Astrid Van Wieren (born 1964 or 1965) is a Canadian stage actress.
Early life and education
editVan Wieren is originally from London, Ontario.[1][2] She was born to a "literary mother" and "theatre loving father," and has several sisters and a brother.[2][3] She became interested in performance from a young age.[4] She attended King’s College at University of Western Ontario,[2] where she studied English and French, graduating in 1988.[1][3] She went on to attend Ryerson Theatre School.[1][5][6]
Career
editAfter graduating from Ryerson, Van Wieren "always said 'yes' to any project," leading her to become involve with a number of "new plays, early fringe and wonderful edgy stuff".[7] She has acted in both musicals and plays.
In 2015, Van Wieren originated the role of Beulah in Come From Away, and was part of the show's original Broadway cast beginning in 2017.[1] Van Wieren also performed in the production's 2021 pro-shot, and joined a production of the show in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 2023.[8]
In June 2018, Van Wieren hosted the Dora Awards in Toronto.[6]
In 2019, Van Wieren co-wrote the script for a film, The River You Step In, with Jon Michaelson.[1] She also starred as the film's protagonist, a social worker named Stevie.[1][9]
Theatre roles
edit| Year | Show | Role | Location/Company | Type | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Mamma Mia! | Ensemble | North American Tour | [10] | |
| BAAL – A Rock n Roll Play | Baal | Buddies in Bad Times | Regional | [4][7] | |
| 2008 | Foto | Hania | [11] | ||
| 2011 | This Wide Night | Lorraine | [7] | ||
| 2013 | Sucker | Constance | [7] | ||
| 2014 | The Way Back to Thursday | Theatre Passe Muraille | Regional | [7] | |
| Ubu Mayor: A Harmful Bit of Fun | Huhu | One Little Goat Theatre Company | [12] | ||
| Belles Soeurs: The Musical | Germaine Lauzon | Segal Centre | [13] | ||
| 2015 | Myth of the Ostrich | Holly | Offside Productions | [14] | |
| Come From Away | Beulah and others | La Jolla Playhouse | [15] | ||
| 2016 | Ford's Theatre Society | [16] | |||
| 2017-2022 | Broadway | [17] | |||
| 2023 | Inge(new) – In search of a musical | Regional | [4] | ||
| Come From Away | Diane and others | Joseph R Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre | [18] |
Personal life
editVan Wieren is based in Leslieville, Toronto, and also has an apartment in Harlem, New York City.[2]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Awards | Category | Show | Role | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dora Mavor Moore Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role (Independent Theatre) | This Wide Night | Won | [19][20] | |
| 2016 | Gypsy Rose Lee Awards | Excellence in Performance as an Ensemble | Come From Away | Beulah and others | Won | [21] |
| 2017 | Dora Mavor Moore Awards | Best Leading Actress (Musical Theatre) | Nominated | [6] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Belanger, Joe (2020-10-21). "Londoner anxious to return to Broadway after Forest City Film Festival". The London Free Press. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b c d Szekeres, Joe (2020-05-23). "'The Self-Isolated Artist' Series: Toronto/New York Profile of Astrid Van Wieren". OnStage Blog. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b "Alumna telling stories bigger than Broadway". Western News. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b c Ghosal, Arpita (2023-05-24). "Astrid Van Wieren takes the stage in world premiere of "Inge(new) – In search of a musical"". SesayArts Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Brunner, Jeryl (2019-01-11). "The Stars Of 'Come From Away' Take An Epic Trip To Newfoundland Where Their Musical Takes Place". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b c Yeo, Debra (2018-03-27). "Come From Away actress is coming from away to host the Dora Awards". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ a b c d e "My Theatre Award Nominee: Q&A w/ Astrid van Wieren". My Entertainment World. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Come From Away to Play Gander, Newfoundland, With Cast Led by Petrina Bromley and Astrid Van Wieren". TheaterMania.com. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Simonpillai, Radheyan (2019-10-13). "Review: The River You Step In uses Leslieville and Riverside as characters". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Ehren, Christine; Simonson, Robert; Lefkowitz, David (2001-04-02). "After Boston, Mamma Mia! Visits Minneapolis, DC and FL in Upcoming Tour". Playbill.
- ^ "NOW SummerWorks Picks". NOW Toronto. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Peterson, Tyler (2014-06-25). "Astrid Van Wieren & Richard Harte to Star in One Little Goat Theatre Company's 'UBU MAYOR'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Steuter-Martin, Marilla (2014-10-30). "Review: BELLES SOEURS the Musical at the Segal Centre". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Kaplan, Jon (2015-01-09). "Review: Myth Of The Ostrich". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Photos: First Look at COME FROM AWAY at La Jolla Playhouse". BroadwayWorld.com. 2015-06-05. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "COME FROM AWAY Extends in D.C. Before Broadway Run". BroadwayWorld.com. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Astrid Van Wieren". Playbill. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Original Cast Members To Swap Roles For COME FROM AWAY Gander Production". BroadwayWorld.com. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "TOPDOG UNDERDOG, CRASH, CAROLINE OR CHANGE and More Take Toronto's Top 2012 Dora Awards - All the Winners!". BroadwayWorld.com. 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Topdog Underdog on top at Dora Awards". CBC News. 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Mancuso, Christina (2016-01-20). "The Fifth Annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards Winners Are Announced - COME FROM AWAY, LIZARD BOY and More!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-22.