Actress Andrea Martin among Governor General’s Performing Arts Award winners
Comedian and actress Andrea Martin isn’t any stranger to the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, although this yr she’ll be watching from a distinct vantage.
The 77-year-old “SCTV” alumna will obtain a lifetime achievement award on the June ceremony, seven years after attending to toast her previous colleague Martin Short, who was receiving the identical prize.
“I’ll never forget standing on that stage in Ottawa and looking out at the beautiful audience and looking up above in the balcony and seeing all the recipients of the awards, and it was so dignified. Oh my gosh, it was an honour just to speak for Marty,” she mentioned by telephone from New York.
“But now, to be up in the balcony and not have to speak, that’s the greatest thing.”
It’s humbling, she mentioned, to be acknowledged for a profession that looks like a reward in itself.
“The fact that I’ve been employed all these years is like the first thing that I think about and then to be singled out when there are just millions of people that, obviously, are deserving of an award,” she mentioned.
Martin’s past love was theatre, she mentioned, however she’s dabbled in principally all the performing arts at this level. She gained the Tony Award for greatest actress in a featured position in a musical twice, 20 years aside, and has two Emmys for writing on SCTV.
But even 50 years into her profession, she has no plans to decelerate.
“I hope this isn’t the end,” she mentioned. “This isn’t the kiss of death, is it? Please let this be the intermediate step of 20 more years of wonderful opportunities.”
The annual Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards go to artists who’ve made “an indelible contribution” to the tradition.
This yr’s class of lifetime creative achievement award winners additionally consists of rap pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes. The recording artist and actor, born Wesley Williams, is also known as the godfather of Canadian hip hop.
Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett, recognized for his marionette reveals for adults, and soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee may even obtain lifetime achievement awards, together with songwriter Diane Juster.
Meanwhile, Melanie Demers will obtain the National Arts Centre Award. The multidisciplinary artist, choreographer and director based the Montreal-based modern dance firm MAYDAY.
The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism within the Performing Arts goes to Jenny Belzberg, who helped form the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity into the establishment it’s immediately.
The awards additionally characteristic a mentorship program. This yr’s mentor is Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark and the protege is singer-songwriter Angela Amarualik.
This yr’s laureates might be feted on the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Gala in June. Tickets go on sale to the general public Thursday at 10 a.m.
