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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 13, 2014 | 48 Actor Elijha Hammill in the running for a Joey Award by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene She decided to take Elijha on some of Kiki's auditions and when he expressed interest, Cherise signed him with her daughter's agent. After a few auditions, he landed his role on Alphas. Apart from acting, Elijha is in his fifth year of playing AAA rep minor baseball with the Oakville A's and he played on the Central Ontario Baseball Association's all-star team in September. Elijha says he was thrilled when he heard he was nominated for a Joey Award. "It means a great deal to him as it shows he is overcoming his shyness and helps him gain confidence, which helps him do better in class participation in school," said Cherise. Originally called the Canadian Youth in Film Awards, the name was changed to Joey -- a baby kangaroo. "The kangaroo is known for having a strong back bone to allow it to leap forward," stated the awards' website. "We feel every young performer must have a strong back bone when facing more rejection than bookings, and in time, each performer leaps forward to their goals. The mother kangaroo also keeps their young close in their pouch for a long time, and our young performer's parents are encouraged to keep their young close and safe in this crazy world of showbiz." Every nominee receives a T-shirt, medallion, program, $25 gift certificate to Shoreline Actors Academy and swag bag. Winners also receive a Joey trophy. Visit www.oakvillebeaver.com to watch Elijha's commercial. "Connected to your Community" S P O T L I G H T O N A R T I S T S Oakville's Elijha Hammill is up for a Joey Award and headed to Vancouver for a red carpet gala Sunday (Nov. 16). Held at The Metro, the Joey Awards' red carpet gala celebrates young Canadian performers. Elijha is nominated, along with four others, in the young actor age eight or younger in a TV commercial category for his work in a spot for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's (CBCF) CIBC Run for the Cure. The ad was one of several commercials that made up a CBCF national campaign with DARE North America that ran June 3-Oct. 6, 2013 to drive participation in CBCF's annual fundraising run. Its tagline was "Run for the Future." One of the commercials in the campaign shows a close up of Elijha talking about a future daughter who grows up and is then diagnosed with breast cancer. The now 11-year-old local actor is no stranger to TV commercials -- Elijha has appeared in ads for Bell, Tim Hortons and CUPE. He also had a recurring role on the television series Alphas, before the show was cancelled, and will appear in the Odd Squad, which premieres later this month. Elijha has landed several lead roles, including the character Ryder on the cartoon series PAW Patrol, and even co-produced a short film. Mom Cherise Hammill says her son, a student at River Oaks Public Oakville's Elijha Hammill, 11, is up for a Joey Award for being in a Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure TV commercial. He will be heading to Vancouver for the gala Sunday. | photo by Mirjam Vanderwerff The accomplishments of a trio of Oakville artists were recognized at the Oakville Arts Council's (OAC) annual general meeting held last Thursday at the Black Box Theatre. From left, Barb TenEycke, Naoko Matsubara, and Charles Demunyk received the Emerging Artist, Lifetime Achievement, and Established Artist awards, respectively, for their contributions to the arts community. | photo by Jayson Mills ­ special to the Beaver Another edition of Theatresports Theatresports fans can head to another edition of the popular show by the Oakville Improv Theatre Company, set for tomorrow (Friday). Held at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre's Black Box Theatre, 2302 Bridge Rd., the combination of theatre and sports pits teams of improvisers against each other in a battle of wits and laughs. Those Meddling Kids, featuring Brennan Asbridge, Emma Currie and Erin Fearon, will face off against the winners of this week's ongoing tournament, held Monday night: Coarse Whisperers or Kill the Messenger. The second half of the show features Gary Pearson, who recently finished shooting the new sketch comedy show Sunnyside. He'll be joined by special comedy guests Lisa Merchant (a three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winner), Dave Healey (of The Chumps/Second City) and Kris Bowman and Ted Hallett (both of Second City). The Weather Network's Scott Meiklejohn will host. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $5. · · · Drop-in holiday workshops will take place Dec. 8 and 15, from 7-9 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 340 Rebecca St. Those who attend are asked to bring in a non-perishable food donation to families in need. For more information, visit www. oakvilleimprov.com or follow the group on Twitter @OakvilleImprov. School, wasn't always as outgoing as he is now and credits acting for bringing him out of his shell. "After speaking with his teachers, we found out Elijha was very shy in his class and when it came time to stand in front of the class to present his work, he lacked confidence and had trouble doing it," she said. One day, while Elijha's sister Kiki, who is also an actor, was rehearsing her lines, he asked her if he could read with her. Cherise says her son transformed, becoming confident and interpreting the script "like he had been doing this (acting) for years." BIG MOVIES small prices, great experience Oakville's Independent Community Cinema · New blockbusters and festival movies · Digital cinema & Dolby digital sound · New seating with the most leg room in Canada · Upgraded decor throughout · New heating and cooling system DIAM OND 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville Voted Oakville's Best Movie Theatre since 2008 905-338-Mews (6397) www.film.ca $8.50 General $6.50 child/senior $5 Tuesdays facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas