The Actor
““Menard is a stunningly fine performer” ”
Andrea Menard, a multi-talented Métis performer, is an acclaimed Canadian singer, actor and writer who was named ACTRA National’s Woman of the Year for 2021. One of the co-stars of the new CTV/CW series, Sullivan’s Crossing, Andrea is a five-time Gemini-nominated actress and a 15-time music award winner for her five albums, Lift, Sparkle, Simple Steps, The Velvet Devil, and Anskoonamakew lii Shansoon.
Andrea co-starred in the gritty dramatic tv series Blackstone (Prairie Dog Film & TV,) as Debbie Fraser for which she received a 2014 Leo Award nomination, and the northern medical series, Hard Rock Medical (Carte Blanche Films). Andrea is also well known for her for her leading, Gemini-nominated television roles in Moccasin Flats (Big Soul Productions), which was a groundbreaking series created by an all Indigenous team, and the supernatural crime drama, Rabbit Fall, (Angel Enterntainment, Red Cloud Studios) in which she played the starring role. Menard has guest starred in many television series like Supernatural, Tribal, Arctic Air, and Motive. She also played a role in OutTV’s The Switch (Trembling Void Productions), which made history as the world’s first transgender sitcom on television.
As a creator of original work, Andrea currently tours her Metis cabaret, Rubaboo, across Canada’s regional theatres. Rubaboo’s world premiere at the Grand Theatre and Arts Club Theatre opened to rave reviews. Her first one-woman musical The Velvet Devil toured across Canada and was adapted into a made-for-television movie for the CBC television. She wrote and starred in Sparkle, a 70-minute holiday tv special that broadcast on APTN for 7 consecutive seasons. The film adaptation. of The Velvet Devil (WestWind Pictures), which debuted on the CBC television series Opening Night, swept a total of 13 Showcase awards (2008), including Best Lead Female, Best Original Score, Best Original Script, and Best Dramatic Feature. Andrea’s performance also garnered her a Gemini nomination for Best Performance in a Performing Arts Category. In 2011, she earned the same nomination for her starring role in Sparkle, her holiday tv special. Andrea has also won the Best Lead Female award at the San Francisco American Indian Film Festival twice for her roles in The Velvet Devil and A Windigo Tale.
Andrea’s Metis roots originate from St. Laurent, Manitoba but she spent 30 years in Treaty 6 territory and currently lives in the traditional, unceded territory of the Squamish, Tsleil Waututh, and Musqueam peoples, also known as Vancouver.
“Menard is one of the most charismatic, engaging artists to walk the Spriet Stage, interacting with the audience with such inviting ease, honesty, joy and focus you almost feel compelled to respond. She will make you smile, laugh, cry and feel loved....
[Rubaboo] is such a joyful show that it’s hard to believe it explains such deeply disturbing, painful truths, such as assimilation policies, the oppressive, discriminatory impact of government laws relating to hunting and fishing, rebellion, residential schools and the generational impacts of it all.
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Special Recognition
On March 8th, 2021, International Woman’s Day, Andrea Menard was named ACTRA National’s Woman of the Year.
This year, Canadian performers shone a spotlight on Andrea’s performance history and advocacy work by honouring her with their 2021 ACTRA National Woman of the Year.
Click below to read full article.
““Menard has a soulful presence that resonates and reverberates off the screen. It’s no coincidence that she’s also a jazz singer and experienced musical performer. Menard may not be the frontrunner in this category but if she wins, it’ll be a reward well-earned.” ”
Andrea’s Demo Reel
““Menard… has touched diverse audiences and critics alike.”
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