On May 6, fifteen graduating students from Niagara College’s Acting for Film and Digital Media program gathered with friends, family, and supporters at the Welland Campus for their end of year showcase.
Lori Ravensborg
Two years of study came together in a final director’s cut featuring students’ talents in acting, voice, movement, cinematography, editing, green screen work, and screenwriting.
“We installed the building blocks for acting,” said Program Coordinator Lori Ravensborg in the auditorium. “Our actors learned resilience, teamwork and collaboration, and we’re so proud of them.”
NC’s Acting program emphasizes the art of listening and responding authentically, working off your partner, and having a point of view.
This year’s crop of actors demonstrated versatility and authenticity across a wide range of work, from drama and comedy to stunt performance and commercial pieces. Their original works – capstone demos filmed on location – stood out, showcasing impressive depth, creativity, and wit.
Through scenes from ReGenesis, a Canadian science-fiction television series, students had to master and perform highly technical terminology on bioterrorism, infectious diseases, and environmental crises – language that Ravensborg says can be difficult for actors to deliver persuasively.
The actors embraced tension and drama when reenacting scenes from the American espionage thriller Argo, as they drilled their cover identities for a covert CIA search-and-rescue mission.
President Sean Kennedy and his wife Carrie took part in the night of entertainment and celebration, as did teachers from Welland Centennial Secondary School who came out to support their grads.
Program founder Martin Doyle was in attendance. Reflecting on the past 18 years, Doyle noted that the program was ahead of its time, especially given today’s reliance on self-tapes and digital auditions.
The other unique benefit of NC is the actor’s proximity to students in related disciplines. Students collaborated on film projects with Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film students, voiceover projects with Game Development students, and Recreation Therapy.
With Spring Convocation approaching, the evening was bittersweet for the close-knit group of actors, who shared laughs and photos on the red carpet as they prepare to take their final bow.
“We hope they leave Niagara College inspired to continue their creative work as actors, writers, producers and directors,” said Ravensborg.
