Andre Harden

Andre Harden grew up on a small farm just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was his high school valedictorian. He has a BA in theology from Briercrest College. Andre has worked as a grain farmer, dairy farmer, sheet metal fabricator, soda pop production line worker, website designer, improv actor, playwright, director, producer, college instructor, head counsellor, director of theatre ministry, ghostwriter, consultant, screenwriter, lyricist and editor. His diverse work experience reflects the insecurity of intentionally living as an artist – and the drama that comes with it. His experiences have led him to appreciate all kinds of people and enabled him to write original material that broadly explores humanity’s relationships with God and each other. Dramatic storytelling – doing it and helping others understand its power and function - is his passion.

Highlights of his creative career include several years directing the vibrant theatre ministry of The Meeting Place in Winnipeg, MB; writing, directing and producing his first semi-professional play at the Garry Theatre in Calgary, AB; writing, directing and working with the creative team to produce his first musical, Mouse House at the Meeting Place; and more recently, developing the intricate story world for an original television series.

Andre has written over a dozen produced one act plays, 8 produced full length plays, 6 of which were musicals. He has written 12 full length screenplays, a sitcom pilot and two one hour drama teleplays. His script Wildlands became the 2002 Blizzard award winning film. He won the 2005 Piko Screenwriting Fellowship, was short listed for the 2006 Art Within Lab Fellowship, and was chosen for the 2007 invitation only Art Within Lab Orientation.

Andre challenges the church to become more aware of its consumer nature in relation to the Arts. The stories we engage have a profound effect on how we understand God, the world and ourselves. A critical understanding of the medium helps us recognise the nuances of a story so we can reflect on its deeper meanings instead of simply digesting it. Conversely, artists and churches that wish to collaboratively create substantial, artistic “meals” need to understand the skills, sacrifices, and inevitable structures that will be required to create ongoing work, and an environment where it can flourish.

Andre and his family have recently joined L’Abri as the Artist in Residence at their Canadian branch on Bowen Island, B.C.

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