“Own your dreams and go after them regardless of what anyone in your peripherals may say or think.”

“I want to help people recognize that there is more to musical theatre than just the hits of Broadway or the West End. That there is a whole world of musical theatre to discover.”

For Andre to direct a play, there would have to be something that inspires him so much that doesn’t have something for him in it. That play would have to give him the drive and challenge as if he was in it because that’s the type of theatre he likes to do.

It’s ok to be ok with presenting what makes you feel free and bring you joy. Always remind yourself, there's only one you so, SHINE!

“I really don’t think it matters where you train as long as you dedicate yourself to it 100%.”

“I think my favorite messages of all time are the people who say they didn't like musical theater or didn't get it and listening to my version made them understand the song for the first time, made them want to know more about Sondheim. If I can be your gateway into him, I've done my job.”

My concern is that we have been surrounded by a media and by individuals who cultivate fear and that I object to. Why would we cultivate that fear? We should be cultivating courage. We should be cultivating tenacity. We should be cultivating our imaginations and finding how we can make this into something that is positive and be able to look at in in a realistic way.

“Begin doing whatever you’re inspired to do and don’t wait to be accepted into a school or to have a degree or an internship. Reach out to people that you admire and ask them a question or try to recreate the thing that inspired you.”

“Find your collaborators—the people who inspire you to create—and stick with them. Build yourself a community.”

But has Covid changed or transformed us as artists? I guess it has made us fighters. We will not lose our dream, and so we are adapting at every turn, as best we can, and we do so with determination. And I hope that I will personally be able to get back on stage soon as well. In French or in English, I need to be performing.

One teacher who has influenced me is d.b. young. I was part of the Soulpepper Academy and d.b. young was with us every Monday of the seven months we were studying. She’s awesome…she…built us up with confidence, especially within me and my ability to push myself towards a theatre career by being honest and real about it. That helped me a lot as an immigrant to be able to trust myself again, be confident again in what I believe…

“We realized pretty quickly children are like adults. They’re there to have fun, and we just provide them with the avenue for that.”

“Get the creative ideas out of your head and write them down on paper! Take action and don't wait for permission.”

Covid gave us that opportunity to just sit and be because we’re always on the go in this industry all the time to stay current on all levels…

“I would say to put yourself in class, always be studying, and always be learning.”

“Even if you hear the word no...just keep going!”

“These five young performers not only inspire me with their talent on the stage but also with their resilience off the stage during these times.”

I really came to realize how much theatre and acting mean to me. I said this to a couple of people and it does sound very, very dramatic but I felt as if I had lost somebody; there was this emptiness within my person at the thought of not being able to perform or be on stage again.

“Don’t let anyone define your personal success but yourself. You’re not a failure just because you didn’t live up to someone else’s expectations of you.”

“Don’t become jealous of the success of others and try not to let that be something that drives you. Think about the connections you make with other people and the collaborations. Hold on to that because that is a source of strength. Nourish that.”