MORGAN SAUNDERS
Actor
Morgan Saunders is a 9-year-old actress from Charlottetown. Her acting journey started in 2020 when she was cast in a national PEI Potato commercial. Furrow Studio asked her back for two more national commercials. Local film director Kelly Caseley took notice and cast Saunders in three episodes of the national TV comedy, Aww Shucks. Saunders was bitten by the acting bug and enrolled in acting classes via zoom with the Toronto Academy of Acting. Her instructor thought she had “great acting instincts” and
recommended her to a talent agency. An interview followed and Saunders was offered a three-year contract with Susan J Talent in Toronto.
campaign for the US company Buddy Wipes (three commercials and print modeling), and a social media marketing campaign for Fredericton Airport. Saunders has just finished filming season two of The Community Players , playing the role of Cindy Gallant. Saunders is represented by Scott Carlson Entertainment and is currently auditioning for Hollywood movies and network TV shows. Morgan’s motto is “Dream big and work for it!”
She works extremely hard at her craft;
weekly lessons with the LeBlanc School of Acting (Vancouver), coaching for auditions with Diggstown star Shailene Garnett (whom Morgan met while doing background work while they were filming in PEI). A highlight was being coached by actress Eliza Roberts (American actor, Eric Roberts’ wife.)
▲ Morgan Saunders Photo by Hayeon Baek
Other credits include an international marketing
LEXIS FRANCIS
Dancer
For 12-year-old Lexis Francis dancing has been a way to connect to her cultural roots. “Dancing has always been part of the Mi’kmaq culture. I can feel it through my body when I hear the beat of the drum or the tune of a song.” Francis explains, “Song and dance is part of our traditional Mi’kmaq Mawi’omi (or gatherings) and a way for us to connect and share our culture with others.” Francis started dancing at the age of three. “I love being able to express myself through dance and movement, it
brings me great joy and happiness.”
the edges of the shawl, as well as a skirt. The dancing often resembles a butterfly with swift movements, dancing like they are flying in the air. “I want to be a professional dancer and eventually open my own dance studio to teach others how to dance,” Francis says, “I will be performing at various venues across PEI this year, including being back at the Confederation Centre of the Arts for noontime shows in the amphitheatre in July.”
Francis performs jazz, ballet and pointe with the Island Dance Academy and fancy shawl and hoop dance with Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors. Fancy shawl dancing is a style of Indigenous dancing that includes fast-paced footwork and centers around a fancy shawl draped over the dancer and their wingspan. Fancy shawl regalia is worn by the dancer and often has elaborate colours and designs, with ribbon fringes along
▲ Lexis Francis Photo by Story Thorburn
SUMMER 2022 www.pei-living.ca
37
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker