"I was a teenager when I was an actor in the production of Canadian Stories. The experience helped shape who I am today. It was an honour to tell and share people's true life stories, revealing harsh reality of what is like for a young person to move to Canada from a different country. Arriving to a new language, new culture and leaving many friends and family behind. The audiences who saw this play were deeply moved and effected by the portrayal of these stories. I grew both as a person and as an actor working on this production. " - SARAH SAWATSKY - Actor ("X-Files", "Danger Bay", "Northwood") and Acting Instructor (Tarlington Training)

"Being a part of Canadian Stories had a profound impact on my life. It not only challenged me as an actor, but learning about these untold stories changed me as a person. I think the power of Canadian Stories is that it challenges the perspectives of both the actors and the audience, forcing us all to reexamine who we are and where we come from. Considering that we're living in a world that is becoming more globally focused by the day, I think Canadian Stories is even more poignant and relevant now than it was 15 years ago." JASON ALISHARAN - Actor ("Are You Afraid Of The Dark") and Producer ("A Single Man")

"Being a part of the Canadian Stories cast was one of the most rewarding experiences of my acting career. The training I gained as a cast member was constantly inspiring, challenging, and enlightening, for any medium of acting. I learned how to use my body, voice, and creativity...more so than in any other production. I made wonderful, life long friends, and took a great step forward in becoming a truly professional actor." TREVOR ROBERTS - Actor ("This Boy's Life", "Scary Movie") and Acting Instructor (Tarlington Training)

"Canadian Stories was my first 'gig' out of high school. I was quite certain that I wanted to become a professional actor, but my experience with Canadian Stories solidifiedit and I went on to train at Studio 58 the following year. Without that year of learning rehearsing and touring with Canadian Stories, I would have been less prepared for acting school." COURTENAY STEVENS - Actor ("Breach", "The Border")

"Being a part of the original Canadian Stories cast was a significant part of my young adult expereince. By participating in the creation of a play that helped tell the unique stories of young persons adjusting to life in Canada, I was able to gain greater understanding of what my contemporaries were experiencing. Through reading and re-telling their experiences, Canadian Stories helped give these individuals a voice; but it also gave the actors and audience a greater sense of responsibility and accountability to new Canadians. I believe that this increase of awareness made me a more empathetic adolescent. Professionally, the work I did with Canadian Stories contributed to my goal to choose work that would help create greater social justice in Vancouver. Personally, almost twenty years later, I still count three of my closest friends as former cast members of Canadian Stories; a testament, I believe, to the content and intimacy experienced in its production." MAYA SANDERS - Children's Librarian