YSAA - Young Screen Actors Academy

MARC-ANTHONY MASSIAH was recently selected to work as a coach for famed Casting Director, Janet Hirshenson (HARRY POTTER, TRANFORMERS, THE HOLIDAY, A FEW GOOD MEN, RANSOM,GHOST, FERRIS BUELLERS DAY OFF among others). Ms. Hirshenson is considered to be one of the best casting directors in Los Angeles (by no less than Ron Howard). He is an unrelenting and caring coach. Under his tutelage the young actors he coaches have done extremely well. He began his career in Montreal as a dancer, however, a random yet life changing conversation with actress Halle Berry on the set of "Gothika" opened his eyes to a new and different side of the entertainment industry. credits include, Fringe, Haunting Hour, The Killing, Smallville, 88 Minutes (working with AL PACINO!) and A-Team among many others. His drive has also taken him abroad. He was flown to the Caribbean (Antigua) in 2008, where he landed in the lead role in the feature "Memoirs of the Blue", and again in 2009 for "Redemption of Paradise."
Founder and Senior Education Advisor at Young Screen Actors Academy, Kirsten has been coaching Vancouver's top young actors for almost 20 years. Her students book everything from actor to leading roles. She has coached hundreds of actors who have booked everything from Oscar winning features (ALMOST FAMOUS) to blockbusters like WATCHMEN and countless locally shot films and TV series. She has worked as an actor, writer, director, development executive, casting director and talent agent. Kirsten is a mentor for young women at the YWCA and sponsors Women in Film, New Westminster Home Learners, Seycove School and Servants Anonymous Society. Kirsten is proud to have been nominated for the 2007 award for Cultural Diversity in Business.
Reece Thompson started his acting career by voice acting in several animated television series and minor roles on television shows before transitioning to films. His first major role came in the 2007 film Rocket Science. Thompson appeared in 2009's Assassination of a High School President with Mischa Barton and Bruce Willis, and in Afterwards. In 2010, he starred with Kat Dennings in the well-received "Daydream Nation" and "Ceremony" alongside Michael Angarano and Uma Thurman. Reece has had an amazing career in film and television. His lastest project is the Stephen Chbosky penned book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" with Emma Watson, Dylan McDermot and Paul Rudd.
KRIS WOZNESENSKY originally started his career in the film industry as an aspiring actor and youth instructor in Nanaimo, BC. After making the move to Vancouver, Kris transitioned his career into casting after being hired at the prestigious Shoreline Studios, and working with veteran casting director Kirsten DeWolfe. He currently works for Blair Law in commercial casting, and has been a casting associate for Tiffany Mak on short films such as THE ARRIVAL HOUR (producers of "65_RedRoses" as seen on OWN), JOANNA MAKES A FRIEND (winner of the Metropol Audience Favourite Short at the Victoria Film Festival). Kris has begun his own career in casting for commercials (BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, LIGHTHOUSE BREWING CO.) and short films (SHAKEY'S CAFE, CONTAGED). Kris has been teaching kids and teens for over four years, and continues to do so with Young Screen Actors Academy.
JULIAN LEBLANC was selected to present at the 2011 LEO AWARDS (credits include: THE HAUNTING HOUR, The CW's HELLCATS (recurring) and USA Network's FAIRLY LEGAL, and is also a producer. His most recent project is the award show nominee, SUNDAY'S CHILD. Julian's work in the critically acclaimed feature film JUDAS KISS has taken him to film festivals all over North America. Outside of his prominent role in the film and television community in Vancouver he founded, GOSSIP BOY, a booming entertainment website. Julian has taught at prestigious performing arts schools across Canada for 6 years. He loves sharing his knowledge and passion with others and pushes his students to be the best performers they can possibly be. Julian is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and is very proud to be teaching at Young Screen Actors Academy.
Like many of her young students, Madison appeared in almost every school performance, culminating in playing Princess Amneris in Canada's first high school performance of AIDA. She began her teaching career at First Step academy where she taught Scene Study for kids. Madison has passion for screen writing and producing. Her first screenplay A BROTHER'S LOVE (she also produced it) was nominated at the North Shore Film Festival for best screen play, best cinematography, best picture. She won the BEST ACTRESS AWARD for her role in the film. She has produced and co-written several other films since. Madison also stage managed last years Deep Cove Theater production of BILOXI BLUES which won the Theater Competition in Vancouver and sent them to Kamloops for the Theater BC Finals. In addition to acting and teaching she is currently working on her next screen play.
Owner of Sound Lounge, Kirk A. Douglas Kirk, has been an engineer and producer for 20 years, and is both a studio and live musician. Kirk opened his first studio, Burntrax, in 1993, where he worked as engineer, producer and co-owner. During his career he’s worked at studios such as Bullfrog, UV Studios, Profile Studios, Venture Studios, Slack Studios etc. He has worked with musicians such as Prevail & Mokka Only (Swollen Members), Dave Kershaw, Ash Sood & Vince Jones (members of Sarah McLachlan’s band) Luke Doucet (Sarah McLachlan, Veal & solo artist), Matthew Good & Gaye Delorme.