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RANKIN INLET - It's a long way to Broadway and Hollywood from Rankin Inlet, but it's a journey Pallulaaq Friesen may soon find herself on.

The 25-year-old recently graduated from the Academy of Acting, Acting for Film and Television Program at the Academy of Broadcasting Corp. in Winnipeg.

Pallulaaq Friesen of Rankin Inlet is pursuing her interests in acting and exploring her skills as a playwright. - photo courtesy of Pallulaaq Friesen

Friesen said she heard about the program from a friend of a friend in Winnipeg.

She said she decided to apply because she was interested in acting and had already auditioned for a film.

"I actually got a callback, but it never happened because they lost funding," said Friesen.

"But I was still very interested in acting and wanted to keep pursuing it.

"The program was everything I thought it would be and more.

"The instructors were actors, directors and writers from the film industry, so they really had lots to share."

The program included training for television, film and stage, and introduced the future thespians to many different genres, including standup comedy, improvisation and voiceover work.

The students also spent time learning about the business of acting.

Friesen said her practicum consisted of making a short film (Gallery) and a play (Road).

"I really enjoyed shooting the film, but, you know, I also enjoyed the play.

"I like live theatre because it sort of sets you free, in a way.

"Road is based upon Northern England in 1987, and we're putting the show on again at the Fringe Festival in Winnipeg this summer."

Friesen is currently involved with a couple of personal projects, and also hopes to work with local students to enter them in the film and production category at the Canada Skills Nunavut competition in Iqaluit.

An initial meeting with high school vice-principal Kevin Bussey to discuss the project held promise.

"There's nothing firm in place, but it's exciting just to be planning a project like this.

"I'm writing two plays at the moment, one on my grandmother's life and another about a girl in a remote community like Rankin Inlet.

"I'm also hoping to produce a couple of plays at the school in the future."

Friesen said she'd like to see more Kivalliq youth take a serious look at acting as a career possibility.

She said the film and television industry is still just a baby in Nunavut.

"There's so much to do here and learn from our own stories.

"We have so much to offer and so many wonderful stories to tell. We need to work at sharing them."