OUR STORY
The Bryant Academy for the Arts was established in 2018 by actress Samantha Ballard. The academy offers classes ranging from acting, music, and dance to career coaching. Dedicated to the personal success of each student, the academy focuses on inspiring artistic confidence and self-esteem in a positive, safe learning environment. Our faculty is comprised of highly qualified professional coaches.
ABOUT THE OWNER
Samantha Ballard began her acting career at a young age. She has played lead roles such as “Eva Peron” in Evita, “Cinderella" in Into The Woods and “Mary Magdalene” in Jesus Christ Superstar. Along with theatre, Samantha has been fortunate to be in several international commercials (Bensayll, Planet Fitness) and modelling shoots (Lucky, Red Book). Samantha has studied classical ballet at the Errington–Graham Dance Studio with Liliane Marleau Graham, achieving a Gold Medal from the Western Ontario Conservatory of Ballet. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, earning her Bachelor of Musical Arts with a double major in Music and Political Science in 2010.
Samantha as Eva Peron in Evita.
Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar
Samantha moved to Manhattan, New York, where she completed Circle in the Square's two-year professional musical theatre school program. There, she was privileged to study with Alan Langdon, Terese Hayden, Ed Berkeley, and Sara Louise Lazarus. She made her New York debut in an off-Broadway theatre in the premier production of “KREIP” The Musical.
Returning to Toronto in 2013, she discovered her passion for teaching, and began conducting small workshops around the city. Since then, she has worked for numerous companies and helped them create program outlines, teacher training materials, and overall program coordinating. She is thrilled to be merging her diverse experiences and vast industry knowledge into a company of her own.
Other credits include: Oklahoma (Laurie) Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit) , Music Man (Marian), Fame (Ms Bell), The Heart as it Lived, Sweeney Todd, Nunsense, Les Miserables, Little Red Riding Hood, A Little Night Music, Waiting For Lefty
