Catherine Bruhier is an actress and film-maker. As an actor she's performed in both Canada and the US.
Biography
Catherine Bruhier was born in Belize, Central America. Her mother and father were both born and raised in Belize. Her family moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, when she was an infant. She has a sister Emily Bruhier. After graduating from Saint John High School and winning a scholarship and an artistic award she moved to Toronto to pursue her acting career. A graduate of the George Brown College Theatre Program, she also attended York University. She studied in Los Angeles with coach/director and LA Film School instructor Jim Pasternak. She took his Art & Technique of Film Directing and Private Consulting & Coaching Workshops.
Career
One of Bruhier's earlier achievements was on the main-stage of Theatre New Brunswick: in David French's two-cast member equity play Salt-Water Moon directed by playwright Sharon Pollock, co-starring Eric McCormack from Will & Grace fame. Being a minority as the female lead, the play was considered untraditional casting. Based on her experience in Salt-Water Moon she wrote an article called "Darkness Visible" published in September '90 issue of Theatrum Magazine. The article went on to be republished in part by Prentice Hall Canada as an inspirational piece for grades 7 to 9 in a school textbook entitled Play making Magazine. She was one of eight directors in Canada chosen to attend the 2010 Women in the Directors Chair at the Banff Arts Centre. Bruhier was an invited jury member of the Canadian Academy Of Cinema And Television choosing the performers to be nominated for the 1995 Gemini Awards. She is a member of C.A.E.A., A.C.T.R.A, SAG-AFTRA and previously a member of Women in Film Toronto and L.I.F.T.
Stage Work
Bruhier has performed leading roles in theatres across Canada, most notably: Shaw Festival; Grand Theatre London; Factory Theatre; Theatre Passe Muraille; Theatre Aquarius ; Theatre New Brunswick Mainstage & Young Company; Theatre Plus Toronto and in the Dora awarded production of the teen play, Carrying the Calf.
Screen Work
3 seasons as Elaine Besbriss on the Paul Haggis created Gemini awarded CBS/Alliance series Due South. The show aired in 62 countries rating 'top pick' on the UK's BBC and continues to air in syndication. Most visible to young audiences she co-hosted two seasons of the children's program The Polka Dot Door, which also aired around the world. Other screen credits include: Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, Soulfood, Yes Dear, Frasier, Angela's Eyes & Missing for, Forever Knight – and recurring on the ABC soap Port Charles. Bruhier recently played the supporting role in the Universal Studios sequel The Best Man Holiday as Dr. Perkins directed by Malcolm D. Lee.
Filmmaker
Her short film The Sacrifice filmed in Los Angeles through Screen Actors Guild, marks her directorial debut and first project from co-founded production company Breaking Ground Productions aiming to increase diversity in filmmaking. To date the film has screened at 12 festivals and has won four awards. While living in Toronto, she was one of the 2011 grant recipients of the Ontario Art Councils Emerging Filmmakers Grant to direct her 2nd short film Clean Teeth Wednesdays which has screened at seven festivals and the young lead actress was nominated for a 2014 Young Artist Award.
