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executive director.
Providing the vision for artists to share their artistry and storytelling to audiences. Sophie Ann Rooney brings comprehensive oversight and final decision-making on all artistic matters as the executive director, ensuring alignment with TKBB's goal and artistic integrity.
"Pour ce qui est de l'avenir, il ne s'agit pas de le prévoir, mais de le rendre possible."
"For the future, it is not a matter of predicting it, but of making it possible."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Sophie brings a wealth of experience as an arts leader to her role at The King Black Box having excelled in various creative roles, including directing in videogame (Assassin's Creed Odyssey, including earning a BAFTA nomination & Game of the Year, Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The First Blade, and Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The Fate of Atlantis, including several undisclosed games), film (Kodak award Fallen Fighter), TV, animation (Netflix's Daniel Spellbound), writing, as well as teaching & guiding countless artists through RAW Actor Studio, with a successful tenure in Toronto as artistic director for Sterling Theatre Cru 2011-2015, and a devoted mother to her sons JJ & Maxwell. [Full bio scroll down]
artistic director.
Commitment to bringing untold stories to the forefront, coupled with her diverse experiences and innovative approach, positions Ziggy Schulting as a valuable addition to the Toronto acting community.
Toronto actors can anticipate a dynamic leader who not only brings a wealth of experience, from off-Broadway, but also a passionate dedication to fostering inclusivity and artistic excellence. [Full bio scroll down]
OUR THEATRE
Step into a transformative theatre tucked away in one of Toronto's most historically artsy neighbourhoods.
Let THE KING BLACK BOX become your personal 40 seat cinematic-hideout where stories dive into gritty reality, the bizarre universe, and everything-in-between -- a haven to explore the questions that make life extraordinary.
[elle/she/her] story
Sophie Ann Rooney
FILM/LITERARY AGENT: Ryan Goldhar THE CHARACTER TALENT AGENCY
TALENT AGENT: Murray Gibson at RED MANAGEMENT
VOICE OVER AGENT: James Crammond at NOBLE CAPLAN ABRAMS
Qualified to work In Canada | United Kingdom | European Union (born FR) @shotbylofa | linktree shotbylofa2
SNIP CASTING | RAWACTORSTUDIO.COM | THEKINGBLACKBOX.COM
writer, filmmaker, director, actor, educator & consultant:
Sophie Ann Rooney is an award-winning, multilingual director known for her ability to bring creative visions to life across live-action, video games, animation, and several other mediums with consistently acclaimed results. Known for her work as a director for the film Fallen Fighter & Netflix's series Daniel Spellbound which she also served as casting director for two seasons.
With over 20 years of industry experience, she has built a reputation for managing large, diverse teams, staying ahead of deadlines, and consistently delivering projects under budget, all while maintaining the highest artistic standards. Her work in the video game industry is very established, having directed and led performance departments for critically acclaimed AAA titles such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Legacy of the First Blade, The Fate of Atlantis, and several undisclosed games. These projects were not only commercially successful but also recognized with numerous industry accolades, including nominations for BAFTA for Performance, D.I.C.E. ALICE and Game of The Year. Sophie was also part of the cinematic capture team for Starlink, and in 2024 a Consultant for Ubisoft on a highly anticipated game.
Fallen Fighter received the Kodak award for Best Film, her films have screened globally at over 20 international festivals, including Oscar Qualifying CICFF & became a part of the Chicago Board of Education’s CPS film studies program. Sophie has directed VR, Commercials, Theatre and several Music Videos AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
As an educator in 2023 was positioned by The Ontario Arts Council to mentor filmmakers from Bear Island, and in 2024 similarly accredited by the New Brunswick Arts Board. Over 20 years successfully launching & mentoring the careers of countless actors, filmmakers & musicians around the globe. Owner & founder @rawactorstudioto ~ LEAD © wellness & self-development ~ PATHWEY ™
TRAINING: merit-scholarships at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama/ Oxford School of Speech & Drama FURTHER TRAINING L’Atelier de Blanche Salant/ the Apprentice to Amy Werba [heavily featured in Werba’s book “Be Your Own Coach” Amazon/Drama Bookshop NY]/ EICAR -International Film School of Paris
POSITIONS Honorary Professor at The American University of Paris / Performance Director for the Moulin Rouge / Session Singer Sony Ross Robinson [Korn] band Enhancer [Limp Bizkit tour]
Executive Director and Founder at The King Black Box: [theatre 'Girls Unwanted'] “You know that a play and production are powerful when you realize you’ll probably never be able to walk through a neighbourhood again without thinking about its characters.” Glenn Sumi, 4 star rating
“Ultimately, that much of it works so well is because of Sophie Ann Rooney’s exquisitely detailed production designs, which extend into the audience, making us feel as if we are inside this rooming house” THE TORONTO STAR Joshua Chong 3.5 stars (out of 4)
Sophie's exceptional contributions to the arts have been widely recognized, including receiving the Gold Award with Distinction from the late HRH Prince Philip for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, which was personally presented to her by His Royal Highness.
International Film school of Paris-Eicar | Atelier de Blanche Salant | Valerie Landsburg | accredited Lee Strasberg's protege Amy Werba
The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama | Oxford School of Speech & Drama
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Ziggy Schulting, an American actor with a prolific career spanning both stage and film, has made an indelible mark on the New York theatre scene over the past 9 years. Her notable performances in productions like "Teenagers in Love" [Young Becca], "The High Priestess" [Deidre], Bram Stoker’s “Dracula" [Lucy] and "Good Friday" [Video Ensemble] have showcased her versatility and depth as an actor. Collaborating with prestigious theatre companies, Ziggy has had the privilege of working under the guidance of accomplished directors such as Anne Bogart, Sam Schacht, Sherri Eden Barber, Chad Rabinovitz, and a variety of other skilled directors who have made significant contributions in their field.
Ziggy's distinction lies not only in her on-stage prowess but also in her extensive training in classic acting techniques. Specialising in Commedia dell’Arte, Shakespeare, Suzuki, Viewpoints, Alexander, Stanislavski, and Strasberg, Ziggy's educational journey includes enriching experiences at Accademia Dell’Arte in Italy, SITI, The Stella Adler Studio, Wesleyan University, Skidmore College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Theatre, and attended the highly competitive, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, where she was a Musical Theatre major.
Ziggy’s Skidmore credits include Julius Caesar [Marc Anthony], Let the Right One In [Mum], Macbeth [First Witch], The Penelopiad [Oracle/Suitor] and Rachel B. Karp’s world premiere of Of White Walls and Worlds [Charlie].
In 2019, Ziggy co-founded the production company 3DAYSPRIOR, assuming the pivotal role of Artistic Director. Under her leadership, the company successfully premiered "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" at the Upstairs Theatre in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, followed by a Shakespeare Festival at The Brick. Ziggy's productions have not only graced renowned off-Broadway venues such as The Tank, Dixon Place, and The Brick but have also garnered attention for their innovation and artistic merit.
Beyond her achievements on the production board, Ziggy has emerged as a fervent advocate for underrepresented stories and voices. In 2019, she pioneered the site-specific reading series, "3DProcess: Plays on Draft," a platform that showcased works by emerging playwrights; including Stefani Kuo’s, "Final Boarding Call," and Grace Parker’s award-winning play, "Why We Have Book Club."