Max Parker
Musician & Actor
About
Max Parker is a Canadian musician and actor whose artistic journey reflects a seamless blend of music and performance. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Max has emerged as a rising star in the entertainment industry, known for his dynamic stage presence and deeply personal artistic style. His signature sound, a fusion of anthemic pop-rock and soulful intimacy is characterized by real instrumentation and compelling storytelling, setting him apart in today’s music landscape.
As his music career flourishes, Max has also made a significant leap into the world of acting. His dedication to craft and natural talent have earned him a major role in the highly anticipated feature film Juliet & Romeo, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. In this pop musical adaptation, Max portrays Benvolio alongside a cast of acclaimed Hollywood actors including Rebel Wilson, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Everett, and Rupert Graves.
Set for theatrical release in over 2,000 cinemas across North America and the UK, Juliet & Romeo marks a defining moment in Max’s artistic evolution. With a growing presence in both the music and film industries, he continues to establish himself as one of Canada’s most promising multi-talented performers.
As his music career flourishes, Max has also made a significant leap into the world of acting. His dedication to craft and natural talent have earned him a major role in the highly anticipated feature film Juliet & Romeo, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. In this pop musical adaptation, Max portrays Benvolio alongside a cast of acclaimed Hollywood actors including Rebel Wilson, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Everett, and Rupert Graves.
Set for theatrical release in over 2,000 cinemas across North America and the UK, Juliet & Romeo marks a defining moment in Max’s artistic evolution. With a growing presence in both the music and film industries, he continues to establish himself as one of Canada’s most promising multi-talented performers.
"From Music to the Big Screen and a Breakout Role Worth Watching"
Photo credit: Felice Trinidad
Interview
First off, congratulations on Juliet & Romeo! How did you first get involved in the project, and what attracted you to the role of Benvolio?
Hi Artenzza, thank you so much! My journey with Juliet & Romeo really began during the audition process. I remember having plenty of time to prepare two songs and a side, where I originally read for Romeo. Going into it, I knew my strongest asset would be my singing. I have been a musician and singer since I was very young. Honestly, I don’t think I had ever prepared so carefully and with such focus for something like that audition before. I wanted to make sure to put my best foot forward. I was beyond ecstatic that I got a callback to read for Benvolio, and about a month or so later, I found out I was cast!
Benvolio, in this story, goes through a lot of inner turmoil. He feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, convinced that everything is somehow his fault. He’s cautious, nervous, always on edge – someone who desperately wants peace without any fighting. I was really able to bring a lot of myself into the role while we were filming, almost embodying Benvolio’s nature while off set. It was pretty heavy at times, but it ended up being an amazing experience and a really pivotal moment for me as an actor.
Benvolio is often seen as the voice of reason in Romeo and Juliet. How did you approach playing such a grounding character in this bold, pop-infused version of the story?
Honestly, our director Timothy Bogart made it so easy to fully immerse myself in the role. Right from the start, he set up calls with each of us to really dive into our characters – not just what the script says, but also what’s happening between the lines. Playing this version of Benvolio required a lot of specific facial expressions and physicality. To bring that energy to the screen, I actually spent a lot of time doing meditation work while waiting in the trailer and off set.
This Benvolio is cautious, weary, and deeply concerned for the safety of everyone around him – completely selfless in his effort to hold everything together. There’s a certain weight he carries that’s much more internal than with other characters and tapping into that was both challenging and rewarding.
The film has a fresh, original pop soundtrack. Can you tell us about your experience performing musically for the film? Was there a particular song or moment that really resonated with you?
Performing musically came very naturally to me – it was honestly the most fun part for me! Heading into the recording studio while we were rehearsing in Rome was exhilarating; those were the first moments we were actually laying down vocals for the songs we had been hearing for a while at that point.
There’s a song on the soundtrack called “Streets on Fire” that I think is really going to resonate with audiences. It captures so much of what’s happening in today’s world, and I had the chance to really lend my voice on that one. I have a line in the song that, to me, really encapsulates the feeling of being on the verge of breaking down – and choosing to push past the warning signs, even when deep down we know the warnings signal danger.
This adaptation mixes medieval aesthetics with modern music and energy. What was it like balancing those contrasting elements as an actor and singer?
As an actor and singer working on this project, I felt like a lot of the balance was already handled for us. Having an organized schedule for when we’d record vocals and when we’d film scenes made it so much easier to compartmentalize and keep the bigger picture in mind. I think it’s pretty genius how the film melds modern pop music within a medieval time period – it actually elevates the classic Shakespearean story while also allowing the film to have a family-friendly engagement.
Since I come from a music stage performance background, I had a lot of confidence that the visual side like the costumes would be top-notch – and it was. Our costume designer, Luciano Capozzi, absolutely nailed everyone’s look, which made it easier for us to really focus on the songs when it was time to perform them, folding the music naturally into everything else we had already built as a foundation of our characters. The costumes helped transport us into medieval times and the music expressed our inner emotion and issues we still live in modern times.
You’re sharing the screen with a phenomenal cast: Rebel Wilson, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Everett, and more. What was it like working alongside such a talented ensemble? Any favorite on-set memories?
What I realized pretty quickly is that they’re awesome human beings like the rest of us! It might sound funny to say that, but it’s true – everyone was so down-to-earth. I actually ended up playing tennis with Jason Isaacs, who was curious to see if anyone would play when we were hanging out in the makeup trailer. It’s little moments like that, which really built a sense of community. I genuinely think you can feel that when you watch it – everyone’s performances were so phenomenal because of how comfortable we started to become with one another.
You’ve acted in both TV and film. How did working on a large-scale musical like this compare to your past projects?
This larger-scale film/musical was different for so many reasons. For starters, we were filming in Italy, in real locations – the ancient historic bridges of Verona, the castles in Parma and Salsomaggiore Terme. We had real torches, swords, horses, and even tiny details like edible apples that I would literally bite into during takes. A bigger project like this allows for a much more immersive experience and it has to be stated that the story of Romeo and Juliet was written to take place in Verona, and this is literally where we were. The tourists were there to see the statue and balcony of Juliet, which made it a bit surreal.
I definitely found myself feeling grateful while we were in Italy. And it wasn’t just about the work – it was the food, the culture, and getting to explore different places whenever we had time off. It was my first time working in Europe, and honestly, it was life changing.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this reimagined version of Romeo and Juliet? Do you think it speaks to a new generation in a unique way?
I really hope audiences walk out feeling joyful. For us, filming felt like stepping into a fairytale, and I hope it feels the same way when people watch it. There’s a certain kind of magic in this version that I don’t think any other adaptation quite captures. The soundtrack amplifies the emotions tenfold – just thinking about some of the scenes gets me excited for everyone who’s about to experience it… agh!
Your role required both acting and singing—was it challenging preparing for both aspects at once? How did you train for this dual performance?
Coming from a music and singing background first, I definitely had to prepare more for the acting side of things. But honestly, it started to come naturally after spending time with my castmates. We had so many outings and dinners together that really brought us closer, and that kind of connection builds a lot of trust between scene partners too. I remember feeling especially nervous for one of my scenes with our Romeo, Jamie Ward. But because we ended up sharing a trailer, all the lunch chats and downtime conversations helped us bond even while waiting around at base camp. Those moments were just as important – they built the trust we needed to knock out a scene I am in with him that ends up being pivotal to the storyline.
If you could play any other character in this version of Juliet & Romeo, who would it be and why?
This is a tough one, but I would have to say Tybalt! It might sound surprising since he’s so drastically different from Benvolio, but I actually think I could really tap into that angsty, “villain”-esque side. As much as I naturally lean toward being soft and cautious, I feel like Tybalt would be like an alter ego that I could bring to life. I am actually working on an independent music project currently where I explore alter ego in my lyrics and composition.
Finally, what’s next for you after this project? Are there any exciting roles or musical ventures coming up we should keep an eye out for?
Music is something that;s always in the works for me, so there will definitely be new music coming very soon! I’m also excited to be playing the NXNE Festival in Toronto this June with my band. If you happen to be in Toronto on June 12th, come check us out at Lee’s Palace or follow to know when my next gigs are. As for acting, hopefully more roles are on the horizon. Auditioning has been keeping me pretty busy lately!
Projects
Do you want to know more? You can find some projects below.
Spotify Playlist