities ranges from post-apocalyptic, Biblical, and recent modern settings and deals with themes of authority, the responsibility of the individual, and the range of human nature.

2007 Close to Home 24 Hour Project
Mother
The Gordon Best Theatre
The 24 Hour Project is a challenge to actors, writers and directors to pull together a one-act play in just 24 hours, from writing to performance.  Close to Home was written by Rob Swales.

2006 Sleep 24 Hour Project
Mary
Director Rob Swales
The Gordon Best Theatre
The 24 Hour Project is a challenge to actors, writers and directors to pull together a one-act play in just 24 hours, from writing to performance.  Sleep was written by Sara Berniker.

2005 Greatest of All Time (GOAT) Firewire Channel
Director Brian Mitolo
The Montreal House
A weekly, semi-scripted improv serial, GOAT followed the misadventures of a band and the community around them.  Recorded live on digital video.  Copies are available for rent at Peterborough’s Have You Seen…

2004 Les Belles-soeurs Peterborough Theatre Guild

Candace Shaw (red dress) with Les Belles-soeurs cast - 2004

Pierrette Guerin
Director Tracey Germa
Guild Hall
A  play by Michel Tremblay, it tells the story of working-class women in 1960s Quebec.

2004 The Soap Firewire Channel
Nicole
Director Brian Mitolo
A weekly, semi-scripted improv about the regulars at a bar, done soap-opera style and shot live on digital video.  My character was a drunk bartender.  I believe copies of the show are available for rent at Peterborough’s Have You Seen… – the finest video store in the land.

2000 The Countess Kathleen
Countess Kathleen
Director Mark Finnan
The Gordon Best Theatre
William Butler Yeats’ 1892 work set historically in Ireland during a famine.

1998 The Balcony
Carmen
Director Lauren Hughes
The Gordon Best Theatre
Jean Genet’s play about revolution, reality and illusion.

1997 Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love Theatre Humber

Jerry Coxwell
Director Shawn Goodman

1996 Oleanna Theatre Humber
Carol
Director Mark Shoenberg

1996 The Children’s Hour Theatre Humber
Martha
Director Mark Shoenberg

1996 The Prisoner of Second Avenue Theatre Humber
Edna Edison
Director Mark Shoenberg

1996 Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet Theatre Humber
Servant
Director Mark Shoenberg

1996 As You Like It Ship of Fooles Theatre Company
Rosalind
Director John Barclay
One of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, the character Rosalind is the most famous of the ‘breeches roles.’  Performed outdoors in a forest 15 minutes East of Peterborough, this production was very well-received by audiences.

1995 Under the Bridge PCVS Theatre
Troll Queen
Director Andrew Big
PCVS high school’s entry into the Sears Drama Festival.  A student-written play with an ensemble cast about self-esteem and choices.

1995 As You Like It Ship of Fooles Theatre Company
Rosalind
Director John Barclay
One of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, the character Rosalind is the most famous of the ‘breeches roles.’  Performed outdoors in a forest 15 minutes East of Peterborough, this production was very well-received by audiences.

1995 The Crackwalker PCVS Theatre
Sandy
Director Bill Gunson
Judith Thompson’s work about women living on the edge.

1995 The Tempest Ship of Fooles Theatre Company

Miranda
Director John Barclay
The Market Hall Theatre

1995 hist whist Emergency 3 – Peterborough New Dance
Green Spirit
Director/Choreographer Pierre Blin

1994 The Fionavar Tapestry PCVS Theatre
Kim Ford
Director Kris Keating

1993 Cavan Blazers 4th Line Theatre
Kathleen Collins
Director Ron Winslow

1993 Everyman A La Mode Bethany Outdoor Theatre
Scientist
Director Andrew Bigg

1992 Let’s Hear it For Christmas Peterborough Theatre Guild
Christy
Director Marilyn Robinson / Faye Talesnick
Guild Hall
A children’s musical by Beth McMaster, I played Christy, Santa’s Christmas Coordinator.  This was my first lead role in a musical, and it was huge fun.

1992 The Halfway Place PCVS Theatre
Hailey
Director Justin Blair-Ewart

1992 Put on the Spot Peterborough Theatre Guild
Gonda Seed
Director Faye Talesnick
Guild Hall
A children’s musical by Beth McMaster, I played a corrupt City Councillor who wanted to close the zoo.

1992 The Otonabee River Chronicles Ground Zero Productions
Various
Director Don Bouzek

1992 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Bethany Outdoor Theatre
Unicorn
Director

1992 East of the Sun, West of the Moon PCVS Theatre
East Wind
Director Kristine Keating

1992 Annie PCVS Theatre
Chorus
Director Susan Hewitson

1991-1993 Donwood Players Donwood United Church Theatre
Variety Show Cast Member
Director Ollie Harding
Produced by my Grandmother’s church, the Donwood Players were my first taste of the stage.  A variety show featuring music and skits adapted from the Vaudeville stage, the Donwood Players played to sold-out audiences every year.