at wits end - Inspirational hilarity to enhance human potential
Zandra Bell, writer, motivational humorist, and inspirational innovator is the sole proprietor of this innovative "infotainment" company, “at wit’s end” Customized Corporate Comedy, a key note speaking venture which targets the North American business sector’s needs and objectives.
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Zandra creates distinctive presentations specifically for each client’s varied corporate events by using a proven method of integrating customized consultative comedy with inspirational messages designed to raise morale, encourage teamwork, and optimize personal performance by positively addressing corporate frustrations and daily challenges. Working together with contact people from an organization Zandra begins by doing extensive research on their industry or profession. She then takes this knowledge and understanding and translates it into original intelligent hilarity, customized specifically to her clients' objectives and themes. In essence she delivers her clients’ corporate messages, visions and philosophy in her own high energy professional comedic style, performing in the persona of her charmingly outlandish alter ego Shirley Best….. a campy yet charismatic "sixtyish" housewife embarking on a search for self fulfilment. Everyone has a "Shirley" in their life. She is your mother... times ten, the person behind you in the Wal-Mart checkout lineup, the eccentric aunt that fuels the other relatives' gossip, but garners their reluctant admiration for telling it like it is. |
Every presentation is different because every client has different needs, and every event has different goals and objectives. They can be customized to include any relevant theme: Team Building, Stress & Wellness, Sales, Creativity & Innovation, Change Management, Personal Effectiveness, Motivation, Customer Service, Humor in the Workplace.
There is never an end to the need for this highly unique “niche” type of professional speaking service, especially in these times of economic uncertainty. These presentations are designed to take the serious challenges and controversial issues that today’s corporations and their staff members face, and imbue them with a positive, humorously upbeat light that will dispel bitterness and negativity, In the end, through laughter, employees are inspired to cope more effectively. The fact the presentations are researched and specifically customized ensures that the right messages hit home in the right way. The end result – Inspirational hilarity to enhance human potential.
View Zandra's Portfolio | Read Zandra's Women of Vision Profile
PORTFOLIO:
Proprietor since 1990 of "at wits 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, having worked with Shell Canada, CIBC, Nova Scotia Road Builders Association, National Research Council, just to name a few (for a completed list of clients, see attached Inspired Audiences).
Ms. Bell was one of the successful career women interviewed for the best seller 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:
- Edmonton Street Performers Festival,
- Halifax 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 - 1988-1993.
TRAINING:
- Theatre Ontario Acting Courses, Kingston, Ontario.
- Drama, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario.
STAGE SHOWS:
- “Pure Unadulterated Hot Steamin' Shirley”, 2006 - (reviews on attached one sheet)
- “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, 2007.
- TV Interview with Access, CareersTV & HelpTV, 2006.
- Co-star on "Barn Satellite Network" CMT.
- Guest spot on WTN's Comedy Program "She's So Funny" 1999.
- Featured on CBC's On The Road Again, Sept. 1997
- 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 - 1995-1997.
- Assorted commercials, Denny Andrews Ford, CFRN TV, Quickcard Dental Infomercial, ITV, "It's Ours" marketing campaign, NAIT/SAIT Lottery, 1995, Dance Party Mix 4 CD 1996.
- Several comedy guest spots, "The Edge", Videotron Communications, 1996 – present.
- 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 - March 1995.
- Featured performer, "Madly Off In All Directions", CBC Radio Broadcast - March 1996.
- 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", taped interview - June 1996.
- 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:
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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
- Member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) (2006 – present)
- National Speakers' Association (NSA) - USA (2006 – present)
- International Federation for Professional Speakers (IFFPS) (2006 – present)
- Edmonton Musicians' Association
- Edmonton Arts Council
- Alberta Arts Touring Alliance
- Tourism Calgary, partnership (new member as of Oct 2007)
SELECTED SKILLS:
- Make-up Application and Facial Art
- Employed as make-up artist for Joanne Sheskay Modeling Agency, Montreal, Quebec - 1981
- Currently contracted as a facial artist for children and adults at various corporate events and festivals.
- Model & Fashion Show Coordinator - Local fashion shows, Windsor, Ontario. An Evening of Magic - Edmonton, Alberta.
FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Received BA in French language and literature, University of Windsor.
SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK AND ARTICLES
- “I'm Listing: musings from a modern middle aged wild wisewoman”, by “Shirley Best”.
Women of Vision
April 2000 - Zandra Bell
Profile by Renee Beuckert. Between the Lines Inc.
Creativity,
integrity, humour and courage - just a few words that describe Zandra
Bell, out ITV Woman of Vision for April 2000.
This multi-dimentional woman motivates and entertains on the corporate stage, her customized performances being what Zandra has coined "infotainment."
As a young graduate with a major in French and a keen interest is fashion buying, Zandra left a slow-paced job in a Montreal modeling agency to work for the federal government in her home town of Windsor, Ontario. By the time she was 29 years old, she had soared up the ladder of success and moved to Edmonton becoming the youngest regional Director in her department.
But the creative bones in her body continued to rattle.
After eight years in her new position, Zandra leapt from the security of her full-time job to pursue her dream in acting.
But it wasn't easy, especially considering the catalyst for her career change was "getting out of an abusive relationship." As so many women can relate, she says, "I needed a total change of pace - I needed to build up my self-esteem." And it worked.
Today, Zandra travels abroad fascinating her audiences with her incredibly well-researched, inspirational performances.
With Humour in the Workplace as her main focus, Zandra draws on her experience of the business world. She successfully performs for employees of all walks - from dairy farming and oil industries, to geotechnical engineering firms.
She is authoring a comedy book entitled I Was A Middle-Aged Dating Machine, and in her spare time, she meets with a producer in preparation of her own television program! Success, she claims is "when you're in a place where the flow of the universe works for you as you learn to relax in to the magic of your being."
Congratulations Zandra for being a true Woman of Vision.
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