Amanda Brugel

Pointe Claire resides in a sleepy part of Montreal Island, which is known as West Island. The West Island can be confusing to those unfamiliar of its purpose. It is often believed that it is an island to the west of Montreal however it is actually a part of the city. West Island encompasses everything between the two cities that are Lachine as well as West. Amanda Brugel was born there, but her time there was short. Brugel became a woman of a certain age living in Courtice Ontario, just outside Oshawa. Early ambitions were to become a dancer. However, a growth increase caused her to surpass every dance partner she was able to have. In a recent interview with the Toronto Star, she confessed that "In heels I am 6 feet 1 inches." When I reached the height of the size of my male friends and stopped dancing, I quit. Many dancers make the transition to acting. In the case of Brugel, it was her drama teacher who encouraged her into this path. The teacher who suggested she pursue a role for the school's annual production. The teacher who suggested that she pursue a part the school's annual show. It led to her receiving the Fine Arts Talent Scholarship from York University. In 2000, she received her BA in Fine Arts at York University. Her career spans 20 years and she's been in over 60 productions including big screen productions and on smaller ones. Her most recognizable role was that of Rita (pictured below) in the television show The Handmaid's Tale. Brugel was only seen on a few moments in the very first season of the show The Handmaid's Tale. She was the only Canadian member.