“I started working with Christine when I was twelve years old. She taught me how actors read a script, and encouraged me to use my own heart, spirit and ideas to bring a character to life. She always took me seriously as an actor, even when I was a green kid. She treated me with respect, and believed in me. If you get a chance to work with her, you’re lucky. She and Jessica have had my back a hundred times. Couldn’t be more grateful for what they do. ”
— Dylan Schmid
“Jessica is bar none one of the best audition and taping coaches I’ve ever worked with over the 40 years I’ve been in the acting business, working in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and South Africa.
She knows what’s needed for the audition, she’s up on trends, she takes her time with the material beforehand, and the lighting and taping when you’re in the room.
She’s accommodating to an actor’s crazy last minute schedule. I feel blessed to have found her while in Victoria...just wish she was in LA too.”
— Michele Scarabelli
“I asked Jessica to help me prepare various auditions for the TV market in Vancouver and beyond. She is knowledgeable, experienced, kind and astute, calling on an extensive background as a teacher (CCPA) and actor. She has helped me get work. I have every intention of continuing the association. ”
— Scott Hylands
“There is no one like Jessica Van der Veen to get down to brass tacks when it comes to our craft. She takes something that can be so nebulous and hammers it to the wall for you to see. She calls it like it is and doesn’t waste time. The CAST studio is the perfect intimate get-it-done space as well. Could not recommend more. ”
— Leanne Allen
“We are so very grateful for the work that Jessica did to prepare our son for theatre school auditions. From helping him to select monologues to being there for him on the audition days, her input was utterly invaluable.
Jessica was able to make an instant, trusting connection with our son. She taught him new skills and methods, and encouraged and supported him to push and challenge himself. She steadied his nerves prior to auditioning and debriefed the experience with him afterwards.
Our son has benefitted enormously from working with Jessica. And we have benefitted in return! It would have been impossible for us to have supported him as Jessica did, and probably very stressful had we tried to navigate the process alone.
We whole heartedly endorse Jessica and CAST Victoria. They are a unique and important resource for emerging actors in Victoria.”
