Actor, writer and director Monika Schneider began her theater training at the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama and the Ottawa Dance Academy. Monika moved to Toronto to continue her training at Equity Showcase Theater, and Ryerson Theater School. Theater roles include ‘Pologgy’ in Enemies directed by Liza Balkan, ‘Miss Gilchrist’ in The Hostage directed by Eda Holmes, ‘Christine’ in Walking on Water directed by Michael Waller, ‘Cynthia’ in The Widow’s Tears, ‘Doris’ in The Tragedy of Mariam, ‘Theda Blau’ in It Had to be You, ‘Richard III’ in Richard III, ‘Married Woman’ in The Blue Room, ‘Hecuba’ in Hecuba, The Vagina Monologues, ‘Ruth’ in Sixty Below, ‘Manon’ in Forever Yours Marie-Lou, ‘Hayyah’ in Ghetto, ‘Teeka’ in Time For Love (original collective). Film work includes Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst and Shane West, as well as lead roles in three student films. Monika has studied with many teachers including: Peter Wylde, Perry Schneiderman, Ian Watson, Marianne McIsaac, Leah Cherniak, Sheldon Rosen, Cynthia Ashperger, John Boylan, Iris MacGregor Bannerman, Irene Pauzer, and Steve Wilsher. Monika is the recipient of 4 Millennium scholarship bursaries and a B.A.A in Fashion Design. She has been on the Dean’s List for four years, and received numerous awards for excellence in acting, which include the Edna Khubyar Acting Award, the Laura Press Memorial Award, the Charlie and Lulu Franklin Award, and the Trinity College England silver medal. Monika performed her original one-woman show Nevil at Ryerson’s New Voices festival, the Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto Fringe Festivals, and a re-mount in Ottawa for Families Matter Co.