Bio: Peter Fernandes was born in Bahrain, raised in Edmonton, and now calls Toronto home. Recent Credits include: Fifteen Dogs (Crow’s); Almost a Full Moon, Peter and the Starcatcher (Citadel); The Importance of Being Earnest, Damn Yankees, Charley’s Aunt, Gatsby’s Jazz, Sonny’s Blues, A Christmas Carol, The Russian Play, Brigadoon (Shaw Festival); Rose, Father Comes Home From the Wars, Alligator Pie (Canadian Tour), Incident at Vichy, The Just, Marat/Sade, The Dybbuk, Spoon River, Tartuffe, The Crucible, Idiot’s Delight (Soulpepper); Vietgone (RMTC); Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love and Information, Twelfth Night, King Lear (Canadian Stage); Jerusalem (OtM/Company Theatre); You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! (MTYP); Onegin (NAC/Musical Stage); Passing Strange (Musical Stage/Obsidian); Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit & Myth/Ground Zero). FILM/TV: 21 Black Futures, Pretty Hard Cases, Odd Squad. TRAINING: BFA, University of Alberta; Soulpepper Academy. AWARDS: Dora Award - Outstanding Performer in a Featured Role.
This award will allow me to devote more time and commitment to my development as a director, hone my skills as an illusionist, and see how these two practices can intersect.
Peter Fernandes
What does it mean for you to receive this award?
It is incredibly moving to be receiving this award as it means that I have the support of the people who have had a significant effect on my growth as a performer to explore and expand my skills in other theatrical disciplines I am passionate about. Moving into this next stage of my career, I see my responsibility to the next generation of Black, Filipino, and mixed-race artists and the importance of seeing more BIPOC creators in leadership roles. The award means I can learn to take on another position in creating a supportive space for BIPOC theatre creators, in the same way my past mentors, including Philip Akin, have for me.
What piece of art, by a Black artist, inspires you?
Passing Strange