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FACULTY
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND RAW!
Sophie Ann Rooney
Sophie Ann Rooney is a director with a multifaceted career that spans the worlds of film, television, video games, voice over, music videos, commercials, and theatre.
As a European with a global perspective that reflects her diverse experiences, Rooney has directed productions on multiple continents. A luminary of the creative arts, she also owned and curated an independent theatre during the writer's strike in 2011, providing a vibrant platform for spoken word artists, musicians, clowns, playwrights, and visual artists, producing 23 plays in 2.5 years.
Her films, Fallen Fighter and Bollywood Beckons, earned her numerous awards, including the coveted Kodak award, and have been officially selected for more than 35 festivals around the world.
She also helmed, as director, the exceptional team of actors in the award-winning video game, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which earned high accolades and a top-30 ranking in the prestigious top 100 games of the decade list by Polygon.
Sophie Ann Rooney is a director with a multifaceted career that spans the worlds of film, television, video games, voice over, music videos, commercials, and theatre.
As a European with a global perspective that reflects her diverse experiences, Rooney has directed productions on multiple continents. A luminary of the creative arts, she also owned and curated an independent theatre during the writer's strike in 2011, providing a vibrant platform for spoken word artists, musicians, clowns, playwrights, and visual artists, producing 23 plays in 2.5 years.
Her films, Fallen Fighter and Bollywood Beckons, earned her numerous awards, including the coveted Kodak award, and have been officially selected for more than 35 festivals around the world.
She also helmed, as director, the exceptional team of actors in the award-winning video game, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which earned high accolades and a top-30 ranking in the prestigious top 100 games of the decade list by Polygon.
BAFTA nominated for performance and nominated Video Game Awards for “Game of the Year”, this masterpiece represents just one of many successes for Rooney including casting and voice directing for the innovative Netflix original series, Daniel Spellbound.
A true artist in every sense of the word, Rooney has a storied background that includes scholarships to attend the Central School of Speech & Drama and the Oxford School of Speech & Drama. She honed her craft in the full-time Stanislavski training program at L'Atelier de Blanche Salant, and later taught alongside her mentor at The American University of Paris and at the Bilingual Acting Workshop, while simultaneously attending the prestigious international film school E.I.C.A.R. in Paris.
Her skills as an actress shone in the European premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, in which she starred as the title character. Rooney is also prominently featured as an actress in Lee Strasberg protégé Amy Werba's influential book, "Be Your Own Coach."
Rooney's role as 'Margot' in Paolo Barzman's Grand Star proved pivotal, leading her to move to Canada, shooting and threading films as a projectionist at Fifth Avenue Cinema, while also working as an AD and serving on jury panels for film festivals where she landed.
Rooney is the founder of RAW Actor Studio Toronto, a studio that empowers actors to find their voice and grow as artists. At RAW, her passion for mentoring and teaching is further realized through her unique approach to actor training, which is designed to nurture creativity, emotional intelligence, and empowering auteur-driven artistry.
Through it all, Rooney has remained steadfast in her commitment to mentor and empower emerging artists across all disciplines, including actors, directors, filmmakers, writers, musicians, bands, and dancers. Notably performance coaching The Great Lake Swimmers, and coaching the premiere dancers at the Moulin Rouge. Her scholarships and mentorship programs through RAW Actor Studio have launched many careers and fuelled the growth of countless artists (list available).
In addition to her work as an artist, mentor and director, Rooney is also a dedicated mother of two artistic sons aged 10 & 12. Her commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond the industry and into her personal life, where she is passionate about providing her own children with the support and encouragement they need to pursue their creative dreams.
'Being a mentor & director to actors is about providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to grow and develop as artists. It's about empowering them to take risks, explore new creative territory, and discover their full potential. With my anthology of films I intend to get as close to humanity as possible.'
-Sophie Ann Rooney
As a European with a global perspective that reflects her diverse experiences, Rooney has directed productions on multiple continents. A luminary of the creative arts, she also owned and curated an independent theatre during the writer's strike in 2011, providing a vibrant platform for spoken word artists, musicians, clowns, playwrights, and visual artists, producing 23 plays in 2.5 years.
Her films, Fallen Fighter and Bollywood Beckons, earned her numerous awards, including the coveted Kodak award, and have been officially selected for more than 35 festivals around the world.
She also helmed, as director, the exceptional team of actors in the award-winning video game, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which earned high accolades and a top-30 ranking in the prestigious top 100 games of the decade list by Polygon.
Sophie Ann Rooney is a director with a multifaceted career that spans the worlds of film, television, video games, voice over, music videos, commercials, and theatre.
As a European with a global perspective that reflects her diverse experiences, Rooney has directed productions on multiple continents. A luminary of the creative arts, she also owned and curated an independent theatre during the writer's strike in 2011, providing a vibrant platform for spoken word artists, musicians, clowns, playwrights, and visual artists, producing 23 plays in 2.5 years.
Her films, Fallen Fighter and Bollywood Beckons, earned her numerous awards, including the coveted Kodak award, and have been officially selected for more than 35 festivals around the world.
She also helmed, as director, the exceptional team of actors in the award-winning video game, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Odyssey, which earned high accolades and a top-30 ranking in the prestigious top 100 games of the decade list by Polygon.
BAFTA nominated for performance and nominated Video Game Awards for “Game of the Year”, this masterpiece represents just one of many successes for Rooney including casting and voice directing for the innovative Netflix original series, Daniel Spellbound.
A true artist in every sense of the word, Rooney has a storied background that includes scholarships to attend the Central School of Speech & Drama and the Oxford School of Speech & Drama. She honed her craft in the full-time Stanislavski training program at L'Atelier de Blanche Salant, and later taught alongside her mentor at The American University of Paris and at the Bilingual Acting Workshop, while simultaneously attending the prestigious international film school E.I.C.A.R. in Paris.
Her skills as an actress shone in the European premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living, in which she starred as the title character. Rooney is also prominently featured as an actress in Lee Strasberg protégé Amy Werba's influential book, "Be Your Own Coach."
Rooney's role as 'Margot' in Paolo Barzman's Grand Star proved pivotal, leading her to move to Canada, shooting and threading films as a projectionist at Fifth Avenue Cinema, while also working as an AD and serving on jury panels for film festivals where she landed.
Rooney is the founder of RAW Actor Studio Toronto, a studio that empowers actors to find their voice and grow as artists. At RAW, her passion for mentoring and teaching is further realized through her unique approach to actor training, which is designed to nurture creativity, emotional intelligence, and empowering auteur-driven artistry.
Through it all, Rooney has remained steadfast in her commitment to mentor and empower emerging artists across all disciplines, including actors, directors, filmmakers, writers, musicians, bands, and dancers. Notably performance coaching The Great Lake Swimmers, and coaching the premiere dancers at the Moulin Rouge. Her scholarships and mentorship programs through RAW Actor Studio have launched many careers and fuelled the growth of countless artists (list available).
In addition to her work as an artist, mentor and director, Rooney is also a dedicated mother of two artistic sons aged 10 & 12. Her commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond the industry and into her personal life, where she is passionate about providing her own children with the support and encouragement they need to pursue their creative dreams.
'Being a mentor & director to actors is about providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to grow and develop as artists. It's about empowering them to take risks, explore new creative territory, and discover their full potential. With my anthology of films I intend to get as close to humanity as possible.'
-Sophie Ann Rooney
Grisha Pasternak
Grisha Pasternak is a filmmaker, mentor and artist as well as the Head of Operations at RAW. Grisha teaches the technical side of the acting profession to give actors the proper tools to help with effective and efficient preparation.
Grisha studied film at TMU and went on to do multiple shorts, music videos, spec commercials with feature films on the horizon. He is also a 14 year member of the industry as an actor and uses his experiences in front and behind the camera to help actors understand their responsibilities and empower them to rise to the occasion in the professional world.
Grisha believes that learning how to read and understand Story and your role in it is critical for any hope of longevity and consistency in this industry. Grisha's aim as a mentor is to guide and build the actors' toolkit in a way that allows for autonomy in their work and constant refinement of skills. Everyone is capable of transforming from beginner to professional, insecure to empowered, scared to confident. Grisha gives the tools for that transformation.
As an actor, due to the natural intensity of his looks, Grisha has made a career of playing bad guys and boy has he enjoyed it! In his spare time he is working on his golf swing and disappearing into a plethora of his eclectic interests.
"It doesn't matter if they are new to acting or just looking for a fresh perspective. The team at RAW will challenge, encourage and motivate anyone to better themselves. Grisha is an incredible teacher. He has given me the tools to continue to develop my process and hone my craft because his approach to the work is so detailed."
-Alumni Student
Grisha studied film at TMU and went on to do multiple shorts, music videos, spec commercials with feature films on the horizon. He is also a 14 year member of the industry as an actor and uses his experiences in front and behind the camera to help actors understand their responsibilities and empower them to rise to the occasion in the professional world.
Grisha believes that learning how to read and understand Story and your role in it is critical for any hope of longevity and consistency in this industry. Grisha's aim as a mentor is to guide and build the actors' toolkit in a way that allows for autonomy in their work and constant refinement of skills. Everyone is capable of transforming from beginner to professional, insecure to empowered, scared to confident. Grisha gives the tools for that transformation.
As an actor, due to the natural intensity of his looks, Grisha has made a career of playing bad guys and boy has he enjoyed it! In his spare time he is working on his golf swing and disappearing into a plethora of his eclectic interests.
"It doesn't matter if they are new to acting or just looking for a fresh perspective. The team at RAW will challenge, encourage and motivate anyone to better themselves. Grisha is an incredible teacher. He has given me the tools to continue to develop my process and hone my craft because his approach to the work is so detailed."
-Alumni Student
Jessica Watson
Jessica Watson (she/her) is a Dialect Coach and the head of RAW's Rising Stars Youth Acting Program. She developed and teaches RAW's American Dialects class, and offers private coaching to dialect students and actors 6-18.
Jessica received her masters in acting at LAMDA in the UK, where she focused on classical acting, stage combat, and dialect work. She is certified to a native standard in multiple accents, including Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American. While at LAMDA, she began working with Stagecoach Performing Arts, and has now been teaching young actors for over five years, helping them gain confidence, learn new skills, and become more well-rounded, set-ready artists.
Jessica is a firm believer that the arts enrich lives, helping students of all ages to discover their voice, develop their confidence, and gain valuable social and presentational skills that will help them in any situation. Children are the future, and she is passionate about helping them to understand their voices are important and their stories worth telling.
Jessica enjoys writing, traveling to and exploring new places, and tending to her many, many plants.
"I like Jessica's teaching style, and we love her as a coach! She’s truly amazing — my son booked a feature film after working with her!”
— Rising Stars Parent
Jessica received her masters in acting at LAMDA in the UK, where she focused on classical acting, stage combat, and dialect work. She is certified to a native standard in multiple accents, including Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American. While at LAMDA, she began working with Stagecoach Performing Arts, and has now been teaching young actors for over five years, helping them gain confidence, learn new skills, and become more well-rounded, set-ready artists.
Jessica is a firm believer that the arts enrich lives, helping students of all ages to discover their voice, develop their confidence, and gain valuable social and presentational skills that will help them in any situation. Children are the future, and she is passionate about helping them to understand their voices are important and their stories worth telling.
Jessica enjoys writing, traveling to and exploring new places, and tending to her many, many plants.
"I like Jessica's teaching style, and we love her as a coach! She’s truly amazing — my son booked a feature film after working with her!”
— Rising Stars Parent
Leighton Alexander Williams
Filmmaker and Mentor
Jennifer Hui
Jennifer Hui is the Wellness Director at RAW.
Living as an artist extends beyond acting. The wellness department provides a place where actors can stretch their artistry into other disciplines and a place to build and maintain their instrument as an actor.
Jennifer is a 500hr hatha, 40hr restorative yoga instructor and a 40hr certified sound healer. She previously studied at The Boston Conservatory for opera and is passionate about using music and movement to heal.
Jennifer believes that every artist has a responsibility to take care of their instrument in order to keep their work honest and to help them grow.
Notable acting credits include Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dreamworks’ Pinecone & Pony, Spencer Sisters, Sugar Daddy and Ubisoft’s For Honor.
Jennifer enjoys camping, hiking with her dog Thunder and making music.
Living as an artist extends beyond acting. The wellness department provides a place where actors can stretch their artistry into other disciplines and a place to build and maintain their instrument as an actor.
Jennifer is a 500hr hatha, 40hr restorative yoga instructor and a 40hr certified sound healer. She previously studied at The Boston Conservatory for opera and is passionate about using music and movement to heal.
Jennifer believes that every artist has a responsibility to take care of their instrument in order to keep their work honest and to help them grow.
Notable acting credits include Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dreamworks’ Pinecone & Pony, Spencer Sisters, Sugar Daddy and Ubisoft’s For Honor.
Jennifer enjoys camping, hiking with her dog Thunder and making music.
Hallea Jones
Rising Stars Youth Coach
Randy Singh
Cinematographer // RAW Reels
Jake Aureus
Camera Opp // RAW Reels
Madison Caan
Head of Class Development/Social Media
Madison Caan (she/her) is in charge of class promotion and social media at RAW.
As an actor, Madison has repeatedly participated in The Master, The Audition, and The Pro courses at RAW, which assist in her personal career goals as well as her duties as a liaison for new students. Madison Caan enjoys reading plays, attending local film festivals, and connecting with artists in our community.
Madison Caan (she/her) is in charge of class promotion and social media at RAW.
As an actor, Madison has repeatedly participated in The Master, The Audition, and The Pro courses at RAW, which assist in her personal career goals as well as her duties as a liaison for new students. Madison Caan enjoys reading plays, attending local film festivals, and connecting with artists in our community.
Kayla Lakhani
Head of Academic Scholarships and Grants
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