TALENT INC CANADA FACULTY
FROM THE BEGINNING
Talent INC Canada was founded in 2010 and is located in the east end of Toronto, conveniently close to many casting houses. We are proud that our company is 100 percent Canadian, working only with Canadian directors, agents, and producers. We feel that in order for an actor to sign with a legitimate agency, they must continually train. We have a strong Talent INC Canada family with well over 5000 success stories since we opened.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
John and Doug have placed thousands of actors in to the tv/film industry through their programs and their award winning annual Showcase. Talent INC Canada has been in operation for 10 years and some students have been clients since day 1. Our students work in television, films, commercials and voice overs. We share our latest bookings on Instagram and Facebook so feel free to follow us on social media, we'd love to hear from you!
Talent INC Canada was founded in 2010 and is located in the east end of Toronto, conveniently close to many casting houses. We are proud that our company is 100 percent Canadian, working only with Canadian directors, agents, and producers. We feel that in order for an actor to sign with a legitimate agency, they must continually train. We have a strong Talent INC Canada family with well over 5000 success stories since we opened.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
John and Doug have placed thousands of actors in to the tv/film industry through their programs and their award winning annual Showcase. Talent INC Canada has been in operation for 10 years and some students have been clients since day 1. Our students work in television, films, commercials and voice overs. We share our latest bookings on Instagram and Facebook so feel free to follow us on social media, we'd love to hear from you!
Talent INC Canada's Co-Founders
JOHN F. STEVENS
JOHN F. STEVENS– John first started performing professionally at the age of 7 in various circus venues as a clown and variety entertainer. He learned everything from riding unicycles, walking the tight rope, acrobatics and trapeze. John was introduced to circus life by his late grandfather who was with the Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus.
As a child performer, he was spotted all across the Pacific Northwest, until he joined his first National Tour at the age of 17. John was named one of the top 40 most influential people in the arts under the age of 40 while he was still a junior in High School. At the age of 18, John moved to New York City and attended Marymount Manhattan College on a Merit Scholarship, double majoring in Dance and Theatre.
During his studies, John got his first exposure to the business side of acting as a Junior Agent at Eisenberg, Aqua-Hart Talent Agency in Manhattan. He was able to launch the careers of many young performers into the Broadway spotlight. The next stop for John was Carnival Cruise Lines where he was a featured performer in the nightly variety shows. He still places young talented singers and dancers aboard their ships from time to time.
He returned to New York City at the peak of his dance career, choreographing 3 Off Broadway Shows. His musical theatre career highlights include Stephen Sondheim’s, Follies starring Maxine Andrews (of the Andrews Sisters), Denise Darcel, Judy Kaye, Karen Morrow, and Edie Adams. He also toured with John Schuck and JoAnne Worley in the hit musical, Annie. John was later featured in Cathy Rigby Is Peter Pan, and he starred as Peter in the newly revised script of Babes in Arms. John starred opposite, Cheyenne Jackson in the West Coast Premiere.
Since then John has produced, directed, choreographed and collaborated with Ashanti, Wyclef Jean, and numerous other talents for everything from product launches to publicity stunts.
“Working with young performers is not my job, it’s my passion.”
– John F. Stevens
As a child performer, he was spotted all across the Pacific Northwest, until he joined his first National Tour at the age of 17. John was named one of the top 40 most influential people in the arts under the age of 40 while he was still a junior in High School. At the age of 18, John moved to New York City and attended Marymount Manhattan College on a Merit Scholarship, double majoring in Dance and Theatre.
During his studies, John got his first exposure to the business side of acting as a Junior Agent at Eisenberg, Aqua-Hart Talent Agency in Manhattan. He was able to launch the careers of many young performers into the Broadway spotlight. The next stop for John was Carnival Cruise Lines where he was a featured performer in the nightly variety shows. He still places young talented singers and dancers aboard their ships from time to time.
He returned to New York City at the peak of his dance career, choreographing 3 Off Broadway Shows. His musical theatre career highlights include Stephen Sondheim’s, Follies starring Maxine Andrews (of the Andrews Sisters), Denise Darcel, Judy Kaye, Karen Morrow, and Edie Adams. He also toured with John Schuck and JoAnne Worley in the hit musical, Annie. John was later featured in Cathy Rigby Is Peter Pan, and he starred as Peter in the newly revised script of Babes in Arms. John starred opposite, Cheyenne Jackson in the West Coast Premiere.
Since then John has produced, directed, choreographed and collaborated with Ashanti, Wyclef Jean, and numerous other talents for everything from product launches to publicity stunts.
“Working with young performers is not my job, it’s my passion.”
– John F. Stevens
DOUG W. SLOAN
DOUG W. SLOAN – As the head of our admissions and marketing team, Doug grew up in a small town with big dreams. Early in his teens, he modeled for Calvin Klein and quickly gained a keen eye for the business side of the industry. Doug earned his degree in Business Management and opened a successful tanning salon, which quickly grew into a chain.
Using the investments from the sale of those salons, Doug bought 2 of the leading day spas in Yorkville and merged them together. The David and Francis Salon was one of the most prominent Salons under his direction for 8 years.
Doug knew his passion was in the entertainment industry so he sold the salon and embarked on the journey he continues to follow to this day. He has managed the development of some of today’s top talent and has successfully placed 1000’s of working performers of all ages with agencies and managers in the U.S, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
His performers can be seen in projects like Harry Potter, Humans, The Stanley Dynamic, The Royals, Hell On Wheels, Wynona Earp, Home Alone 5, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Degrassi, Heroes Reborn, The Detail, Connor Undercover, and national campaigns for Winner’s, IKEA, Rogers, Nike and VW to name a few. He is the co-founder of Talent, INC (Canada) Ltd.
“Engaging with young performers has enriched my life in so many ways. I cannot imagine doing anything better than changing a young person’s life forever.”
-Doug W. Sloan
Using the investments from the sale of those salons, Doug bought 2 of the leading day spas in Yorkville and merged them together. The David and Francis Salon was one of the most prominent Salons under his direction for 8 years.
Doug knew his passion was in the entertainment industry so he sold the salon and embarked on the journey he continues to follow to this day. He has managed the development of some of today’s top talent and has successfully placed 1000’s of working performers of all ages with agencies and managers in the U.S, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
His performers can be seen in projects like Harry Potter, Humans, The Stanley Dynamic, The Royals, Hell On Wheels, Wynona Earp, Home Alone 5, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Degrassi, Heroes Reborn, The Detail, Connor Undercover, and national campaigns for Winner’s, IKEA, Rogers, Nike and VW to name a few. He is the co-founder of Talent, INC (Canada) Ltd.
“Engaging with young performers has enriched my life in so many ways. I cannot imagine doing anything better than changing a young person’s life forever.”
-Doug W. Sloan
ACTING COACHES
Jennifer Gibson
Adult Division
|
Jennifer is an accomplished actor, director and activist. She began her career in Los Angeles and has since worked in New York, Vancouver and Toronto. She is a well known actor, having appeared in numerous Canadian and American TV series such as Suits, Kim’s Convenience, Hemlock Grove, The Bold and the Beautiful, Guiding Light and too many Hallmark Christmas movies to name, among others. Her film work includes roles alongside Julianne Moore (David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars) and Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Justin Timberlake (Edison). On stage, Jennifer starred as Betty in the Canadian premiere of Neil LaBute’s “In a Forest, Dark and Deep”. In 2019, Jennifer co-wrote, executive produced and directed “The Christmas Chalet” for CBC and directed “Christmas Stars” for Lifetime Network and CTV. In addition, she is proud to be a founding member of AfterMetoo, working to end workplace sexual violence and harassment on set. As a coach, Jennifer is in the unique position of knowing both sides of the camera and what directors are looking for in the room, and on set. She has trained extensively under Larry Moss, and shares his passion for script analysis and the exploration of one’s own life to create characters. |
Paul Barnes
Comedy & Improv Division
|
A Dora Award nominee in 2017 for Superdude & Mr. Rude, Paul is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Second City Conservatory Program in Toronto. An actor, comedian and pupeteer, he has spent four years as a cast member of the Second City's Educational and Family Companies. He is also a principal cast member of the TVO/Jim Henson kids' show Hi Opie!, and recenlty recorded a role for the Nelvana animation series, D.N. Ace. Paul also performs with various improv and sketch troupes around Toronto such as Improv Against Humanity, Dog Science, We Happy Few and Men with Mustaches. Paul is thrilled to spend his adult life playing with toys and making pretend. He has been teaching Improv for the last few years with Talent INC Canada. |
|
Melanie Davis
Voice Over Division
|
Melanie Davis is a voice actor, coach, director and writer. Most recently, you can hear Melanie's voice as Poppy on the award winning show Cutie Pugs currently airing on TVOKids. Melanie has taught voice acting at several institutions including Niagara College and Mohawk College along with writing curriculum for these courses and many of her own. Melanie specializes in character creation and development and she loves helping people bring their own voice to life. She is currently a virtual voice coach with Switchboard Sessions in Toronto where she teaches kids, teens and adults how to share their voice with the world in a fun and professional manner. |
Simon McCamus
Comedy & Improv Division
|
As a Second City faculty member, Simon teaches improv classes and camps in the Kids & Teens program, grades 2-12, along with the adult Improv A-E and Improv For Anxiety A-B programs. He's trained extensively at various improv theatres in Toronto and Chicago. With his troupes "Fake Cops" and "Northwest Passage," he's performed at international improv and sketch comedy festivals in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, and Detroit. An actor on stage and on screen, you might have seen Simon in “Untold Stories of the ER” on TLC, “Cleared For Chaos” on Crave, and the Second City Family Company cast’s production of “In The Game! |
|
Phatt Al
Comedy & Improv Division
|
Phatt Al is a Dora and Juno nominated actor, MC, and writer. He (and/ or his voice) has appeared in various commercials, TV shows, and movies internationally. You may know him as the Juicy Fruit Man, or the voice of Eggo Waffles, and Wendy’s. Al currently is the creator of the longform hip-hop class ‘Yes Yes Y’all’ and is a member of Second City Toronto’s National Touring Company. |
Ryan Ramcharran
Teacher Assistant
|
There’s no doubt that the acting industry has become more saturated in the last five years, with more aspiring students eager to share their passion for acting. Ryan has been acting since high-school days. He has been in Film and Television shows such as: See No Evil, The Comey Rule, Salt-N-Pepa, and The Unleashed. He brings his confident energetic personality and experience to inspire young talents. |
|