Nadine Whiteman Roden is a Canadian actress and singer based in Toronto, Canada. Nadine found her love for the performing arts at a young age acting in every school play and talent show. In 2000, she landed her first professional role answering an open-call audition for the North American and Canadian premiere of Mamma Mia. She would go on to tour multiple cities in the United States with the company. Shortly after, she landed more roles in major theatrical productions and has never looked back. She’s currently starring in the new and highly-anticipated comedy series ‘Take Note ’which premiered in February.
Nadine, thanks for taking the time to speak to us about your work. When did you decide to embrace a career in acting?
Hey there, thank you for having me. I think I have always wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. I think I decided to embrace acting as a career when I got hired for my first professional job. I auditioned and booked this independent movie, and I would need some time off from my job to be able to do the movie. My boss wasn’t really interested in giving me the time off, so I quit. Took a leap of faith at that time. I was auditioning for Mamma Mia and booked it and from then on acting has been my career.
That was your first professional role. Tell us more about your expectations, experience, and the impact it had on your subsequent career.
I don’t know if I had any expectations when I booked Mamma Mia, I think I was more in shock. I don’t think I had any idea of the work that went into doing a show 8 times a week. I went from basically being a couched potato to dancing and singing on stage for 8 hours a day in rehearsals. Maybe I thought this would be the beginning of my career in the business that would catapult me into being an actor for the rest of my life. And I guess that is exactly what it did. Mamma Mia was like the best crash course in on-the-job theatre training anyone could get. I learned so many things about the business, how to manage stress, and personalities. I went from living in Burlington to traveling with people I barely knew; in a business, I barely knew. I really relied on my castmates for community and, even to this day, it is kind of the way that I work.
Since then, you’ve landed roles in several theatrical productions and gained success in film and television. How do they compare?
I think the difference between film and tv and theatre is the preparation. With theater you get weeks and weeks of rehearsal you create as a group. There is a sense of community. You rehearse things until they are word-perfect right down to the letter. With Film and TV, most of your preparation takes place in private, at least that is my experience until Take Note. You have to be ready to play with whatever comes at you on the day.
Who has been the most influential in your career and why?
My former Agent Rachel Neville Fox has to be one of the most influential people in my career. She took me on at a time when I wanted to make the switch to film and television and took a chance on me. She was more than an agent she really guided my career when I was with her. She was a confidant, a mentor, a friend. But that being said she made me take ownership of my career and my talent. I really am not sure if I would be here if it weren’t for her. She retired last year, and I was heartbroken. I have a great team now. I am very lucky but I do miss her.
Have any significant moments shaped your appreciation and approach to working in the industry?
As a matter of fact, about 6 years ago I started taking acting classes at a local studio. What it made me realize is, that acting is an art form like any other. And to get good at it, you have to practice. The practice of going to class every week and treating it like a workout has really changed the way that I work. I now have an appreciation for the fun of acting. I mean it is the whole reason I got into acting is because it is fun. At the beginning of my career, it was more work than fun.
You’re starring as Drea Richards in the new and highly-anticipated comedy series Take Note. Please tell us more about the series and what audiences can expect.
I am so excited about this new show!!!! Take Note is a fictionalized musical comedy about a tween singing competition. I play Drea Richards mom to Calvin Richards who is taking part in the competition. Drea is a fun-loving, smart, strong, no-nonsense mom and wife who would do anything for her family. I think you can expect to have a show full of incredible music with incredible performances. The teens and the performances musical performances they give in this show are amazing. I think that you’re going to be able to see a family, the Richards who love each other dearly and rely on each other to go through this exciting new experience. They do it with love and fun and laughter. You are going to get to see a really fabulous family in a really great, funny musical show.
What other projects are you working on?
I just booked a role on an upcoming Hulu series that I am a huge fan of, that will be out in the fall. I have three movies also coming out in 2022. One called the Swearing Jar starring Patrick j. Adams, Adelaide Clemens, and Kathleen Turner. I play Dr. Rose, the family doctor. I’m pretty excited about it as well one called Stolen Hearts- The Lisbeth Meredith Story starring Sarah Drew. And a couple of animated series that I think are going to be great.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can find me on Instagram @nadinerwhiteman Twitter @NadineRoden
Photos by John Bregar
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