Bios

Norbert Orlewicz (Roger Mivic) The role of Roger made a tremendous impact on the young actor’s life when he first portrayed the character in his final year of high school drama. The experience of creating the original theatrical production of Fall, Hot Rain was the fuel that fires Norbert’s love of theatre.

“I believe that theatre, film, or any art for that matter, is most relevant when it challenges people’s concepts about themselves and the world they live in. The single biggest obstacle preventing each one of us from living our true potential is our fear of facing the truth of our own existence. Roger’s battle with himself, and his struggle to come to terms with his past is a classic story most people desperately avoid. He struggles, as many of us do, with so many complex and contradictory emotions and attributes, attempting with futility to keep his demons at bay. He is both desperate and hopeful, fearful and courageous, clear and confused. These contradictions make him human, and it is his human struggle that makes his story so tragic.

Norbert’s appreciation goes out to the dedicated group that stepped up to the challenge of creating this film, and kept pushing towards its completion through the most difficult of days.

Matthew Hunt (Stephen Malcolm and Producer) performed in original theatre production of FHR ten years ago as a teenager. Now after graduating from Studio 58 and a few years of life, he feels it has come full circle because he would be the correct age to play Steven. Fall, Hot Rain is very dear to Matthew because he said, “After the show my peers in high-school would approach me and tell me how they had changed their views regarding the gay-community and would think twice before being so derogatory toward gay people.”

I thought wow! Our show is changing how people think? Cool! I knew from that point forward I wanted to tell stories the rest of my life to challenge people current views. It was the most amazing feeling in the world.” Matthew is extremely thankful for being able to be apart of this story, for if he wasn’t, he feels that he might have not been an actor. Matthew has been seen in theatre productions all across the world. He just finished performing in San Francisco at A.C.T. in the hit theatre show called The Overcoat (Canstage). Matthew has also dabbled in writing and directing, his favorite work to date is One Good Thing (Mayhem Productions). Matthew would like to thank his family, friends & specifically Sandi for putting up with all his crazy and wacky ideas.

Anthony Johnston (Wayne) was raised in Winnipeg and is a graduate of Vancouver's STUDIO 58 theatre training program. Over the past two years he’s been working in professional theatre across Canada in (among other things) 'Billy' in Albee's THE GOAT for both the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Montreal's Centaur Theatre, 'Lewis' in the workshops of Rosemary Rowe's KISS WITH YOUR TEETH for Toronto's Buddies In Bad Times Theatre and 'Gary' in Vancouver Pi Theatre’s SHOPPING & F*CKING by Mark Ravenhill's

Look for Anthony in Winnipeg this spring in MTYP's reprise production of Ed Roy's BANG BOY, BANG! And this summer in his self-written and self-produced one-man show: ART'S HEART, at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Fall, Hot Rain marks Anthony's first leading role in film. He was amazed by the energy and “heart” displayed by the film’s production team. He’s looking forward to working more in film and TV in the coming years.

Charlton Szapiro (Morgan/Morgana) Needless to say, the experience of filming Fall, Hot Rain was rather unique and freeing for Charlton. Little did he know that he would ever feel as comfortable as he did in a pair of 6-inch stiletto heels (although he still wonders how people are able to dance in them). Ultimately, he would like to thank Matthew and Adam for giving him the opportunity to be a part of this project, and for the chance to work with an amazingly talented group of artists. Cheers!

Melissa Jane Shaw (Gretchen) MJ of many hats is a professional actor, dancer, singer, choreographer and producer. For more information check out her personal website (www.melissajaneshaw.com) or her production company (www.seventhstageproductions.com).

Clarence Sponagle (Butch) An award winning and nominated actor, (Jessie Richardson nomination, 2001-2002, Jessie Richardson award for most promising newcomer 2001-2002, Dora nomination, 2003-2004). Clarence has been hailed as one of the most promising young actors to watch out for. In the summer of 2004 Clarence finished shooting his first film in Vancouver BC, titled 'Eighteen' directed by Richard Bell. 'Eighteen' is currently in the world film festival circuit bringing Clarence much praise for his performance as 'Clark'.

Clarence has worked with numerous theatre company's across Canada, including, Firehall Arts Centre, Bard on the Beach, The Electric Company, The Globe Theatre, DanceArts Vancouver, Loraine Kisma Theatre for Young People and Dance DaStat to name a few.

In January of 2006 Clarence will be working with Manitoba Theatre for Young People. A graduate of Vancouver's Studio 58, Clarence currently resides in downtown Toronto.

Kristoffer Pedlar (Phil) over the past four years has studied puppetry under the leadership of Brandy Leary, extensively in Bunraku puppetry as well as shadow puppetry and various forms of movement. He first worked on a workshop production of Le Cirque Burlesque and then joined the company of the remount in February of 2004 where he reprised his role of lead puppeteer on both Juan Carlos and The White Tiger. He has also been a part of the FIDA festival Festival of Original Theatre at UofT.

Most recently, Kristoffer played the part of The Man in Anandam’s “Relative Gravity,” and was lead puppeteer on Diego and Death at the New York City Fringe Festival.

Outside of his puppetry Kristoffer has appeared several shows in the last few years: The Chef in Fine Dining for Hooligans in the Kitchen, Michael, the lead, in Baby Steps, written for the 2003 Toronto Fringe Festival. Currently Kristoffer is working on a project for Hooligans in the Kitchen and on his own script “Rodeo Clowns.”

Adam Revesz (Director) began his entertainment career as an actor and trained in Vancouver at Studio 58 among other places. He performed in numerous stage productions, appeared in indie shorts, features and a little bit of TV. Studio 58 produced his first play ‘Web of Destiny: A Very Serious Farce’ which was met with lots of laughter and a great review. It was back to Toronto after that, where, after numerous auditions and a bit of work, Adam decided to take his fate in his own hands and pursue the writing/directing he so enjoys.

So Ryerson it was where he made many short films, was nominated for an award, and started his production company ‘One Inch Punch Productions’. Most recently Adam: has directed and edited his first feature film ‘Fall, Hot Rain’; produced interstitials and a segment for the TV show ‘Cosmetic Innovations’ on SUN TV; and is currently pitching ‘Mall Cops’ a comedic TV show that he has recently developed.

B. J. Castleman (Writer) has been involved in theatre since the first grade when he played a daffodil who summoned all the second grade roses to dance. He has been a performer, a director, a producer and a teacher. The high point of his performing career was playing George in a Toronto production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf”. He has directed a variety of productions from “Mary, Mary” for the Stardust Dinner Theatre to “Jesus Christ, Superstar” for Broadway North and “Chess” for Applause*Applause. He has written more than thirty works for the stage and television. He is currently Head of Drama and Film at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute in Toronto. His play “Wilderness” was featured on TVOntario in the mid 90s. Another, “And think of me…” was recently filmed for CITY TV. He has written over 40 works for stage. He continues to be an active director and writer – with or without pay. “It’s what I do.”

Andrew Forbes (Director of Photography) 'I firmly believe that cinematography serves only one master: the story. No matter how you assemble the film visually, if the style doesn't match the tone of the story then you've lost the potential to really say something. Film offers us – the audience, our society, each one of us - a chance to really examine ourselves as we travel forward through life's adven-tures.

Originally from Winnipeg, Andrew first settled into the camera department of Ryerson University's film program, but realized that understanding light was as important as understanding optics, and branched into lighting and gripping. His thorough knowledge of both has led him to some exciting work; recently, he (an Associate member of CSC) traveled to Turkey for a documentary and has worked on numerous projects in Ontario and Manitoba. Some has been seen on the Space channel, TV5, TFO, SRC and CBC.

Andrew currently is teaching film & video production and media literacy to elementary and secondary students in Winnipeg. Whenever possible, he shoots and assists on a variety of projects, both independent and commercial.