Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire in Montreal's West Island is a tiny, quiet town. The West Island can be confusing for those who aren't familiar of its purpose. It is often believed that it's an island to the that lies west of Montreal However, it's actually the West Island encompasses everything between the two cities that are Lachine and West. Amanda Brugel grew up on the West Island, and it is often referred to as her birthplace. But she only was there for a brief period of time. Brugel was a young woman living in Courtice Ontario just outside Oshawa. She was determined to be a professional dancer, but due to a rapid growth spurt she outgrew all of her dancing partners. In an article in The Toronto Star she admitted In heels, I'm 6'1 inch. After I became too big for my male partners I stopped. Many ex-dancers switch to acting. In Brugel's case it was the guidance by her drama instructor at high school that led her to take the step she wanted. She was a teacher at the time who advised her to take on a part in the school's annual production. The student tried it out, and was eventually cast as the role of the main character in Anne of Green Gables. Following her award of the Fine Arts Talent Scholarship, she enrolled in York University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the year 2000. In the past 20 years, Brugel's work been seen on the small and large screen. Her work gained most recognition when she landed her character of Rita in the award-winning television series The Handmaid's Tale. Brugel was the sole Canadian cast member during the season 1 of the series and not seen much.