Andy Thompson (theatre professional)

Andy Thompson (born 1970) is a Canadian actor, theatre artist, filmmaker and teacher.

Andy Thompson
Born
NationalityCanadian
EducationStudio 58
Occupation(s)The Virtual Stage artistic director, actor, playwright, filmmaker

Thompson was born and raised in Chilliwack, British Columbia. He received his theatre arts diploma in acting from Studio 58 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1993. He is the founder of the multi-media theatre company The Virtual Stage.[1]

As a theatre and film producer, director and writer, Thompson has won several awards. The Virtual Stage and Electric Company Theatre's 2008 production of No Exit, which Thompson co-produced and performed in, garnered rave reviews and won Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards for Outstanding Production as well as the Critics' Choice Innovation Award before touring across North America.[2][3] He co-produced, co-wrote and performed in the short film The Provider, which won the 2010 Bloodshots 48-Hour Horror Filmmaking Competition before going to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it was given a "Coup de Coeur" distinction as one of the best short films from Canada.[4] Also in 2011, his entry into the international Film Racing Grand Prix short film competition, the super-hero spoof Repair Man, won 3rd place overall, and was the top-ranking Canadian film of the contest.[5][6]

In 2013, Thompson's sci-fi musical comedy Broken Sex Doll was hailed in the press[7][8][9] and described as the biggest hit of the Vancouver theatre season "and maybe the Next Big Thing in Canadian theatre."[10] The show went on to garner seven Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominations, including Outstanding Production and Outstanding Direction for Thompson.[11]

Thompson is the creator of The Zombie Syndrome, an acclaimed annual, site-specific, interactive, theatrical event in Vancouver in which audience members with smartphones are endowed as elite agents on a mission to save the world from a deadly zombie plague. The event, produced by The Virtual Stage, began in 2012 under the original title The Zombie Syndrome.[12] It went on to be nominated for two Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards: "Critics' Choice Innovation Award" and "Significant Artistic Achievement: Outstanding Logistical and Technical Innovation".[13][14] In 2013, a sequel called The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island took place on Granville Island and was praised by critics.[15][16]

Thompson is an accomplished actor who has appeared in a range of popular films and television shows. He is known for his ability to bring humor and wit to his on-screen performances. Some of his notable TV appearances include roles on shows such as Supernatural, Riverdale, A Million Little Things, Yellowjackets, and Upload, where he has acted alongside Jared Padalecki, KJ Apa, David Giuntoli, Christina Ricci, and Robbie Amell, respectively. Thompson has also been featured in horror films like Antlers, where he acted opposite Keri Russell. With his ability to seamlessly switch between comedic and dramatic roles, Thompson has established himself as a versatile character actor in the industry.[17]

Early life

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After graduating from high school with honours in physics and math, Thompson chose to study arts in college before committing to a career in engineering. This led to his decision to become an actor. He is one of the Top 40 Alumni of the University of the Fraser Valley.[18][19]

Filmography

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Feature films

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Year Title Role Notes
2023 The Dating Game Bob
2023 Totally Killer Mr. Parr
2022 Christmas Class Reunion Principal Holt TV movie
2021 The Perfect Recipe David Riley TV movie
2021 Highway to Heaven Mr. Delvecchio TV movie
2021 Corner Office
2021 Antlers Father Weaver
2021 Broken Diamonds Lawyer
2020 Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite Paw Street Market Manager
2019 Elsewhere Father
2019 A Christmas Duet Mr. Vignau TV movie
2019 Mystery 101 Eldon Parnell TV movie
2019 Critters: A New Binge Rideshare Guy
2018 Darrow & Darrow 3 Auctioneer TV movie
2018 Garage Sale Mystery: The Mask Murder Caller TV movie
2017 Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again Auctioneer TV movie
2017 Betting On The Bride Fred TV movie
2017 Little Pink House City Council Member
2016 The BFG Footman #3
2016 Hearts of Spring Henry TV movie
2014 Cruel & Unusual Counselor
2012 Finding Mrs. Claus Evan Knight TV movie
2005 The Long Weekend Officer Garcia
2004 The Chronicles of Riddick Scalp Taker
2003 The Delicate Art of Parking Craig Manke
2003 Agent Cody Banks CIA Assistant
2003 A Guy Thing Guy In Washroom
2001 The Wedding Dress Haswell TV movie
1998 The Hunted Fielder TV movie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2023 Goosebumps Owner/Manager Episode 1.06
2023 Bones of Crows Dr. Spencer CBC mini series; episode 1.02
2023 Yellowjackets Larry (Manager) Episode 2.01
2021 Guilty Party Episode 1.03
2021 Upload Episode 2.02
Episode 2.03
2020 Upload Professor Episode 1.02
Episode 1.05
Episode 1.07
Episode 1.09
Episode 1.10
2020 Charmed Morgue Technician Episode 2.16
2020 The Magicians Professor Frank Episode 5.09
2020 When Calls the Heart Dr. Atwater Episode 7.03
2019 Riverdale Funeral Director Episode 4.01: Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam
2019 Critters: A New Binge Ride Share Guy Episode 1.03: Party Time
2019 The Flash Dr. Bruce Bonwitt Episode 5.18: Godspeed
2018 A Million Little Things Mr. Taylor Episode 1.05: The Game of Your Life
Episode 2.11
2018 Van Helsing Count Laughula Episode 3.06: Like Suicide
2018 Take Two Auctioneer Episode 1.12: It Takes a Thief
2018 Trial & Error Dr. Rock N' Law Episode 2.07: A Family Affair
Episode 2.08: Bad Instincts
Episode 2.10: Barcelona
2017 Legends of Tomorrow Cecil B. DeMille Episode 3.06: Helen Hunt
2017 Hit The Road Lecturer Episode 1.04: School Spirit
2016 Impastor Lionel Episode 2.08: My Little Brother's Little Brother's Keeper
2016 No Tomorrow Stern Executive #1 Episode 1.02: No Crying In Baseball
2016 Second Chance Modified Bartender Episode 1.06: Palimpsest
2014 Continuum Anderson Episode 3.03: Minute to Win It
2014 Arrow Tony Daniel Episode 2.03: Broken Dolls
2013 Level Up Cactus Kaiser Episode 2.11: Dante and Angie's Mascot Skating Video
2013 Supernatural Librarian Episode 8.13: Everybody Hates Hitler
2012 Fringe Observer Episode 5.01: Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11
2012 True Justice Kristov Polanyi Episode 2.05 Dirty Money
Episode 2.10 Dead Drop 2
2010 Fringe Pilot Episode 3.06: 6955 kHz
2005 Masters of Horror Bill Episode 1.07: Deer Woman
2005 The Collector Pinky Episode 2.09: The Tour Guide
2005 Stargate SG-1 Calvin Episode 8.15: Citizen Joe
2003 Dead Like Me Morgue Attendant Episode 1.02: Dead Girl Walking
2002 Wolf Lake Hank Episode 1.07: Leader of the Pack
2002 UC: Undercover Computer Technician Episode 1.11: Teddy C
2001 Just Deal Paramedic Episode 2.10: Women's Work
2001 Night Visions Frank Episode 1.10: Rest Stop/After Life
2001 Freedom Prison Guard Episode 1.09: Return
2000 So Weird Hardware Clerk Episode 3.11: Beeing There
2000 Skullduggery Russian Cop
1999 So Weird VP Episode 1.06: Simplicity
1999 Continuity Waiter
1999 The New Addams Family Antonio Episode 1.48: Catastrophia's Career
1996 The X-Files Customs Agent Episode 4.08: Tunguska

Short films

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 Boy Meets Boy Steven
2012 Cruel & Unusual Producer, director & Editor
2011 Repairman Producer, director, writer & Editor
2011 Mayor Mulligan (Makes a Mistake) Producer, director, writer & Editor
2011 The Provider Mr. Connor Actor, producer & Writer
2010 Stupid Chainsaw Tricks Ted
2009 The Present Producer, writer & Director
2008 The Valet The Rich Guy
2003 Headshot The Boss
2002 Dial 'A' for Alphaman Alphaman
2002 Thrown The Man Actor, producer & Writer
2002 Tantric Logic Yendor
2000 Cinderella: Single Again Nervous Prince
1997 LVCOB Linus
1997 Road Movie Branco
1996 Cautionary Tales for Children
1996 Laugh Steve
1996 Misinterpretations Arlington
1996 The Psychedelic Raincoat Nathan
1995 Blood Under My Skin Paul
1995 Morning Glory Sam
1993 The Atheist and the Jew Jew

Recognition

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Jessie Award Nominations
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Small Theatre (1998/9) - Reading Hebron[20]
  • Outstanding Performance by an Actor In a Supporting Role: Small Theatre (2002/3) - The Fall[21]
  • Outstanding Original Play or Musical: Small Theatre (2002/3) - The Birth of Freedom[21]
  • Sydney Risk Award for Outstanding original Script by an Emerging Playwright (2002/3) - The Birth of Freedom[21]
  • Significant Artistic Achievements, Small Theatre, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble (2006/7, with 12 other cast members) - The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces[22]
  • Significant Artistic Achievements, Small Theatre, Outstanding Technical Design (2006/7, with 6 other people) - Spank![22]
  • Significant Achievement Award, Small Theatre, Video Design & Editing (2008/9, with Bojan Bodruzic) - No Exit[23]
  • Outstanding Direction: Small Theatre (2012/13) - Broken Sex Doll[24]

Film Awards

  • Bloodshots 48-Hour Horror Filmmaking Contest (2010) Best Film, Best Costume Design & Cannes Short Film Corner (2011) Coup de Coeur distinction (co-producer, co-writer, actor) - The Provider[25][26]
  • Vancouver Film Race (2010) Best Writing, Best Costume Design, Best Set Design, 4th Runner Up (co-writer, co-producer, director, editor) - Mayor Mulligan[27][28]
  • International Film Racing Grand Prix (2011), 3rd Place Overall & top-ranking Canadian film (co-writer, director, producer) - Repair Man[29][30]

Plays

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References

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  1. ^ 'A balanced brain; Chilliwack's Andy Thompson merging tradition with technology inside the world of theatre'(subscription required) Archived 2012-03-24 at the Wayback Machine, Chilliwack Times, March 18, 2011.
  2. ^ "FFWD - Calgary Arts - Theatre - Organizing and improvising". Archived from the original on 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  3. ^ http://www.nowtoronto.com/stage/story.cfm?content=172355 [dead link]
  4. ^ http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Blood+filled+weekend/5585523/story.html [dead link]
  5. ^ "Home | the Province Home Page | the Province".
  6. ^ "Repair Man | The Virtual Stage".
  7. ^ http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/Broken+Doll+full+rude/8124769/story.html [dead link]
  8. ^ "There's not a weak link in the cast of Broken Sex Doll". 15 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Review // Virtual Stage's Broken Sex Doll | Sad Mag". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  10. ^ https://theprovince.com/Broken+Doll+breakout+season/8106809/story.html[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ Lederman, Marsha. (May 21, 2013). "Merry Wives of Windsor leads the way in Vancouver's Jessie theatre award nominations". The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  12. ^ Handly, Gen. (October 24, 2012). "Zombies roam free on streets of Vancouver" WE Vancouver Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2013-10-18
  13. ^ Smith, Janet. (May 21, 2013). "Nominees for 2013 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards announced" Georgia Straight Retrieved 2013-10-18
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ Thomas, Colin. (October 16, 2013). "The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island is a suspenseful good time" Georgia Straight Retrieved 2013-10-18
  16. ^ Grams, Zoe. (October 7, 2013). "Reviewed: The Zombie Syndrome" Vancouverscape.com Retrieved 2013-10-18
  17. ^ D'Agostino, Nate (2023-03-24). "Why Larry The Hotel Manager From Yellowjackets Looks So Familiar". Looper.com. Static Media. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  18. ^ https://archive.today/20130411225549/http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Broken+Doll+Android+love+story+aims+absurd/8076193/story.html, The Province. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  19. ^ Russell, Anne (2015-08-24). "UFV Top 40 Alumni: Andy Thompson — Would-be engineer found his true calling by dabbling in theatre". University of the Fraser Valley. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  20. ^ The 17th Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Sunday, June 13, 1999 The Vogue Theatre Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Jessies. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  21. ^ a b c The 21st Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Monday, June 16, 2003 The Commodore Ballroom Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Jessies. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  22. ^ a b The 25th Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Monday June 18, 2007 The Commodore Ballroom Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Jessies. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  23. ^ The 27th Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards Monday June 15, 2009 The Commodore Ballroom Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Jessies. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  24. ^ Smith, Janet. (May 21, 2013). "Nominees for 2013 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards announced". Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  25. ^ "The Provider". 17 May 2011.
  26. ^ http://www.nsnews.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Blood+filled+weekend/5585523/story.html [dead link]
  27. ^ "Mayor Mulligan (Makes a Mistake) (Short 2011) - IMDb". IMDb.
  28. ^ "Film Racing | Vancouver Film Race 2010 Awards". Archived from the original on 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  29. ^ "Repair Man". Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  30. ^ "TAG to tap top teen talents - Jonathan Friedrichs". jewishindependent.ca. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  31. ^ "The Birth of Freedom".
  32. ^ "SPANK! | Georgia Straight". www.straight.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  33. ^ "1984 still resonates in this haunting production".
  34. ^ "The Zombie Syndrome is a surprising trek". 15 October 2012.
  35. ^ "Broken Sex Doll toys with robots, music, and moral decay". 28 February 2013.
  36. ^ Derdeyn, Stuart. (October 8, 2013). "Zombie Syndrome gets grimmer" The Province Archived January 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2013-10-18
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