Sarah Orenstein
CAROL BURKE
“When I first read "Albatross", I had an immediate and visceral understanding of Carol and her struggles to live inside this world - though in my life I share none of her experiences. That expanded once on set, working with Myles. Even under the tight set conditions under COVID, I had a great connection with Myles, Dylan and the cast. It was a strange and wonderful time - I think we created something rather special.”
A performer since the age of five in her native Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sarah Orenstein is a familiar face on stages across Canada. A veteran of the Shaw and Stratford Festivals, she’s starred in productions of Nathan The Wise, Birds of a Kind, The Virgin Trial, Possible Worlds, The Millionairess; Heartbreak House; Blithe Spirit and Playboy of the Western World. Thrice nominated for Dora Mavor Moore awards for The Retreat, The Hope Slide; The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, she won for her roles in Patience, After Akhmatova ,Scorched and a Capital Theatre Award for The Doll’s House. Sarah recently starred in the independent feature film Albatross and co-stars in Incendo’s You May Kiss the Bridesmaid. On the small screen, she’s been featured on Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Orphan Black (BBC), Reign (CW/CBS), Rookie Blue (ABC/Global), Breakout Kings (A&E/Fox), The Battle of Maggie Hill (Fox TV), and Molly: American Doll (Disney).
Sarah makes her home in Toronto with her husband actor Ric Waugh .
ROMAINE WAITE
THOMAS MILLER
“The first reading of the script piqued my interest, and viewing his previous projects helped solidify my desire to be involved. On set, Myles was keen on capturing the smallest details of his vision. This motivated me to dive deeper into the character, which led to a very fulfilling experience.”
Romaine Waite was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and raised in Canada. Romaine found an interest in performing when he took drama at his high school. However, It wasn’t until he earned a role in a small indie film when he realized acting was a career he wanted to pursue. After a small stint in theatre, Romaine would make the transition to film and television when he was casted in numerous short and independent films. His first big break came when he appeared on his first network show in the Canadian drama series MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC/OVATION TV). Since then, Romaine has amassed a significant body of work in several other film and television productions including SCHITT’S CREEK (NETFLIX/CBC), THE MIST (NETFLIX), STAR TREK DISCOVERY (CBS) sci-fi horror film ANTISOCIAL, CROSSWORD MYSTERIES (HALLMARK) and hit LIFETIME movie THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL.
KATHERINE GAUTHIER
ELIZABETH MILLER
“Working on Albatross was an extraordinarily wild, fun and thrilling adventure, especially in the midst of a pandemic. I will never forget the pure joy of looking up at the fixed stars while filming an outdoor pool scene in the middle of Fall as I waited for Myles, in appropriate PPE, to scream: “Action”. Myles and Dylan are a dream team— leading with artistic excellence and kindness. Myles’ detailed eye and rich storytelling is awe-inspiring. He directed the film with such grace, vision and beauty, ultimately creating a complex and challenging world for us to paly in.”
Katherine Gauthier is an award-winning actor and writer working in theatre and film. She’s worked on some of Canada's most venerated stages such as the Shaw Festival, Grand Theatre, Arts Club, Théâtre La Seizième and over a dozen productions at Soulpepper Theatre.
A graduate of the critically acclaimed Soulpepper Academy, Katherine has played leading roles in productions such as “Marat-Sade”, "Matt and Ben", "Godspell", as well as a critically lauded turn as Nora in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. As an actor, Katherine has received three Dora Award nominations (including Outstanding Lead Actress), a MyEntertainmentWorld Award nomination (Outstanding Performance), a CAC Award nomination (Outstanding Performance Lead) and two Jessie Award nominations (including Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role). As a writer, Katherine graduated from the Write From The Hip program at Nightwood Theatre and is 2020-2021 Theatrefront's Playwright-In-Residence.
David Keeley
DR. LLOYD BURKE
“To say that shooting during the time of Covid was unique would be an understatement. But because of it I felt there was a real desire to communicate and collaborate on set. It was, truly, a rewarding experience and Myles and his team set the tone for all of us to follow.”
David is an award-winning actor/singer/song writer who has worked around the world in music, tv, film and theatre. His impressive list of tv and film credits include The Manchurian Candidate with Meryl Streep, Designated Survivor, Suits, Copper (Series Regular), Lost Girl, Heartland,Akilla’s Escape which premiered at TIFF in 2020. Highlights include Sam in the original Broadway production of Mamma Mia. Lockstock in Urinetown (Dora Award). Canadian premieres of Rock of Ages, Billy Elliot, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, True Love Lies. David spent eight seasons at The Stratford Festival where he appeared in Hamlet, Fuente Ovejuna, Trojan Women, Oklahoma, Richard III, The Three Musketeers, Coriolanus, among others. He portrayed Horatio in Robert LePage’s ground-breaking production of Romeo and Juliet.
He previously released two independent CD’s with Paul Gross and their compilation CD, Holiday Heroes, achieved Gold status in Canada. Recently, he released his own self-produced CD, Gasoline Rainbows.
Jill Frappier
BARBARA
“Myles has a unique vision and is a very creative person, writing and directing this movie, while also creating the setting. I enjoyed working with Myles, he has a warm, gentle manner and clarity in his direction. His clear, calm, positive approach and respect for actors helped create a relaxed atmosphere. I also appreciated his sense of humour and he seemed to appreciate mine!”
Veteran actor, Jill Frappier, has performed on stage and in movies, TV shows, radio plays and cartoons for over 50 years. She has graced major stages across Canada, including the Stratford and Shaw festivals. Her recent TV credits include Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek, and Murdoch’s Mysteries, while film credits include Strauss Master of 3⁄4 time, Strange Brew, and Netflix’ Night Brooks. She’s also the voice of Luna in Sailor Moon and Mrs Prysellius in Pippi Long Stocking.
THOMAS NYHUUS
KENNETH PARKS
“It was a gift to work on Albatross, a story so much about longing in a time full of longing for company, for connection, for what has been and what we hope is to come. To find that company and connection with this cast and crew was an immense privilege.”
Thom Nyhuus is an actor and writer from Ottawa, currently working and living in Toronto. Favourite stage credits include Touchstone in As You Like It, Chiron in Titus Andronicus, Aztrov in The Stone Woman, and Jay in Lost In Yonkers. His first play, Cannibal, premiered as part of the 2019 Next Stage Theatre Festival. Albatross is his first feature film.
David Huband
BERTRAM FONTAINE
“I really enjoyed the dialogue in Albatross, the period setting of the film, and the dysfunctional nature of the four main protagonists. I was drawn to my character, lamenting the lost opportunity of a relationship with the love of his life. On set, I found Myles to be a very patient and calm director, open to ideas, while also knowing exactly what he wanted in the scene. All in all, I had a lovely time, and enjoyed the experience very much.”
Mr. Huband has been a member of the comedy troupe, ILLUSTRATED MEN (1984 to the present) and THE SECOND CITY MAINSTAGE COMPANY (two revues). He’s also appeared as Demetrius in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at The Stratford Festival, and can be seen in the films, THE LADIES MAN, TOMMY BOY, POLICE ACADEMY 3, WRONG TURN, CUBE ZERO, THE LOOKOUT, BREACH, CINDERELLA MAN, starring Russell Crowe, and DREAM HOUSE, with Daniel Craig. Mr. Huband’s most recent work is a five episode comedy web series entitled GETTING DOWN, which can currently be seen on funnyordie.com.
MIKAELA BISSON
YOUNG WOMAN
“Bisson is beyond grateful for the opportunity to work on the Albatross set despite the obstacles of COVID. The experience proved to be even more rewarding. Bisson thoroughly enjoyed her time working with Yaksich, who led with both grace and humor, and her fellow castmates.”
Mikaela Bisson has grown up on set. Through her adolescence, Bisson worked in both film and television. Her passion for the craft runs deep, having always lived in a house full of creatives, with both parents in the industry. Bisson began acting when she was just six years old, studying theatre. She then took time off to attend university in Los Angeles, studying Broadcast Journalism, pre-law. However, living in Los Angeles inspired her and after graduation she found her passion for film again and decided to pursue it full time. Recently Bisson has appeared in the independent horror film, Anything for Jackson.
DANIEL KRMPOTIC
YOUNG BLONDE MAN
“I could not have asked for a better first on-screen experience with Albatross. At first glance I was drawn to the sheer vulnerability and pathos the script asked us to explore. The production itself was intimate yet ambitious; I thank Myles for his patience and care as a director, and the laughs I shared with my fellow cast & crew.”
Daniel graduated from Ryerson University with a B.F.A in Performance Acting. He was accepted into a two-year professional program at the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, aimed at preparing actors for classical text & the world stage. Upon completion, Daniel starred in the Stratford Festival's 2019 season productions of Othello, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Front Page. Most recently, Daniel’s been accepted into the 6th Soulpepper Academy.
JONATHON LE ROSE
YOUNG BRUNETTE MAN
“The dedication, compassion and diligence in telling this beautifully written story was only mirrored by the effort in protecting each and every member associated. I felt safe to explore and create in both the imaginative sense but also the literal sense as well. The passion and effort on this set was the only thing that could be passed on and I was grateful to be apart of this journey.”
Jonathon LeRose is a Canadian born actor of Italian and First Nations descent. He studied at York University in Toronto, Canada where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. Jonathon began acting professionally in 2017 in the CBS series Salvation. His most notable performance is as Dirk, leader of the "citiots", in Bell Crave TV's hit show Letterkenny.