Jimish Thakkar

Jimish is the Actor, Director and Drama Educator of The Hive Performing Arts, an eclectic Brampton based not-for-profit performing arts company offering cross-disciplinary workshops on Drama, Communication and Theatre Productions. With a Speech and Drama Associate Degree in Performance from Trinity College of London, Jimish's teaching involves a combination of classical techniques and practical skills learnt over the span of 20 years as a community theatre actor and director. Jimish's directorial work includes Wait Until Dark, 12 Angry Jurors, Stories of Manto, Sherlock, The Miracle Worker, The Farnsworth Invention, and Yasmina Reza's Art. Identified by UAE's Masala Magazine as one of the HOT 100 Personality of the year 2017, Jimish's achievements include winning the best director award for directing The Miracle Worker and winning the best actor award for his role as Karsten Bernick in Henrik Ibsen's Pillars of Society. Jimish has acted in productions like Shakespeare's Othello, Georges Feydeau's Sauce For The Goose, Sharad Joshi's Andhon Ke Hathi, Molière's The Would Be Gentleman, Jean Anouilh's Ring Round The Moon, Agatha Christie's Mousetrap, and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy. Recently he starred in Every Brilliant Thing directed by Steven Schipper.​

Jan Jennings

"I never expected it to be so exciting. I am inspired. The most valuable parts were watching the talent, followed by the redirects/modifications suggested by the mentor and the improving upon it after the feedback. A great way of trying something new that you never dreamt of before." - Aswani

"There was a lot of information that I didn't realize was important in auditioning. It definitely helped me. The most valuable parts were how to enter and exit an audition room, resumes and agencies, calming your nerves and redirections. It really opens your eyes to the audition process in the industry. It made me more aware of how I present myself." - Braya

"It was an amazing workshop. Really got to learn a lot from Leighton. All the tips and techniques taught will surely guide us in the future. The most valuable parts were the tricks to calm our nerves, the exercises suggested before any auditions, and the experience of mock audition in the end was remarkable, giving us actual exposure to perform in front of such great panelists." - Participant

"The program exceeded my expectations. It was a very well-organized intensive that brought me from a beginner to feeling confident about auditioning for a production in the future. The intensive really helped me better understand how to breakdown the monologue and perform it effectively. The most valuable parts were Leighton's coaching. He has a natural gift for giving supportive and constructive advice while maintaining a safe and comfortable environment. I also found it valuable working in a class with people performing different styles of monologues because the coaching and notes they received were beneficial to me as well. I left the intensive feeling more self-assured and confident in my newfound skillset." - Natasha​