"Once a warrior with the heart of an artist, I am now an artist with the heart of a warrior." - Drew MacDonald
"Chance only favours the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
Last Updated 26 November 2010.
After 18 years of military service encompassing all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces including: command of three Canadian Oberon Class submarines; major project management; and two stints as Officer-in-Charge of the Submarine School; Drew became a civilian and hung out a shingle as a Naval Systems Consultant specializing in Submarine Tactics.
While working as a submarine tactician at the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, Drew started training as an actor at the Neptune Theatre School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Armed with a bag load of improv and advanced acting classes under his belt he started acting in local community theatres and semi-professionally in theatre festivals. Drew also had two serialized short stories published in the The Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Bulletin.
In the Spring of 1995 Drew played the part of Superintendant Bellati in the Theatre Arts Guild critically acclaimed production of Dario Fo's political farce,"Accidental Death of an Anarchist". This successful community theatre production was remounted with the original cast and director Chris Majka as an Empty Mirrors production at the 1995 Halifax Fringe Festival. Staged at the Paramount Theatre, this production, one of 42, ranked third in box office receipts. The cast recently held a reunion at the Economy Shoe Shop on Argyle Street (also known as the shoe box or culture dome) to celebrate Dario Fo's 1997 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Drew also had a bit part in the 1995 Dartmouth Players production of "Black Comedy" playing the role of Bamburger. He used the opportunity to study the art of directing.
Firmly bitten by the theatre bug he was now keen to direct. Drew had the good fortune to team up with Chris Kitowski who was in the process of writing a one man show called "Rounds". "Rounds" opened at the 1996 Atlantic Fringe Festival and received good reviews. When asked by Canadian poet and playwright Donna Evann to direct her first play, "The Passion of Anna Akhmatova", in the 1997 Atlantic Fringe Festival, Drew enthusiastically accepted. By mid-run, the collaborative effort of both novice and professional led to packed houses at the Cafe Mokka.
Drew recently appeared in a Lotto 649 "Big Win" commerical and has also performed on the set of LEXX: The Dark Zone II. In the autumn of 1997 Drew performed 4 times as a background performer (including continuity acting) with CBC's television dramatic series "Black Harbour". More recently he had a bit part opposite Rebecca Jenkins during shooting for the upcoming fall (1998) season.
Drew is currently writing several plays including a re-working of his recent 50 min one man show titled "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" . "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" premiered at the 1998 Atlantic Fringe Theatre Festival (2-7 September). In the previous July he had the opportunity to read and improv some story ideas for "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" at the Economy Shoe Shop as part of the Shoe String Series.
Also hot from the pen is a One Act Play called "My Brother's Troubles." As well Drew is exercising his knowledge of cinema language with a film project. This first film effort will be a 10-12 minute visceral drama shot on video.
A new work in progress titled "Flight To Victory" is being developed as a screenplay.
In Oct/Nov 1998, Drew acted in two scenes with Nastassja Kinski in "The Magic of Marciano." In this Cape Atlantic Productions film directed by Tony Barbieri, he played "Bob the Manager", Nastassja's boss. This debut in motion pictures had the added bonus of working with Robert Forster and the young Cody Morgan.
In eary January 1999, Drew cracked his first acting job of the new year as an Infomercial Audience Member in a sketch comedy piece with Cathy Jones (of "This Hour Has 22 Minutes") in "The Cathy Jones Special" due to be aired by CBC in the autumn of 99.
Also in January of 99, Drew was cast as a principal performer in CBC's Radio Drama "Clean Sweep" as Lester Perkins.
Drew joined the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists - ACTRA - in January of 1999.
To keep the wolf from the door, Drew recently completed background performing in Jig Saw Production's "Bowlorama" and a Movie of the Week called "Catch a Falling Star" starring Sela Ward.
In the Nova Scotia provincial election campaign of 1999, Drew provided Voice Over Narration for both Radio and Television spots.
Between acting gigs Drew keeps busy with screen and stage play writing projects.
When the Russian Nuclear Attack submarine, Kursk sunk in August of 2000, Drew responded to media inquiries from US and Canadian Radio, Television, and Print Outlets. Drew continues to advocate "outside the box" marine safety concepts
Keen to work in film, television, radio, and on stage, Drew may be contacted directly by mail at 1234 Barrington Street, Apt 102, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3J 1Y4 - or by cell at (902) 495-1603.
On the entrepreneurial front, Drew is working hard to launch a high tech company. His key interests include, but are not limited to, the development of an electro-optical device for Search and Rescue and new applications for acoustic devices. Drawing on considerable experience gained during his tenure as a submarine commander, Drew is focusing his technical, scientific, and project management abilities to bring together individuals, public and private sector organizations, and financing for this venture.
Other high tech pursuits include the development of an e-mail specialty service and various collaborative internet initiatives with Nova Scotian information technology experts.
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Last Updated 26 November 2010.
copyright - 1996,1997,1998,1999,2000.2001 Drew MacDonald