Gabrielle Prata, one of our Chestnut Cabaret performers, is also an active film actor

Singing is my true passion but I have a great love for film as well. When not singing I often work in the film industry, doing mostly background, (extra work) or stand-in for some of the leads on various shows eg Suits. Last season, I was fortunate to sing on a Christmas episode of Saving Hope and also in a Hallmark film called Christmas Inc.
Anyway, I grew up (professionally) with the Canadian Opera Company performing Big operas in Big theatres with Big actions, Big gestures. Film is a totally different art form, where a raised eyebrow has a huge impact. My first day on set, I carefully took directions, heard “background action” and made a very obvious, very operatic entrance ahead of the leads. “Cut!” The third AD came running after me saying, “Miss, it’s good but can you dial it down by about 99 percent....?” So embarrassing. At least he called me Miss