Hardi Zala is a Canadian BIPOC theatre and film actor. Hardi is a Toronto-based actor and resides in Scarborough. As well as being an actor, Hardi is also a stunt choreographer and personal fitness trainer.
Education
Hardi Zala is a graduate of Ontario Tech University. He has a degree in Finance, which he received in 2019. Hardi has theatre training from different acting studios across Toronto. Hardi has training from Second City Toronto, and LB Acting Studio.
Some actors learn their craft by attending theatre school. Theatre schools are learning institutions that offer students intensive training. This training lasts between two to four years. Throughout these years, students learn the basics of acting and are taught various techniques such as Meisner Technique, Stanislavski Technique, Suzuki, Viewpoints, Laban, and other methods. Some theatre schools are part of public or private colleges and universities. Theatre Schools can also be independent conservatories and learning institutions. Some actors don’t have any prior training. Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence are famous actors who don’t have any formal acting training. Some actors learn their craft by taking acting classes outside of a theatre school.
Experience
Hardi’s selected Shakespeare theatre credits include playing Ferdinand in The Tempest and Edmund in King Lear. He is also in Hart’s House’s Portia’s Julius Caesar, a feminist retelling of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Hardi also played Tybalt in Crane Creations Theatre Company’s 2019 Workshop of Romeo and Juliet.
Hardi Zala was an actor in the one-act plays YOLO and FOMO for Toronto Youth Theatre in 2018, which premiered at the Lower Ossington Theatre.
Hardi is a film actor. Hardi is an actor in the films A Girl, a Boy a Penny and a Very Very Very Long Road, and If I should die.
Hardi Zala is a Stunt Choreographer
Hardi Zala is a stunt and combat choreographer. “Doing stunts, it lets me add more physicality to the art of acting. For me, one thing I have struggled with in the past is being in tuned in with my body. Doing stunts lets me tune into my body.”
Hardi Zala: Summer Ensemble 2019
Hardi is one of Crane Creations Theatre Company’s 2019 Summer Ensemble Members. This was Crane Creations First Annual Summer Ensemble and Hardi’s addition as a member of the ensemble, helped make this year a memorable experience for everyone.
What is the Summer Ensemble
The Summer Ensemble is an 8 week training program for theatre artists. In this paid working opportunity artists learn skills required to be a professional artist in Canada, and gain valuable insights into the theatre industry in Canada and abroad. To apply, artists must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
“I loved Summer Ensemble because everybody was very accepting and very fun to be with. Acting for eight hours a day and being paid for it is the icing on top.”
In the 2019 workshops of Romeo and Juliet, Hardi played the role of Tybalt. Hardi also participated in many activities and projects with Crane Creations Theatre Company as a Summer Ensemble Member. He read through plays and assisted in workshops of new work. Hardi was part of important and lively discussion and debates about the Canadian theatre industry. Hardi learned about the theatre industry and what it looks like to be a professional full time artist. He learned about theatre in Mississauga. With his fellow Summer Ensemble members, he explored the arts outside of Canada as well. He led and participated in workshops and presentations on prominent International and Canadian artists and theatre companies.
Romeo and Juliet
Hardi Zala is a Crane Creations Theatre Company 2019 Summer Ensemble Member. He is one of the cast members who was part of the 2019 workshop of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Hardi was cast in the role of Tybalt in which he played the role brilliantly. Hardi had a brand new interpretation the role, which added complexity and humanity to the character. This new inner life fills the character with purpose, confection and love as well as hate.
Workshops and Readings
Hardi was part of multiple play readings and workshops. Hardi was also involved in the early of workshops of a new play in development, Pandora’s Box. Hardi was in a reading of Invasion! by Jonas Hassen Khemiri. Invasion! is about prejudice identity, race and language. He was in a workshop of Titanic, a one act comedy play by Christopher Durang, which was directed by Mackenzie Burton. He was in a reading Bambiland by Austrian playwright Elfriede Jelinek, Elfreide Jelinek won the noble prize for Literature in 2004. He was also in the first reading of the play Terror, which is enjoying its Canadian premier.
“Andreja was a great director to work with, she provided a plethora of knowledge, and I immensely enjoyed learning from her. She created an environment where I could experiment ideas, and be bolder in my approach to the piece. She catered the project to the needs of the group, and was very helpful in providing resources to develop my craft and career.”
Hardi Zala
How did Hardi Fall in Love with Acting?
“I fell in love with acting when I was eight. The first time I acted was in elementary school. What drew me the most to it was being able to put on a performance and people I love and know will enjoy it. That was the feeling that kept me wanting to pursue it further. This love evolved into me being able to explore myself and my experience further through acting.”
Hardi Zala
What is an actor?
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs in the theatre, film, radio, television, or digital media.
What does an actor do?
An actor doesn’t just memorize lines and look pretty. Additionally, an actor has a fun but important role in creating a story. They are responsible for interpreting and embodying the character in a play, television series, or film. To do this well, many actors rehearse and train their bodies and voices regularly. They study their script and consult with the director and scene partners about their interpretation of the character.
The main concern of an actor should always be understanding what a character wants or needs and then what they are is doing to achieve this action. In order words, a want or a need is also called an objective, or motivation. What an actor is doing is referred to an action or a tactic. An Actor Acts. A good actor makes many different and thoughtful choices about what the character is doing. A very good actor can make many creative choices, and is always ready to change their actions on the fly.
Actors sometimes require additional special skills. For example, an actor in a Broadway musical may also need to know how to sing and dance. An actor in a puppet show must know how to operate a puppet. Professional Improvisers need to know how to create a character and make up a story on the spot without any preparation. Simultaneously, an actor in an action blockbuster film may also be trained in stage combat and martial arts.
Want to learn how to become a professional artist?
How does an actor prepare for a role?
Actors prepare for their roles in many different ways. Let’s ask Hardi how he prepares for a role.
“I go about every role very differently. It is an instinct. For every character that I play, I always try to draw something from my life that I share with this character or the circumstances they are in. Or I find something about a character that interests me. I use that as an inspiration.”
Who is Hardi Zala? An Interview with Hardi
Q: What is your favourite part about being an actor?
A: My favourite part of acting is being able to share a moment onstage with a scene partner or the audience.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you are not acting?
A: I love working out and exercising. I think help clear my mind. I’m a naturally anxious person and settle me down. It helps me realize my own strength.
Q: What are you currently reading or watching?
A: I am reading the Blindness by Jose Saramago. I don’t watch a lot of television or movies, because I don’t have the time. I try to whenever I can.
Fun Facts About Hardi
- Hardi was spit on by a dolphin. Hardi was once spit on by a dolphin, and likely deserved it, but don’t let that trick you into believing he is not kind.
- Hardi is a dancer. He dances hip hop and Bollywood.
- Hardi speaks multiple languages. Hardi can speak multiple languages including Hindi and English.
