Mark Cassius
Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design
Degree: Music Theatre Performance
Year of graduation: 1985
Mark Cassius is a singer/songwriter, dancer, actor and musician who has shared his gifts on cabaret, concert and theatrical stages around the globe. He is probably best known for his work with the world-renowned a cappella group, The Nylons from 1997 to 2005. During this time he sang baritone and penned some original pieces for the group.
A musical theatre veteran, he has appeared on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar (reprising his Stratford Festival role), Ragtime (Toronto) and Shenandoah (Toronto and Broadway). Mark’s other Stratford credits include My One and Only and Oklahoma! He also held roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Elgin Theatre and Canadian tour) and Miss Saigon (Princess of Wales Theatre).
During 2013 Mark has been building momentum (and garnering glowing reviews) on the concert circuit throughout Ontario. In April 2013, he lent his talent to Sheridan’s 40th anniversary music theatre alumni celebration as one of several alumni performing music from their graduating decade.
Prior to attending Sheridan in the 1980s, Mark attended high school in Mississauga after spending his formative years in Trinidad. A visit to the college on a high school field trip opened his eyes to Sheridan’s music theatre program.
“I was aiming for university but a series of events steered me to college,” recalls Mark. “Thank goodness, because I would not have learned to dance had I enrolled in an opera program. And dance has been a huge part of my success.”
A stellar career that has seen him perform all over the world. Despite his years treading the boards, Mark has never lost his sense of adventure.
“I loved all of the travel and touring across North America. We would drive from the bigger cities into smaller towns and I got to see the landscape of North America up close. I drove from Toronto to San Diego and back a year ago (2012) to do Jesus Christ Superstar, then on to New York City...Exhilarating! Travel in Europe and Asia was also wonderful. An abundance of cultural wealth.”
The ultimate reward of a life on the stage, however, is “doing what you love,” maintains Mark, whose advice to aspiring performers sounds simple but takes ongoing dedication: “Always work to improve, not just to impress. Develop and maintain a passionate integrity.”
Learn more about Sheridan’s Music Theatre Performance program.
A musical theatre veteran, he has appeared on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar (reprising his Stratford Festival role), Ragtime (Toronto) and Shenandoah (Toronto and Broadway). Mark’s other Stratford credits include My One and Only and Oklahoma! He also held roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Elgin Theatre and Canadian tour) and Miss Saigon (Princess of Wales Theatre).
During 2013 Mark has been building momentum (and garnering glowing reviews) on the concert circuit throughout Ontario. In April 2013, he lent his talent to Sheridan’s 40th anniversary music theatre alumni celebration as one of several alumni performing music from their graduating decade.
Prior to attending Sheridan in the 1980s, Mark attended high school in Mississauga after spending his formative years in Trinidad. A visit to the college on a high school field trip opened his eyes to Sheridan’s music theatre program.
“I was aiming for university but a series of events steered me to college,” recalls Mark. “Thank goodness, because I would not have learned to dance had I enrolled in an opera program. And dance has been a huge part of my success.”
A stellar career that has seen him perform all over the world. Despite his years treading the boards, Mark has never lost his sense of adventure.
“I loved all of the travel and touring across North America. We would drive from the bigger cities into smaller towns and I got to see the landscape of North America up close. I drove from Toronto to San Diego and back a year ago (2012) to do Jesus Christ Superstar, then on to New York City...Exhilarating! Travel in Europe and Asia was also wonderful. An abundance of cultural wealth.”
The ultimate reward of a life on the stage, however, is “doing what you love,” maintains Mark, whose advice to aspiring performers sounds simple but takes ongoing dedication: “Always work to improve, not just to impress. Develop and maintain a passionate integrity.”
Learn more about Sheridan’s Music Theatre Performance program.