Alberta actor Shaun Johnston will receive the 2011 David Billington Award from the Alberta Media Production Industries Association.

“We are very excited to have Shaun as our Billington Award Recipient this year,” says AMPIA executive director Bill Evans. “He is the embodiment of the true spirit of Alberta in his work as an actor and as a person dedicated to our industry.”

The award, named after entertainment journalist David Billington, is presented annually to an individual who’s made an invaluable contribution to the province’s production community.

Classically trained in acting at the University of Alberta, Johnston kicked off his career in theatre and won several Rosie Awards for his work in Two Brothers a Girl and a Gun and has a long list of credits behind him. He currently stars in CBC’s Heartland.

Johnston is also co-founder of Shadow Theatre in Edmonton and is active in charity work, founding the Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Ice Challenge and the Doug Blackie Memorial Crew Challenge.

The Award will be presented on Nov. 5, at the Westin Hotel in Calgary.