DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 39

It's May!

First, we'd like to thank all of you who sent us birthday wishes in April — yes, your favourite collective is now three years old! And although we're still stuck in this pandemic, we're hoping to get back to regular programming (and in-person programming) soon. Thanks for all the support along the way!

May is also Asian Heritage Month. The theme this year is "Recognition, Resilience, and Resolve," a reminder of the ongoing fight against anti-Asian racism in Canada. In the last year we've seen hatred and violence against members of the Asian community here and abroad. This month is about working towards a solution. For more resources, click here.

We also want to take a moment to recognize the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in India. Clothing brand NORBLACK NORWHITE has come up with a list of resources on how you can donate and spread awareness.

Meet the Didi: 
If you're watching shows on Netflix lately, chances are you have come across Ginny & Georgia. The show, mostly filmed in Ontario, features this month's Didi Rebecca Ablack who plays the role of Padma.

 When did you first become interested in acting? 
I have been interested in acting for as long as I can remember. At a young age, I was taking acting classes, performing in community theatre shows and singing Celine Dion for my parents in the car.
I have been super lucky to have a family that has supported and encouraged me to dive into performance and strive to better myself. This led me to a performing arts high school, and now a post secondary theatre and creative writing degree.
 
What inspired you to pursue acting as a career?
Growing up, I was a competitive figure skater. Now, don’t let this fool you, I am the least athletic person I know, and I was awful. However, on my score cards at every competition, “performance” was always a nine or 10. So needless to say, those were the moments I realized I could capitalize on acting. That and the fact that I have always felt most satisfied with myself when I’m performing. It sounds cheesy, but acting really doesn’t feel like work. I love reading scripts, rehearsing scenes, and auditioning.
 
What obstacles or setbacks did you come across while breaking into the industry?
Being a woman of colour in this industry can be extremely discouraging. Continually auditioning for roles that you know you won’t get is one thing, but the rare audition of a stereotypical ‘nerdy brown girl’ isn’t much better. On top of this, never seeing yourself represented in any powerful roles is painful, especially as a young person. This is something that, to this day, has not left my mind. Rather, it’s something I have become more accustomed to. Fully overcoming this hasn’t been possible, but I’ve found it’s important to surround myself with other creators of colour. I think it’s also important to continue to be resilient, knowing that one of these dang auditions is going to be the one. I don’t think that there is an overcoming of this. However, a comforting thought is that we are able to create the work that we want to see.
 
What was it like working on the set of Ginny & Georgia? 
Working on Ginny & Georgia has been one of the best experiences of my life so far. Not only is the show genuinely one of my favourite stories, but working on it was so much fun. Debra Fisher and Sarah Lampert created such an energetic, supportive and enjoyable environment to be a part of. I have told them this countless times, but I admire the way that they ensured that I felt included and respected. This kind of leadership makes for an all around amazing work environment.
 
Your brother also has a role on the show. What was it like working together? 
A dream come true. My brother and I have always dreamt about working together, so being in the waiting room for our callbacks together was a momentous occasion for us. Our characters don’t interact at all, but we were on set together one day in Joe’s Blue Farm Cafe, and we’ll definitely remember that forever.
 
What other projects do you have coming up? Are you working on season two of the show? 
I am going into my fourth year of university and looking forward to hopefully working during and after. As for season two of Ginny & Georgia, fingers crossed! I feel so grateful for all of the support on the show, and beyond happy to see that so many people have connected with it. Keep watching and enjoying!
 
What advice do you have for young actors looking to get into the industry? 
Something I really struggled with, and often still do, is being able to kick the little voice that is telling me I can’t. Being able to do that and just go for it was one of the first steps for me. I think it’s so important to go into the work you do, leaving your inhibitions at the door. Pick them back up on your way out if you need to, but go into your work unapologetically. This is definitely something I am still learning but I think it’s important to leave your work feeling proud, because then nobody is going to be able to tell you that you didn’t give it 100 per cent.

What we're reading:
White women co-opted pandemic yoga. Now, South Asian instructors are taking it back. 

13 Ways to Help India Fight its Devastating Second Wave of COVID-19

Black and Asian Solidarity Has A Long History — Here Are The Women Now Leading The Way

— Arti Patel

Issue 39
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook 
[email protected]