Canadian Actress is a 'True Artist' When it Comes to 'How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town'

    LOS ANGELES, CA, February 29, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Zoe Cleland is an outstanding actress from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who has been wowing film and TV audiences for her terrific character portrayals, and her work in Jeremy Lalonde's feature comedy film, "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town" is no exception.

The film's catchy title is just as wild as the plot it carries. Set in the fictitious town of Beaver's Ridge, the story focuses on Cassie Cranston, a sex columnist and one-time "town slut," who returns back home for her mother's funeral. Amidst the sadness, a group of local town folk try to convince her to plan an orgy.

Cleland plays a young version of Cassie Cranston in the film, and has had prior recurring roles in the four-time Canadian Comedy Award nominated series "Guidance," The CW's People's Choice Award winning series, "Reign," Craig Macnaughton's comedy series, "Pay Up" and the Canadian Screen Award winning, "Murdoch Mysteries."

Of "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town," Cleland said, "I've never thought of myself as likely to be cast in a slapstick sex-comedy type of movie, but this film is not a typical one. It kind of came out of the blue for me, and I'm really glad that I was involved in it. It's opened my mind up more to this kind of comedy, and to the fact that it can really work when the film is well written and has a lot of heart to it."

Written and directed by Lalonde, "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town" was produced by Canada's Neophyte Productions. Starring as the grown up Cassie Cranston is Jewel Staite, a Gemini Award nominee known for her roles in "Serenity," "Stargate: Atlantis" and "Flash Forward." Also starring are Ennis Esmer ("The Listener"), Gemini Award nominee Lauren Lee Smith ("Mutant X") and Lauren Holly, who has starred in many films and TV series including "Dumb & Dumber," "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story," "Picket Fences" and "NCIS."

The film was an Official Selection and screened at the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival in January, in Park City, Utah. It has screened at many other festivals including the Atlantic Film Festival, the Whistler Film Festival, the Edmonton International Film Festival, the Calgary International Film Festival, Cinefest Sudbury, the Grand River Film Festival and the Cinequest Film Festival.

For Cleland, the project was something that she knew she wanted to be a part as soon as it was introduced to her. The title caught her eye and she found the script to be a "hysterical, sweet romantic comedy."

Cleland carried out the role of Cassie as more than a two-dimensional character. She saw her as someone who fully embraces life, but is confused about the path she should take within it. As a young woman in a conservative town, the character had a rough time expressing her blossoming sexuality.

"Cassie is 'slut-shamed' in my part of the film, and basically driven out of town based on that label. But being who she is, she responds strongly against labels," Cleland said. "I think like a lot of teenagers, she is trying to figure out her identity, and she tries to find it by pushing against her environment. I think she feels very judged by a lot of people around her and this makes her feel like an outsider most of the time. She has an underlying insecurity and a fear of rejection that she tries to mask with a kind of sexual bravado."

The role was a unique opportunity and challenge where Cleland was unveiling first the leading character of Cassie who Staite would later takeover as the story advanced in time.

"It was a fine line to walk there, because although I didn't want to do an imitation of Jewel, she had to be recognizable as the same person, both physically and emotionally," said Cleland. "We had a chat about our thoughts on Cassie before filming began, and I think it was a relief for both of us that we agreed about most things. For the most part though, I tried to let those thoughts go as much as possible, and just be in the character."

Working on the set of "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town" is likely something Cleland will never forget. In the middle of a cold November night in Canada, the role asked Cleland to run topless down a street. However, she was able to perform this comfortably under the guidance of Lalonde. The two of them shared an understanding of what it meant to develop character through collaboration.

"I was nervous going into our auditions that a lot rode on this particular character, and I can't tell you how much I breathed a sigh of relief when Zoe Cleland began her audition," said Lalonde. "It was one of those rare moments when you find yourself in the presence of a true artist."

Cleland's on-screen work with Holly, who played her mother, also made the experience memorable. Even though the scenes were emotionally draining, Cleland knew the way she played out Cassie's rejection from her mother would set up the success of the entirety of the film.

"My admiration for Zoe only continued to grow through the process of working with her on the film itself," Lalonde said. "She understood the importance of her character to the set-up of the narrative and never for a moment took that responsibility lightly."

Cleland's other TV roles have been in the Canadian Comedy Award winning series, "The Jon Dore Television Show," Entertainment One's docu-drama, "Brainwashed" (also known as "Dangerous Persuasions") and NBC's multi-award-winning "Saving Hope."

Performing on stage since she was a child, Cleland booked her first on-camera gig at the age of 15. By 17, she became one of 12 actors selected throughout all of Canada to be admitted into the National Theatre School. This honor was coupled with the fact that she is the youngest actor to ever attend the school.

The experience of working on "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town" has guided Cleland to seek out more comedic work. It's safe to say her remarkable acting will continue regardless of what genre she finds herself cast.

For more information, visit http://www.zoecleland.com.

Follow "How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmallTownO/

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2059BLxqfM

Zoe Cleland is a film and TV actress from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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