Nicole Bonder is a Polish-Canadian theatre artist. She is a playwright and an actor. Nicole is from Cooksville, Mississauga. She loves her community because of the people, and she is passionate about making it thrive. She currently works for Heart Comonos in Mississauga.
Experience
Nicole’s past theatre credits include Natasha in Three Sisters a play by Anton Chekov, Hermes in Metamorphoses by American playwright Mary Zimmerman, based off of the classic Ovid Poem, and Antonia in Twelfth Night, a gender-bent female Antonio from Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
Nicole is currently writing a new play, based on the creation story of Adam and Eve. The play combines different forms and styles of theatre.
Education
Nicole Bonder is a graduate of the joint program at Sheridan College and University of Toronto Acting, Theatre and Drama Studies program. She has also studied psychology while at university.
“My main areas of study include Theatre and Psychology! I love the intersection between the two, because I find that through art we can appreciate and discover the human psyche. There, we find our deepest desires and passions.”
Nicole Bonder
Nicole Bonder: Summer Ensemble 2019
Nicole is one of the first Summer Ensemble members, from Crane Creations first Summer Ensemble in 2019. This was Crane Creations First Annual Summer Ensemble and Nicole’s addition as a member of the ensemble, helped make this year a memorable experience for everyone. Nicole’s 2019 Summer Ensemble members include: Aditi Sharma, Eugenia De Jong, Jeysa Caridad, Erik Mrakovcic, Oli Allen, Riley Hardwick, Benedicte Mbaididje, Hardik Zala, Sarah Hime, Tanisha Amara, and Cayne Kitawaga.
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. Want to learn how to become a professional artist?
“From the moment I walked in, my experience with Crane Creations was very welcoming.”
In the 2019 workshops of Romeo and Juliet, Nicole plays the role of Juliet, alternating with fellow cast member and 2019 Summer Ensemble Member, Tanisha Amara. Nicole also participates in many activities and projects with Crane Creations Theatre Company as a Summer Ensemble Member. She read through plays and assisted in workshops of new work. Nicole was part of important and lively discussion and debates about the Canadian theatre industry. Nicole learned about the theatre industry and what it looks like to be a professional full time artist. She learned about theatre in Mississauga. With her fellow Summer Ensemble members, she explored the arts outside of Canada as well. She led and participated in workshops and presentations on prominent International and Canadian artists and theatre companies.
“This company values true artistry, true collaboration and bold honesty in its work. The Canadian Theatre scene is in much need of artists such as Crane Creations, who are underfunded to search for the truth and unafraid to tackle big topics. Congratulations on your new company, I have faith you’ll do great things.”
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. 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. 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. An actor in an action blockbuster film may also be trained in stage combat and martial arts.
How do I become an actor?
There are many ways of becoming an actor.
Some people learn how to become an actor by studying at a theatre school. Theatre schools are learning institutions which offer students intensive training. Students learn the basics of acting and are taught various techniques such as Meisner Technique, Stanislavski Technique, Suzuki, and other methods. Students train at these institutions typically between two to four years. Some theatre schools are part of public or private colleges and universities. Theatre schools can also be independent conservatories and learning institutions.
Acting classes are also offered outside of educational institutions. At the same time, some acting classes offer specialized training, such as audition technique or improvisation. Others are more generic or cater to your specific needs.
Some actors don’t have any prior training. Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lawrence are famous actors who don’t have any formal acting training. These actors learn on the job by gaining lots of professional and non professional experience.
How does an actor prepare for a role?
Actors prepare for a role in various different ways. Let’s ask Nicole how she prepares for a role.
“It’s about understanding where the text lives in my body. I have a very technical approach. I don’t like being married to a choice before entering rehearsal. Instead, I like to come in with an idea, and then find interesting choices during rehearsal. Once I can get the technical aspects in my body and my voice, then as I progress in rehearsal I try choices and then try the opposite of those choices. You should not know who the character is from the beginning. Explore in as many different ways as possible.”
Who is Nicole Bonder? An Interview with Nicole.
Q: You are a playwright as well and you are writing a new play. What is your process for writing?
A: I prefer a devised approach in playwriting by stringing along different scenes that I improvise and create. This approach provides the most room for play, but requires a process that allows space for creating and starting over again. Here’s the analogy I like to use. The playwright is the potter and their idea is the clay. As potters, the clay is constantly moulded and shifted to create the final masterpiece. There are points in the forming process where the potter must beat the clay and restart over again. But as they mould, they get closer and closer to the final product, until it’s complete. It’s okay to start over again, break off a piece, and get messy!
Q: What sparked your love for acting?
A: Acting was always in my spirit. I have always been an extremely imaginative person and theatre has been a release outlet for my desire for creativity and play. As a child, I loved Disney and Pixar, and found myself daydreaming off in fantasy and fiction. I found my adventure in the heartbeat of storytelling.
Q:What is your favourite character you have ever played?
A: Natasha from Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov. The character reminds me much of myself – quirky, misunderstood, and different. At first, she is ostracized and ridiculed by her fiancées family members, because she was from a lower class family. Throughout the play, she goes through a massive power dynamic transformation. She is no longer who she once was, but a new creation shifted and moulded by life and the expectations of late 19th century Russian society. However, by the end, she becomes the true victor of the play. She might have started as an outsider, but she finishes as the one in control of the entire household. I like to look at Natasha as a character who first started off as a caterpillar, hidden away in her cocoon, until it was time to transform into a butterfly in front of those who doubted her.
Q: What inspired you to write your new play?
A: My new play is based on Biblical scripture. As a Christian, I’ve been heavily inspired by my own relationship with Jesus to write this play. My hope is to find a way to theatricalize the relationship dynamic between God and creation as the foundation for my play. In my play, I am exploring different dramatic forms such as absurd and abstract theatre to inspire playable stories from these ancient scriptures. I wish to create breathable action, life, and relatable relationships in the storytelling. I have been workshopping the play at Crane Creations with actors and have been extremely grateful to do so. I’ve loved seeing actors take on this piece and break down the meatiness and challenges of the themes! The experience has been immensely helpful and impactful in my journey as a playwright, so I can’t wait to see this piece come to life!
Q:What are your hobbies?
A: I’m a fitness junkie. I work out a lot! I run, I bike, and lift. Working out makes my goals feel more achievable. If I can run faster, or run further or lift more weight, I can accomplish other goals greater in life too. What I do with working out ends up pouring into other aspects of my life. It allows me to achieve focus and remain centred.
I also do singing and voice acting. I focus a lot on health such as meditation and spirituality practice.
Q: Do you have a favourite food that you like to eat?
A: I love to cook hearty soups. I have a slow cooker where I put all sorts of vegetables into my soups. I also make very enormous sandwiches – my classic pizza sandwiches. They are big enough for a family of four! Get in touch with me, and I promise I’ll make you one.
Q: Have you been reading any books lately that you recommend we read.
A: Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty. It’s a great book if you’re looking to shift your mindset on the world and yourself! Also, a new book I am reading called David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s a book for the underdogs and the misfits – teaching you the art of battling giants.
Where to find Nicole?
Nicole is one of the many talented and inspiring artists and upcoming writer from our summer ensemble program.
