Behind the Actors Mask

Two weeks ago there was another successful edition of the Mohawk Language show or Tentewakierronnion (Let’s Act) at the Kanatakon School. There are currently Dance Classes at the St. Regis Recreation and last month the Salmon River Drama Club put on a performance of “Into the Woods” with several Akwesasne kids on stage and their parents taking part behind the scenes.

The interest to perform is out there and in a few weeks an acting school is going to open right here in Akwesasne and hopefully fulfill that need.

The Behind the Actors Mask Studio is scheduled to open up in May and now kids or adults interested in show business can now stay in their own districts for some professional acting lessons instead of travelling to the big cities.

Jessica Thompson – formerly of Nova Scotia, and Deanna Swamp along with Feryn King, are starting the business and they had a booth set up at last weeks Youth Business Fair. They handed out flyers and answered questions from interested community members.

Thompson is professionally trained in the theatre and studied in New York City.

She is the protégé of actor Todd Susman. Susman was a regular on Bob Newhart’s second sitcom and was the Public Address announcer on the TV series M*A*S*H. He was also on many other stage productions.

Thompson said being an actor/actress is hard work and is never done.

“Todd explained to us even A-List actors trained, you can’t go into this business thinking that your training is ever really going to stop, if you stop it for a month or two you are going to lose your sharpness,” said Thompson.

She said not only will Behind the Actors Mask Studio help develop acting skills but also other areas. She gave an example of how acting can help someone. “I have a friend that works for Global, he stutters, if we were having a conversation with him right now you would have to be patient. But when he is on stage he is in his zone and he has to memorize all of his text, (later) then he comes backstage and he is stuttering,” said Thompson.

The Actors Mask Studio is in the planning stages and they are looking to start in May. For now they plan to hold classes at Swamp’s Hogansburg home and at Hilltop Drive in Kanatakon. They plan to expand to all portions of the reserve to cater to parents’ convenience.

“We want to be able to reach all areas of the reserve, we want to be able to accommodate so people in all areas will be able to benefit from what we have to offer,” said Thompson.

The Mohawk Language show, Dance Classes and Salmon River Drama Club performers show they have some artist blood going through them, and the Studio hopes to network with them.

“Being that we are just starting we are going to learn about other activities in the community. We are going to start connecting with other groups because we want to build relationships and friendships, not just actors, but singers and dancers as well.”

Singing is a part of Thompson’s past as her late Father Alex Paulette was a noted performer on the east coast Mi’kmaq territory.

He went by the stage name “Morning Star” and produced his own music. He sang in English and MicMaq with a little bit of Celtic flavor.

One of Mr. Paulette’s songs that stick out in Thompson’s mind was about the Residential school in which he was a survivor.

The other was called “Powwow Boogie.” If you dig around long enough on You Tube you can find these hidden gems.

Feryn King will also be on staff and her expertise is in dancing. She is often seen traditional dancing around the community and that type of body movement is incorporated into the acting schools method.

“One of the most important things that actors like to learn is to be comfortable with their bodies because the body is the instrument. So in terms of dancing, she is going to be teaching some dance choreography and teaching people how to communicate with their bodies while performing,” said Thompson.

Swamp added King and her instruction will be helpful because her culture will play a big part. “What’s really exciting about Feryn is lending to the school her brand of teaching because of her cultural Iroquoian dancing background. So she has some really exciting things planned that we are really excited about,” said Swamp.

For now Akwesasne is not really big on the national entertainment scene and getting on that map is a long-range goal for the Studio.

“Gary Farmer’s sister Michelle lives in Six Nations and she is a big casting agent. Her brother is Gary Farmer and whenever they need native actors they know who to call,” said Thompson.

As well, Michelle Farmer’s daughter is out on the west coast acting and studying and doing workshops like the Behind the Actors Mask Studio wants to. Another go-to performer is Flint Eagle. He is a well-known stunt man in many Hollywood movies and is from Kahnawake. Well-known composer John Kim Bell is Flint Eagle’s relative. Martin Loft is the director of the Cultural Center in Kahnawake and he gets calls for when they need native actors.

Thompson’s mission statement for the studio is having Akwesasne right up there with them.

“They are gonna call certain places and when they know we are working toward having a body of actors here they will call Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and say who can you put us in touch with here,” said Thompson.

The start of the studios classes are not set yet as they are still prepping and scouting locations.

When they do open they will have classes for all age groups from child actors to adults. Scheduling is still to be confirmed.

The studio is a start to a career but it will be up to the student to work hard after the classes. Thompson said you never stop training even after you make it to the top.

“The training never ends, you can’t go into this business thinking ok I have taken a two-year course or four-year course at university level and expect OK I am an actor. That’s not the way it works. In this industry you are constantly working at your skill,” added Thompson.

The Behind the Actors Mask Studio will be giving you a good start.