About Em
Bio
Em Siobhan McCourt is an award-winning Irish-Canadian genderfluid actor, producer, and stage-combatant whose creative mandate is to bring marginalized peoples to screens around the world.
Originally hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, Em graduated theatre school in Alberta with distinction, performing as both an accomplished theatre actor and fiddle player across Canada.
Em's debut film performance was a role in Matt Shakman's Cut Bank, which was the first film role he ever auditioned for, and the experience she has credited with igniting his passion for screen acting.
Em moved to Toronto, Ontario to dive into film in 2015, and has developed a well-honed talent for honesty and grudging vulnerability that spans comedy (Kim's Convenience), historical (Murdoch Mysteries), drama (Jupiter's Legacy) and much in between.
Em now splits his time between Dublin, Ireland, and Toronto, Canada.
He has created with Ariadne Deibert for their joint Youtube channel '5 Minutes You'll Never Get Back', and works to promote diversity in film with her production company Vicarious Playground Productions.
Em has dual citizenship with her homeland, Ireland, and currently resides in Toronto, Canada.
Other Interests:
Em is also an avid reader, dancer, fiddle player, and advocate, among other things.
When not focused on keeping up to date with acting, film, and television, Em does many other things like:
Stage Combat
Em is an AAC (Advanced Actor Combatant) certified fighter, and is proficient with several single-hand swords, rapier and dagger, unarmed stage combat, European-style two-handed swords (longsword), and Katana. Em is working towards a Fight Instructor cert and currently TA's FDC certified classes. See some videos here
Production
Em has produced, co-produced, and assistant-produced three short films, one with Vicarious Playground Productions (Em's solo production company), and two with Braided Sister's Productions.
Music
Em has played violin and sung in projects across Canada and Ireland. Em usually brings the fiddle along when travelling, and has been a guest artist on tracks and music videos for several artists, including Tyler McKinnon, and Ckimera. Click here for more on Em's music
YouTube Channel
Go check out 5 Minutes You'll Never Get Back, The sketch-comedy/creative YouTube Channel Em runs with Ariadne Deibert. It's been on hiatus since the pandemic began, but they hope to be back soon.
Dance
What started as wildly leaping around to Riverdance in the living room, expanded into a full-blown love of improvised movement, and solo and partner dancing. Em has had the great pleasure of performing with Toy Guns Dance Theatre across Canada, and jumps (literally - Not much has changed from childhood...) at every opportunity to join in the Fusion partner-dance scene of whatever city he's in.
Advocacy
Em is an avid fighter and advocate for equal rights and being a decent human being.
You can talk to Em at any time about gender equality, the importance of the presence of marginalized peoples in the Entertainment Industry, and the necessity of self-care and mental health. Donate to Queer The Land Here.
Trivia
Additional Information
Born In: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Birthday: July 8th
Star Sign: Cancer
Favourite Colour: Emerald Green
Some Acting Idols:
Tatiana Maslany
Cate Blanchett
Kerry Washington
Viola Davis
Meryl Streep
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Favourite Movies (in no particular order):
Mulan
V For Vendetta
The Shape Of Water
American Son
Hunt For The Wilderpeople
Spiderman: Into The Spider-verse
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Call Me By Your Name
Broker
Favourite TV Shows:
She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power
Fleabag
The Queen's Gambit
Umbrella Academy
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Sense8
Arcane: League Of Legends
The OA
Favourite Books:
Blackfish City
The Little Prince
The Windup Girl
Gone Girl
Shade's Children
The Book Thief
The Mortal Instruments Series
Cruel Prince
The Hunger Games Series
The Iron Widow
