BRENDA GORLICK BIO - CHOREOGRAPHER & PERFORMER

Brenda Gorlick has been involved in the Performing Arts world for over 30 years in many aspects of the business. As a performer, she has acted, sung and danced her way across Canada, the U.S. and parts of Europe, including a two year contract with the  Stratford Festival. She served as movement coach at the Banff Centre Music Theatre Program  and producer/choreographer of the  “Hot Cross Canada”  Canadian Armed Forces Show Tour.

In 1999, Brenda had the great challenge of creating the  Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Pan Am Games, the biggest choreographic event Winnipeg has seen. She has also choreographed ceremonies for the 2003  Western Canada Summer Games in Selkirk, Manitoba and the  Canada Games in Brandon. Most recently, Brenda choreographed/music directed the SOLD OUT run of Winnipeg Studio Theatre's production of Altar Boyz World premieres include:  Jazz on Tap  for the Jazz Winnipeg Festival and STRIKE! The Musical  which will be remounted this summer.

Brenda starred in the high-flying role of the Wicked Witch of the West in Rainbow Stage's signature show: The Wizard of Oz,  staged their 50th Anniversary production of  The King and I,  cross-dressed in the campy role of Mary Sunshine in the hit show  Chicago  and played Babette in Rainbow's spectacular production of Beauty and the Beast.  She has performed in numerous musicals including MTC/Theatre Calgary's co-production of  Evita, 42nd Street  in the coveted role of Dorothy Brock, Sheila in  A Chorus Line , Miss Bell in the hit production of  Fame  and her all time favourite: Anita in the Banff Centre's  West Side Story .

In film, Ms. Gorlick portrayed the principal role of Phyllis Flatow opposite  Shirley Maclaine  in the movie of the week, Hell On Heels – The Mary Kay Project.  She acted as Assistant Dance Crew Liaison for Miramax Productions feature flick:  Shall We Dance  starring  Richard Gere  and  Jennifer Lopez  and choreographed one episode of  Murdoch Mysteries.

She has been involved in over 100 productions including every theatre in Winnipeg over the past three decades. Selected credits include:  Die Fledermaus  (Manitoba Opera Association),  Hamlet  starring  Keanu Reeves  (Manitoba Theatre Centre),  Three Penny Opera  (Shakespeare in the Ruins), the award-winning  A Year with Frog and Toad  (Manitoba Theatre for Young People),  Funny Girl  (Wpg. Jewish Theatre), and  Le Train  (Cercle Molière).

In 2004, Brenda launched her own youth musical company:  Brenda Gorlick's YoungStars.  They had their theatrical debut in  You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown; their next production,  Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. premieres in Spring 2010. She serves as co-director of  Winnipeg Studio Theatre  along with Kayla Gordon and is currently developing the original musical  Hersteria.

Ms. Gorlick serves as Guest Professor at the  University of Winnipeg  in the Drama Department and created the choreography for their 1st Fringe Festival Musical production -  Hair , a sold-out success! She is in her 20th season as senior faculty member in the Musical Theatre Program of the  Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, developing award-winning students and choreographies, and is also a much sought after adjudicator/clinician on the dance circuit. She has been part of MAC's  Artist-in-Schools  program for nearly two decades.

Ms. Gorlick has worked as director/choreographer on numerous commercial projects including  Words and Deeds Gala  for the Jewish Federation, Manitoba Hydro's  Festival of Lights Parade , the  Canadian Artistic Gymnastic Championships Gala  and the Forks production for Queen Elizabeth II Royal Visit .

Brenda serves the Manitoba performing arts community as  ACTRA Manitoba  Council member,  Canadian Actors' Equity Association PAGS Committee  and Manitoba representative to the  Dancer Transition Resource Center. Last but certainly not least she is "mom" to two boys- Jordie and Taj and partner to Victor.

Visit her website at:  www.brendagorlick.ca

To download Brenda Gorlick's Bio & C.V. in a PDF click here