I was born in the Azores, a group of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal. I come from the largest of the islands, São Miguel. Although I came to Canada when I was very young, São Miguel has remained a very big part of who I am. It is part of my heritage. It is the focal point of the stories that my Vavó and others in my family shared with me. In many ways, this dot on a map is where I get my love for the arts.
I am one of 8 children. We are all very different but we have a strong sense of family, and they have always been there for me. When I wanted to go to Arts Umbrella to study acting, my older sisters helped find the money to pay for it. In the Teen Theatre Troupe (now the Senior Theatre Troupe), we created an original piece called From Here To Where directed by Pauline Doyle. At Arts Umbrella I also performed in The Dining Room and Oh! What A Lovely War, directed by Sarah Rodgers. The work I did and the people I met there inspired me to pursue my passion. I continued my theatre training at Studio 58 and graduated in 1997.
I have since worked as a professional actor, director, and sound designer in theatres across North America including Touchstone, The Arts Club, Green Thumb, Manitoba Theatre Centre, and The National Arts Centre. I received Jessie Richardson awards for my work in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for Pacific Theatre and in the original production of The Overcoat at The Vancouver Playhouse. I have received Jessie nominations for my work as an actor in Driving Miss Daisy at Pacific Theatre, and for sound design for The Prodigal Son and One In A Million at Pacific Theatre.
When all is said and done, the most important roles I play are father to my son and husband to my wife.
