A Rising Star

4/9/2013

So how does a Little Flower Academy girl meet boys? Join a high school musical of course! At least, that was the plan for Josette Jorge ’01. She didn’t audition for VC’s musical, Godspell, in 2000 because she wanted to jumpstart an acting career. (Emma (Towsen) Hatfiled ‘95)

However, the acting bug certainly sunk its teeth in. As the LFA Student Council president in her grade 12 year, Josette got a little more stage acting with Walkathon, Halloween and Christmas skits. Since graduating from LFA in 2001, Josette studied Theatre Production at SFU and has blossomed as an actor and professional. With three VC productions under her belt and spots on several TV series, Josette recently finished a two-week run of Sisters at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond.

Josette played Natasha in Simon Johnston’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters. Playing the Chinese sister-in-law to two Russian sisters living in a garrison town, Josette found every part of telling this amazing story rewarding. The people were great to work with and collaborate on such a unique tale, and one of her favourite parts of the project was a last-minute brainwave of the director, Sarah Rodgers. Sarah and Josette worked together to add a specially choreographed Chinese dance to one of the most powerful moments in the show. Josette’s acting and dancing abilities were really put to the test with resounding success.

Although stage acting is Josette’s first love, she dreams of being the lead in a comedy sitcom – one that’s filmed in front of a live studio audience. After all, Josette loves the stage feeling that comes with an audience. She is currently guest-starring in a YTV sitcom called Mr. Young. She relishes the challenge of nailing comedic timing in front of four cameras and a live audience. Her episodes of Mr. Young, beginning with the one entitled “Mr. Finale,” will air on YTV in the next few months.

Off stage, Josette has a new way of connecting with people: a unique personal development course called “One Asian.” These personal development courses were designed especially for Asian women, and they have helped her unlock her true potential and empowered her. She hopes to inspire people, sharing the tools that helped her “earn all the successes [she’s] had with [her] career.”

While “One Asian” has helped her grow personally and professionally in recent years, she’s keenly aware that her time at LFA laid some of the most important foundations in her life. She firmly believes that it was a combination of her parents and the dedication and perseverance she learned at LFA that have seen her through the ups and downs of an acting career. Her teachers and her parents pushed her not to give up when things got difficult in school, and that ethic remains with her now. “It’s given me the strength and stamina to survive in a tough and competitive business.”

More than just a source of strength, Josette’s time at LFA also fostered strong friendships. One of those friendships has led her to her most recent project: producing and acting in Proof at the Cultch Lab in Vancouver. Andrea Yu ‘01 and Josette are co-producing this awardwinning play by David Auburn in early June.

Check out www.mnemonictheatre.com for more information. There’s also a great section to help support the Arts under the “Donate” tab.

Despite her best hopes, Josette didn’t find Mr. Right in any of the three VC productions she worked on (Grease in 1999, Godspell in 2000 and The Wiz in 2001). However, she did meet of her nearest and dearest friends, important people still in her life today. An actor, producer, speaker and artist – Josette’s star is on the rise!

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