About

Artistic Director - Jacqui Kaese has forged a foundation of opportunity for actors in a global industry. With over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry both in Canada and the UK, Jacqui is an award winning Casting Director and Talent Consultant.

Alumni students have worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Nicole Kidman, Robert DeNiro, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Jason Statham, Nicholas Cage, Scarlett Johansson. Jacqui brings a great eye, an astute business sense, and a no-nonsense yet caring approach to the work. She is respected for her coaching technique and career development strategy. Many success stories have emerged from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland through Spotlight Academy. Some of our alumni can be seen on our Spotlight Hall of Fame and Jacqui’s recent film credits can be found on www.IMDb.com.

She is respected for her coaching technique and career development strategy. Many success stories have emerged from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland through Spotlight Academy.

Spotlight alumni include:
Sarah Grey ( StarGirl - Legends of Tomorrow ) Cameron Bright (Twilight) Justin Chatwin ( American Gothic ) Sean Sipos, ( CSI Miami ) Beau Mirchoff, ( Desperate Housewives ) Colin Ford, ( We bought a Zoo, Under the Dome ) Blake Woodruff, (Whisper), Jackson Warris, ( Once Upon a Time ) Quinn Lord, ( Once Upon a Time ) Erica Shaye Gair, ( Whicker Tree ) Jake Kaese, ( Butterfly Effect ) Stef Lang ( Singer Songwriter ) and Jenna Berman, ( Haunting Melissa ). Jacqui brings a great eye, an astute business sense, and a no-nonsense yet caring approach to the work.
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Jacqui was on the crew as an actress for the JK Rowling story and it won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Drama. I was on the crew as an actress for the JK Rowling story and it won A Canadian Screen Award for Best Drama.

Jacqui has also won two Stirling Awards for Business.

  • The Excellence in Culture Award for The City of Nanaimo 2017
  • The Community Spirit Award 2016 The Showman of the Year Award UK First Leisure Corporation in 1992.

Acting, Casting And Coaching Credits

  • 2022 - Wedding Veil # 5 ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - Wedding Veil # 4 ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - Kismet Christmas ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - Campfire Christmas ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - Inedia ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - The Great Salish Heist ( Principal and BG Casting ) 
  • 2022 - What I think of Christmas ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2022 - Rip in Time ( Local Principal and BG Casting ) 
  • Chesapeake Shores ( BG Casting Director ) 10 Episodes 
  • 2022 - Wedding Veil # 3 ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • Bones of Crows - ( BG Casting Director and Local Principal Casting Victoria ) 
  • 2021 - Wedding Veil # 1 ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2021 - A Mrs Miracle Christmas ( BG Casting Director ) 
  • 2021- Leo Award Winner - Casting in a Motion Picture All in Madonna.
  • 2021 - Rescued By Ruby ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2021 - American Dreamer( BG Casting Director and Local Principal Casting )
  • 2021 - Rise & Shine Benedict Stone ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2021 Chesapeake Shores ( BG Casting Director ) 10 Episodes
  • 2021 - You Me Christmas Trees ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2021 - The Bakers Son ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2021 - It Was Always You ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2020 - All In Madonna - Feature Film - Leo Nominated various
  • 2020 - Martha’s Vineyard Murder Mysteries 4 Episodes ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2020 - Merry Liddle Christmas ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2020 - The Christmas House ( BG Casting Director and Local Principal Casting )
  • 2020 - Christmas She Wrote ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2020 - Deliver by Christmas ( BG Casting Director and Acting Consultant )
  • 2020 - Love in Store ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2019 The Nanny - Canada ( BG Casting Director and Local Principal Casting )
  • 2019 Chesapeake Shores ( BG Casting Director ) 6 Episodes
  • 2018 - Christmas Bells are Ringing ( BG Casting Director )
  • 2018 - Signed Sealed Delivered to The Alter ( BG Casting Director
  • 2018 Chesapeake Shores - ( BG Casting Director with Local Principal Casting ) 10 Episodes
  • 2017 Chesapeake Shores - ( BG Casting Director with Local Principal Casting ) 10 Episodes
  • 2016 Chesapeake Shores- BG Casting Director ( 8 Episodes )
  • 2016 Deadly Lessons -  BG Casting Director MOW
  • 2015 Lost - ( Winner VISFF ) - Acting Coach to Hannah Zirke
  • 2013 'Spooksville' Howling Ghost:- Mrs Murray (currently airing)
  • 2012 Notes From the Heart Healer (TV movie) - Baby Store Clerk
  • 2011 Magic Beyond Words: The JK Rowling Story (TV movie) - Bookstore Clerk
  • 2009 Impact (TV mini-series) - British Home Secretary
  • 2008 Scourge (Casting Director)
  • 2007 In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale starring Jason Statham, (acting coach: Colin Ford)
  • 2006 Whisper starring Joel Edgerton, Sarah Wayne Callies, Josh Holloway, (acting coach: Erica Shaye Gair & Blake Woodruff)
  • 2004 Riding the Bullet starring David Arquette, (acting coach: Jackson Warris)
  • 2004 Birth starring Nicole Kidman, (acting coach: Cameron Bright)
  • 2003 Godsend starring Robert De Niro, (Audition and Pre-set coaching: Cameron Bright)
  • 2001 MVP: Most Vertical Primate - Angela
  • 2000 The Operative - News Anchor (as Jacquie Kaese)
  • 1999 The Duke - Agnes

 

 

For completing YMCA BC’s Responsible Adult Course in Child Development, Child Guidance, and Nutrition—In compliance with Section 29 of Child Care Licensing Regulation of the British Columbia Community Care and Assisted Living Act.