A former Olds resident now making a living as a comedian in Alberta says if you really want to be an actor or comedian and you have the talent then "go for it" but if you can do anything else, that might be a better choice.
AimÈe Beaudoin stars in Caution: May Contain Nuts, a comedy show that runs on the APTN network. As a result of her work on that show, she has been nominated for three Canadian Comedy Awards and a Canadian Screen Award.
She organized and will be MCing a standup comedy show at Tracks Pub Aug. 12. She has just started up a company that organizes those kinds of events and the Tracks date is the new company's first such show.
Beaudoin's path toward acting and comedy began back at Olds High School when she participated in a school drama club, headed by teacher Angie Dezall, whom she describes as "amazing."
"After being cast as a lead in the plays in high school, I knew that this was what I was best at and what I was going to do," she says. "I was voted ëmost likely to become a famous actor' in our high school yearbook."
From there, Beaudoin took theatre studies and motion picture arts (both acting majors) at Red Deer College (RDC).
After graduating from RDC, Beaudoin set out on her career. But she says it wasn't easy to get where she is now.
"I've had many successes over my career, being cast in a TV show at age 23, but I still have struggled and will continue to struggle," Beaudoin says.
"I moved to Vancouver to try to make it big, but it didn't work out for me there. I actually get way more work and auditions in Alberta and I'm so glad I moved back here. Rejection and lack of job security is just the name of the game.
"I've been fortunate enough to have been acting full time for the last four years, but I waitressed to make ends meet for many years. I also sold cars for a bit," she adds.
When asked if she would recommend an actor/comedian career to Olds students, Beaudoin is blunt.
"If you can see yourself doing anything else then go do that. But if this is your passion, you're good at it, and you don't mind working hard pushing and promoting yourself and getting rejected constantly, then go for it," she says.
"My niece is seven and she wants to be an actress. I've taught her the five things you need to know how to do to be an actor: 1. act, 2. sing, 3. dance, 4. write, 5. network, because it's true that it's so often ëwho you know,' not ëwhat you know.'"
Beaudoin also "highly" recommends attending a university or college acting program.
"RDC was invaluable to me," she says. U of A (University of Alberta) and Grant MacEwan (University) have great theatre programs as well."
Beaudoin says having a strong support system from family, friends and relatives is also invaluable.
"I always have had encouragement and support to follow my passion from my amazing mom, Laurie Brigden, who is a retired teacher from Olds High School," she says.
"If you can see yourself doing anything else then go do that. But if this is your passion, you're good at it, and you don't mind working hard pushing and promoting yourself and getting rejected constantly, then go for it." AIMEE BEAUDOIN
