David Simmonds
As a kid I loved movies. The Saturday morning cartoons and the serials at the Savoy Cinema on Holloway Rd were a highlight of my week. Plus, I had a knack for memorising the words of songs on the radio and creating new songs seeking a recording. Deciding that is what I wanted to do but knowing the chance of doing that looked greener elsewhere, I left London for Canada in my 20’s. I arrived in Toronto 1965 then settled in Vancouver 1971 where I found work at a recording studio writing lyrics for advertising products A-Z. Chocolate bars, burgers, real estate and global airlines. I was establishing a place in the emerging vibrant west coast scene and authored numerous song lyrics recorded by B.T.O, Bryan Adams, Lee Greenwood, and Michael Buble, among others. One of those songs, ''Ordinary People”, recorded by The Bootleg Band, won country song of the year. Another gig to note; 20 plus lyrics i wrote for a trade show celebrating the Jim Pattison Group of companies. I was moving in the right direction. I also ventured into the world of actors and acting. Roles in stage productions from my school days had whetted my appetite for more. Settling in Vancouver and enrolling in classes, then invited as a member of the Firehall performance group in Gastown. I had secured a contract and a pay cheque and found myself submerged in intensive training. Daily sessions in movement, improv, voice and scene classes. This led to acquiring an agent, auditioning and being cast in professional film and television roles. I was seeing a future where the dreams of a kid could become my reality. Moving to Victoria B.C., I opened and operated The Screen Actor's Studio. For additional details- see My Story page.
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People I Have Worked With
Madeleine Sherwood.
Madeleine was a friend and a tour de force. Guaranteed to change the molecules of any room she entered. A colleague of Tennessee Williams, she portrayed Mae/Sister Woman and Miss Lucy in both the Broadway and film versions of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Sweet Bird of Youth. She also starred or featured in 18 original Broadway productions including Arturo Ui, Do I Hear a Waltz? and The Crucible. In television, she played the Reverend Mother Placido, in The Flying Nun (81 episodes.1967–70).
Jonathan Mason
"I’m grateful to have had David as my first acting teacher. His training has been a guiding force throughout my career, leading me to stages like North America’s Stratford festival. In my fifth season, i find myself playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, a testament to David’s impactful mentorship.”
Claudia Ferri
David is a gifted mentor, a collaborator and facilitator of the craft, always brilliantly opening the path for eager students seeking to hone and develop their acting skills. Whether during low or high tide, his precious insight has served me well along my journey into establishing my career to where it is headed now. I am deeply grateful and proud to call him my Friend.
Shimon Karmel
For over 25 years, David has been an invaluable friend, mentor, and coach. His expertise as a supremely talented writer, director, and performer is matched only by his extensive knowledge of film, theater, acting, poetry, and literature. A quick-witted individual who thinks critically and outside the mainstream orthodoxy, David's humor and profound insights into life and the meaning of existence have always been a welcomed presence. I am truly honored to call him both a friend and mentor in my artist's journey.
Ryan Hesp
David has been a mentor and great friend to me for 20 years. I can't imagine my life without his guidance and friendship. A more authentic, funny and kind person you will not meet. His wealth of knowledge and experience in the arts are unrivaled. For his work on screen, Ryan can be seen in Timeless (2016), Final Destination 5, and Continuum. Also in recent episodes of Allegiance, Supernatural, Supergirl (x2) and Batwoman (x2) among others.
Naomi Simpson
I first met David, my anchor, teacher and friend, 27 years ago at the shared space of Cinevic and The Screen Actors Studio in Victoria BC. I am forever grateful for his mentorship and friendship over the years. David has inspired me and provided me with the groundwork I take to the film set with me to this day. Naomi can be seen in a variety of comedic and dramatic film and TV roles. Watch for her on Season 2 of Animal Control on Fox TV.
Joanne Wilson
”What started as learning under an astute and gifted teacher, led to working alongside him as an instructor and, most importantly, to a life-long friendship. I relish when I get to spend an afternoon with David, often joined by other actors for a table-read of his brilliant, unique plays. I love David’s insight, his talent and his unmatched sense of humour."
Mort Ransen
(August 16, 1933 – Sept 4, 2021) Mort was a Canadian film and television director, editor, screenwriter and producer. In 1960, Ransen was hired by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). Over the next 24 years, he would direct, write, edit and/or produce 21 films for the NFB. He left the NFB in 1984 and directed his Genie Award-winning 1995 film Margaret's Museum.
John Emmet Tracy
John has appeared in numerous film, television, and stage roles. He currently has a recurring role as Ellis Steele on the American television series, Yellowstone. And has held recurring roles on series like Batwoman and iZombie and was a series regular on the sci-fi series, Olympus. John has also appeared in films including American Mary (2012), If I Stay (2014), and Fifty Shades Freed (2018) and voiced the role of Thomas Jefferson in the video game Assassin's Creed III (2012).
Aliyah O'Brien
Working with David at the Screen Actors Studio in my early days of exploring acting was such an incredible gift. I came to the studio with curiosity, and left with the confidence to pursue a career in a very wild industry. Forever grateful for David’s mentoring and belief in me. We are bolstered by the people who see our potential and nourish it, and David so graciously did that for me and many others. And truly, THANK YOU
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