The world of entertainment has turn out to be increasingly diverse and open over the course of the previous few a long time. Where there was hard-lined barriers between avenues of labor corresponding to theater and film or actors, producers, and directors, the lines are actually way more malleable. Much more common are multi-hyphenate creators corresponding to Donald Glover, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, or Michaela Coel, who produce, direct, and act of their works, helping carve a novel spot for themselves within the entertainment landscape. One such multi-talented creator of recent entertainment is Kirsten Comerford, an actor on the stage and screen who has found immense success in recent times.
In Comerford’s own words, “I see myself as a storyteller.” Growing up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, a spot known for its vibrant arts scene and wealthy storytelling, Comerford spent a variety of time hearing stories of her hometown in the course of the war and all in regards to the history of Newfoundland.
Early on, she found ballet to be an incredibly potent outlet for expression. Not long after, her love of ballet evolved right into a desire to be in theater after which film. One among Comerford’s earliest onstage experiences as an actor was as a part of the unique workshop of the hit Broadway musical Come From Away. Set in Newfoundland, Come From Away was an onstage culmination of all of those stories Comerford had spent her youth being so inspired by. It stays “one among my most treasured experiences within the industry,” she says.
Since Come From Away‘s ending, Comerford has worked as knowledgeable actor who has faced all of the unique challenges and hardships that include those roles. “The constant rejection is something that you actually need thick skin for. I believe that took some time for me to develop. It’s necessary to separate yourself and who you’re as an individual out of your art and your pursuits. Acting is so personal; you’re sharing yourself, it’s vulnerable, it’s real truths that you simply’re commenting on through your work, and so it could be a challenge to see it as a business and never as a private rejection.”
But through all of it, Comerford has persevered and located success on her own terms. She produced and starred in a brief film that won the Audience Selection Award at a comedy film festival. Along with that short, Comerford has built a connection and collaboration with Roxanne Boisvert, a powerhouse female director, who has collaborated on several produced projects together with her.
As Comerford says, “In my journey through the industry, I’ve worked on many sets and encountered quite a few talented individuals, however it wasn’t until I had the privilege of collaborating with Roxanne Boisvert that I actually experienced a transformative shift in my profession trajectory—one which has left an enormous mark on my path forward.”
In Boisvert, Comerford found a director and collaborator who “possesses an innate ability to attach with actors on a profound level.” Under her guidance, Comerford undertook her first leading role in a feature film. She notes, “I felt confident within the work I had done and was free to take risks and dive into the character. It was extremely collaborative, and feeling like my input was valued was a pivotal moment for me in my profession.”
Having now accomplished several movies with Boisvert, Comerford finds that she has been in a position to embrace her own role “not only as an actor but additionally as a burgeoning creative force within the industry. This pursuit of acting has not only allowed me to explore latest avenues of expression but has also solidified my status as a talent to look at—able to innovate and collaborate in an ever-evolving landscape.”
