“A Day in the Life” with: Montréal-based Actor Natasha Fagant

Natasha Fagant is an actor and performance artist based in Montréal.

She is also my sister. For as long as I can remember, she’s been into weird art. While I was watching cartoons, she was watching macabre abstract art that would take a degree in art to understand. She would, of course, go on to get that degree in 2013 graduating from Concordia with a BFA in theatre performance

Following her life of acting, I am amazed by the amount of thought and research that goes into each character. There is a misconception about actors, that they just memorize some lines (a feat in and of itself) and step into a pre-made character. While the lines are written, the actor is the one who creates the character. Every piece I get to see her perform, allows me to witness someone new.

Natasha is always working on something. When she isn’t performing on stage, she’s in front of the stage directing, beside the stage being a technician, or in the audience supporting her fellow artists. I know if it were up to her, she’d do all of them at once.

I shouldn’t neglect to mention her film and voice work. She has voiced some national campaigns in the past few years. While she typically warns me beforehand when she is recording an audition, I occasionally burst into her room, wondering why she’s screaming, only to realize she’s voicing a character particularly excited about yogurt.

Nowadays my sister is known in the creative community for performances that are intense but also odd. Sometimes that’s uncomfortable burlesque using medical props. Sometimes it’s a short film or a radio play that is intense for its honest vulnerability. But whatever she works on, I’m always mesmerized and cheering in the audience.

-Written by Sacha Perry-Fagant, sister and BFF.

Natasha Fagant
The day before the show Two Birds One Stone opened, a more packed day than usual. Luckily I still had a calm morning rising at a comfortable 10 am with enough time to have a cozy breakfast and coffee with my sweet pet rat Reginald.
Natasha Fagant
I record a quick voice-over audition to send to my agent. I have been very lucky to have been able to voice a few commercials and campaigns this year.
The photo below was taken while I was voicing the most recent Via Rail campaign. Studio Septieme 525 avenue Viger Ouest
I send off a few emails regarding burlesque performance bookings coming up. My burlesque ego Miss Pretty Pretentious always aims to plunge audiences into a state that straddles arousal and discomfort. The shot below was taken at The Wiggle Room with my stage creature act. The Wiggle Room 3874 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1Y2
I head to Teesri Duniya Theatre for our last adjustments before our dress rehearsal for Two Birds One Stone. I always feel like such a rockstar when my dressing room includes a vanity mirror with lights. ShopDogs Inc, who did the production management on the show, really knocked it out of the park. Teesri Duniya Theatre 251 Pine Ave W, Montreal, (Cité-des-Hospitalières)
I get into costume and transform from Natasha Fagant to the role of the playwright Natasha Greenblatt
Evening falls and I hit the stage with my co-star Dalia Charafeddine and we perform for the invited dress rehearsal for Two Birds One Stone. It always blows me away how an audience changes the work and brings life to the process. Photo by: Rania Lardjane
Natasha Fagant
We finish the show and get final notes from director Murdoch Schon. I am tired but excited to open the show. I leave Teesri Duniya Theatre at 10:30 pm and walk home. I always feel so lucky to live in Mile End so close to so many of the performance venues that I work in.
Natasha Fagant
Once home I set up in my office/studio to record a last-minute self-tape. I record the audition and edit it on a phone app while I lounge in bed as I wind down for the day.

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Which neighbourhood are you in?

I live on the border of Mile End and Outremont. It’s an amazing spot that I have been living in with my sister for almost seven years. I love being in the centre of all the action.

What do you do?

I am an actor for stage and screen but most of my gigs are voiceovers.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently performing in Teesri Duniya Theatre’s show, Two Birds One Stone, tackling the heavy subject of Israel-Palestine. It’s been really exhausting and emotional work.

I am also preparing for busy days full of cabaret hosting and burlesque. No one warns you that adding rhinestones to costumes is almost a full-time job.

Where can we find your work?

Follow me on Instagram for my burlesque, modelling and other project updates.

 

About Emilea Semancik 114 Articles
Emilea Semancik was born in North Vancouver. Emilea has always always wanted to work as a freelance writer and currently writes for the Vancouver Guardian. Taking influence from journalism culture surrounding the great and late Anthony Bourdain, she is a recipe author working towards publishing her own series of books. You can find her food blog on Instagram: