Zandra Bell Portfolio

Inspirational Innovator since 1995 of “at wit’s end” Customized Comedy, a one woman infotainment business experienced in researching, writing, and performing motivational humor in the work place presentations, in character for private and corporate events. Special emphasis on customizing to clients’ information and events’ themes.

Working together with contact people from an organization, Zandra does extensive research on their industry, profession or organization. She then creates and performs unique presentations designed to suit her clients’ needs. She is knowledgeable in a vast array of industries and professions, having worked with countless organizations such as Shell Canada, CIBC, Ledcor, National Research Council, just to name a few (for a more extensive list of clients, see Inspired Audiences).

Audience comments included: “Hilarious!”, “What a great way to end off the day!”, “Very humorous woman!”, “Awesome! And right on topic!”, “I would like a copy of her presentation to listen to on one of the bad days!”

Alberta Pharmacists’ Association

Zandra resigned from her thirteen year career as a federal government regional director with the Passport Office, to pursue her corporate comedy venture on a full time basis in 1995.

Ms. Bell was one of the successful career women interviewed for the bestseller by Barbara Thrasher and Madelon Smid, “Smart Women”, and she was honored in the Edmonton business community as a Global Television “Woman of Vision“.

Her numerous and varied talents were showcased in a segment of CBC’s “On The Road Again”. She has also been featured on WTN’s “She’s So Funny” and CBC Radio’s “Madly Off In All Directions”.

Ontario fans loved her recurring comedic role in the CBC Windsor evening news as “Shirley Best, Investigative Housewife.

Rated twice by See Magazine readers as Funniest Edmontonian, Zandra also played the comedy sidekick on the country music comedy series, Danny Hooper’s Barn Satellite Network (seen on CMT Canada).

Her life and her career have also been showcased in two different segments aired on ACCESS, The Education Station and CLT (Canadian Learning Television).

COMEDIC CHARACTERS:

Created a cast of “characters” for stand-up and walkabout comedy engagements. Contracted for private work and various festivals including:

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Halifax International Buskers’ Festival
Vancouver Comedy Festival
Nelson BC Buskers’ Festival
Calgary Children’s Festival
Banff Buskers’ Festival
Windsor Buskers’ Festival
Waterloo Buskers’ Carnival
Busker Fest White Plains New York

DINNER THEATRE:

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – Edmonton, Alberta – portrayed various roles in interactive dinner theatre for five years

TRAINING:

Theatre Ontario Acting Courses, Kingston, Ontario

Drama, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario

STAGE SHOWS:

“Confessions Of A Baby Boomer Bombshell”
“Pure Unadulterated Hot Steamin’ Shirley”
“I’m Listing”
“Shirley You Jest”
“Don’t Take No For An Answer Unless it’s On A Pregnancy Test”
“Shirley Best Telepersonal Confessions – I was a Middle Aged Dating Machine”
“Shirley Best Unplugged”
“Shirley Best Possessed – The Graceland Before Menopause Tour”
“Shirley Best Stands Up”
“Why Can’t They Make a Pair of Pantyhose With The Crotch That Stays Where Yours Is?” her stage debut, played to sold out houses at Edmonton Fringe Festival

TELEVISION & RADIO:

Radio Interview with Greg Smith, The Strength Coach
TV Interview with Access, CareersTV & HelpTV
Co-star on “Barn Satellite Network” CMT
Guest spot on WTN’s Comedy Program “She’s So Funny”
Featured on CBC’s On The Road Again
Created & performed on going comedy spots for CBC News Windsor Ont. as “Shirley Best, Investigative Housewife”
Co-starring character on “The Lonely Chef”, a comedic cooking show filmed at Access Network, Edmonton, Broadcast in Canada, U.S. and internationally, Supervision Entertainment Inc., completed 49 episodes to date
Assorted commercials, Denny Andrews Ford, CFRN TV, Quickcard Dental Infomercial, ITV, “It’s Ours” marketing campaign, NAIT/SAIT Lottery, Dance Party Mix 4 CD
Numerous comedy guest spots in connection with festivals, local art events, CFRN, ITV, Calgary 7.
Comedy bit on “Rough Cutz”, CBC with host Neil Grahn
Featured performer, “Madly Off In All Directions”, CBC Radio Broadcast
Numerous commercials for local events, FM 105 Radio, St. Albert, Alberta Named a “Canadian Achiever” in conjunction with the radio program, “The Canadian Achievers with Dick Drew”
Comedy spots for various programs, CBC Radio, Edmonton, MG 1200 Radio, Edmonton, Good Good Morning ITV, Edmonton, Breakfast Television, ASN, Halifax, Day by Day, CFRN, Edmonton, CBC Television Windsor.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

YWCA Woman of Distinction Award Nominee
Guest Speaker – Fearless Women Day Celebrations – Toronto, Ontario
Featured Speaker eWomen Network Conference – Dallas Texas
Nominee Edmonton Mayor’s Awards for the Arts
Global Television “Woman of Vision” award winner
Featured celebrity at Edmonton Women’s Show
Victim Services Unit, Edmonton Police. Role play in crisis situations for the purpose of training victim services volunteers
University of Western Ontario, London Ontario. Performed in video on sexual harassment for London Board of Educators, Ken Murch Productions
Customer Service Consulting – designed comedic presentations as a training tool for various organizations and their staff based on thirteen years experience as a Regional Director in Federal Government.