Biography
Aaron Sweeten is a developing artist who has joined ICACM to inform and crystallise his overarching career objective, which is to act in and direct performance-based work. As a Bachelor of Performance graduate from AIM Dramatic Arts (DA), he has marshaled problem-solving ability, task-driven initiative and a straightforward understanding of an effective ensemble environment during his course. It has instilled into him invaluable experience, rigour and concentration across key areas of theatre making and acting.
While he is careful and studious about the direction of his career, Aaron relishes spontaneity in the roles that he chooses, being able to switch between personalities on the turn of a dime and striking a precise tone for each occasion. From aggressively flamboyant and assertive in “Chekhov in Hell” (2013) to amusingly pastyfaced, stern and alert in “The Great” (2013) as well as immoral, hypocritical and corrosively corrupt in the American townsfolk tale “The Rimers of Eldritch” (2012), he is quite the chameleon. Although Aaron is a perfectionist and doesn’t reveal his secrets easily, he demands nothing less than his work, preferring to let the emotional gravitas and social relevance of his presence, climate and story commentate for itself.
While working on "Physical Stages" in 2012, he learned to work as an ensemble member to devise a story through movement thus making it a movement-based piece. He carried his team-building skills throughout the course. This came in handy during the New Short Works play "The Three Trials of Azdak" (2013) where he had to work in a group to retell the story of the Caucasian Chalk Circle as a contemporary and short piece.
With more than a passing interest in behind-the-scenes and some wizardry in sound editing and composition, he believes that greater control yields more creative results. Aaron also has found a similar serenity in professional teamwork with a trickle-down effect, wanting to dispute the fact that too many cooks don’t necessarily spoil the production as long they listen to the director and his one thematic idea that unifies cast and crew alike – powerfully, timelessly and sensitively tying the narrative together.
Biography
Rebecca Nash was born in Australia to a Chinese mother and English/Welsh father. Whilst she has grown up speaking Cantonese as a second language, she does not read or write in that language. She cites persistence and consistency as central to her blossoming and fundamental skills in screen acting, martial arts (including boxing and taekwondo), or fight action training. In fact her love for conceptual modeling has led to her persuasion of acting, by building and interpreting complex, esoteric story and emotionally vulnerable characterisation around her roles.
A career highlight so far has been working on “A Current Affair” as a re-enactment actor with director Dan Nolan. Rebecca recreated a very violent attack including a fight scene, with the presence of actual victims to assist with filming. In finding the story to be a fight for justice, it was a traumatising and physical scenario to shoot but ultimately rewarding in being able to tell and share other people’s stories inspirationally and truthfully. Similarly, filming “Abnegation”, a short film about damaged love and suicide informed her tendencies to go for deep, dark and mysterious depths.
Rebecca counts legendary choreographer, coach and action heroine Maria Tran as not only one of her contemporary peers but also role models whom she looks up to. Through Screen Acting Essentials and Fight Action, the super-excited protégé has drawn invaluable direction and advice from Maria on a weekly basis. She is also influenced by visual poems, much in the vein of Terence Malick, with a hallucinogenic aspect. Rebecca’s overarching goal is to join a film production in Hong Kong one day. Their filmmakers’ fast-paced, creative and dynamic production process, especially in action drama has always fascinated her. In the meantime she will be learning and honing her portfolio in Sydney in preparation for the life-changing move to the Hong Kong industry.
Rebecca is very passionate about people’s health and wellbeing as well as animal welfare and the environment as a whole, working and volunteering in these areas. In addition she has 5 years’ ballet experience and enjoys yoga and Tai Chi in her spare time.
‘I love telling stories and helping others do the same. To imagine and create what could be, is a beautiful way to pass on a message.’
Biography
Sally Alrich-Smythe graduated in 2016 from the Diploma of Musical Theatre at The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).
Since graduating, most prominently: Sally has played a lead part in “Chamber Pot Opera”, an original, all-female production that has toured to Adelaide in February 2017; Edinburgh, Scotland, in August 2017; Saint Petersburg, Russia, in June 2018; and the Sydney Opera House in early 2019. This show has been featured on “BBC: Scotland “and Australia’s ABC’s “The 7:30 Report”.
While drama is a strong suit, Sally is a trained musician, having studied Music 2 and Music Extension at High School. She was the recipient of the 2014 Joan Sutherland Scholarship, and has performed extensively with the Sydney Philharmonic Choirs.