Category: jake epstein

Categories aaron martin aislinn paul ATX Festival christina schmidt discussion jake epstein lauren collins munro chambers panel stefan brogren

My favourite moments from the Degrassi: TNG 20th Anniversary Panel

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Yesterday I shared a recap of the main topics discussed at the ATX Television Festival’s Degrassi panel. But I also wanted to talk about my personal favourite moments from the event. I’ve selected 6 moments, for which you can read the direct quotes below. These are my favourite moments because they really get to the heart of Degrassi and I think they show how beautiful Degrassi is as a piece of Canadian culture.

1. Lauren and Stefan continuing the never-ending debate on the believability of Degrassi Goes Hollywood and Degrassi Takes Manhattan
Lauren: If it happened in “Degrassi Takes Manhattan” or “Degrassi Goes Hollywood,” it’s not canon. That’s what I said, right?
Stefan: Says you, says you. Those stories are full on Degrassi. They are moments in lives, they go crazy. I’m not saying that because I directed them. I’m just saying that people have moments like that, right. And they go crazy and come back, etc.

Continue reading My favourite moments from the Degrassi: TNG 20th Anniversary Panel

Categories aaron martin aislinn paul andrea lewis ATX Festival christina schmidt daniel clark jake epstein lauren collins linda schuyler luke bilyk munro chambers panel shane kippel stefan brogren stephen stohn

Recapping the ATX Television Festival’s Degrassi: TNG 20th Anniversary Panel

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It finally happened! Tonight the Degrassi cast and producers reunited for a panel at the ATX Television Festival. Linda Schuyler, Stephen Stohn, Stefan Brogren, Aaron Martin, Jake Epstein, Aislinn Paul, Shane Kippel, Luke Bilyk, Lauren Collins, Munro Chambers, Daniel Clark, Andrea Lewis and Christina Schmidt were all in attendance at the pre-recorded panel. They spoke about a wide range of topics from their time on Degrassi, storylines that they loved, fan interactions over the years, and much more.

Overall I really enjoyed watching this panel. Seeing this group of people interact with each other again was so special. However, it was unfortunate that there wasn’t a lot of new information. As a super fan, I felt like I already knew most of what they talked about (I’m still waiting for the details on what happened when Next Class was cancelled!). However, there were definitely a few times when I was feeling the emotions, such as when Lauren said she wanted Degrassi to come back one day so her son would have something like it to watch.

Since this panel was behind a pay wall and also it was a one-time only event, I’ve tried to summarize the main points that they discussed below.

Continue reading Recapping the ATX Television Festival’s Degrassi: TNG 20th Anniversary Panel

Categories interviews jake epstein lauren collins

Lauren Collins and Jake Epstein Interviewed by CBC Radio for Degrassi: TNG’s 20th Anniversary

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Lauren Collins and Jake Epstein were on CBC Radio’s show Q today to talk about the 20th Anniversary of Degrassi: The Next Generation as well as the panel happening this Friday at the ATX Television Festival. In the 20-minute interview, Lauren and Jake talk about their Degrassi characters, what it meant to be on the show, and play a little Degrassi trivia.

You can listen to the full interview right here or on the CBC Listen app. You can also watch the interview on Q’s YouTube Channel.

Here are some of the main topics that were covered:
-The impact Degrassi had on its fans
-The difference in terms of the reception Degrassi got in Toronto vs the US
-Feeling proud of being part of something that was pushing the envelop
-Filming Drake’s “I’m Upset” music video
-What Drake’s popularity did for the legacy of Degrassi

Categories aislinn paul andrea lewis ATX Festival christina schmidt daniel clark jake epstein lauren collins linda schuyler luke bilyk munro chambers panel shane kippel stefan brogren stephen stohn

Everything we know so far about the Degrassi: TNG Reunion at the ATX Television Festival

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HUGE NEWS!! The producers and cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation will be participating in a panel at the Austin-based ATX Television Festival in June. Here is everything you need to know about the panel and how you can attend.

When is the panel?
The Degrassi panel will be on June 11, which is the first day of the Festival. It will be at 7:00pm CT (8:00pm EST). It is supposed to be 1 hour long. After it airs, it will be available until 2:00am CT the next day for festival goers (in case you’re not able to tune in live).

What is the Degrassi panel and who is participating?
The panel will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Degrassi: The Next Generation (TNG premiered in October 2001). It is presented by Tubi, which is one of the platforms where Degrassi: TNG is streaming.

As of now, the confirmed participants are Linda Schuyler, Stephen Stohn, Stefan Brogren, Jake Epstein, Aislinn Paul, Shane Kippel, Luke Bilyk, Lauren Collins, Munro Chambers, Daniel Clark, Andrea Lewis and Christina Schmidt.

During the panel, the panelists will discuss storylines and moments from the series, behind the scenes stories, and more.

Continue reading Everything we know so far about the Degrassi: TNG Reunion at the ATX Television Festival

Categories appearances cast: alumni jake epstein

Jake Epstein Stars in ‘American Idiot’

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Degrassi alumnus Jake Epstein has been busy with a successful theatre career lately, starring in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot last summer as well as the tour of Spring Awakening. Now he is starring in the North American tour of American Idiot – the Tony Award winning musical based on the famous 2004 Green Day album.

In the musical, Jake plays one of the main characters, Will, who feels left behind when his two friends leave for the city. The story is about these three friends, whose lives go in different directions as they search for meaning in a post-9/11 world.

In an interview with CTV.ca, Jake explained why he identified with this character: “I went to Los Angeles earlier this year … to audition for TV shows and be a huge star, or whatever that means, and I didn’t know anyone and I sat pretty much on my couch for the entire time, waiting for my phone to ring — and that was when I had my ‘American Idiot’ audition … It came right around that time and I really related to the guy that didn’t know what the hell he was supposed to be doing with his life, that was sitting on a couch. So I think about that a lot.”

The show just wrapped up its time in Toronto, but will be in Detroit, Boston, Raleigh, Seattle and more. For complete dates and ticket info, visit AmericanIdiottheMusical.com.

Categories interviews jake epstein

Jake Epstein talks about Billy Elliot, Degrassi and Dream Roles

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Jake Epstein recently talked to BroadwayWorld.com about Billy Elliot, Degrassi and his dream roles. Right now, Jake is starring as Billy’s older brother in the Toronto production of Billy Elliot- which runs til September 3rd at the Canon Theatre.

Here’s what he had to say about people still noticing him from Degrassi!:

You have a pretty intense fanbase with a lot of younger people from your days on Degrassi – do you feel that this show would appeal to them and would you encourage people who know you mostly from that to come and check this out?

I’m always surprised at how many people remember me from Degrassi. The fact is, Billy Elliot is an incredible show, for any age and any gender. Degrassi fans would absolutely fall in love with Billy Elliot.

To read the rest of the interview, click HERE

Categories cast: alumni interviews jake epstein lauren collins

Lauren Collins and Jake Epstein on Steve Agee’s Podcast

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Ellen Page, Lauren Collins, and Jake Epstein on a PODCAST? Yes folks, dreams really do come true.

In episode 44 of Steve Agee’s Podcast, the former Degrassi stars join Steve and Ellen for an all-out Degrassi love fest. We all knew about Ellen and Steve’s longstanding Degrassi obsession. Now they got to talk to two of our favourite TNG cast members Lauren (Paige) and Jake (Craig). Michael Seater (18 To Life, Life With Derek) also joins the podcast. And all I gotta say is listen listen listen, because all of you 20-something Degrassi fans are going to love it!! Download the podcast at Steve’s website!

Categories cast: alumni jake epstein

An Update on Jake Epstein

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Every so often it’s nice to see what some of the TNG cast has been up to post-Degrassi. Many of them have been finding success in the theatre world. Ryan Cooley has his own theatre company, and Jake Epstein has been appearing in various plays recently in Canada & the US. Jake left Degrassi in 2005 to attend the prestigious National Theatre School. In 2009 he joined the cast of Spring Awakening. Currently, Jake is starring in Ross Petty’s holiday show Beauty and The Beast alongside Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil. Several of the current Degrassi cast members were in attendance to see the show last night, and from the looks of Twitter it seems like they all had a great time! For more pictures as well as information on how you can get tickets, visit RossPetty.com!

Also – thanks to the Craig/Ashley fans for finding this video. of Jake from the National Theatre School.

Categories cast: alumni jake epstein

New Jake Epstein Interview

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BroadwayWorld.com recently conducted a very lengthy interview with Degrassi actor Jake Epstein. Jake is currently on tour with Spring Awakening playing the part of Melchior. In the interview, Jake talks about the difference between TV and theatre, his time on Degrassi, future projects he has in mind, plus much more. Here’s an excerpt:

“Did you get to perform your own songs on Degrassi?
Yeah, they let me write a bunch of [my characters’] songs… I had a “band” on Degrassi. They would come to me and say, like, “Okay, we want kind of like a generic, garage-rock-sounding song!” So, I would come back with “Okay, like this?” and they’ll go, “yeah, that’s it! Let’s do that!”

Click here to read the full interview.

Categories cast: alumni jake epstein

Catching Up With Jake Epstein

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Jake Epstein is currently on tour with Spring Awakening, but he recently did an interview in which he talked about his Degrassi past and where he sees himself in the future. When asked which Degrassi cast members he still hangs out with, he had this to say in response:

Well, I see them all the time when I’m in Toronto. Honestly, I’d say the people I’m really good friends with (are) Paula Brancati, who actually did “Dog Sees God” with me, and Jake Goldsbie, who has remained one of my best friends. And then again, I see them all the time. I definitely keep in touch with them all, because they’re good people. Last year we shot the “Degrassi” movie so I got to hang out with all of them again, which was cool.

Read the full interview right here

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Jake Epstein on Being Erica Tonight!

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Jake Epstein will be making a guest appearance on the CBC series “Being Erica.” The episode airs tonight on CBC. Here is the episode synopsis:

A lover’s quarrel between Erica and Ethan sends Erica back to camp, where discovering the truth about a broken teenage romance teaches her that the only sure path through conflict is communication.

My guess is that Jake is the one involved in this “broken teenage romance.” I will upload Jake’s scenes either tonight or tomorrow!

Categories cast: alumni interviews jake epstein

Jake Epstein Interviews

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Unlike my last post, these ones are actually real.

The first comes from EdgeBoston.com and Jake mainly discusses his role in Spring Awakening including the challenges of singing on stage every night and how he was cast in the role.
The second is a video interview from Chicago 3 Media which also focuses on Spring Awakening. You can watch this interview on youtube right here!

Categories cast: alumni degrassi goes hollywood interviews jake epstein

A New Interview with Jake Epstein

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As part of the promotion for Degrassi Goes Hollywood, lots of the old cast members have been doing interviews recently. This includes Jake Epstein, who did an interview with Examiner.com. In the interview he talked about Spring Awakening, Degrassi Goes Hollywood, as well as his music. He even says that he is working on getting his own album out soon! Read the full interview right here.
edit: We have reason to believe that this interview was not done with the real Jake. Sorry guys!

Categories degrassi goes hollywood jake epstein music ships: craig/ellie

New Song from the Degrassi Goes Hollywood Movie

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The N put up a new mini music video for the song “Rescue You” which Jake Epstein will be performing in the Degrassi Goes Hollywood movie. The video features Craig/Ellie clips from the movie and previous seasons of Degrassi. It’s been posted by ACES on YT.

“Rescue You” – Degrassi Goes Hollywood

Categories cast: alumni jake epstein

Jake Epstein SA Tour

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Jake Epstein will make his debut as Melchior in Spring Awakening on July 7th in Washington D.C. He will replace Kyle Riabko who will perform in his last SA show on June 28th.

Here’s a full list of the tour dates set so far:
Louisville, KY (June 2-7 at the Kentucky Center)
Baltimore, MD (June 9-21 at the France Merrick Center)
Philadelphia, PA (June 23-28 at the Kimmel Center)
Washington, D.C. (July 7-Aug. 2 at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater)
Chicago, IL (Aug. 4-1, at the Cadillac Palace)
Milwaukee, WI (Oct. 6-11 at the Marcus Center)
Kansas City, MO (Oct. 13-18 at the Music Hall)
Austin, TX (Oct. 20-25 at Bass Hall)
Costa Mesa, CA (Nov. 17-29 at the Orange County PAC)
Denver CO (Dec. 1-19 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts)
Hershey, PA (Jan. 5-10, 2010 at the Hershey Theatre)
Cincinnati, OH (Jan. 12-24, 2010 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts)
Charlotte, NC (Feb. 2-7, 2010 at the Blumenthal PAC)
Rochester NY (Feb. 9-14, 2010 at the Rochester Broadway Theatre League)
Atlanta, GA (March 9-14, 2010 at the Fox Theatre)
Dallas, TX (March 23-April 4, 2010 at the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts)
Miami, FL (May 11-16, 2010 at the Arsht Center)
Orlando, FL (May 18-23, 2010 at the Carr PAC)

Categories cast: alumni jake epstein

Jake Epstein to Join Spring Awakening?

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There is a rumour going around that our very own Jake Epstein is joining the touring cast of the hit teen musical Spring Awakening. There is no official confirmation yet, but considering Jake’s recent theatre success in Toronto, we would not be surprised! Could Jake be coming to a city near you?? We’ll keep you posted!

EDIT: Jake has been cast to play Melchior!