About Ramona
Multi award recipient Ramona Milano has been a fixture in the Canadian entertainment industry since she graduated from the Etobicoke School of the Arts followed by the Humber College theatre program. She has managed to achieve what so many in the industry have found illusive – balance!
For over three decades Milano has garnered a variety of roles in successful films, TV series, MOW’s, and live theatre, earning a credible reputation of reliability with casting directors, directors and producers, who often reach out to Ramona’s representation directly to request her, bypassing the audition process altogether. While building this level of trust and creating strong bonds, Ramona managed to remain a grounded, loving and devoted partner and parent – an ideal opportunity to teach and lead by example.
When her boys were little, she showed her industrious and entrepreneurial stripes by opening an acting school in her former hometown of Caledon, ON. Suburban Vortex Drama Studio (SVDS) quickly became a thriving business, offering a wide variety of classes, summer camps, and one-on-one private tutoring to kids from as young as six years old up to young adults. As her reputation for creative development and collaboration grew, an award-winning production company in Toronto recruited Ramona to direct proof-of-concept television pilots and short films. A unique program that workshopped professional actors through the creative process which required the right director/teacher to helm the production. Her work there led to an ‘Award of Excellence‘ from the Global Shorts Film Festival in Los Angeles.
In a highly competitive and unstable industry that offers no guarantee of longevity or success despite experience or work ethic, Ramona prioritizes her mental health and well being, along with the well being of her loved ones, without compromising her core values or perspective in the process. As a mom and self-employed artist, Milano is passionate about sharing, learning, supporting, and creatively collaborating. Her mission is to cultivate authenticity and elevate awareness and self-worth, with mindful self compassion, hopefully developing a little grace and wisdom along the way!
Of all the opportunities and achievements Ramona’s been fortunate to be a part of, her most memorable and proud moments (aside from parenting of course) stem from the rare culture formed in her acting classes. As much as she gives to her students in knowledge skills and experience, she receives back in trust, appreciation, and success.
She remains eternally grateful to be in contact with many former students, who describe their involvement within the arts as a time of joy that enriched their overall journey; transferable skills that extended beyond the classroom, into their personal and professional lives.
Being in a position to mindfully teach the art of acting through on-camera audition skills, theatrical monologues, improvisation, structured scene work while directing the line of action is rewarding and fulfilling on many levels. Offering a safe space for genuine personal development and the chance to witness it, is a priceless gift.