Blackstone TV Series

MICHELLE THRUSH as Gail Stoney

Michelle Thrush has been working professionally in film, television and theatre for over twenty years - having experienced her first film role at the age of seventeen. At the age of twenty-one, Michelle decided to move from her hometown of Calgary, AB to Vancouver, B.C. to pursue her dream of acting professionally. It was there Michelle found successful representation with agent Murray Gibson, and has remained with him ever since.

Ms. Thrush has currently over forty professional credits in the entertainment industry and has won numerous awards and special recognitions. Her latest achievement is the 2011 Gemini for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role” for her character, Gail Stoney, on the hit APTN dramatic series Blackstone. With this same character, Michelle also received Best Supporting Actress in 2009 at the AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL in San Francisco. She is honored to have been nominated for Best Alberta Actress at the 2010 Alberta Motion Picture Awards and nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Leo Awards in Vancouver.

Some of Michelle’s other television credits include being a regular on the popular APTN/Showcase series Moccasin Flats, as well as starring as Kate in her second season of the comedy hit Mixed Blessings. Michelle is also well known for her reoccurring role as Sylvie Lebret in the hit CBC series North of 60.

Ms. Thrush has appeared and starred in numerous films including Unnatural and Accidental a highly acclaimed award winning feature film shot on location in Vancouver’s lower east side. Appearing with a handpicked cast of stellar Aboriginal actresses such as Tantoo Cardinal, Carmen Moore, and Margo Kane, this raw and in-depth film explores the tragic story of murdered and missing Aboriginal women, a subject for which Michelle is a strong advocate. In 2006, this film stunned audiences at its premier at the Toronto International Film Festival (T.I.F.F.) where Michelle was pleased to be in attendance.

In 1999, Michelle Thrush received the Best Supporting Actress award at the First Americans in the Arts Awards in Los Angeles for her role opposite Jack Palance in the comedy western Ebenezer. Some other films Michelle has performed in are Pathfinder, Don’t Call Me Tonto, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, and Dreamkeeper. One of Ms. Thrush`s most memorable experiences was working opposite Johnny Depp and Gary Farmer in the feature film Dead Man which has achieved international status as a cult classic.

Michelle Thrush is an alumni member of Crazy Horse Aboriginal Theatre Company, a professional company running successfully for seven years in Calgary, within which time Michelle eventually became Artistic Director. Ms. Thrush continues to write, direct, and produce theatre, and has fulfilled many leading roles across Canada.

Known for her grass roots community work, Michelle has toured extensively through Canada and the United States with her one-woman shows: Reclaim, Right Next Door, and her latest, Find Your Own Inner Elder. Her work with youth and children has been the greatest passion of her career. One of Michelle`s most well known characters in Indian Country is Majica, the Aboriginal Healing Clown. This child-inspired entity has been introduced to over sixty Native communities and gatherings to work with three to seven year old Aboriginal children. Majica helps children identify with their emotions and how to express themselves through their bodies. In the arena of live performance, Michelle explores creativity and imagination with storytelling techniques and clowning. Ms. Thrush has spent many years as a strong promoter of re-kindling healthy families from the intergenerational impact and effects of the residential school era.

Another well-known character Michelle has long been performing is Kookum Martha, a sprite, old Indian Elder that addresses important issues through comedy. Michelle knows that laughter is a natural part of her culture; her inherent ability to perform comedy is what Ms. Thrush enjoys best.

The mother of two wonderful daughters, Michelle and her family are currently residing in Calgary, AB.