Kincardine woman seeks to return to stage as acting career comes full circle

Linda Pagnotta (above, photo by Lindsey Macdonald Photography) has been working as an actor for the past eight years, beginning in theatre and then film and television.

Now, the Kincardine woman sees her career coming full circle with a return to the stage.

"I joined the Kincardine Theatre Guild in 2006 and my first role was as a nun in the chorus for 'The Sound of Music'," says Pagnotta. "My first speaking role was in 'I Ought to Be In Pictures,' in 2008, as Steffy Blondell and we won at the Western Ontario Drama League Festival. I was nominated for outstanding newcomer and we went on to present that show at Theatre Ontario."

Her final production with the theatre guild was as Mrs. Bradman in "Blythe Spirit" in 2018.



Linda Pagnotta (front, right) in the Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "Blithe Spirit" in 2018

Meanwhile, she auditioned for "The Bruce, Part 2, The Last Frontier," a TVO documentary about the development of the nuclear station in Bruce County, in 2017.

"I was a background performer, but I was so excited to get a role," says Pagnotta. "It was shot at the Walker House Museum in Kincardine and at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton."

This led her to an interest in the filming process and more on-camera work.

"Film and television are totally different than theatre productions," she says. "The prep work is similar. You have a character, intention and an objective. You do your homework as sometimes a full script is not available. It was a great learning experience."

In 2018, she played Darlene, a DMV instructor, in a short film, "Walter's Way." This was a non-paying student film that went on to win several awards, as well as touring the festival circuit. It was also entered into a number of festivals which won awards.

"I really loved the story and was grateful to be part of it," says Pagnotta. "I had the pleasure of seeing it at the Toronto International Film Festival when it premiered. It was nerve-wracking. Seeing it with everyone else, not knowing if you've made the final cut - I did! I'm a firm believer in devoting my time to student films - they are our future directors, producers, casting directors, technicians, camera operators, wardrobe, hair and make-up people, etc."

As she realized just how much she didn't know about on-set filming, she signed up for an "Intro to On Camera" with the Alza Acting Studio in Toronto.

"That's where I met the one and only Walter Alza," she says. "I was so excited to be in this studio. It felt like being on set, very professional with A-plus coaches, directors and scene partners. Thanks so much to all my scene partners over the years!"

Her second on-set role was in "The Handmaid's Tale," Season 3, two episodes in 2019, with Elisabeth Moss and Ann Dowd.

"I played an Econowoman in the church christening scene, and travelling/walking scene," says Pagnotta. "This was a big production and there were a couple of hundred people on set. Fortunately, I was in a group of 20 actors the first time which meant a few more perks. We were told not to talk to the leads as it will interfere with their process. I get that. Ann Dowd, who plays Aunt Lydia, actually approached a small group of us on a stretch break and was really nice. Nothing like her character!"

Pagnotta credits much of her success in various roles, to the Alza Method - scene study for film and television.

"I started with the studio in 2019 and went to Toronto once per week, every week, until the COVID-19 pandemic hit," she says. "Then, I spent 2020-21 on-line with Zoom. Practising my craft was paramount. So, I continued learning on-line, which was a challenge in itself, not being in person. Thankfully, we got back into the studio in 2023-24. This was an excellent opportunity to study and be directed by Walter Alza, award-winning actor/director/writer/producer, and several other coaches and directors."

She is also thankful to her agent, Stephanie Porter of The Porter Group Agency.

"She works hard for all her clients," says Pagnotta. "I am grateful to have so many auditions even though since the pandemic, most auditions are now done through self-tape submissions. Being in the room for call-back auditions is a bit stressful and fun, at the same time. I always appreciate the call-back as there is an opportunity to be re-directed by casting and others in the room which you don't get doing a self-tape!"

Her first Movie of the Week film was "A Family's Secret," a.k.a. "Secrets in the Family," in 2022.

"I played Tracey, a principal role, in the farmers' market scenes," says Pagnotta."

Her second feature film was "Matt and Mara," with Matt Johnson and Deragh Campbell, in 2024.

"I played a PhD professor in the backyard party scene, recognizing one of our colleagues," says Pagnotta. "It was so much fun. My gold chain became part of the scene when I gave it to the lead to share an old wives' tale about if you're having a boy or a girl. I watched it at the Toronto International Film Festival and once again, I was seeing it for the first time with everybody else, thinking don't be edited out! I wasn't, so I must be doing something right!"

She also performed in a short film, "David," in 2022.



Linda Pagnotta (second from right) in "David"

Her first television series was a pilot for "1266," in which she played Glenda.

"I was a day player and even had my own trailer on-set," says Pagnotta. "I was beside myself. I actually took a video of myself sharing what my trailer looked like inside. It was great meeting the lead and sharing a seat beside her in the make-up trailer."

Eight years later, she is still getting audition break-downs from casting directors which is a big win, she says, even if you don't land the role. She has never missed an audition or a call-time due to distance and/or weather, and she is still getting self-tape requests from five of the same casting directors.

She continues her training with the CHEKHOV technique, with teachers Max Hafler and Rena Polley.

But there are challenges, admits Pagnotta.

"At the beginning, the stress and rejection were hard, but I'm getting better at letting it go and moving on to the next audition," she says. "The distance to Toronto can be difficult, especially in the winter stormy months that never seem to end!"

Pagnotta's focus right now is to be ready for "pilot season."

"I use the Casting Networks guide by Ilana Rapp that provides a week-by-week, month-by-month approach to readiness," she says. "This involves updating my materials and resume, reviewing self-tapes, demo-reels, and training so that I am ready for auditions and call-backs. Basically, looking at my overall process to ensure consistency and readiness."

While she is enjoying film and television, Pagnotta also feels as if her acting career has come full circle, and would like to return to the Kincardine Theatre Guild stage, where it all began.

"I miss the collective bond that forms among the cast and crew through a show's run," she says. "You're on stage with all these talented people and performing through so many rehearsals. With television, everything is filmed on a set. Through it all, I'm happy and excited to be part of the story and feel a connection."



Linda Pagnotta (centre) in the short film, "David," in 2022