To know Tess Degenstein is to be obsessed with her. She somehow seamlessly straddles the line between absolute artistic integrity and complete playful buffoon. Any project she’s involved in turns to gold—and I’d know, because I’ve worked on several with her. Plus, she’s just the coolest person you’ll ever meet, and she somehow always makes you feel special and interesting, even when you’re feeling incredibly bland and untalented. Ok wow, just realizing this is supposed to be a bio, not a personal diary entry. Ok, here we go.. Tess has many impressive credits, which you can now read. As an actor and improviser, Tess has performed across the country, most recently touring the hit Spontaneous Theatre off-Broadway show Blind Date. Internationally, she has performed and taught in Vienna, Berlin, Athens, London, Oslo, Atlanta, and New York. She won a Jessie Award for her comedic turn in Noises Off at the Arts Club. She’s been nominated for multiple ensemble Canadian Comedy Awards and a Sterling Award for Best Actor for the world premiere of Nicole Moeller’s An Almost Perfect Thing. TV credits include New Eden, So Help Me Todd, Murdoch Mysteries, and more. She recently wrapped The Players and Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey. — by Ali Froggatt, Tightrope Theatre
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Which ’hood are you in?
Last summer, I moved to Hastings Sunrise, and I’m in love with it. So much good food, such a feeling of community. I’ve lived all over the country, and this community really felt like home so quickly.
What do you do?
I’m an actor and a writer, a lover not a fighter.
What are you currently working on?
I’m onstage currently at Bard on the Beach, appearing in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again), and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. I also just completed a short film with my best friend, Tatiana Maslany, which will be coming out soon.
Where can we find your work?
Come on down to the tents at Bard! I can’t think of a more beautiful theatre in the world! And the porta-potties keep us humble.
