Arabella Bushnell

Arabella Bushnell is a Canadian actress and costume designer. Bushnell is most noted for the 2014 film "Songs She Wrote About People She Knows," in which she both played the lead role and designed the costumes. She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Costume Design at the 4th Canadian Screen Awards in 2016 for this dual contribution to the musical comedy, which marked director Kris Elgstrand's solo directorial debut. In "Songs She Wrote About People She Knows," Bushnell portrays Carol, a shy, repressed office worker who begins expressing her frustrations with her friends and coworkers in song after being encouraged by a music therapist. Her performance anchored the film's exploration of creative discovery and personal expression, demonstrating her range as both a dramatic performer and musical comedy actress. The project showcased her versatility by combining her acting talents with her expertise in costume design, creating a cohesive visual identity for the character-driven narrative. Bushnell has appeared in additional film projects including "Man. Feel. Pain.," "The Cabin Movie," "Doppelganger Paul," and "Naked Bike Ride". Her television work includes appearances on established series such as "Supernatural" and "Riverdale", demonstrating her ability to work across different genres and production scales. Her earlier work includes the 2007 film "In Her Ear", indicating a sustained career in Canadian film and television production. Beyond screen work, Bushnell has acted and designed sets and costumes for stage productions, including "The Front Page" and "Boston Marriage". This theatrical background informs her comprehensive understanding of costume design's role in character development and storytelling. Her dual expertise as performer and designer positions her uniquely within the Canadian entertainment industry, where she contributes both in front of and behind the camera to the creative process.