NAOMI KAPLAN

Naomi Kaplan is a performer, director, and arts educator based in Toronto. Ever since playing Horton in Seussical at the age of eight, she hasn’t left the stage! Naomi holds a BFA in Performance: Acting from Toronto Metropolitan University and has spent the past six years working professionally across Toronto’s theatre and film industry. She was the Associate Director of Mixtape Projects and Bravo Academy’s award-winning original musical CAMP! and Pucker’s Dora-nominated Concord Floral. She has directed several youth and teen musical theatre productions, including Into the Woods Jr., Mean Girls Jr., and Annie Jr.

 

Naomi brings that same professional experience into every rehearsal. As both a director and actor, she understands what helps performers grow, creating a rehearsal room where students feel supported, challenged, and excited to take creative risks. Her teaching is warm, playful, and encouraging, meeting each student exactly where they are while pushing them to be strong storytellers, trust their instincts, and build confidence on stage. Just as important to Naomi is helping students see and feel their growth, not only as talented, capable performers, but as supportive, committed cast mates who show up for one another as much as they show up for themselves.

 

Selected directing credits: Associate Director, CAMP! (Mixtape Projects & Bravo Academy); Associate Director, Knife (Stagepunk Theatre); Associate Director, Concord Floral (Pucker’s Company); Director, Vitals (Doormouse Productions). Selected acting credits: Vanessa/Marjorie, Painting By Numbers (Toronto Fringe Festival); Brown/Lili/Stephi, Eventually, We Land (Tarragon Theatre x TMU); Matt and Mara (Berlin International Film Festival premiere; TIFF Canada’s Top Ten).

 

Naomi loves musicals, TV shows, movies, and music, so feel free to talk her ear off about them! She’s excited to be joining the Bravo Academy team and can’t wait to get to know all her incredible performers.