Sierra Holder (2025 Recipient)

Sierra Holder (she/her) is so honoured to be awarded The Dirt Underneath’s ARP Recipient this year.

Born and raised in Ottawa, she grew up surrounded by an immense amount of love, art, and storytelling. Some of her most cherished memories are the moments she’s spent listening to her St. Lucian family share stories over good food and music.

Since moving to Toronto to attend theatre school, she has been so lucky to build a community of incredible artists who have become part of her extended family. She has been fortunate to work in both theatre and TV and film for almost a decade (whoa), and is thrilled to deepen and expand her process during her time with The Dirt.

When she isn’t acting, Sierra can be found yearning, romanticizing, eating, big sister-ing, and laughing with her nearest and dearest. She is honoured to receive this incredible opportunity.

Thank you so much to everyone at The Dirt!

Darnell Bartholomew (2024 Recipient)

Darnell Bartholomew is a proud Black Canadian actor hailing from the GTA. He’s had the honour of contributing to several creative projects, including films, TV shows, commercials, and even an animated series. His most recent role is in the highly anticipated “Cross” series that will be released on Amazon Prime in 2024.

Darnell graduated from Seneca College’s Acting for Film/TV and Voice program, which lay a strong foundation for his career. His continued training at The Dirt Underneath has been instrumental in refining his skills and helping him expand his artistic range.

While he is still very much in the early stages of his career, Darnell sees his path as a lifelong journey of growth and exploration, committed to always pushing his limits and delving deeper into the art of storytelling. He draws inspiration from many esteemed actors, including Denzel Washington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Will Smith, Chadwick Boseman, Daniel Kaluuya, and Andrew Garfield. Darnell believes that God has used these actors to inspire others and he wants God to use him to do the same: to inspire his community, the next generation, and the world through his own performances.

Sze-Yang Ade-Lam (2022 Recipient)

I am an artist that loves consistently training and honing my craft, which can be challenging with financial ebbs and flows, and the realities of being an arts worker at large, especially a queer nonbinary asian one. Training is often the unpaid work that we as artists commit to, which can be financially difficult, but so necessary because it keeps us fresh, alive, alert, and at the top of our game.

If I hadn’t been the recipient of The Dirt’s Artist Residency Program this year, I would have only been able to afford one term of study in the last six months. With the ARP I was able to experience four different classes with the whole faculty at The Dirt Underneath Actors’ Space.

I was able to continue to deepen, grow, and play in Scene Study classes with John Gordon & Shaun McComb, as well as try new things that I have always wanted to but have never been able to afford. This included gently getting in touch with my body and finding alternative pathways to connect with character with Jonelle Gunderson, and to learn about my voice (how to warm it up, take care of it, speak and act with it) with Peter N. Bailey. I would have never been able to experience all of this without the ARP.

Gabriella Sundar Singh (2023 Recipient)

Gabriella Sundar Singh is a Toronto-born artist of Srilankan and Indian descent. She received her BA Hons. in Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph, completed her post-graduate studies at Centennial College, graduated from the Acting Program at the National Theatre School of Canada, and is currently pursuing her MA with the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies at the University of Toronto.

She has spent five seasons at the Shaw Festival under the Artistic Direction of Tim Carroll, and will be making her Soulpepper debut this Fall. You may recognize Gabriella from tv as the quirky roomie “Chelsea” on Kim’s Convenience.

She feels immense gratitude to have been chosen as The Dirt’s ARP Recipient, and looks forward to a year of growth and learning under The Dirt’s guidance and mentorship.