Hard work and talent leading Andrea Menard to stardom

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Sitting down for a coffee and a cordial chat with Andrea Menard, it quickly becomes clear why this Saskatoon actress, singer and writer is poised on the brink of stardom. No, it isn't her eye-catching beauty and natural grace-those are merely surface qualities, and focusing on them only obscures the true beauty of Menard's inner self. Nor is it her ambition-Menard is already content with her life, and there is little trace in her of any ego or burning desire to bask in the spotlight of success. Nor, in fact, is it her innate talent, although her voice and acting ability certainly provide Menard with all the tools for stardom.

No, if Menard's growing list of accomplishments and accolades can be attributed to one thing, it would have to be her diligent work ethic. Listening to her talk about her hectic past and current schedule, and hint at her long list of upcoming projects, one can only marvel that the 31-year old Menard has time for any life outside the arts. When one realizes how much Menard loves her chosen career, though, the long hours, frequent travel and frantic schedule seem not so much a hardship as an opportunity for her to share her gifts with an ever broader audience.

Menard's current labour of love is The Velvet Devil, a one-woman musical play that just finished a run at Ottawa's National Arts Centre. The fictitious story of a 1940's era Metis singer who fled her small-town Saskatchewan roots for big-city stardom, but who returns home to face and overcome her personal and familial demons, The Velvet Devil premiered at Regina's Globe Theatre in November, 2000. It has since been adapted into a CBC Radio play, and its 18 songs (co-written by Menard and Robert Walsh) were recently compiled and released on CD. A movie version is in the works, and Menard is hopeful the National Arts Centre shows will lead to a touring production.

"I've been working on this project for almost five years, but I'm really not tired of it yet," said Menard. "Every step is a new thing-writing the music, writing the play, performing the play, launching the CD, doing radio, it's all different."

Though The Velvet Devil is not an autobiographical tale, Menard did draw on her own life during the writing process. Like her stage persona, Menard is a Metis woman with small town roots, and a musical upbringing.

"I was born in Flin-Flon," shared Menard. "We moved around a lot. My dad was in and out of various mines. There was always singing in our house-my dad would sing and my mom would harmonize. I grew up with that, and I've always sang. It's just a natural thing."

Unlike the play's protagonist (and to the delight of local audiences), Menard has not moved away from the province in pursuit of her dream. She has lived in Saskatoon for 14 years, and built her career through a steady stream of theatre, film, television, radio and concert performances.

"Until about two years ago, I would have agreed that Saskatoon is not the best place to pursue an acting career. I always had one foot out the door. I was always almost ready to move. But I stayed, and I'm very glad I did," said Menard. "I wouldn't be where I am today if I had moved. Nothing that's happened would have happened elsewhere. This is my home. It's where my friends and family are. This place keeps me grounded."

It also keeps her exceedingly busy. On returning home from the Ottawa performances, Menard will turn her attention to roles in upcoming productions by Saskatoon's Persephone Theatre and by the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. She is also looking forward to additional work with the Globe Theatre, to a new play she will be writing with respected Metis author Maria Campbell, and to more high-profile film roles. And even with all this in front of her, Menard is also making tentative plans for her second CD project.

For a woman with such a powerful and hypnotic voice, it may seem surprising that acting is Menard's primary focus, but as she explaind, it's all a matter of desire.

"I never really dreamed of being a singer, I wanted to be an actress. I've gotten lots of roles because I can sing, but acting is definitely my favourite thing."

Blessed with talents in acting, singing and writing, Menard obviously has the skills to succeed in whichever field she chooses to pursue. No matter what choices she makes, what opportunities she seizes, or what distant cities her talent takes her to, the proud eyes and ears of Saskatchewan will always remain on her. And for anyone fortunate enough to have met this friendly, down-to-earth woman, heartfelt best wishes will remain with her as well.