By Cherry Zhi
Dorrin Reyhani is a lot of things: a bubbly and vivacious Senft House Captain, a caring friend that always knows how to make others laugh, and a self-proclaimed “not-your-typical-Persian-girl”. But Dorrin is also an incredibly talented actress that has graced Collingwood’s stages since grade six.
Moving to Canada from Iran at age four and joining the Collingwood family in grade five, Dorrin never thought that acting would become such a large part of her life. She explains, “I thought drama wasn’t something I’d enjoy and I didn’t think I’d connect to it but once you do it, you’re hooked. It’s a rush.” Her first role was small but it was enough to open her eyes to the world of acting and since then, she has been in a Collingwood play every year, with her favourite role so far being Romaine Vole in Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.
Dorrin Reyhani is a lot of things: a bubbly and vivacious Senft House Captain, a caring friend that always knows how to make others laugh, and a self-proclaimed “not-your-typical-Persian-girl”. But Dorrin is also an incredibly talented actress that has graced Collingwood’s stages since grade six.
Moving to Canada from Iran at age four and joining the Collingwood family in grade five, Dorrin never thought that acting would become such a large part of her life. She explains, “I thought drama wasn’t something I’d enjoy and I didn’t think I’d connect to it but once you do it, you’re hooked. It’s a rush.” Her first role was small but it was enough to open her eyes to the world of acting and since then, she has been in a Collingwood play every year, with her favourite role so far being Romaine Vole in Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.
Romaine was a complex and multifaceted character that brought about surprising twists in the storyline. Dorrin emulated her character perfectly and even successfully executed a German accent to add credibility to her role.
When asked about all the accents she has had to put on, she stated, “I’ve done a British accent, a Cockney accent, a German accent…Before [Witness] I did not even know what a German accent sounded like!” Yet never one to shy away from taking on challenges, Dorrin always manages to perform her roles with flair and authenticity.
Her upcoming lead role is undoubtedly a complex one too. Cast to play Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Dorrin states, “It is one of the hardest roles I have had to portray. [My character] always has a hidden agenda and that is difficult to act out.” Abigail Williams, a wicked and even sinister character, is the main driving force behind the witchcraft accusations and has had an adulterous past with John Proctor, played by Alex Lara.
When asked about all the accents she has had to put on, she stated, “I’ve done a British accent, a Cockney accent, a German accent…Before [Witness] I did not even know what a German accent sounded like!” Yet never one to shy away from taking on challenges, Dorrin always manages to perform her roles with flair and authenticity.
Her upcoming lead role is undoubtedly a complex one too. Cast to play Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Dorrin states, “It is one of the hardest roles I have had to portray. [My character] always has a hidden agenda and that is difficult to act out.” Abigail Williams, a wicked and even sinister character, is the main driving force behind the witchcraft accusations and has had an adulterous past with John Proctor, played by Alex Lara.
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When asked what it is like portraying chemistry on stage, Dorrin laughed and said, “That is the awkward part about acting, but Alex and I are good friends and we get along well. With practice, you get a lot more comfortable.”
The Crucible will be the first production in Morven’s brand new Darlene S. Howard Theatre and the set will be very minimal so that all the tension of the plot and the acting itself can shine through.
The Crucible will be the first production in Morven’s brand new Darlene S. Howard Theatre and the set will be very minimal so that all the tension of the plot and the acting itself can shine through.
Mr. Wener and Mr. Schaldemose have worked hard in coordinating the large cast for this play and Dorrin explained how comfortable it is working with them. “Acting feels like a release and they never have an authoritative role which makes it easy to connect with them. Their directing is minimal but it is so good.”
As to the future, Dorrin looks forward to going to university to study dentistry but would love to continue acting, with her dream role being Angelina Jolie’s character Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted. “It is a crazy role but Angelina, my favourite actress, really stole the show from the lead and her acting is so seamless.”
With only two more productions left in her Collingwood career, Dorrin Reyhani has surely made her mark on Collingwood’s drama department and as she leaves this stage, she is sure to step on to even bigger stages to continue her endearing passion of acting and entertaining others.
With only two more productions left in her Collingwood career, Dorrin Reyhani has surely made her mark on Collingwood’s drama department and as she leaves this stage, she is sure to step on to even bigger stages to continue her endearing passion of acting and entertaining others.