MAXINE BRUCE
CASTING DIRECTOR
Maxine Bruce is dedicated to social justice, is an advocate for mental health, and is accomplished in the arts. Her casting career evolved as an extension of her work as an actor, and as a casting assistant. Her goal in any audition environment is to empower each actor, no matter their level of experience, to show their authentic selves.
Maxine was a consultant and keynote speaker for the multi-platform social action campaign Orange Daisy Project, in support of mental health for teen girls. As someone who is thriving while living with mental illness, Maxine spoke at several high school events, and at conferences for teachers and guidance counselors, including the Aboriginal Circle of Educators. She continues to prioritize social justice-based volunteerism into her daily life.
Maxine began a career as a professional actor when she was twelve years old, playing Sarah Layton (Jack Layton’s daughter) in the award-winning CBC film Jack — her very first audition. Maxine furthered her on set experience working in various departments on the award-winning film H&G, which recently had a retrospective screening at the prestigious TIFF Lightbox. In addition to voice-over, commercial, theatrical, and music video roles, Maxine appeared in feature films including The Exorcism of Molly Hartley (Netflix). Most recently, Maxine played the lead role in the film Hard Way Girl which had its world premiere at the Bridge of Arts International Motivational Film Festival in Russia, and its North American Premiere at the Oscar-qualifier LA Shorts Fest in Los Angeles, and was nominated for two Windy Awards. For her role in Hard Way Girl, Maxine won a Joey Award (Canada’s national awards for young actors) for best actress in a short film in her age category and was nominated for a MIC Award. Maxine also works as a social media assistant for Eagle Vision, including the award-winning media campaign for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the award-winning factual series Taken and he drama series Burden of Truth.