St. John’s, NL (March 8, 2021) — ACTRA Newfoundland is shining the spotlight on longtime member Amy House by naming her their 2021 Woman of the Year for International Women’s Day.
“It’s fitting to honour our former Branch President in 2021”, says Ruth Lawrence, the current President. “Amy led our Branch for over 20 years, through much growth and many challenges.”
A model of longevity and adaptation, Amy stepped down from our Branch Council at ACTRA NL during the pandemic to take a position at the NL office of the Director’s Guild of Canada, shifting her professional focus to that side of the industry.
On Monday, June 15, 1999, Amy became ACTRA NL President after a stint as a Councillor that dates back at least to 1994 when she served with a young Mark Critch, Gerry Doyle, and Michael Chiasson, among others. Under Amy’s leadership, the branch increased in activity and membership, and developed initiatives to increase work opportunities and gender equity.
Anyone who knows Amy can only imagine how much work was done in over two decades, all with a laugh and a smile!
So at long last, ACTRA NL can celebrate Amy for her decades of dedication, commitment, and ever present good humor and empathy. Amy House is a household name in Newfoundland and Labrador. Born in Stephenville back in the 20th century, Amy got involved in theatre in her last year of high school and has never recovered, she’s had that bug ever since. A comic with an irrepressible fondness for improvisation, Amy is a much sought-after performer for many special events and private functions. She’s one of the most genuinely funny people you are likely to meet.
She also wears many hats. Over the span of her career, Amy has been a performer, comedienne, writer, producer, director and arts advocate. Amy recently completed fifteen years as Artistic Animateur of RCA Theatre Company at the LSPU Hall Theatre in St. John’s. There, she was at the heart of the development and production of over 50 original plays by Newfoundland playwrights. She has worked in television production with Tyndrum Media Inc. as the Host of From Inside the Circle as well as Audience Relations and Communications Director.
ACTRA Newfoundland is pleased to recognize Amy for her lifetime of work as a professional performer and a major contributor to our cultural community.
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of over 27,000 members across Canada – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
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Media Contact:
Ruth Lawrence, Branch President, ACTRA Newfoundland
ruth@bluepinionfilms.com
709-682-5951