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Aaron Sweeten

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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.

Adrian Barilà

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LBGTQIA+Born in rural NSW, Adrian Barilà left his parents’ thriving vineyard to pursue his performing arts career. 

He’s since had the pleasure of working with Melbourne’s acclaimed Sondheim repertoire company, Watch This, for their seasons of “Merrily We Roll Along” (Scotty) and “A Little Night Music” (Frid/Mr. Erlanson). TV credits include; “Please Like Me” (ABC) and “Dr. Blake Mysteries” (ABC).

Adrian’s self-devised cabaret, “I’ll Have What He’s Having – A Love Affair with Food” recently featured at Midsumma Festival 2019 after successful seasons playing in Ballarat and Melbourne.

A 2015 graduate of Federation University’s Arts Academy, Adrian covered every show’s leading roles; “Urinetown” (Bobby Strong), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Jimmy Smith), “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Neville Landless).

Aeriel Reonal

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Ariel Reonal started singing at the age of seven. Without proper training, he performed from elementary years in school programs and joining competitions all the way to college. He pursued this passion after graduating as a scholar with a major in TV Broadcast and Radio Communications. Although his mom didn’t initially approve of his chosen career, he went full-time anyway doing mainly theater productions, corporate shows, teaching in musical theater workshops, one-time chance designing the set for the local production of Florence Foster Jenkins’ play “Glorious!”, and occasionally appearing in television series and advertisements.

Training eventually happened through years of experience with reputable local theater companies. Ariel also attended theater dance classes at the Broadway Dance Center New York and Dance Attic London as well as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) Master Class in Manila under acting coach and author of “In-Depth Acting” Dee Cannon.

After a nine-year absence in the Philippines performing various roles such as Quasimodo in Hong Kong Disneyland, and playing Assistant Commissar in the West End Revival of “Miss Saigon”, Ariel returned to his native land in 2016, bagging featured roles in major musical productions and earned him the 2016 Gawad Buhay Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical for “Tick, Tick… Boom!”

Ariel wishes to further his career internationally, and eventually share his knowledge to future artists in his home country.

Aicelle Santos

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Aicelle Santos is a Filipino recording and concert artist, music producer, television and theatrical actress. She first emerged in the Philippine music scene as a contestant in a nationwide search for the next best singer during the first season of ABS-CBN's “Star in a Million”.

Aicelle has been known as the First Undefeated Pinoy Pop Superstar when she achieved eight straight wins in GMA Network's “Pinoy Pop Superstar”. She also earned the following monikers, Rock and Soul Diva, Traffic Diva and Asia’s Soul Flair Songstress.

International recognitions include Best Country Song in the Astana Music Festival (2006) and Silver in the Asean+3 Song Contest (2019). Locally, Aicelle garnered Guillermo Mendoza and Awit Awards for her music recording "Make Me Believe" (2007-2008). Her last music recording was “Liwanang” (2016) and concerts for Class A (2015) and Awit Na Aicelle (2017) respectively. She was also part of the movie musical “Ang Larawan (The Portrait)” for which it garnered Manila Film Festival’s Best Picture.

Aimee Butler

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Aimee Butler is an Australian Registered Nurse, having obtained a Bachelor of Nursing (UTAS) in 2019. Prior to the fact, she modelled professionally for more than a decade, whilst also gaining professional acting credits. She has also sung for the concert, on stage and on National Irish Television (RTÉ). ‘Take, for instance Aimee Butler...with a spectacular singing voice...’ exudes Sonya Perkins, The World of Hibernia. 

Aimee is an Irish-Australian Rose of Tralee who was adopted, with a heritage that also comes from Asia (Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines) and Finland respectively.

Website: https://aimeebutler.carbonmade.com/

Ajeng Sharfina Adiwidya

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Ajeng Sharfina Adiwidya was always been intrigued by the works she had seen on stage and screen, many of which provided a great source of inspiration for her. Being exposed to classic musicals and works of Shakespeare at a young age, she was hooked onto its charms and so regularly showed off her language and acting chops in school settings. At 16, she made her stage debut at a musical revue called “Broadway ke Java,” which kick-started her journey into performing.

In 2014, Ajeng and a group of fellow enthusiasts founded the first English-speaking, musical theatre community in Jakarta, Jakarta Performing Arts Community. The community quickly became a learning platform for people of all ages and backgrounds who share an undying passion in musical theatre. She has been involved in many of its productions, as a performer and production team alike. She has directed numbers from musicals such as “In The Heights” and “The Little Mermaid” in its biennial revues, and took the center stage as Maria in their production “West Side Story.”

Ajeng took part in the Broadway program at YES Academy ASEAN 2016, held in Jakarta. In this program, she trained under Nikki Snelson for acting and dance, as well as Peter Thoresen for voice. She has also worked with Indonesian theatrical practitioner I. Yudhi Soenarto on “Nawang Wulan”, a stage adaptation of Indonesian folklore.

2018 was a big year for Ajeng. She stepped up as Michelle Morris in the JPAC production of “Dreamgirls” and branched out to more dramatic works by making her debut in a play in “Blackbird”, a two-hander that delves into sexual violence against women and children. This performance was held to raise awareness and instigate discussion on how to become a better support system for its survivors. Outside of the stage, she also had her first taste of a major motion picture in her involvement of Indonesia’s first superhero movie, “Gundala”.

In addition to performing, Ajeng also has a great passion in education. She is currently involved in Theater For Life, an applied theatre education program focusing on social issues among local underprivileged youths, and Mondiblanc Acting Lab, which explores mental health issues in immersive theatrical settings. She is very passionate about using her knowledge, skills, and experience to advance the visibility of the underrepresented in the society.

Akram Joseph

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Akram Joseph maintains and prides himself on being an established and hardworking actor, stuntman and pro-wrestler.

Originally a chef, Akram ventured out into acting classes when he wasn’t in the kitchen. Upon completing a six-week acting course he developed a taste for performing. Whilst completing his final year of commercial cookery he enrolled in a Cert 3 evening class in the Theatre and Screen Acting course at ACTT for a year. He then enrolled in the Screenwise’s Showreel course studying voice, American accent, comedy, green screen, comedy and character for a year. He ended that course by choosing to show off his vulnerable soft side in a scene from the film “Dear John” and a tough guy persona in a scene from “The Town”.

Akram Joseph has competed in the pro-wrestling scene since 2014, as AK4T7. He decided to take both his acting and wrestling skill further by taking up stunt classes at Stunt Action Consultants under Stunt Coordinator Ray Anthony. He trained every week for little over two years to achieve and pass his stunt grading as a Stunt Action Person (SAP).

In 2012, Akram made Kris Macourt’s “Between A Stock & A Heart Place” about homelessness; “Convict” in a Parramatta prison setting, and Maria Tran’s plucky action comedy duo film “Hit Girls” starring girl power. His 2013 highlights included being a detective in “Bingo Unit” an interactive multimedia police drama performance and SBS’s “Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl” spinoff miniseries.

In 2018, Akram successfully auditioned for “Aida” and from there he was welcomed into the world of opera. Working on that production from start to end, he proved himself to be a daring, motivated and valuable asset.

Akshay Mahendrakar

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Akshay Mahendrakar is a self-assured actor, filmmaker, voiceover artist, writer and model who loves the beautiful art that is entertainment and creative expression. He considers himself to be an innovative and passionate filmmaker who strongly believes in the technical pursuit of excellence and social commentary within his films, and how he himself can inspire both his ethnic and industry peers for generations to come.

Akshay owes his heritage to his worldly, hands-on, resourceful, ambitious and stylish ethos, in which he is driven by the craft of imagery, visual depth and athletic prowess to achieve emotional fidelity. From backdrop dressing in children’s classic “Peter Rabbit” (2017) and corporate brands for “Woolworths” (2016), “Aussie Home Loans” and “NSW Transport” (2017), he delights in the more substantial ones such as “The Seduction”, “Think Nothing”, “Domestic Violence” and “No Mercy” (2016). He is a regular on genre television ranging from crime, drama to science fiction and mystery.

Akshay is a seasoned director who has been nominated more than 5 times for his short documentary “Danse de Voyage” he is also a cinematographer and editor of films and music videos.

Alana Maclean-Dowling

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Alana Maclean-Dowling grew up in Wollongong and began theatre at the age of nine. Since then, her passion for the creative arts grew, and spent her schooling years cultivating her craft in both stage and screen performance, attending Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts as an auditioned student.

Alana starred in a TV pilot in Canada when she was 15, and continues to break into the film industry. She loves working with animals.

Alessandra

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Alessandra has done short film scenes and has had multiple television appearances like "Neighbours" as well as television commercials.

Alessandra’s passion for acting started when she was young dressing up and imitating soap opera and movie characters both inwardly and outwardly. She continued that trend by participating in drama at school, and furthered it with method acting. She has also developed her skills and knowledge by studying professional training in a range of different areas like Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, Uta Hagen, Ivana Chubbuck and Michael Chekhov. She is very good at playing powerful, romantic lead, stunts and dramatic characters, to name a few. She likes to take on roles that challenge her. 

Alessandra speaks multiple languages and in different fluent accents, making her as a diverse, unique and open-minded person. She is able to play different cultures, having grown up living across Europe, America, Australia and Canada. A model and singer whose other skills dancing, she is artistic and creative in everything she does.

Alex Abbad

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Alex Abdullah Abbad—sometimes known as Alex Abbad—is an Indonesian actor, poet, host, musician, visual artist and music producer, with two decades of experience in the creative and entertainment industry. He started off his career as MTV Asia VJ in the 90's and rose to become Indonesia's leading actor. He is very well regarded as a character actor who takes exceptionally challenging roles.

Alex starred in an HBO Original Series “Halfworlds” (2015) directed by Joko Anwar. In addition, he starred in “The Raid 2” (2014) and in “Merantau” (2009), both directed by Gareth Evans. As for accolades and recognition, he won the Festival Film Indonesia (FFI) for Best Supporting Actor in “My Stupid Boss” (2016) and nominated for the same category the next year in “Night Bus” (2017).

As host, Alex has had experiences in game shows, reality and music television. A producer and singer for his own band Les Smokey, Gending, and Vladimier Baboons, he also writes and paints in his spare time.

Alex Levett

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Alex Levett is an actor who wishes to go into the work of acting in all forms including Theatre, Screen, Voice as well as voiceovers for games and cartoons. He has acted in several TAFE productions.

He has TAFE courses in Diploma of Musical Theatre and both Certificates 3 and 4 for Theatre & Screen respectively.

Alexis Bonnor

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Alexis Bonnor is a talented, strong and dedicated young actor, dancer and singer who takes after her equally artistic siblings in the family. With an enormous amount of experience at the ripe age of 10, she tends to pick up on different styles very quickly such as jazz, ballroom, tap and hip-hop. She has appeared extensively on stage in QLD in musical theatre and plays, as well as a range of short films, including the recent feature “Love Socks” and the much-lauded productions of “Oliver!” and “The Wizard of Oz” in fine character form.

Alexis is a very friendly, bubbly and waif-like girl who loves to put on a dazzling show everywhere she goes. Due to her stoic and mature nature, she works very well with adults but more importantly also understands them on their level and can appreciate candour. Considering her portfolio so far, she may grow up to be masterfully associated with indie, arthouse, fantastical fare as she relishes introspective work-turned-unreal the most.

She has also dabbled in modeling, most notably in Tamblyn’s Young Model Search competition and splashing about in the wave pool as part of the feel-good summer lifestyle vista for “Wet’n’Wild” (2013). Alexis is currently home-schooled with four other siblings, whom she is close to, so it is often a hot creative mess at home!

Alicia Gonzalez

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Trained at Lecoq in Paris, France, Alicia Gonzalez is a theatre maker specialising in clown and physical comedy, movement and ensemble devised techniques to storytelling. She works across theatre, film and education as devisor, director, teacher and performer. Alicia is a member of the comedy group Choo Choo Troupea clown for Clown Doctors Australia, and is Associate Director for Clockfire Theatre Company, for who she has collaborated and performed in the 1st instalment of “A Hunger Suite”, “we, the lost company” and “The Natural Conservatorium for Wise Women”. In 2018 Alicia will continue to collaborate, write and perform for Matriark Theatre Inc, Living Room Theatre and InPlay Arts.

Alicia enjoys working as a performance coach and movement director for several shows including Mardi Gras favourite “The Punters Siren”. In 2016 she co-directed The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch for the Maritime Museum by DropBear Theatre. As Marquez Laundry Theatre Co Artistic Director she has been commissioned to write, direct and perform in: “Macondo's Clothesline” and “Fred & Ginger” (The Old 505 Theatre) and her first operetta “Lemon Tree” (blank_space Gallery). Alicia was also selected to participate in NIDA’s 2014 Independent Creative Development Program in Sydney. In 2014 Critical Stages offered Alicia the Emerging Producers residency. In 2015 she had her directing short-film debut. 

She has created and facilitated workshops in Lecoq pedagogy, clown, bouffon, and devising for theatre at The Clown InstituteLaugh Masters AcademyMilkcrate Theatre, Riverside Theatres and for various high-schools and drama students preparing for their HSC solo pieces. Her artistic influences include Compagnie Philippe Genty, Chiara Guidi, Ariane Mnouchkine, Peter Brook, Maguy Marin, & Pina Bausch. Alicia was the recipient of the Ian Potter Cultural Trust grant to help fund her studies at Lecoq. When she’s not trying to find absurdity in the everyday idiosyncratic human condition, she offers her expertise as a creative surgeon to indie theatre makers, actors and clowns. 

Alicia is a graduate of the 2-year Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq in Paris (Professional Actor pedagogy and Laboratory of Movement Studies) course. She also trained at Zen Zen Zo (QLD), the Movement Theatre Studio (NYC), Actors College of Theatre and Television Theatre (SYD) as well as other specialists including Simon T Rann (Compagnie Philippe Genty).

Website: http://www.aliciagonzalez.com.au/ 

Alison Lee Rubie

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After graduating from a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Theatre Performance at Wesley Institute, Alison Lee Rubie has had the opportunity to explore new depths to create and immerse herself into different characters. Originally from the Central Coast with time spent in Sydney, Brisbane and travelling the world, she moved back to Sydney’s Inner West in 2010 and together with Steven Hopley created their theatre companies Enigma and Hot Room Theatre Group.

Fresh from a short break in performing in order to focus on studying animals and zoo-keeping at Taronga Zoo, Alison has kept in touch with her creative side through her theatre companies, producing her own work.

She took on the role of Director for Hot Room Theatre Group's debut production “Opposites Attract” as well as acting in it, which brought back her passion and drive for the industry. Her theatre credits include “La Ronde” (Housekeeper), “The Shape of Things” (Jenny), “The Maids” (Solange), “Twelfth Night” (Feste), “The Popular Mechanicals” (Robin Starveling), “Interrupted at her Music” (Susanna, Self devised), “Talking With…,” (Twirler), and “Easter “(Benjamin), as well as musicals including “West Side Story” and “Hot Mikado”. She has also been involved in some short films and feature films including “Suburban Mayhem” and some TV commercials.


Alissar Gazal

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Alissar Gazal came to Australia from Lebanon in the early 70’s. After graduating from ANU in Canberra, she moved back to Sydney and began her acting career when she joined Australia’s first bilingual Arab-Australian company TAQA Theatre in 1991-1999. Her involvement there included devising, writing, acting and producing, which would place her in stellar steed among ethnically enlightening stories and among award-winning, visionary peers such as Tom Zubrycki and Fadia Abboud.

Alissar has always been interested in all aspects of film especially documentary. A fan of narrative-driven, character-driven and observational style, she produced and directed her own piece that was close to her heart, “Le[s]banese” which spotlighted the struggling connect between the women of Lebanon and their burgeoning sexual identities. Recently, she became a beloved character following the online sensation of the 9-part series “I Luv U But” over two seasons. She has a knack of bringing both heart and cheekiness to the role of a mother unaware of her daughter’s secret as well as a TV chef with a lascivious appetite…

Alissar is on the Management Committee of the Arab Film Festival and the Selection Committee for Sydney Film Festival. She is also a founding member of Sydney Arabic Choir. In addition, she has been known to facilitate thought-provoking diversity casting seminars for ICE (Information and Cultural Exchange) at Parramatta. While she has also enthusiastically assisted on the set for other filmmakers and casting directors, her first love will always be acting.

Alissar’s other love is cooking. She owned and operated her catering company Date Fig Olive from 2003-2006, but continues to cater for private functions.

Almitra Mavalvala

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Almitra Mavalvala is a Sydney-based Persian Pakistani performing artist, writer, and composer who hails from Karachi, Pakistan. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music (Music Theatre) from the Australian Institute of Music. Shen began her theatre journey in Pakistan, where she worked on productions such as Ira Levin's "Death Trap" and Nida Butt's musical "Grease." 

In 2015, Almitra pursued her passion for theatre and film by studying special effects makeup, which deepened her knowledge of the craft. She returned to Pakistan in 2016 to direct and produce her first music video, which featured her own original music and lyrics. 

Almitra has also composed and written music for various projects, including "The Breaths in Between" with Eleven O’Clock Theatre and developing her own musical, "Aaliyah" in 2023. 

In 2022, Almitra premiered her autobiographical show "Blacklisted" at the Hayes Theatre, which addressed the urgent and important issues of displacement of home, racial profiling, and immigration. She hopes that her story will resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impact beyond theatre.

Amber Castle

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Vivacious nature lover Amber Castle has embarked on a varied career in performing since she studied acting full time at the age of 19. She thrived in the dramatic, quirky and interesting space such as drug addict and prostitute Crystal in a professional production of “Tarnished Dreams” and a small, feisty role in the feature film “The Elixer”.

She decided to expand her skills and study at Australian Film and Television Academy with Tony Bonner and Tony Poli (NIDA) as well as drop in classes at The Actors Centre. This led to featured roles in TVCs such as Valvoline and Banana Boat Sunscreen as well as appearances on Cheez TV, SBS, NBN and corporate training videos.

Amber embraced her toothy, energetic and sparkly side as presenter for the national tour of “Barney the Dinosaur” and live shows as host for “Humphrey B Bear”. She spent many years in professional children’s theatre and entertainment before switching careers and working within the zoo industry working with chimpanzees, dolphins and birds of prey as an animal trainer. Each Zoo soon utilised Ambers public speaking skills and she became the show presenter for dolphin & Seal shows as well as managing the zoo entertainment departments.

Amber returned to acting and performing after being offered a place on Season 2 of “Please Marry My Boy” (Seven Network). This reignited her passion for the screen industry.

Amber is looking forward to playing further varied and interesting characters in all areas of the industry as well as utilising her skills in other areas such as salsa/ballroom and Latin dancing; animal handling/training, life coaching and motivational speaking.

Ananya Dixit

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As the youngest-ever graduate from NIDA, Ananya Dixit is a promising young actor with genre range and a multilingual tongue. While being of Hindu heritage with Bollywood credentials, she can flawlessly command the Korean language, both in speech and in writing.

Ananya has a thoughtful handle on improvisational situational humour and fluid acting, which lends itself to a robust performance despite being a relative newcomer to the industry. Influential within her circles, she both exhibits and expects initiative, and is the kind of woman to express a stream-of-conscious, forward-thinking monologue about her identity, youth issues, rites of passage, fashion style and the state of the world.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI10xa7rjfTV96pKO8YDh8Q

Andrea Laing

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Based in Atlanta, Georgia, all Andrea Laing ever wanted to do was to be in the lights. Whether it is posing metaphysical questions about desire and ‘what ifs’, re-enacting a cold case murder, navigating through relationship breakdowns or presenting for reality TV, travelogues and awards shows, she enjoys showing off an abundance of incredible material and iconic hotspots in her hometown, and the exciting dimension of travel.

Andrea’s portfolio has ranged from the rags-to-riches element alongside a struggle for forgiveness and redemption in “A Cross to Bear” (2012), scientific knowledge piece “Stuff You Should Know” (2013) and social psychology experiment “Bad Girls” (2007). On the other hand, she tends to aim for irreverent fare “Zombie College: The 5 Rules of Lab Safety” (2013) and “Chainsaw Cheerleaders” (2013) whose titles are alone worth the price of admission. Her work on the Sundance film “Paradise” by Max Makowski in the Philippines gave her the contrivance of all three: independence, passion and exotic locations. More importantly, it exposed her to the ‘verite style’ of filmmaking in the genre of found footage, where she was required to draw from simply a thorough outline, naturalistic acting and authentic dialogue.

Andrea is a certified and experienced freelance host who can create a likeable, delicate and kind face of any segment. She is a regular contributor to “Mood Magazine” and “Get Connected”, who is in the know about fashion trends, entertainment news, business, celebrities, entertainment events and a thriving local hub.

Precise, articulate, consummate and visionary while driving a humanitarian cause when she can, Andrea is always persistent and humble in her pursuits. It is this consistency that shows value in whatever she’s after. She abides by this saying, which has always held her in good steed: ‘Let success make the noise!

Andrea Tan

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Andrea Tan is a Sydney-based mixed media artist and performer. She started her work in the theatre primarily as a costume designer, before extending to puppetry, prop making, dance and circus arts. She has been involved in theatre devising and had small roles in productions, as well as featured and extras work in film. 

Andrea works full time in antique and collectible dealing and has an avid interest in objects and curiosities. She is particularly interested in the unique history of second-hand items and what makes them resonate with the beholder.  

Andrea is often writing and collaborating on scripts and movement pieces, always preferring to lean into experimental and horror genres with her work. 

Andrew Thomas

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Andrew Thomas, originally from Adelaide, moved to Ballarat to study musical theatre. During this time, he was in the workshop cast of “Motor-Mouth Loves Suck-Face” an apocalyptic musical as the role of Christopher Tupper. And in his third year at Federation University he played Gomez in “The Addams Family” and Cinderella’s Father in “Into the Woods”. He also starred in an advertisement for Ballarat Cabaret Festival.

Andy Thai

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Andy Thai is an Australian-born actor who relishes doing anything creative. In addition to his love of performing. He has a background in graphic design, wrote film reviews for various websites and self-published a book on the modern Marvel movies in 2016. Over the years he made several short films and completed several drama, filmmaking and public speaking courses. 

He has been noted for his comedic timing and hopes to see more diversity on Australian screens, especially those of Asian descent and from LGBTIQ+ backgrounds.

Describing himself as a full-time geek, Andy is a film fanatic and comic book collector who’s well versed in many franchises. When he isn’t looking up random facts to bone up on his trivia knowledge, he can be found playing his Nintendo Switch or building with his ever-growing Lego collection. 

Angela Tran

 

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As an actor, Angela Tran has appeared on television, several short films, and stage productions, namely for Bell Shakespeare's Players, “60 Minutes”, bAKEHOUSE Theatre, ATYP and Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) respectively. She has been noted for her gentle nature in renowned theatre critic and blogger Kevin Jackson’s review for her performance in “Red Panda”.  Australian Stage Review mentions Angela’s performance reflects 'promise'. "

Angelika Nieweglowski

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Angelika Nieweglowski is a Sydney-based Polish actress. In 2015 she graduated from the Academy of Film, Theatre and Television. She has lived her whole life in Australia; however growing up in a Polish family certainly had shaped her into the passionate, fiercely determined and vivacious person that she is today.

Whilst at drama school Angelika had the fortunate opportunity to work with some of Australia’s brightest and most experienced directors including Lex Marinos, Luke Rogers and John O’Hare. She was voice trained by renowned practitioner Jill Brown.

Angelika’s credits include: Mrs Callas in “Roundheads and Peakheads” (AFTT), Helena in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (AFTT) and Gail in “The Man Who Couldn’t Dance” (AFTT).

After completing training, she performed in a short devised piece titled “Loop” (dir. Cecile Payet). Along with her stage credits, Angelika has also acted in numerous short films, including “The Fox” (dir. Luke Chetham). She speaks fluent Polish, which was put to good use on a recent bi-lingual short film “How to Speak English” (dir. Tiffany Liu) as voiceover talent.

Along with her acting, Angelika works as a theatre costume and set designer. In 2016 she has worked with companies such as Sport for Jove, Hayes Theatre Co, Squabbalogic and the Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Angie Davies

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Based in Sydney, Australia, Angie Davies exhibits her versatility as an actress, presenter and musician. She recently graduated from Australia’s leading film and television acting school Screenwise, and also holds university qualifications in business, journalism and emergency management.

Angie’s childhood was filled with music and theatre. From a young age, she found herself on stage performing in her small hometown at local eisteddfods and Christmas concerts. From there, she grew to become an accomplished and qualified pianist.

Having worked in broadcast journalism, Angie is a confident presenter both on screen and radio.

 

Angus Thompson

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Angus Thompson is an actor in his late 20s with Cerebral Palsy from Bathurst, NSW. He is a graduate of Charles Sturt University (Communications – Public Relations). In 2017, he was accepted into ABC’s Fresh Blood for co-creating “The Angus Project”, a show loosely based on his own life as a student.

In 2018, Angus was accepted to model in Melbourne Fashion Week’s event Access to Fashion. For the past two years he has acted in “Disability Care” educational and training videos for Sydney-based company Altura Learning.

Angus is hopeful to pursue future projects within the creative industry and do his part in pushing for the disabled population to be seen and heard in the media.

Anna Cominos

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Anna Cominos is not your everyday, typical Greek female, if such a type exists. Motherly, smart, organised, sensitive, intellectual and in touch with both of her Greek and Australian cultures, this festival and event expert and published writer has also gained an unlikely taste for politically incorrect comedy smash-hit notably 2003- 2007’s TV series and 2003 spinoff feature “Fat Pizza” by SBS.

While the viral, famed nature of Fat Pizza has – somewhat dubiously – ensured its status in the hallowed halls of Australian pop culture, Anna is at lengths to emphasise that she is so much more than the sum of her parts, which is a writer for her bi-lingual heritage.

In an article, Anna can swing from satirical, cheeky and over-the-top, to thoughtful, historical and creative pieces on the displacement and re-integration of the Greek community in a diasporic context. While she is not writing, she is as enthralling and committed as a risk-taking, ‘death-defying’ performer on the stage. These life experiences have given her boundless depth and that rare mix of ingrained self-assurance and cultural embedment: translating to a perfect recipe for television drama.

Anna Jahjah

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Anna Jahjah is a French director and drama teacher who has been living in Sydney over the past decade. She studied Anglophone theatre at Cours Florent and Jack Garfein Actors Studio in Paris when she performed in both classical and contemporary plays, including Comedia Dell'Arte plays. They taught her everything about timing, rhythm and relating to the audience.

Anna’s career in directing began afterwards, in addition to being a raconteur of Aboriginal stories at Le Musée du Quai Branly and Musée du Louvre. She performed in radio plays and made several documentaries about life in Lebanon, her home country.

Through the Conservatorie National Supérieur de Musique, Anna taught drama and storytelling in schools in a city already known for its creatively rich flair. She also conducted drama classes in English for amateur actors willing to improve their English while infusing the value of fun within performance, by staging Anglophone theatre in English such as Peter Schaffer's “Black Comedy” and Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”.

Although Anna made the difficult decision to leave friends and family behind in France to settle down in Australia, she has wasted little time in facilitating drama workshops both in French and Arabic in schools as well as the National Conservatorium of Music. She toured around NSW as an actor in the bilingual one-woman show “La Bouillabaisse et la Marseillaise”, and enjoyed teaching French learners about the culture and expressions of Marseille, both in French and English. This was to show both student and teacher alike how drama can help to inform and communicate a foreign language laterally; that non-native French speakers can interact with native French speakers while expressing quirky, innovative and thoughtful fun for all involved.

In addition to her time at Alliance Française, Anna has been a playwright and director adapting established material. Under Le Théâtre des Assassins Anna has debuted plays with amateurs such as “Le Dindon” with The Sydney French Theatre, as well as a professional English version of “Roberto Zucco” at the Old Fitzroy Theatre, She was pleased to collaborate with a melting pot of French, Australian, Lebanese and Russian actors.

Anna is very excited about her latest pet project Théâtre Excentrique with partner Gerry Sont. As Artistic Director of Théâtre Excentrique, it focuses on performing theatre from around the world. Her production, the critically acclaimed “Antigone” by Jean Anouilh was performed in April 2014 with professional actors in English and a chorus of school students repeating key sentences in French.

Website: www.theatrexcentrique.com/

Anthony Sandler

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Anthony is an actor, singer and writer who was born in South Africa, and raised in Sydney, Australia.

As a graduate of the Guildford School of Acting in the UK, some school credits included “Carousel” and the European premiere of “First Date – The Musical”.

Anthony has spent many years training in long-form improvisation as well as the Meisner Technique with The Impulse Company (Scott Williams) in both London and Sydney.

In 2015, Anthony won the McDonald ‘Sydney Eisteddfod Senior Singer of the Year’.

Some of his past performances included “Flooded” (Lyric Hammersmith) and “Fully Loaded” (Convict Footprints). In 2022, he wrote and performed in his own cabaret at Claire's Pop Up Petit Cabaret.

Antonio Ladera-Bispo

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One of the most exciting acrobatic child performers today, Sydney-born Antonio Ladera-Bispo is hard-working, dedicated, focused and disciplined. With a Capoeira Master and Black Belt BJJ for his father and a Dancer/Capoeira Artist for his mother, he started performing on stage since when he was 1.5 years old. As a martial arts enthusiast he trains 6 days a week, so he is sure to give his best to every project he is given.

Currently the AFBJJ 2018 NSW State Champion for 10 years, Antonio has won his 3rd gold medal and a 20th medal tally overall. His talent includes playing traditional Brazilian instruments Berimbau, Atabaque and Pandiero. With a passion for culture and arts, he plays Capoeira and proudly shows his culture around the Australia community, corporations and schools.

With his exotic background, he is sure to represent your brand with pride. Antonio values family, respect, gratitude and perseverance.

Antony Milne

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Antony Milne trained at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK and then went straight into regional Pantomime (“Alice in Wonderland” – Mad Hatter)! This was to set the format for his career. After a couple of years working in London’s West End both onstage (“Salad Days” – Company) and backstage (“Private Lives”, “Me and My Girl’, “Hidden Laughter”), he also worked on tours for Peter Gabriel, Genesis and Phil Collins.

After an ITV television documentary with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, USA was calling and Antony landed South Floridian stage roles in “The Importance of Being Earnest” – Jack Worthing, “Tartuffe” – Tartuffe, “Molly Sweeney” – Frank Sweeney, and “The Prince” – The Prince.

With all good intentions, Antony chose to move to New York to expand his options. Life in Manhattan quickly turned to tragedy on 9/11 and it was time to start a new life in Australia. After adapting and settling in OZ, a TV movie role presented itself (“Jessica” – Codlington KC) and then television opportunities took over, including intense roles in “All Saints”, “Rogue Nation”, “Underbelly”, “Home and Away”, ‘Rake”, and “House of Bond”.

Is it about the journey or the destination?

Arman Ferrer

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Arman Ferrer (full name Antonio Rey Manuel F. Ferrer) is a professional musical theatre performer whose leading man-quality, attention-grabbing vocals match his long list of accomplishments and accolades. Trained in classical music at University of The Philippines, College of Music, he also received a vital New York education with greats Bill Schuman and Claire Primrose.

Locally active in the news and beloved in the close-knit theatre family, Arman has appeared in “Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical” (Synergy 88), “Guadalupe: The Musical” (Julia Borromeo Productions), “A Comedy of Tenors” (Repertory Philippines) and “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag” (Gantimpala Theater), to name a few.

As a recording artist with a dedicated following, Arman is equally at home in the studio consistently producing covers in his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtV6rp-43279LT38gwb3s9w

Of Arman’s turn in “Sideshow”, he was singled out as: ‘powerful in his rare laconic role as Jake/Cannibal King… [and] his profound love for Violet is felt across the halls with a mere turn of the head. His physicality is matched by a robust baritone that finds its best medium in the song, "The Devil You Know”’.

Arnold Wong

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Arnold Wong’s passion for theatre has taken him from diverse parts of a Russian Jew in “Fiddler on the Roof” to a U.S. Marine in “South Pacific” to the drama teacher Mr. Myers in “Fame” to Shane the Bully in “Small Poppies” and the evil Uncle Tschang in “The Land of Smiles”, performing across Hong Kong and Australia.

Arnold has augmented his thespian enthusiasm through other technical roles as Master of Ceremonies, Producer, Director and Production Advisor.

Perth-based, Arnold continues to look out for challenging and satisfying theatre and film projects to participate in.

Ashlee Woodgate

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Ashlee Woodgate made her debut as Violetta Valery in “La Traviata” with Opera Hunter in July 2021. In 2019, she starred in the role of Nedda with Outlaw Opera's preview performance of “Pagliacci” with the Stardust Circus. This was after featuring as Lucia Di Lammermoor in the title role with Outlaw Opera, having just received rave reviews as Musetta in “La Bohème” with the Central Coast Opera (2018), fresh off performances of both Zerlina in “Don Giovanni” and Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” with Opera Hunter (2016-2017).

Ashlee was engaged as First Lady in “Die Zauberflöte” making her Carnegie Hall debut with the Manhattan Opera Studio in NYC, where she also made her debut at the National Opera Center in 2018. 

While at The Sydney Conservatorium Opera School, she sang Despina in “Cosi fan tutte”; Herald of Dawn in “The Fairy Queen”, as well as the role of Calisto in “La Calisto” and Pamina in “Die Zauberflöte”. While at Newcastle Conservatorium, she sang Fiordiligi in “Cosi fan Tutti” and Dido in “Dido” and “Aeneas” and “Night The Fairy Quee”n with The Macquarie Singers.

2017 offered this young singer an internship with Opera Australia for their production of “Tosca”, as well as a position covering baroque specialist Miriam Allan in a performance of “Haydn’s Creation”. She also appeared as soprano soloist in Rossini’s Stabat Mater with the the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. Ashlee has featured as the soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah at Sydney Town Hall for repeat engagements.

Ashlee completed a Masters of Music (Performance Teaching) at The University of Melbourne and holds a Masters of Music Studies degree (Opera Performance) at Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2017), a Bachelor of Music at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music having graduated with Distinction (2015), and where she also received her Associate Diploma in classical voice.

Website: https://www.ashleewoodgate.com

Aubrey Flood

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Since graduating from the Ballarat Arts Academy in 2013, Aubrey has worked extensively as an actor, singer and theatre-maker. She regularly trains with the Present Tense Ensemble and has trained in Suzuki and Viewpoints with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company in New York, attending both their Saratoga Summer Intensive and Advanced Training in their NYC studio.

Aubrey's credits range from children's theatre to cabaret, vocals for corporate events to a cappella groups, fringe festivals all over Australia to major works in theatres. She recently returned to Melbourne after two years of living in London and travelling throughout Europe.

Avie Dane

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Avie Dane (Angelina Volmer) is a Sydney-based actor. She occasionally performs as a stand-up comedian at various open mics.

Avie has completed the intensive Screen Actors Studio course at NIDA and studied improv and stand-up comedy at Improv Theatre Sydney. In 2018 she portrayed the villain Scarlet in the dystopian thriller “Saving Mercury”, which was selected for many international short film festivals. She made her stage debut in a short play at the 2019 Short+Sweet Theatre festival in Sydney. She has also finished a short film as a director.

Besides English, Avie is also fluent in Estonian and Russian. She is an intermediate Lindy Hop dancer.

Azmi Al-Hasani

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Azmi Al-Hasani is a Syrian actor based in Sydney, Australia. He was born in Amman, Jordan in 1989, where he lived the first 10 years of his life and then his family went back to Syria. His family is from Kurdish descent.

Azmi accidentally participated in a stage play during high school called "Spot" and he was the third best actor in Damascus Theatrical Festival. After high school, he studied Spanish literature in Damascus University, but he had to leave the country just before graduation due to the war in Syria so as to avoid mandatory military service.

In 2013, while working as a team leader in a refugee camp in Jordan, Azmi was trying to get into acting by going to a lot of auditions. He started his career there with a leading role in a radio series called "We Are All Refugees" alongside the famous actress Mai Skaf and the award-winning actor Nawar Bulbul. Then he participated as a leading stage actor in a play called "Intersection" which was about the relationship between Syrians and Jordanians. The play was sponsored by The National Centre for Culture and Arts and it was firstly performed in Amman and then all across Jordan for one and a half years.

After appearing in some TV commercials, Azmi auditioned for the award-winning director Hany Abu-Assad's movie "The Idol" and Hany cast him to play the role Ismael. Then he co-starred in the three-episode documentary series "The Great Arab Revolt" by portraying the role of Nasib Al-Bakri, the famous Syrian politician and leader.

In 2017, Azmi moved to Australia with his family. He filmed his own short movie "10 Minutes", but was thrilled to be part of ABC’s drama miniseries “House of Gods” in 2023 as co-lead working alongside reputable director Fadia Abboud.

Babushka Ferenczi

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Babushka Ferenczi is a full-time professional model, dancer, teacher and actor currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Beginning her career in France where she was inspired by art nouveau, she has been in the industry for more than ten years.

Her vast portfolio in modeling has included runways, photo shoots, catalogues, fashion shows and video shoots. Babushka’s has been published in a few magazines for the bridal and alternative markets and has taken part in leading consumer and retailer events such as L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Fringe Festival and Melbourne World Runway. As a performer, she specialises in belly dance, Bollywood, Latin-American, fire twirling and Bhangra; all of which she performs on a regular basis for different functions, festivals and charities. Because of videographic modeling for many well-known Indian singers, she was offered an opportunity to work on a Bollywood feature as a lead.

Babushka is known to be very reliable, organised, dedicated and easy to direct. Although she knows how to adapt and conform to rules, she also has a very fertile creative side and loves adding her own twist to projects when it is welcome. Her artistic output has tended to alternate between glamourous, tasteful, refined, old-school, wholesome, warrior-like, frenetic, tranquil and otherworldly – and that goes for her looks as well.

Babushka’s experience in working for different and world-renowned dance companies have enabled her to form her own company Jalwa Dance Company, where she can utilise her skillset to the fullest and richest extent of her ability as owner, choreographer and lead performer. In addition, she instructs her students under these variegated dance styles to a shrewd and high standard.

Indeed, Babushka is proof of the adage that art is a way of life. And when she embodies the tagline in a photographic campaign: ‘Divinely You’, it’s not hard to see why.

Website: http://www.jalwadancecompany.com/

Belinda Aitken

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Belinda Aitken’s love for acting began at a young age while performing as a baby penguin (she did grow up on Phillip Island after all!) in a primary school production based around the fairytale, Hansel and Gretel.  Her desire to act and tell stories grew stronger and she honed that while studying performing arts at William Bates Academy in Melbourne. During that time, she appeared in a couple of short films and had a supporting role on stage in the debut production of The Wall.

Extra appearances in “Blue Heelers” and “Rush” followed, but Belinda found very quickly that the world just wasn’t ready to witness the talents of a disabled actress. As a result, she disappeared off into the darkness, thinking that’s where she will forever belong. But the world turned, opinions changed and eventually there was light at the end of the tunnel. She had ideas and coupled with a love of writing (and a brief stint studying TV writing at AFTRS), Belinda was back and was ready to tell many a story.

Belinda is always looking for interesting projects that provide new challenges and is excited about being a part of the charge to see more diversity on screen and stage. She believes there are many authentic tales about disability just waiting to be told.

Website: https://belindaaitken.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belaitken/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaaitkenactress

Benjamin Hambley

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Benjamin Hambley’s passion for performing began in his preschool Christmas play where he played ‘Baby Jesus’ in the nativity scene. Since then, he has gone on to perform throughout Australia and overseas.

Benjamin studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre), receiving Academic honours. Whilst there, he played roles in “Godspell” (Judas); Joe “Working” (Zutty) and “A Chorus Line” (Paul San Marco).

Straight from his final year of study, Benjamin has gone on to work with international creative teams and companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Pen2Stage and The BBC where he’s been fortunate enough to perform a variety of roles in productions throughout various countries.

Between contracts Benjamin works at Warner Bros. Movie World here on the Gold Coast as part of Show and Entertainment. He feels very fortunate to continually be able to hone his craft and be surrounded by passionate and determined like-minded artists whom inspire him to grow as a performer.

Other credits include “Dirtgirlworld” (ABC Kids TV); “Wicked” (Ensemble/U/S Boq), “Scrap” (Jonathan Scrap); “Fiddler on The Roof” (Motel Kamzoil); “Little Shop of Horrors” (Seymour Krelborn); “Aladdin” (Aladdin); “FLOOD” (Steve) and “Doctor Who Arena Spectacular” (Monster/Dancer).

In 2021, Benjamin has been touring Australia in ABC Kids’ current number one TV show, “Bluey Live.”

Benjamin Howes

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Benjamin Howes was born and raised in Sydney, and his Australian credits include “Les Misérables”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Grease”. He moved to New York to pursue studies at Uta Hagen’s school HB Studio, and he now teaches Uta Hagen’s technique exercises and coaches actors all over the US.

In the United States, Benjamin has performed on Broadway in “Mary Poppins”, “Scandalous” and the theatre crowd favourite [title of show]. He has toured the country in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Mary Poppins” and “Shrek The Musical” as well as appearing in three Off-Broadway shows, most recently in “The View Upstairs”. Regionally, he has performed at A.R.T. in the award-winning play “The Shape She Makes” at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, the Old Globe, Goodspeed Opera House, MiIwaukee Repertory Theatre and Asolo Repertory among many others. You can hear Benjamin on the Original Cast Recordings of “Scandalous”, “The View Upstairs” and on “Forever” from the “Shrek The Musical” recording.

Favourite roles include Willy Wonka in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, Professor Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady”, Lord Farquaad in “Shrek”, Luther Billis in “South Pacific”, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything Goes”, Le Compte De Guiche in “Cyrano”, and Albin in “La Cage Aux Folles”. Twenty years after understudying Lumiere in the Australian production of “Beauty and the Beast”, Benjamin finally got to play the role July 2017 at North Shore Music Theatre and in 2018 at Pittsburgh CLO.

On film you can find Benjamin in “Easter Mysteries” as Thomas and in “Miles” as Mr. Meely.  Television credits include a recurring role in Season 2 of “The Deuce” on HBO, “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”, “Flight of the Conchords” and a small but glamorous recurring role in “One Life to Live” as bar manager Harvey DeWitt, who is also Shakespeare reciting drag queen, Alma Children.

Benjamin loves renovating and giving abandoned furniture new life, and you can see his transformations on Instagram @benjthestar, as well as plenty of photos of his Boston Terrier named Disco. Most of the time they live in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Website: www.benjaminhowes.com

Bobby Le

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Bobby Le is an Australian-Vietnamese actor, martial artist and model hailing from Wollongong, Australia. He never intended being an actor when he was young; however, he always pretended to be different characters from watching movies and shows (mostly martial arts movies and cartoons) and playing video games. Video games were one of his inspirations of being an actor, because of the uniqueness of the stories being developed and the diversity and distinction among the characters within them.

Bobby’s journey as an actor/martial artist stemmed from learning drama back in high school. But what really sparked his interest was watching Bruce Lee movies and many other martial arts movies. Bruce Lee thus inspired him to dream, and realise that this is the path that he’s going to pursue for the rest of his life. Alongside these movies, the fighting video games inspired his to practice martial arts—ranging from Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Boxing, Kung Fu, Karate and more recently Jeet Kune Do. He also gained experience in stunts.

At Sydney Theatre School Bobby performed in three stage plays “The Game of Lust”,” The Man Who Fell out of Bed” and “The Tempest”. Upon graduation he worked on various short films, TVCs and extra work. He studied various courses at different acting schools to continue on improving his craft, and to keep himself motivated. He is focusing on branching out further into martial arts, action, thriller, comedy, sci-fi/fantasy genres and television series as well as open to many other genres.

Bobby’s acting influences include naturally Bruce Lee, Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone and J. K. Simmons. He has writing aspirations, where he hopes in the near future to make his own series.

Bobby is also mildly autistic—which he did not know till his last year of high school, but one he became very proud and appreciative of.

Fired up and motivated because of his martial arts, acting and life experience, Bobby is clear with himself in his determination to accomplish his goals, and in his willingness to learn more along the way. His ultimate goal is to be the best actor that he can be—giving his very best, no matter the distance—whether it be in Australia, Hollywood or Asia, thus paving the way for many Asian-Australian actors in the next generation, especially for Vietnamese culture.

Video Library: https://vimeo.com/user55501367

Bradley Storer

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Bradley Storer is a Melbourne-based musical theatre performer and cabaret artist. Having completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama/Literature) at Deakin University and obtained a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Patrick Studios Australia under the tutelage of Andrews Hallsworth.

Bradley has most recently been seen in new Australian musical “Post” and as the villainous Chadbury in “Queer Lady Magician”. His critically acclaimed dark cabaret “Trickster,” has also enjoyed multiple Melbourne seasons and toured to Adelaide Fringe.

Brandon Nguyen

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Brandon Nguyen is a Vietnamese Sydney Australian at the age of 18 who graduated from high school in 2021. With no past acting experience, "Here Out West" was his first-ever big-screen debut showcasing his raw ability to portray the character Andy.

Brandon is an active and enthusiastic student who loves to play rugby league, touch football and soccer. For two years he worked as an apprentice chef. As a model, he has worked with brands the likes of StaxOfficial and others.

He wants to experience life and is not afraid to try new things. Brandon is an enthusiastic kid trying to give his best and hopes to have more opportunities in the acting industry He dreams of working overseas while creating more diversity in entertainment, showing that Asians can be on screen everywhere. Thus, he was thrilled to have gained a guest role on Paramount’s “Last King of the Cross”.

Bridget Anne Garcia

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Bridget Anne Garcia’s first real acting experience was during a primary school talent quest, performing in a self-written piece at the age of 11. Throughout her teenage years, she developed an undeniable passion for film, television, theatre and video games, which inevitably ignited her desire to join the artists so dedicated to breathing life into the countless stories and characters that shaped her life.

Mentored by numerous theatre and film professionals, Bridget underwent formal training at the Australian Institute of Music – Dramatic Arts, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Performance in March 2018. From playing the opposite gender to a person half her age, she has learned that an acting career requires long-time commitment, flexibility, integrity and most importantly, respect for others.

Brierly Broad

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Brierly Broad is a Melbourne-based actress and filmmaker, who graduated full time from the Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia. She grew up in New Zealand with a background in classical theatre, performing in Shakespeare in the Park and directing contemporary takes for the Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival.

Brierly graduated with an LLB & BA in Politics from the University of Otago, as well as being admitted to the NZ High Court as an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor. She has since returned to her passion of acting, performing in web series, theatre, and short films such as an indie horror piece “The Priest” (2015) and “Baby Powder Blues” (2014) which was made on the fly as part of the 48 Hour Film Project incentive. She has achieved Grade 8 AMEB in piano and played violin with Youth Orchestra. She is currently producing an eating disorder documentary called “Control” and sci-fi short “Broken Sleep”, both of which is close to her heart for different reasons.

In addition to her veritable talent, thoughtful work ethic and lightning-quick intelligence, Brierly’s mixed heritage as a Mauritian, Indian, Scottish, African, English and Eurasian has allowed her to step into the doorway of any and many cultures. She also delights in exploring classical texts like Shakespeare, social issues, arthouse cinema and modern comedy, or sometimes even all four at once if she can help it!

Brylee Mills

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f there’s anything that Brylee Mills has learnt in dancing, it’s how to listen to her body and treat it like a beautiful, affecting, aerially and intellectually abstract force of nature. Originally from New Zealand, she worked with professionally inclusive Touch Compass Dance Co. for 4 years. She aced her RAD ballet exams, achieving an above-70% rate in her primary and advanced modules.

A successful audition for the famed Brent Street Studios saw her move to Sydney in February 2015 for an intensive, full-time year in Cert IV in Dance. Alongside hip-hop, jazz and lyrical, she majored in classical and contemporary, and felt these styles to be a best reflection of both worlds.

Tutelage by some of the best teachers in Sydney such as Teneill Wilson (Head of Ballet and Contemporary) and Nadia Klucznik (Head of Petite Performers) further refined Brylee’s dance-theatre technique. This, she put to consummate use at the sellout 2015 graduation showcase, both in an ensemble and a solo. She tends to evoke a narrative of physicality, struggle and reclaimed destiny; meanwhile her choreographic moves alone are worth a thousand words. A sinuous pivot, a enshrouded shimmer, a mid-air sense of gravitational pull, strength and speed etching her features into one of pure, alacritous concentration.

Of course Brylee is not just a one-trick pony: she has posed for NZ Photographer of the Year Richard Wood in award-winning portraits as part of the International Colour Awards. She specialises in family, wedding, portrait and dance photography.

Other than dancing stints on acclaimed reality TV competitions “The Voice” and “NZ’s Got Talent” Brylee has had classes in singing and acting, the latter of which she utilised in a local medical drama “Shortland Street”. In 2016, she has also been invited to speak on National Young Leaders Days across country, a youth initiative of The Parenting Place designed to nurture, inspire and empower New Zealand students of all ages.

And the best and most normal part of all—this young performer also happens to be a left arm amputee, but when has that ever stopped anyone from reaching unparalleled dedication, discipline, affability with most people and social change as well as a welcome for new challenges and opportunities?

Burcin Eser

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A disciplined and unique triple threat, Burcin Eser began performing at the age of 13 in high school productions. Coming from a Turkish background, she was born and raised in Melbourne. She realized her passion for the performing arts from a young age, when she would put on shows in her living room and find new gimmicks to perform for her family. Burcin followed her passion for the performing arts through to university, by completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Drama and Psychology at Deakin University. During her years at University, she took on lead roles in several student short films, whilst also getting a taste of the professional set environment in commercial television work, and extra work in feature films and television productions.

Burcin’s first lead role was in a short film called “Displacement” where she played a young Turkish migrant woman trying to make ends meet for her and her family with limited resources. Being on her first film set and playing a character she was drawn to, she gained a greater appreciation for the performing arts and filmmaking in itself. Following her graduation, Burcin wanted to continue her training in acting, and undertook The Alexander Technique with Penny McDonald, and Sensory with Justin Lehmann at Melbourne’s 16th Street Acting Studio.

Burcin’s passion for the performing arts is not limited to any one medium. Through the years she has been inspired by film, TV and theatre equally and hopes to be challenged by a range of roles across different genres and styles of entertainment.

Cam Appleby

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Cam Appleby is a lesbian performer/maker/dramaturg, whose confidence, energy and talent have drawn her to the Arts from day one. With extensive training in singing, dancing, and acting since the age of four, the title of ‘Triple Threat’ is well deserved. Having experience in both Film and Theatre, she is a versatile performer that is able to use her wide skillset to suit the roles presented to her.

Applying her studies from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Performing Arts, Cam continues to strengthen her movement, voice and devising capabilities, making her an excellent cast member and collaborator. Co-creator of Undercurrent Theatre Company, she continues to create devised work that focuses on movement within performance and working across disciplines.

Cam’s drive, determination and strong skillset have enabled her to seamlessly work within a multitude of mediums setting her up for a long and diverse career in the arts.

Cara Barredo

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Cara Barredo began her career at a very young age. She started professional theatre at the age of seven and hasn’t stopped ever since. Cara has over 40 shows under her belt and a Gawad Buhay Award for Best Female Featured Performance in a musical for the role of Beth in “Little Women” (2010).  

Cara took musical theatre workshop for 10 years before becoming a teacher herself. She has been teaching musical theatre workshop every summer for 12 years now. She also received a summer scholarship for dance under Steps Dance Studio (2014).

Cara is an undergraduate in St. Scholastica’s College, Bachelor’s Degree in Music majoring in Voice (Performance).

Carmen Lysiak

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Carmen Lysiak has won an award for Most Outstanding Performance of an Original Composition from AMPA playing Tracy the Vampire Killer and recently made it to the semi-finals of “The World Monologue Games”. playing the character of Vicky who transforms into Cassandra the Prophetess.

Carmen has trained at Oxford in Shakespearean performance with British American Drama Academy, where she performed as Lady Macbeth and also Hermione in “The Winter’s Tale”. She has played crazy Hilda in the Dr Who play “Who Knows” transforming into Davros leader of the Daleks at the Edge Theatre and also acted in “The Ham Funeral” at Griffin Theatre. This production was nominated for a 2017 Sydney Theatre Award and was widely critically acclaimed.

Carmen has sung professionally at Star City Casino and many venues throughout Sydney as a soloist and has recorded her second CD of original music with an all-original intergalactic trio band Saturn Doll. Carmen is capable of incredible character transformation physically and vocally. A master of accents and dialects, she is a character actor with a great comic streak. 

Carmen featured in a TVC for “Vaalia” and has performed lead roles in professional musicals including “The Wiz”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Pinocchio", "Peter Pan” “Lockout the Musical” which was nominated as The People's Choice” at the Newtown Theatre awards and toured NSW in” Dancing at Christmas” as lead. She has acted in four short films, a TV Pilot and was the voiceover for the feature Indie film “Einstein Himself”.

She has performed in three operas as an actor including “Barber of Seville”, “Manon Lescaut” and “Wozzeck” directed by Barry Kosky. She has taken her solo cabaret "Shrieking Violet” to the Adelaide Fringe, and since written two more: “Alien” and “Bad Girls" both for cabaret seasons in Sydney.

In addition to playing keys and as a soloist, Carmen has worked professionally as a voice and dialect coach for theatre, film and television and for every major theatre company in Sydney including Bell Shakespeare, The Australian Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, Griffin and Ensemble and as a composer most recently for Deadhouse: Tales from the Sydney Morgue on “Lennie Lawson Portrait of the Artist” and “Louisa Lawson”, which sold out in its Sydney season at The Rocks.

Carole Sharkey-Waters

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Carole Sharkey-Waters has been performing on stage since the age of four, dancing and acting. During her teens she studied opera and taught herself rhythm guitar, which led to becoming a professional singer/guitarist.

A career highlight was dancing for the Dalai Lama. Carole also performed as Mrs. Clause in a burlesque show in her 50s, as well as singing and dancing for a Myer TVC in 202`1. For serious acting roles, she learned how to fire a gun for a lead television role in the crime reenactment “Deadly Women”. In other work she has respectfully portrayed a person suffering from schizophrenia and another as a recovering alcoholic.

Another highlight was playing the nasally comedic role of celebrity chef Manu Fieldel’s bogan mother in his Good Food and Wine presentation. Carole continued her quirky streak in the satire television such as “WTFAQ” (2023)” and “We Interrupt This Broadcast” (2022). However, the most memorable highlight perhaps was playing the eccentric lead in the black comedy feature film “Garish Hearts”, in which she also sang and composed the theme song.

Carole has been pleasantly surprised that her diverse character skillset has been popular in modelling work too! She has been a wealthy refined lady with her hair up and pearls for the “Montefiore” lifestyle promo (2017); a homeless lady in the “Anglicare” print (2023); a cougar lounging in her swimmers for the “Panasonic” video and in writer Jack Grady’s “The Skateboarders Journal” article.

Caroline Sercombe

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Caroline Sercombe is a professional dancer who majored in Classical Chinese dance, who has won many awards in dance competitions as performer and choreographer for Shen Yun Performing Arts. She has gone on eight global dance show tours across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Australasia respectively, in some of the most prestigious venues in the world. She was Dance Instructor for a private arts school in San Francisco, having led her students to victory in competitions.

Caroline is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, and has a skit background from her university days. In addition to her extensive choreographic portfolio, she is able to perform jazz and contemporary dance pieces as well as basic tumbling techniques.

Caroline is highly creative, enthusiastic and passionate, with a strong interest in comedy and acting.

Cassandra Scalzi

 

Cassandra Scalzi

Cassandra Scalzi is no stranger to examining all that Aristotelian life can offer. To date she has qualified as a legal practitioner, curator, arts columnist, arts educator, creative facilitator, visual artist, photographer, mother, wife, model and actor. Her storytelling in all mediums has always been eccentric and exhibitionistic at heart, she often seeks the world around her as endless, day-to-day sources of inspiration, humour and imagination: people, fashion, art, beauty, nature, photography and, of course the unusual.

Based in Adelaide, Cassandra has had the privilege of working as a stylist and creative director on fashion shoots, patriotically drawing upon her surroundings and signature compulsion of colour, fusing art with fashion in an edgy, natural and transformative style. Her knowledge and respect for languages, literature and the great Masters of art exceeds commendation. From expert interpretation and translation, to performing her own stunts such as climbing trees in a tutu and bonding with a cow named Gus in a manger, she does all in the name of communication, self-expression and craft. Indeed, she fits the trope: appearances can be deceiving.

Cassandra prefers to be immersed within the richness and ethnic diversity of fashion, film and non-mainstream television. In addition, she derives satisfaction from showcasing, supporting and providing a platform for other talented artists’ work and collaborating with women and like-minded professionals.

A unique, charismatic and enormously intelligent—to the surprise of the many unsuspecting—artist with more of an open mind than most people and Parisian sensibilities, Cassandra has in recent years fallen in love with the stage, performing in the Adelaide Fringe Festival in a series of satires and is a gifted comic with a distinct ‘zany’ and prankish persona. Self-reflexively drawing upon social commentary and indelible childhood memory through formative, sometimes affectingly ironic observations of human compassion and intolerance in equal measure, she is the modern and independent feminist with an exciting twist! Think Lucille Ball VS Mary Coustas with ‘sit-down’ comedy and a peculiar daredevil streak!

Cassandra is also a children’s roving entertainer, a reptile handler and enthusiast with a pet blue tongue named Mr T (Rex), a recent hand-rearing rainbow lorikeet rescuer and a rodent keeper.

Cassidy Bonnor

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Cassidy Bonnor played Cosette in Cameron Macintosh’s universally acclaimed hit 2014 production of “Les Misérables” in Melbourne—and loved it. Already a very mature, intuitive and responsible young girl, she is a quick learner and a wonderful listener who understands the visual art of storytelling through character and song, while following voice/movement direction far beyond her years.

Cassidy loves to sing, dance, model and act, adopting a casual, instinctive approach towards entertaining and able to hit all the right notes virtually on cue. Other than Les Misérables, she has always nabbed lead or supporting status in roles for short films such as Sydney Film School (SFS)’s “Memories of Jack” and “ANON” in 2013, an Anonymous Productions TV pilot “A Soapie Reality” in 2011 as well as pulling heartstrings as an orphan in a 2012 and 2013 national tour of “Oliver!” and “Annie”. In addition, she won plaudits as Best Supporting Actress in a 2012 play “A Pirate Game” and was a finalist in Tamblyn’s Young Model Search 2013. Indeed, Cassidy may have notched an impressive list of credits to her name but she remains funny, kind, friendly and most of all reliable, picking up on a natural chemistry with just about anyone in the cast.

She is currently home-schooled with four other siblings, whom she is close to, in outer Western Sydney. Meanwhile, she attends performing arts courses like Commotion School of Performing Arts and Kim’s Dance Academy (KDA) being trained in tap, ballet and acrobatics, all over Australia. For Cassidy, it’s the best kind of education to nurture highly her dogged sense of individualism as she chooses to juggle both demands on stage and in a classroom with much ease, mobility and flexibility. Shipping between Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland on a semi-regular basis, it is safe to say that Cassidy can almost be in three places at once!

At the same time, this growing, talented young artist never fails to lose sight of what makes it fun – which is to perform before the thrill and excitement of an enraptured audience in an industry that she truly loves.

Catherine Orr

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As a young adult, Catherine Orr can never just do one thing at a time. She brings a sense of humour and delight wherever she goes.

Catherine has been performing since the age of four in traditional Thai dance, figure skating and acting. She became passionate about utilising her creative platform to advocate for other women of colour. As well as obtaining an Advanced Diploma of Acting for Contemporary Screen Media (Scholarship) from Sydney Actors School, she also trained in filmmaking, voice acting and sound design.

Born to Thai and Scottish parents and living in Sydney, Catherine often has found herself between the three cultures. She found comfort in her own imagination, and from there grew her love of storytelling. She believes that her multi-national heritage and bilingual upbringing provides her with a unique perspective on the creative industry.

A qualified coach and choreographer, Catherine has also been a competitive figure skater for over 10 years.

Website: https://catherineorr0.wixsite.com/catherineorr-acting

Cathryn McDonald

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As a child, Cathryn McDonald’s greatest ambition was to become a clown, frequently donning a red nose and suspenders and performing in the driveway for her biggest fan, Fatso the cat. Brought up on a steady diet of Get Smart, Fawlty Towers and Monty Python (to name a few), Cathryn inherited her sense of humour from her father and love of musicals from her mother.

Having graduated from the Music Theatre program at Federation University in 2016, she is happy to report that her audience now extends further than the family cat. During her time at the Arts Academy, Cathryn’s performance highlights have included playing the role of Mabel in “The Pajama Game”, Kee in “Vincent An A Capella Opera” and Alice Beineke in her third year graduating musical “The Addams Family”. She has also had the pleasure of performing in masterclasses with audition specialist Michael Lavine and Natalie Gamsu, as well as playing the roles of Duke of York and Margaret in a performative reading of an adapted Shakespeare work “Margaret of Anjou”.

Passionate about writing and creating her own work, Cathryn recently performed an original sketch comedy piece “Malteasers and Chill”, in which she directed and co-wrote with her friend Emma Austin for the Arts Academy’s Student Theatre Festival. In early 2016, Cathryn debuted her self-devised cabaret “Baby Got Paperback”—a quirky, pun-filled peek into the life of a chronically single, cat-loving, book nerd with a surprising gift for stand-up comedy. After performing to audiences in Ballarat and Melbourne, she was selected to extend her cabaret for the Ballarat Cabaret Festival’s In Development Program. In the future, Cathryn hopes to continue developing her cabaret and stand-up routine as well as pursuing sketch comedy writing for stage and TV.

 

Cerise Kellie

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In 2016, Cerise Kellie graduated from the Australian Institute of Music with a Bachelor of Music majoring in music theatre. She has performed as an intelligent but curious android Vicki, in the original Australian musical “Vicki”. She loves to write and is especially inspired by horror after her work as a scare actor with Luna Park. She has played several roles in their annual “Halloscream” events including Silent Hill-inspired nurse; a creepy white doll; zombie swing and the witch from Hansel & Gretel.

Cerise has toured New South Wales with Hunted Interactive for the interactive horror plays “Wrecked” and “Rising Waters”. She played diverse roles including Eliza, a cockney seamstress from a shipwreck and Annabelle, a young girl murdered through her own naïve misdeeds.

Cerise was drawn to film and TV work after her training with acting coaches, Les Chantery and Ben Mathews.

She appeared in both Season 13 & 14 of the crime re-enactment television series “Deadly Women”. Performing as Sophie Lionnet, a French nanny murdered by her paranoid hosts, and as Nicole Didomizio, daughter of the American killer Loretta Burroughs. She aims to continue writing and developing her acting craft through her own projects, exploring unique roles and Australian stories that excite an audience.

Chad Richards

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Perth born, Chad is a trained actor, presenter, voiceover artist and assistant director who has been steadily working in the industry for more than a decade. He graduated from Ensemble Theatre with a Diploma in Performing Arts and has performed in many stage shows, feature films, TVCs and television series.

Chad specialises in sketch comedy working closely with Bullet Pudding--and tends to take the mickey out of himself in such material “Grab Love by the Balls!”, “The Easter Incident” (2017), “The Supplier” (2016) and “Danger! Danger! Danger! Silica Roulette!” (2015). However, when he buckles down, he is capable of audacious versatility and range across the spectrum of human emotion. From playing small, authoritative roles as Detective “A Place to Call Home” (2017) and “Deadly Women” (2016), Police Officer in both “Murder in the Outback” and “BlackJack” (2007) and even a double for Richard Roxburgh’s character Cleaver in “The Rake” (2017).

A well-traveled family man with a project managerial background and who renovates houses for a living, Chad can lose himself in every role yet none of that coveted, dogged, seemingly ageless charm and enthusiasm—both on screen and in real life.

Charlotte Lawson

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Charlotte Lawson is an exciting emerging artist on the Melbourne scene. As a talented vocalist, she has recently returned from China, with the Australian International Opera Company on “The Sounds of Hollywood” tour.

Charlotte graduated from Federation University’s Arts Academy in Ballarat with a degree in Music Theatre in 2015.

Her credits at The Arts Academy include “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Urinetownand “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”in which she played The Princess Puffer. She was also selected to work with leading figure in Australian Musical Theatre Nancye Hayes in “Riches, Romance and Rebellion” showcased at the 2015 MEAA Conference at WAAPA. Her self-written cabaret “The F_____ Word” saw two successful seasons, both in Ballarat and in Melbourne. 

In 2016 saw Charlotte hit the Music Theatre scene by featuring on the Original Cast Album of “The White Mouse”, also a New Australian Musical, and appeared in Matthew Robinson’s 2016 New Voices Workshop.

Website: www.charlottelawson.com

Chase Lee

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Born in South Korea and raised in Australia since childhood, Acclaimed Actor/Filmmaker Chase Lee is a very achieved and hard-working Actor that began his career with Story Writing and putting together his own Scripts, due to his ethnicity in his country that hindered him from obtaining auditions or being cast. 

This manifested Chase to set his sights on Indie Filmmaking. While pursuing it on a zero budget, he diligently began teaching himself Producing and Directing completely on his own. And quickly began to hone a very dynamic and advanced level craft in the Art of Filmmaking.

In late 2008, Chase joined a training program at The Actors Pulse, run by Billy Millionis. He received mentorship from Billy Millionis, Luke Ford (“Home and Away”, “The Mummy”, “Animal Kingdom”), Melissa Bonne (“Janet King”) and Jeremy Shadlow (“Old School”). For the last 10 years he has been training in the Meisner Technique from the great Sandy.

Some of Chase’s current influences range from Hong Sang Soo, Roland Barthes and Richard Linklater.

Currently, Chase is working as an International Film Producer in Advertisement, and is actively pursuing Directing and Acting film roles. He is also in the early stages of his upcoming debut feature film, “This is Bliss”.

Chase’s entire current Filmography and projects in the making can be found on IMDB or at www.actorchaselee.com.

 

Cheryl Craig

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Cheryl has been performing in Australia for over 25 years. Born in Detroit, Michigan and currently residing in Sydney; she has vast experience in both stage and screen. Starting in the early 90's, she was performing in Musical Theatre in the show "Buddy Holly" and “Sisterella”, and has been singing and performing with various bands and vocal groups since then.

Cheryl’s acting roles include various commercials and short films and had featured roles on two films “The School” (2017) and “Harmony” (2016). She is interested in pursuing more acting roles.

In 2017 Cheryl became an assistant Musical Director for a Gospel A Capella Choir (Café of the Gate of Salvation).

Chezia Atmadja

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From the moment  Chezia Atmadja saw her first musical film, she promised herself that she would do her best to become a musical theatre actress. Her immense passion and desire led her to take as many lessons and activities as possible to become closer to her dream.

Throughout her training, Chezia became known as a triple threat in school productions such as “Annie”, “Les Miserables”, and “Hairspray”. Wanting to gain more experience, she auditioned for professional theatrical productions in her teenage years, eventually becoming the youngest adult cast member in locally-produced “Ariah” and West End tour’s “The Sound of Music” where her willingness to learn as well as her professionalism were appreciated by colleagues and the creative team alike.

Chezia joined the Indonesian Youth Cordana Choir in several international tours, performing Indonesian traditional song-and-dance repertoires from all over the archipelago. Furthermore, her soprano voice impressed several internationally-acclaimed choral conductors who consequently invited her to participate in international choirs, even entrusting her as one of the soloists.

Ultimately, Chezia’s goal as a performer is to work with many different professionals and experts in the international performing arts industry. Likewise, she hopes to introduce the rich and colourful cultural heritage of her homeland, Indonesia.

Chiew-Jin Khut

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Chiew-Jin has a Bachelor of Theatre (Musical Theatre) from Central Queensland University (Conservatorium of Music) and a Diploma of Musical Theatre from APO Arts Academy. After her studies she packed up a suitcase and moved to London, only to return to Australia at the end of 2017. 

Chiew-Jin has played the role of Lily in “Legacy of the Tiger Mother”, a satirical musical about Asian parenting for Adelaide Fringe Festival 2012. And been involved in a developmental piece “The Red Pinafore” (Various People Inc.) based on a true story about the dawn of modern multicultural Australia, Adelaide Festival Centre’s InSPACE programme 2014.

In 2018 Chiew-Jin ventured into the amateur musical theatre scene in Melbourne and was thrilled be cast in both of Babirra’s shows, “Singin’ In the Rain” and “Dusty”. 2019 saw her develop an idea that she’d been sitting on into a 30-minute self-devised cabaret show as part of the July edition of the Cabaret Showcase in Melbourne, which she hopes to develop further and present on the Fringe circuit. 

Chinie Concepcion

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Chinie Concepcion is a triple threat with immeasurable and decisive experience in dancing, singing and acting. At a tender age of 9, she began showing off her performing chops to family and friends before blossoming into a professional career at only 19 years old.

Chinie moved to Singapore from Manila upon receiving a scholarship to study musical theatre at LASALLE College of the Arts. She was henceforth accepted into the program and accelerated straight to Level 2 by a year. She counts professors and mentors Aubrey Mellor, Tony Knight and Amanda Colliver as influential to her success. She graduated with first class BA HONS in May 2014.

In her homeland of the Philippines, Chinie is known within the dance community as one of the pioneers of 'LA-style' (or commercial) hip-hop. In recent years, after choreographing and dancing in several major shows in this genre, she shifted her focus to theatre.

Chinie has built up a vast and extraordinary body of work in musicals, straight plays, commercials, music videos, corporate shows, events and TV shows that became as gorgeously malleable, irreverent, infectious and warm as the next. Her star turn in ABC 5’s “Shall We Dance” on Filipino television was recognised for perfectly mastered showmanship—or should that be ‘showwomanship’?

In addition to these plucked strings to her bow, Chinie has mastered the following vocal and dance styles of jazz, tap, ballet, tango and even breakdancing, to name a few, noting her gymnastics background as an advantage. She is a key performer of the One Night Stand cabaret, which she co-produces once a month.

Chloe Rhee

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Originally from Korea, Chloe Rhee is a Sydney-based commercial model and actor with a vast range of experience in TVCs, stills campaigns, photography and lifestyle/property/corporate/training videos.

With a well-balanced lifestyle, Chloe is fit and healthy, with a commitment to regular exercise including yoga, swimming and running. She possesses natural warmth, a great smile and a strong screen presence, which connects and resonates well with viewers.

Chloe is grateful to be on any set, while being able to discharge her job in a highly professional yet passionate manner. She hopes to evolve her acting substantially, recognising more television and film opportunities that proudly reflects her Asian culture and who she is.

Chloe Towan

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Chloe Towan is a Melbourne-based actor, singer and writer. She studied musical theatre and dance at APO Arts Academy for three years, graduating in 2015. Since then, she has performed in a variety of productions including musicals, Shakespeare, immersive theatre, sketch comedy, children’s theatre and film and television. Chloe loves being able to transform herself into a character that will leave a lasting impact on the audience, whether through comedy or tragedy!

Chloe also plays a number of instruments including piano, piano accordion, ukulele and guitar. She has played her instruments whilst acting in various shows, including Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s “Twelfth Night” and David Butler Studios’ “Mad World”.

A writer herself, Chloe is also extremely passionate about supporting new voices and creating an inclusive theatre environment. As a founding member of Antipodes Theatre Company, she has also worked closely with the company to help create new opportunities for creatives in Melbourne. In 2020, an immersive theatre piece that she co-wrote was selected for the company’s Winter Development Retreat.

Christine Melki

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Christine Melki is a Lebanese single devoted mother of two. Although she has always loved acting and performing, a brain aneurysm in 2014 halted her aspirations. Despite some lingering linguistic processing and speech issues, she has renewed a fire in her belly and a determination to live her life her way.

While Christine may not be able to recite text from a script and has limited use of her right hand, it won’t yet stop her from featuring on screen with an expressive face, crazy curly hair and improvisational potential. She is eager to get back on the horse whether it being able to drive a car for an insurance service, smiling for print or enjoying a delicious burger for a fast-food franchise commercial, or appearing as an extra on a TV series or film.

Indeed, the accident has taught her that time waits for no man—or woman.

Christopher Hamilton

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Christopher began his professional career in “The Pirates of Penzance” (VSO) followed by “The Venetian Twins” (Perth Playhouse) and toured locally and overseas in Melvyn Morrow’s “A Song to Sing O”. He completed a season of “Aspects of Love” (WTWP) at the Hayes Theatre and a new musical “Noli Me Tangere” (McFadden Music) at the Riverside Theatre.

Christopher appeared regularly as a guest soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for their popular family concerts, where he sang a wide variety of music including opera, operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan and narrated the ever-popular “Peter and The Wolf”.

Christopher has also appeared in productions of “Les Misérables” (Javert), “The Phantom of the Opera” (Andre), “Merrily We Roll Along” (Joe), “Beauty & the Beast” (Lumiere), “The Hatpin” (Charles Makin), “Annie” (FDR) and “Aida” (Zoser) at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta.

At the Laycock Street Theatre Christopher has appeared in “The Scarlet Pimpernel” (Percy), “Paris” (Agamemnon) “Chicago” (Billy Flynn,) “Spamalot” (King Arthur), “The Producers” (Roger de Bris) and “La Cage Aux Folles” (Georges)

Christopher directed the award-winning cabaret “UNSEEN: The Marni Nixon Story” at the Hayes Theatre.

Christopher Nehme

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Christopher Nehme’s ‘soul-searching’ journey has taken him along many different careers and qualifications that include being an Information Technology Support Analyst, Metal Fabricator, and more recently Aircraft Technician. Despite wearing these smart, tough and hands-on hats, he has finally landed on where it matters most to him: Acting & Voice Over.

Since Christopher started his new chapter in the arts from late 2015, he has starred and involved himself on a string of Films, TV, TV Commercials, and Theatre. Most notably to date, he has been cast on a new local gripping television show “The Commons”, working alongside Joanne Froggatt and Director Jeff Walker.

Christopher plans to capitalise on this momentum to broaden his on-screen trajectory and feels that ICACM is best positioned to serve his sense of ‘being free to be’ himself and sense of fulfilment. This epiphany, coupled with a soft-of-heart desire and intrigue to leave his audience with a considerably memorable footprint, is the aspect that surely would launch this Lebanese Australian into the steadily professional league.

Cindy Giang

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Cindy Giang is Asian-Australian who was once a geophysicist by day. For nearly a decade she survived in cyclonic rains in Fiji; found her feet in PNG earthquakes; traipsed through muddy terrains; battled the oven-like nature of the desert; and swung a sledgehammer for weeks on end across Australia. These experiences providing her with a unique perspective as a young Asian female in a very labour-intensive industry, she hopes to layer them into her performance as an actor.

In this new life, Cindy has spent the last few years transitioning into the exciting world of storytelling through intensive training at some of the best schools in the United States. Adaptable, committed and tough, she is fluent in Vietnamese, played the flute throughout high school, taught herself piano and is learning hip-hop and martial arts.

Cindy is passionate about the acting craft and an advocate for authentic POC representation in the media. In the future she hopes to establish herself as a filmmaker in areas of writing, producing and directing.

Website: https://www.cindygiang.com/

Claudette Clarke

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Claudette Clarke is an Actor of African-Caribbean heritage. Growing up in London, she had come to largely identify as a ‘Black British’ Actor of the United Kingdom. As a Sydney-based resident, one has to glance at her portfolio to appreciate the breadth and aptitude of her work in universally-loved classic adaptations particularly “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Doubt”, “The Crucible”, “The Clink” and “The History Boys”.

Claudette’s work includes multi-ethnic ensemble development pieces, dealing with prejudice and community struggles, such as “The African Theatre Project” and “My Name is Sud”. She has a powerful stage presence, steadfastly commanding the space and adapting comfortably to different accents: Creole, Cockney, British, and American, as required.

Claudette’s breadth of experience includes TV, Film and TV Commercials.

Claudia Acosta

 

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Claudia Acosta was born in Peru, and is of Spanish, South American and Italian descent. Now a proud permanent Australian resident (with full time work rights), her exotic, mixed ethnic looks will stand her in good stead in terms of contributing to diversity on screen. She plans to gain more experience in TV commercials as well as learning about the exciting world of filmmaking as an extra.

She is enthused in Latin dancing including salsa and Bachata, hoping to bring that distinctive combination of beauty, sensuality, complexity and joy to our shores!

Clayton Turner

 

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Clayton Turner graduated the Bachelor of Musical Theatre course at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2018. During his time in the course he has performed the roles of Adam in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”; was a Featured Ensemble member in “Fame the Musical; played Officer Krupke in “West Side Story” and portrayed John Brooke in “Little Women”.

Clayton regards himself as a mature and well-rounded person, who is always looking forward and striving for excellence in all aspects of performing

Clelia Niyikiza

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Ever since arriving in Sydney and leaving behind her worried family and hometown of Seattle, Clelia Niyikiza in two months has been in demand. The African-American expat has found herself thrust into a Hollywood blockbuster production “Gods of Egypt” directed by Alex Proyas and starring Gerard Butler and Geoffrey Rush.

To date, Clelia has performed in fairytale classics “The Jungle Book” and “Snow White” for Bellevue Youth Theatre when she was 15. Following that, she trained in Celebrity Actors Camp, a Hollywood-based TV and film program collectively boasting unparalleled and invaluable experience of casting directors Joey Paul Jensen, Lisa London, Catherine Sroud, Brandi Brice and Larry Lafond. A quick and impressionable learner, she also received intense and varied coaching from celebrities Adrian R’Mante (‘CSI’, ‘24’, ‘The Suite Life’), Giovannie Samuels (‘Freedom Writers’, ‘Bring it On: All or Nothing’, ‘The Suite Life’), Walter Perez (‘Fame, ‘Friday Night Lights’), Phill Lewis (‘Scrubs’, ‘Yes, Dear’, Suite Life on Deck’) and others.

Due to commitments to a demanding high school workload and extracurricular activities, Clelia is only beginning to get back on the horse as she derives the most enjoyment from acting. She took dance classes in hip-hop, jazz and contemporary. She is also keen and confident to transition into modelling, which suits her rounded, ardent, independent and soldiering-on personality.

Most connected to nature, seaside scenery and travel, the camera intuitively picks up on all these qualities as soon as the sun shines on her. Already Clelia is reaping the fruits of being in the entertainment industry by developing leadership qualities, self-confidence and the best possible head start in life.

Constance Khoo

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Constance Khoo is an articulate presenter and actor who is passionate about seeing more representation on stage and screen. She has theatre and screen training from Amsterdam and Sydney including NIDA, Darlo Drama and Cultereel Studenten Centrum.

Constance has co-produced a talk-show called “The Convo Couch” in which she is a presenter and interviewer of diverse Australian talent such as Darren Yap and Renee Lam. She has also worked as an assistant/director for independent plays.

Cristiana Ladera-Bispo

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With her love for music and dance, Sydney-born Cristiana Ladera-Bispo is one of the most exciting upcoming child performers. With a Capoeira Master and Black belt BJJ for her father and a Dancer/Capoeira Artist for her mother as well 3 big brothers that are martial arts enthusiasts in their own right, she is a little artist who wants to prove that she can do what her brothers can.

Cristiana enjoys dancing, singing, modelling and playing. As the youngest capoeira girl at the school, she trains and plays capoeira regularly. She has her own sense of style and loves fashion. She enjoys playing outdoors, being active, and having fun.

With her exotic background, she is sure to represent your brand with pride. Cristiana values family, gratitude and love.

Cristiano Ladera-Bispo

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With the biggest smile you’ll see, Sydney-born Cristiano Ladera-Bispo is one of the most exciting upcoming child performers today. With a Capoeira Master and Black Belt BJJ for his father and a Dancer/Capoeira Artist for his mother as well as 2 big brothers that are martial arts enthusiasts in their own right, he is on his way to becoming a dream acrobat performer.

His talent includes playing traditional Brazilian instruments Berimbau, Atabaque and Pandiero. Cristiano plays Capoeira and proudly shows his culture around the Australia community, corporations and schools. He enjoys playing outdoors, being active and having fun.

With his exotic background, he is sure to represent your brand with pride. Cristiano values family, love, gratitude and generosity.

Daisy-Rose Coppola

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Growing up in Melbourne, Daisy-Rose Coppola moved to Hobart upon receiving a dance/music scholarship from St Michael’s Collegiate School, Centre for the Performing Arts. There she furthered her love for the theatre—and with hard work, was then prompted to follow her passion for the arts to Federation University Arts Academy.

Daisy-Rose’s university credits include “Showtrain” (Jacob) directed by Anthony Crowley; “Bye Bye Birdie” (Deborah-Sue Merkle) directed by Sara Grenfell; “Rent” (Mrs Jefferson/ Understudy for Maureen) directed by Jeremy Stanford, and “Sweeney Todd” (Beggar Woman/ Lucy) directed by James Cutler. She has also had the opportunity to write her first cabaret “All Grown Nup!” under the supervision of Fiona Scott-Norman.

Dani River King

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Dani River King (they/them) is an apologetically proud autistic—neurodivergent—queer and non-binary person, whose uniqueness shows promise within the current climate of the entertainment industry. They practice as an exhibiting ceramics artist on Gadigal Land in Sydney, who find value in the never-ending art of self-expression and creativity. In addition to their experience in modelling, acting and performing, they have active, strong skills in gymnastics and skateboarding.

With a holistic, patient and neurodiverse community-oriented outlook on life, Dani also happens to be an award-winning slam poet thriving on positivity, honesty and relatability from their audiences.

Website: https://danirking.wixsite.com/ceramics

Daniel Tompson

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Daniel Tompson is a recent graduate from NIDA’s Diploma of Musical Theatre program and was also a graduate from UNSW, having completed a Bachelor of Arts – Creative Writing and Performance Arts.

He has been a part of numerous shows with different theatre companies, including roles with NUTS and MTS. He has directed theatre, and acted in short films and commercials. Alongside his acting, Daniel is an established singer and mover, honing in on his skills during his time at NIDA, under the tutelage of musical icons such as Phillip Quast and Simon Burke.

Daniel Trenkovski

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Daniel Trenkovski is a young Melbourne-based actor and singer, keen to make his presence known within the industry. Starting out with school productions his love for the craft of acting has increased exponentially, driving his passion for performing.

This love has taken him across the city of Melbourne performing in a wide variety of different mediums, mainly favouring film and stage. As a character-driven actor, Daniel is driven by roles that allows him to demonstrate his superb acting skills, notably from heart-wrenching dramas such as “Hydra” (2024); classic Australian comedies such as “Cosi” (2023) and traditional adventure tales such as “Robin Hood” (2022), as well as comedy films such as “The Swap” (2023) and dramas such as “Oblivion” (2023). These productions have taken him to being nominated for Victorian Drama League Awards as well as entrants into film festivals such as The Jewish International Film Festival and Milan Film Festival.

Now joined with ICACM, Daniel is keen to start engaging with larger roles and bigger productions, making his mark in the industry and the craft which he loves so much.

Danielle Hancock

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Danielle Hancock is a Sydney-based actress, model and presenter. With a European and Australian heritage, she grew up immersing herself in the performing arts from a young age involving years of dance and drama training. That was when she knew that she had a spark for performance which was expressed mainly through her years of dance training. In 2008, she travelled to New Zealand for the New Zealand Salsa Congress, as well as performing in the Sydney Salsa Congress the following year.

At the age of 15, Danielle auditioned and won a half-scholarship to train at the Actors Pulse in the teen class. For two and a half years she studied the Meisner technique at this institution, learning the fundamentals of acting and performance. After high school, she had the opportunity to study full-time at Academy of Film Theatre & Television (AFTT). There, she had the privilege to work with directors/actors including Lex Marinos, Sean O’Riordan, Winston Cooper and Luke Rodgers. 

In her two years of training Danielle had the opportunity to work on a number of stage productions in relation to Shakespeare and contemporary American theatre. She performed at the Belvoir St Theatre production of “100 Reasons for War” directed by Luke Rodgers in 2018.

As well as theatre training, Danielle trained for screen acting, generally with the Eric Morris technique and was involved in various short/indie films.

In 2018, Danielle was a corporate presenter for a number of demonstration videos for the company Autoslide as well as presenting and demonstrating for Korean skincare brand “Cemoy 21-Day Night Serum”. She modelled in print for companies including Polka Dot Bride, Designer Labels on Sale and briefly a fitting model for General Pants Co.

Danielle is consistently training and honing her craft particularly in film and television, continuing to build her skills as an actor.

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/345386136" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe><p><a href="https://vimeo.com/345386136">Danielle Hancock actor showreel (updated)</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user32937285">Danielle Hancock</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Danielle Robinson

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Danielle Robinson is an experienced Australian actor and singer based in Brisbane, Queensland.

Having been trained privately by acclaimed NIDA Acting and Accent Coach Claire Crowther, and earlier by the Cairns Theatre Company, Danielle has storied experience in musical theatre and television that goes beyond the listed credits.

As a versatile performer, Danielle completely immerses herself in the role that she is playing. She is exemplarily disciplined so as to ensure that her skills and craft are up to scratch. Meanwhile, she prides herself on her style and freshens up her physical health in between productions. Punctual and professional, she works well with other creative cast members.

Daryl Morante

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Hailing from the Philippines, Daryl Morante was raised in a culture where Filipino dance was not only an acceptable and rewarded form of grace, precision, tempo and passion, it was also a commodity: a passageway to the world where celebrity, fashion, luxury and fame beckoned a natural born entertainer.

Daryl (also known as D.Mo) has more than 20 years of showbusiness experience. While he taught and learnt at the most prestigious schools in LA, Brisbane and Sydney where he now resides, he is more reputed for his natural groove in hip-hop, due to picking up the moves from many 90’s music videos. He also received technical training in jazz, ballet and contemporary for two years. His versatility extends with professional experiences working in Bollywood, Classical Indian, Dancehall, Afro Dance, K-Pop and Filipino Folk, adding to his enormous versatility and commercial viability. 

Daryl has contributed his expertise in dance in a large array of professional work. For his most noticeable moment, he recently was contracted as the lead role for the live theatrical adaptation of the popular “Step Up” movie franchise playing for Motiongate, Dubai. A high-octane show where the main character required stamina, star quality and advanced dance skill. Some of his other greatest achievements were as a principle dancer for the approved “Michael Jackson Legacy Tour” starring William Hall—learning all of MJ’s moves to a tee. He was the movement coach and choreographer for X-Factor’s boy band The Collective and has contributed choreography for “So You Think You Can Dance Australia” (2014). In addition, he is in one of Australia’s best Bollywood dance companies called Sirens Dance.

Since 2010 Daryl has applied some of these same colourful, showy and breezy gestures into modelling, commercials and television. He scored the hero role for the 2014 “ISUZU D-Max 4WD” commercial. He opened the hair & fashion runway “Redken’s Next Generation Show” and closed a show for famous Filipino designer Joyce Penãs Pilarsky. He also has a desire to explore and extend his skillset into fitness modelling.

In the future, with a huge repertoire that is no joke—whether he has heat under his heels or not—fear Daryl’s oeuvre.

Dave Bloom

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A happily retired ‘silver fox’ residing in Paddington, NSW, Dave Bloom was originally from England. University-educated, he became an architect. Nowadays he has embraced the acting craft; he works well with kids and families, loves to dance and can project a sophisticated successful image. He is comfortable being typecast as an aggressive, angry or reflective character; a gentle, polished corporate professional; a grandad; a carefree rebel (who owns his own getaway motorcycle!) or perhaps a butler type with an international refined accent. He has been often told that he is mistaken for ‘someone else’!

Dave has a dancing background in ballroom, with a dash of Fred Astaire. In addition, he is both a presenter and fashion model who is proud of his athletic muscular build. Taking direction well, dependable and undeniably passionate about the industry, he believes that he is a good ‘vehicle’ for the agency vision, especially with this aging society.

David Mark Farrington

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Springing out of a dynamic collision of the performing arts, film and theatre in human rights, David Mark Farrington is a unique actor, writer-director and creative producer who has emerged on the Australian landscape in recent years working between the frames of his production company and the mainstream industry.

A British-Australian working in London and Melbourne over the past decade, David pioneered at a national level the role of live performance in theatre-in-education for young LGBTQIA+ people. After working in documentaries for LGBTQIA+ communities in London, in 2013 he established Australia's first funded experimental theatre company social enterprise, Universal Difference, for creating equality & inclusion for sexuality and gender different Australians thru film and live performance.

Spotlighted early on in his dramatic art training as truly 'an actor to watch', David made his significant stage acting debut at several of Victoria's high-profile state festivals with major productions in the Castlemaine State and Midsumma festivals in addition to new works in the Melbourne Fringe festival. Other than the Eagles Nest Theatre Schools Program he has toured with his funded company performing in ensemble works in school tours, national conferences and regional festivals throughout Victoria.

His work has enjoyed international interest in Canada with the 2013 dramedy “Include the Rainbow”. In 2014-2015, he received an Arts Victoria Actors Residency Grant and HEY Grant for improvisation and performance work with primary schools throughout Victoria.

David’s screen acting debut began with an even bigger bang with his first two feature films “Innuendo” and “Westermaark Effect” by Finnish director Saara Lamberg. The former was selected into the centrepoint of international cinema—the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2017 and 2020, as well as winning the illustrious Fine Arts Film Festival in 2019 in the US with global distribution acquired via Umbrella Entertainment.

In 2021, David directed and acted in the arthouse documentary “Queer@Cannes” filmed in France, framed at exposing the realities of contemporary ‘queerness’, equality and inclusivity in the international film industry. This won the Grand Jury Prize at the Direct Monthly Film Festival in the US and Best Experimental Film at the Pune International Queer film Festival in India and was selected into 13 mainstream and queer film festivals across Europe and North America in 2021-2022. Building on this success, David received a Writers Victoria and the Grace Marion Wilson Trust Grant to direct an interactive digital and live art show across Victoria exploring inclusive LGBTQIA story telling for writers of all genres.

2022 heralded a dynamic of year of new work in Europe and Australia. The year began with casting in a British mockumentary filmed in France; attending the “Westermaarck Effect” debut at the Cannes Film Festival as an actor; working on projects in London and at Monkey Barrel Comedy in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; followed by an invitation to showcase “Queer@Cannes” as a guest speaker at the Borders Queer Film Festival in Scotland.

In late 2022, David returned to Australia and the stage, playing the lead role of a traumatised truckie in the innovative cabaret “Truck” directed by Koshka's Kat Pengally, funded by Regional Arts Victoria as part of the Nati Frinj Biennial.

David is an intuitive character actor by nature, driven by his deep love of the craft, a commitment to work hard and an ethos to always learn more as a contemporary working artist. His natural eccentricity, brooding intensity and flair for experimentation has given him a distinctive presence on stage or set as a versatile and dependable character actor across a diversity of genre's and formats, On the other side of the lens, his directorial style is arresting and compelling, as a captivating documentary maker, who energetically and playfully asks the big questions about the changing nature of our contemporary queer reality.

Declan Carter

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Originally from Sydney, Declan Carter is honoured to have trained with such a passionate group of performers at the Arts Academy. He has roots in classical voice and acting, as well as a keen interest in improvisational comedy and writing. Performance highlights at the Arts Academy include “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Chairman/Mayor Sapsa), “Thoroughly Modern Millie (Muzzy’s Boy), “Urinetown) (Senator Fipp), as well as performing his own cabaret “#NOFILTER” at Melbourne’s Hares and Hyenas. Declan also worked under the direction of Nancye Hayes (OAM) performing in “Riches, Romance and Rebellion” (Yern).

In 2017-2018, Declan is excited to join the cast of beloved kids’ musical “Paw Patrol LIVE” on an Asia-Pacific tour as villain Mayor Humdinger.

Dee Sinnarkar

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Dee Sinnarkar is a Sydney-based singer, model, actor, songwriter & performer. She is blessed with a youthful, enthusiastic and single-minded attitude as well as strong heritage roots.

Although Dee’s strength is in singing mainstream pop/dance, RnB and Bollywood, she has an unequivocal passion for all genres. Her songs have received great attention having over 40,000 views on YouTube, aired on TV channels and promoted by Tourism Australia.

Up until now, Dee has acted in lead roles for prestigious brand TVCs including Visa Asia, Holden Australia, NSW Transport, Woolworths and Homeworld respectively. Trained from world-class institutions such as NIDA & New York Film Academy, she has put her lessons to good use by starring in a few films and TV series alongside showbiz names the likes of Jackie Chan, Jessica Mauboy, Elisabeth Moss and Rodger Corser.

If that wasn’t enough, Dee is also a poet who has been awarded for the best poem in an American competition, and used to write for Hallmark cards in India. She is a massive nature lover, enjoys photography and is a tomboy at heart.

Dee continues to seek great opportunities and like-minded people to work within the entertainment Industry favouring music, filming, modelling and commercials.

Delphine Le Moine

 

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Delphine Le Moine has been an accomplished actress and model in Paris since 2005. Over the course of her career both in Australia and France she has appeared in many TV commercials including “Diet Coke”, “Volkswagen” and “My Dog” respectively. She also was in the television series “Camping Paradise” (2019) and the feature film “Fragile(s)” (2007).

For fifteen years, Delphine played the role of Wendy in the musical comedy “Peter Pan” at the famous Bobino theater in Paris. 

Now with her sights set on Sydney, Delphine is bringing her culture and warm, enthusiastic, disciplined attitude into the world of advertising, print, television, film and voiceover.

Website: https://delphinelemoine.book.fr/

Deniz Yildirim

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Deniz Yildirim is a versatile actor and model, with roots tracing back to the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey, where he was born and raised. Growing up with a unique blend of European and Asian heritage, Deniz discovered his passion for performance at an early age, initially expressing himself through dance during his formative years in elementary school. 

However, it was during his high school years that Deniz found his true calling in the world of theater. Fuelled by a deep-seated passion for the craft, he honed his skills and talents, laying the foundation for what would become a promising career in the performing arts.

In 2018, Deniz made the pivotal decision to embark on a new chapter of his journey by relocating to Australia. Under the guidance of esteemed mentor Rachael Blake, he delved into the realm of screen acting, embracing the challenges and opportunities that came his way with unwavering determination.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge and growth, Deniz furthered his education at Screenwise, immersing himself in a rigorous showreel course that equipped him with the tools and techniques essential for success in the competitive world of film and television.

Since graduating, Deniz has left an indelible mark on the industry, captivating audiences with his compelling performances across a diverse range of projects. From poignant dramas to light-hearted comedies, he has showcased his versatility and range, earning acclaim for his nuanced portrayals.

Derya Ucar

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Derya Ucar came to Australia in 2015. She was a professional actress in Turkey, who starred in numerous TV series, films, commercials and theatrical productions as well as modelling. When she first arrived in Sydney, she did not know one word of English. However, after attending English classes, she nailed it!

Born to Spanish and Armenian parents, Derya grew up in Istanbul and can speak both Turkish and Spanish respectively. Her love for acting and movies was inspired by her time at theatre university in her homeland. Throughout her career, she has always played the part of a good and innocent character and is generally very good at comedy. However, she wants to branch out and play a psychopathic character who is sneaky, obsessive and overly passionate.

Derya’s overall dream is to be a successful actress in Australia—and she will be.

Desak-Dewa Ayu Sri Hartati

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From a small village in Bali to sailing a boat to Australia, Desak (Dewa Ayu Sri Hartati) has lived a life of colour and adventure. Balinese culture is intimately linked to art and storytelling so she grew up learning dance and the traditions of the epic Ramayama. This background fueled an interest in theatre and film.

Desak is a trained makeup artist and loves using the human face as a palate to create character. Her artistic and cultural heritage landed her a role in the 2017 TV series “True Story with Hamish and Andy”. She is thrilled to be part of the emerging multicultural face of entertainment in Australia.

Destiny Too

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Born and raised in Sydney’s south-west to Samoan parents, Destiny Too developed an appreciation for theatre/performance growing up as the eldest of three daughters, keeping her siblings entertained with role playing games and bringing about laughter in the house.

Destiny re-discovered her passion for acting and enrolled herself into Sydney Theatre School for the Diploma of Acting course in 2020. She continued studying at Sydney Theatre School to obtain her advanced diploma and her credits include playing Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” as Tybalt, Jade Ryan in “The Warren” and other versatile characters.

Destiny’s hope for her career is to be able to portray a variety of roles while representing her home and culture. There are many stories to tell and she hopes to be a part of telling them.

Devon Campbell

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Devon Campbell is a revelatory star turn, bringing her admirable best and spunk to every performance. From Clara in “The Invisible Girl & her Pill” a semi-autobiographical work exploring the vulnerability of living with an invisible disability (2021) to a 16-year old Iphigina with a deteriorating God complex (“Lost Children of War: The Cycle” (2019)).

Devon encompasses every character in full, by combining her skill to read a text (as the writer hears it) with her physical theatre and dance training enables her to bring life, presence and subtlety to characters. Her vocals are a powerhouse, matching her ability to go from strength to strength in adaptability, playfulness and honesty.

Devon is a 2020 graduate at VCA having completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) and a 2016 graduate at NIDA (Diploma of Music Theatre), as well as studying Meisner with Wendy Ward in New York in 2017. An accomplished performer with sound puppetry skills, and advanced dance/movement skills, she is based in Melbourne.

Dianne Kaye

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Dianne Kaye is a Multi-ethnic Triple-threat Performer (Singer/Actor/Dancer), Educator and Producer based in Sydney. She spent four years in New York City, having trained as a scholar at the New York Film Academy (Musical Theatre Conservatory) in addition to her studies at University of Sydney.

Dianne has performed in critically acclaimed musicals throughout the United States and Australia, such as “Les Misérables”, “Hairspray” and “Forbidden Broadway”. She was also lucky to tour the USA/Canada with the hit Nickelodeon children's Musical “Paw Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue” playing the roles of Everest and Farmer Yumi. 

Dianne has originated a number of lead theatrical roles, including Queen Bee in the immersive musical “The Bee and the Tree” (Mongrel Mouth); Kim in the pop/rock musical “Single Room Occupancy” (BR Productions), and Kulet in the hip-hop musical "MB" (Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre). As a soloist, she has sung at world-renowned venues such as Sydney Opera House, Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden and Apollo Theatre. Irrrespective of venue grandeur or production scale, her biggest thrill is being able to give heft to unique narratives, which can move and affect audiences of all ages and backgrounds. She is an advocate for diversity and cultural representation in the arts. 

Dianne has an ever-evolving artistic vision and thirst for creativity. One of her biggest beliefs is that the only way art can grow is by sharing it. She enjoys writing, producing and collaborating with other artists any chance she gets. She is also a passionate educator who is fascinated by the use of theatre as a vehicle for self-discovery and resilience in youths. In 2012, she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Sydney. When she is not on stage, she is in the classroom educating and inspiring students of all ages. 

As an actor with a strong grounding in Improvisation and the Meisner technique, Dianne enjoys the unpredictable, fast-paced nature of the entertainment industry, and she prides herself in having the adaptability to develop with/for a whole range of production types. Her diverse skill set has also allowed her to build an impressive international portfolio in film, TV, voiceovers and commercials, representing reputed brands such as: NARS, Ester-C, Listerine, Harvard Business School, SONY, Silver Bullet, Arrojo Hair, Bailey Nelson and much more.      

In Dianne's spare time she enjoys taking photos, travelling, spending time with her dog TyTy and painting! A true Aquarian, her favourite place in the world is the beach. 

Website: https://www.diannekaye.com/

Diego Retamales

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Chilean-born, Diego Retamales graduated with a B. Performance from University of Western Sydney. While studying he came across Stage Combat and was immediately hooked. His love of physical activity on stage led to more combat classes including working as a Fight Assistant for ABC’S “Double the Fist” (2007), stunts and pop culture satire enhanced with CGI.

After training with Brisbane physical theatre company Zen Zen So, he embarked on a new path of theatrics with an old childhood love: professional wrestling. Diego began training for the Australasian Wrestling Federation (AWF) in 2009, performing as various characters all over NSW. He hopes to bring the skills from both disciplines, incorporating them into a cohesive form, which is easily learnt while also being effective and entertaining.

Theatrical credits include “Shakespeare’s Reservoir Dogs” (The Vanguard), “The Shape of Things” (Hot Room Theatre Group) “Sense and Sensibility” (Factory Space Theatre), “Romeo and Juliet” (Brave Touch) and “Mollycoddled” (Short+Sweet). Film credits include recent feature “Circle of Lies”, “Rules of the Game” (Coherent Productions), and in Boy and Bear’s music video “Rabbit Song” he is the mysterious Cycling Buffalo.

In addition, Diego’s contributions in fight choreography to “Penelope” by Kate Gaul have been well documented, adding to the acclaim that this production has already received (nominated for four 2013 Sydney Theatre Critics Awards: Best Independent Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Sound Design). He and his crew received reviews the likes of ‘… an incredibly fresh, energetic and perfectly realised piece of theatre’ and ‘… extravagantly imaginative’ by Stage Whispers and The New York Times respectively.

As both teacher and performer across theatre, TV and film, he has a tactile and stylish background in Shakespearean acting, stage combat and wrestling. When he is in the ring he is a serious opponent not to be messed with. But appearances are also deceiving: with his genuine, charming and ‘straight man foil’ persona Diego takes on any role with gusto, cleverness, naturalism and a sense of sympathy.

You can be guaranteed to note Diego’s handprints all over polished and reverent works in the future, as he continues to incorporate varying physical styles in the quest for Perfect Motion.

 

Dyan Tai

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Self-described as the Asian empress of the gay streets of Sydney, Dyan Tai (he/they) has emerged from the stages of the local cabaret scene and now evolved into a multidisciplinary artist. Their captivating live shows bring together elements of Asiatic drag and performance art intersected with synth heavy electronic music and a sparkly, mirror coated keytar.

The Malaysian-born Chinese Australian Dyan is an electronic musician, singer/songwriter, drag and cabaret performer and DJ who’s especially dedicated to the QTPOC community. They have been a radio presenter on FBI Radio as well as being featured on ABC's “You Can't Ask That” (the Chinese-Australian episode).

Website: https://www.dyantai.com/

 

Dylan Dickson

 

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Originally from Melbourne, Dylan started performing at an early age. He furthered his training completing a full-time performing arts course, having been mentored and trained under renowned dancer Robert Sturrock at Robert Sturrock’s Industry Dance Company. He has a wide range of professional credits in live entertainment, Commercial Dance, Corporate Events, and Stage, and has worked extensively between contracts.

Upon graduating in 2014, Dylan joined Princess Cruises as a Dancer. This opportunity took him overseas for five years, where he continued his professional career at sea with Costa Cruises as well as further with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2019.

Dylan has danced for artists such as Rhonda Burchmore and Jessica Mauboy. His career has also seen him dance on television programs for Nine Network, Network Ten and Seven Network as well as events at Crown Casino, Palladium Ballroom, Melbourne Regent Theatre, Plaza Ballroom, Grand Hyatt, Melbourne Convention Centre and Sydney Convention Centre respectively. He has worked for entertainment companies such as Fame Agenda, Brooks & Baker, FX Entertainment and HD Entertainment.

Elena Bello

 

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Elena Bello is a versatile and deeply committed actress born and raised in Mexico. She began her career as an actor in 2007 at the Performing Arts Centre Artestudio back in Mexico City. After moving to Sydney she decided to develop her skills in acting for TV and film by taking the Showreel Course at Screenwise. Subsequently she graduated in Musical Theatre Diploma at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM).

Elena has a wealth of on-stage experience in theatre and musical comedy. Over the last few years she has been part of several productions both in leading and supporting roles, including corporate videos, TV commercials and short films. She has worked locally to work locally and abroad, across both Spanish and English languages respectively. A 2015 highlight was to play Carla in the premiere of “In The Heights” by Penrith Musical Comedy Company.

Elena's first performance job in Australia was as part of the Real Mexico Mariachi Band as lead singer. It gave her all the necessary experience to begin stepping up onto the Latin music platform almost immediately after her arrival. Since then she has continued collaborating with several bands, spreading her particular flavor, sensuality, richness and energy of Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue and Bachata all over Sydney.

Elhaq Latief

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Elhaq Latief (Muhammad Qardhawi Gad El haq) is a dedicative and passionate performing artist based in Indonesia. He possesses a strong and adaptable work ethic and likeable communication skills suitable to any organisation. Since 2008 he has worked as a professional Actor, Singer, Dancer and Choreographer in the theatre industry in Jakarta, Indonesia. However his career really began when he was offered a role as corps de Ballet in Ballet Sumber Cipta’s “The Nutcracker” in 2009.

In 2016, he was granted a scholarship to join YES ASEAN, a Musical Theatre Intensive Training by Broadway’s Nikki Snelson (“Legally Blonde”) and Dr. Peter Thoresen, run by American Voices and American Embassy. In 2019, he was then again granted a scholarship from Djarum Foundation to join an intensive musical theatre program by Students Live; Passport to Broadway in New York City, then starred in their off-off-broadway show ‘What I Did for Love’ directed by Amy Weinstein.

Despite very little support for the performing arts across Indonesia, he became one of the main collaborator for a community theatre organisation Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC), which became reputable and one of the most well-known. After being established in 2014, JPAC made a total of 9 shows, of which he had choreographed and been involved in a few. His recent work was in “West Side Story” and “Dreamgirls” by JPAC as a choreographer and ensemble.

Elhaq’s natural deep tender tenor voice with strong vibrato likewise caught the director of “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Coat” Keith Allerton, leading to being as Joseph. His unerring dance and choreography has already grabbed Broadway World’s attention (https://www.broadwayworld.com/indonesia/article/BWW-Interview-Elhaq-Latief-Rising-Star-in-Town-20170522).

When he’s not busy working, he likes to do yoga, travel, cook and binge watch TV series and movies. You can listen to his song covers on soundcloud.com/Elhaqueque.

Eliane Morel

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Eliane Morel is Australian born of mixed Vietnamese, French and English heritage (though she has often been mistaken for Pacific Islander/Maori, Italian, Spanish or South American!). Her middle name is Anh Xuan.

Born in Peth and raised in Canberra (where she won a scholarship to study singing at the Canberra School of Music), Eliane moved to Sydney in her twenties to complete an Honours degree in Theatre at UNSW, the Playwrights’ course at NIDA, and continue her singing studies with Susan Reppion-Brooke and Ghillian Sullivan.

Since then, Eliane has become an accomplished comedienne, opera singer and actor, with an emphasis on multicultural theatre and a love of accents, which she can master to a very high standard.

Eliane has been touring NSW high schools with three shows in repertory for Starrs Productions: “Women in Shakespeare” - a two-hander featuring some of Shakespeare’s most complex female characters (in which Eliane has the pleasure of playing Shakespeare himself, Demetrius, Bottom, Cleopatra, Olivia, Juliet’s Nurse, Gertrude, Portia and Puck!); “The Lucky Country”, a solo show exploring post WWII migration to Australia and featuring 6 diverse characters of English, Italian, Lebanese Muslim, ex-Yugoslavian, Indian and Vietnamese backgrounds; and “Letters from France” another powerful solo piece based on the exquisite poetry and letters home of World War I poet, Wilfred Owen.

Eliane has performed as an actor and singer for The Citymoon Vietnamese Australian Theatre, Kantanka Theatre and the Asian Australian Artists’ Association, and has also devised many of her own pieces including “Ba Ngoai”, a show about her Vietnamese grandmother (made possible by an Australia Council grant) and “All Night Long” featuring the talents of bogus Feng Shui expert from Hong Kong, Madam Long.  She has also worked for the Arts Health Institute as a ‘humour valet’ providing humour therapy to nursing home residents with dementia.

Eliane has appeared with Pacific Opera, the Jubilate Singers, and has toured Indonesia in the show “Shadows”, with the renowned singer/songwriter Sawung Jabo. More recently, she has been working as a concert singer throughout Sydney and regional New South Wales. She has performed in several concerts for Newcastle Festival Opera including a joint production with Newcastle Musica Viva, as well as numerous concerts for Sydney and South Coast seniors – in both nursing homes and public venues, most recently at Bondi Pavilion.

In late 2015, Eliane shared the limelight on “Tell Me the Truth about Love” with Bill Hawkey (OAM) in Bega and Naroma, and went to Cuba to sing at the International Choral Festival with her choir, Voices from the Vacant Lot.

Website: http://elianemorel.com/

Elias Jabbour

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Elias Jabbour discovered his passion for performing from a young age, through training in dance and group singing. It was not until later in his years that he discovered the alluring world of musical theatre and the potential to stretch his showmanship flair.

Post VCE, Elias Trained at Centrestage Performing Arts Schools Fulltime Musical Theatre course SHOWFIT for 3 consecutive years. Whilst at SHOWFIT Elias was privileged enough to work with some of Australia’s leading industry professionals including Verity Hunt-Ballard, Scott Johnson, Mathew Frank, Dean Bryan and Simon Gleeson respectively.

While there and since graduating, Elias has appeared in both The OC Project’s “#LIVFORCUNNINGHAM” and “#LIVFOREUROVISION; “Songs for the Master” for his SHOWFIT Showcase; “Songs of Bryant and Frank” and “The Crucible” (directed by Scott Johnson).

In 2016, Elias was privileged to play the role of Hugo Dude in the world premiere of the Australian pre-apocalyptic zombie musical “Motor-Mouth Loves Suck-Face” (written and directed by Anthony Crowley).

Although Elias recognises his heritage as coming from Lebanon, he is ethnically broad enough to be regional Middle Eastern, European or Caucasian. This gives him reach to facilitate between many types of roles and specialised genres—in addition to his veritable, young and dedicated talent.

Website: https://www.ejproductions.com.au/

Elisa Cristallo

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Elisa Cristallo is an actor, comedian and writer perhaps best known for her lead role in the series “Welcome to the Family” which aired on Channel 31 Melbourne. It was an Official Selection of Miami Webfest, Sydney Indie Film Fest and Illawarra Film Festival respectively. She also had the lead role in the short film “They're Listening” which was an Official Selection of Smartfone Flick Fest as well as currently playing on Etihad Airways in-flight entertainment.

Elisa has written and performed comedy shows for Sydney, Newcastle and Adelaide Fringe Festivals and written for the late-night comedy show “Mainland Tonight”. Clean Comedy Australia described her work as ‘funny, heartwarming and thoughtful. [with] clever writing and genuine wit’ while Weekend Notes writes that Cristallo is a pure natural at storytelling’.

Elisa was a recipient of Blacktown Council’s Creative Arts grant; was selected for the National Theatre of Parramatta’s playwriting program; and currently serves on the board of the non-for-profit arts organisation Voices of Women.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Western Sydney University with a major in Criminology.

Website: https://www.elisacristallo.com/

Elvin Lam

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Hong Kong-born Elvin Lam started dancing in his late teens. Prior to this he was a silver-medallist figure skater for 10 years, often competing against the cream of the crop. In addition to being an actor in film, TV and theatre (such as working for the LGBTIQ arm in YGLAM theatre for a couple of years), he proudly represented the 20th Summer Deaflympics in 2005 as an Auslan singer in both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

As a professional dancer who is very much invested in the visual, poetic side of storytelling for maximum intuitive and synergetic impact, Elvin learnt Latin, ballroom, jazz, hip hop, contemporary dance and ballet; the latter of which he is most passionate about. He has been training at different reputable schools and workshops including The Australian Ballet, The Space Dance & Arts Centre, Chunky Move and Dance Factory. 

For Melbourne Fringe Festival, Elvin toured with the troupe “Deaf Can Dance” for two consecutive years around Melbourne, South Australia and Queensland, as well as for a few other festivals and events. He is presently a vital member of the Arts Access Victoria (AAV) initiative’s The Delta Project, which is a company that empowers both deaf and non-deaf performers alike.

If that’s not all, Elvin is a smart cookie, having studied design (building, fashion, interior and theatre) in top Melbourne universities and back home in Hong Kong. For his day job, he is a procurement officer for government but of course, this is not where his dream lies in.

Despite—or rather because of being a proven and breaking-the-mold performer who tends to communicate through sign language and using an interpreter in a verbally dominated world, Elvin’s deaf identity is integral to the belief that ‘deaf people can do anything’.

Emawayat Elmitt

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Emawayat ‘Emi’ Elmitt was adopted from Ethiopia when she was eight years old. She completed her education at Merici College in Canberra and now attends classes at Parramatta Actors Centre.

Despite her shy, reserved demeanour, Emi tends to blossom in the spotlight and will give a malleable, infectious, inspiring, surprising and gung-ho performance as a model and actor. Despite—or because of the challenges in her life, she continues to thrive as a unique, creative, sought-after individual with the world of limitless possibility and opportunity at her feet.

Emi predominantly uses Auslan for communication and generally can work quite independently with an Auslan interpreter. She can also understand visual language and follow movement instructions easily.

Emily Cassar

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Emily is a Sydney-based actress with a passion for Australian and Classical Theatre. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media – Acting and has since found herself performing as the leading lady in plays such as“Little Women” (2024), “The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie” (2022-23), “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (2021-2022) and “Alice in Wonderland” (2019-2022).

She is extremely passionate about the technicality of language and the translation of classical plays for a modern audience and thoroughly enjoys a challenge. Emily goes above and beyond in her work and believes that connection—with her scene partners and the audience—are the true heart of theatre. 

Emily Jacker-Lawrence

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Emily Jacker-Lawrence, originally from Geelong, completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University in 2018. 2023 marked her international debut, performing in “Perfect Pairing: A Wine Tasting Dancegustation” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 2022 saw her perform in a new Australian work “You’re A Catch; Why Are you Single?”, written and directed by Sarah Wynen (2022), and take part in “Show Some Respect”, a theatre-in-education program within Victorian Secondary schools. In 2021 she filmed a live stream performance of “Songs for A New World” with Staged by Creatives and performed a new children’s work “The Junior Detective Collective: The Mystery of the Golden Scoop” with the Juicy Orange at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. 

Emily’s credits at the Arts Academy include “The Spirt Level”, Australian Premiere (Matron, dir: Anthony Crowley), “My Favorite Year” (dir: Sara Grenfell), the 20th Anniversary of “Crusade” (Mother Meg, dir: Craig Christie) and “Chicago” (Ensemble Member #1/Go to Hell Kitty, dir: Alister Smith).

Emily Ritchie

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Originally from Wollongong, Emily Ritchie is a Sydney-based triple threat performer known for her versatile and dynamic performances. In recent years she has worked as a journalist for The Australian newspaper and to add to that challenge, is pursuing her dream career in the performing arts. After completing NIDA’s Musical Theatre course in 2018, Emily is excited to be auditioning, creating and producing her own material. 

Her most recent credits include: “Miracle City” directed by Hayden Tonazzi at NIDA; "Surf Seance" directed by Rachel Kerry at Kings Cross Theatre; “Ah Tuzenbach” with renowned Russian director Oleg Glushkov; “Starstruck The Musical” workshop (debuting the role of Nana) with RGM Productions and more. 

Emily loves M&Ms and writing poetry.

Emily Roberts

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Emily Roberts comes from a small town of roughly three hundred people in rural New South Wales. In high school she completed her CDPA training through the AMEB system, allowing her to tutor students in Speech and Drama. While at school she was fortunate enough to travel to the US to participate in workshops with several prestigious schools including The Stella Adler Studio of Acting and The Actors Studio.

In her gap year Emily appeared as Miranda and The Judge in a new play by Sydney Theatre Company “In A Heart Beat”. She also appeared as Clara in a production of “The Hatpin”. In 2016 she graduated from the Federation University’s Arts Academy where her credits included Helen in “Smash Hit”, Little Sally in “Urinetown”, Pugsley Addams in “The Addams Family” and Little Red Riding Hood in “Into the Woods”. She also completed a successful 2016 season with her cabaret “Lunch for One: A Short Guide to Popularity” and in the same year performed Sovereign Hill’s “Cabaret at Christmas”.

Voiceover credits include campaigns for 7-Eleven, Sportsgirl, and Pink Buffalo Films.  

Emily is passionate about reading and travelling, and is a self-confessed fantasy nerd.

 

Emma Austin

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Emma Austin has always loved performing, even as a toddler. This love led her to study Music Theatre at the Federation University Arts Academy. In 2015 Emma was chosen to be part of a masterclass with renowned Broadway vocal coach Michael Lavine. During May of 2016, she was also part of a reading of the ‘new’ Shakespeare play “Margaret of Anjou, celebrating the 400th anniversary of his death, under the direction of Kim Durban. She has also recently made her cabaret debut in her self-devised piece “You Can’t Hurry Love. For the cabaret season, she was also chosen to be an MC, which showcased a whole new love for stand-up-type performance. This obvious passion led to her being chosen to be the MC for “In Development” at the Ballarat Cabaret Festival 2016.

During her time at the Arts Academy, Emma has been in shows such as Anthony Crowley’s “Vincent: An A Cappella Opera” (Christine), directed by Sara Grenfell with musical direction by Adam Przewlocki, and “The Pajama Game (Ensemble), directed by Casey Gould, with musical direction by Rainer Pollard.

In her graduating year, Emma was lucky enough to play some amazing roles. She loved playing Grandma in “The Addams Family”, directed by David Wynen, assistant direction from Matt Heyward and music direction by Rainer Pollard. One of her favourite performances was as Jack’s Mother in “Into the Woods”, directed by Jeremy Stanford, musical direction by Robyn Womersley.

Coming from a comedy background, Emma has a growing passion for writing and creating her own work. In 2016, she and her friend Cathryn McDonald wrote, directed and performed an original work entitled “Malteasers and Chill” for the Arts Academy’s Student Theatre Festival. This was a huge highlight in Emma’s career so far. She hopes to continue writing and performing comedy material, for both stage and television.

Emma Haughey

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Emma Haughey was born and raised in Melbourne, with an immense passion for the performing arts. She is a recent graduate from the first ever cohort of NIDA’s Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance. Throughout her time at NIDA she was exclusively trained by tutors such as Les Chantery, Phillip Quast, Darren Gilshenan, and Garth Holcombe to name a few. Onstage, she was seen in NIDA’s “Borderline” (by director Egil Kapste) as well as “The Hour we Knew Nothing of Each Other” (by director Jennifer Hagen).

Prior to being accepted into NIDA at 18, Emma appeared as Ainsley Grizan in Channel Eleven’s “Neighbours” in 2016. Additionally, she featured in the Jeep TVC “Are We There Yet?”

Emma has over 10 years’ experience in various dance styles such as jazz, contemporary and ballet, whilst also

completing regular singing lessons throughout her schooling years. While at school, she took part various productions and local theatre shows, and studied both Drama and Theatre studies in her VCE graduating year.

Emma was awarded the Dux prize in Theatre Studies and was selected as a VCAA Top Class Performer.

Emma J. Hawkins

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Emma J. Hawkins’ flair for the flamboyant, serious and whimsical plays to her strengths as a feisty, charismatic thespian with a knack for subversive, escapist comedy, high-octane dramatics and brilliantly versatile circus showcases. Her movements between the many worlds of fantasy, musical and children’s genres credit her with storytelling-based acrobatics, singing, dancing or slapstick. She is equally at home in the ironic, contemplative tragedies of Shakespeare, bringing joy and laughter as the Fool in “King Lear”, climbing the heights as a tap dancing, stilt walking acrobat in the critically acclaimed Circus Oz or sinking into the dark depths of a murderess in classics like Jean Genet's “The Maids”.

She stands on the fringe of the mainstream, but that’s where Emma does her best work in theatre: distinctive, fun, nuanced and unique while conveying a touching common humanity. She was nominated for a Green Room award for her portrayal as Fleck in the most fabled of musicals, “Love Never Dies”.

As cabaret alter ego Divine Miss Em, she relishes every opportunity to breath life into new characters but also extends a hand into creative development in theatrical productions. At the same time she imbues her performances with heart, audaciousness and fortitude as well as a steadfast belief in social justice and equality.

With a bag of tricks bigger than herself, Emma sees performing as a way of challenging herself and audiences alike to think outside the square. Her first memory on stage was chasing a boy with a frying pan so just don’t give this feisty redhead any kitchen utensils!

Emma Jones

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Emma Jones is a Sydney-based actress and voice artist with a passion for bringing flesh and blood to storytelling and will go beyond the call of duty and niche to make it happen. Although Emma is a multiplatform actress enjoying film, TV and voiceover, she is particularly drawn to the theatre and its exposed immediacy — the energetic interaction between the stage and the audience as well as the honour in being able to deliver those stories with all of her guts, glory and raw nerves. She especially delights in breaking down rarefied assumptions between perception and reality, between verve and pragmatism, and between farce and gravitas.

In 2022, Emma thrilled audiences and critics alike with her performance as Dr. Emma Brookner in State Theatre of South Australia’s acclaimed production of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart”. Her impassioned speech during the second act was remarkably singled out for a standing ovation every single time. Limelight magazine said ‘Jones is absolutely glorious’. The Adelaide Advertiser said ‘A special shout out to Emma Jones as the dangerously determined Dr. Brookner”; meanwhile Heckler called her performance ‘stand-out’.

In 2021, Emma completed filming for the STAN series “Joe vs. Carole” starring Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon, as well as a new promotional campaign for “Red Cross”. 

In 2020, with the pandemic in full-swing Emma discovered a renewed and deep love for the art of voiceover and very quickly built up a formidable body of work in the commercial, corporate and narration voiceover arenas.

A quick look at Emma’s skills reveals an intimidatingly command of American and European accents and dialects. Meanwhile, she keeps herself very busy on pursuits ranging from Pilates to indoor skydiving to trivia nights and skiing. 

Emma’s biggest theatrical dream is to play Shakespeare’s bent king “Richard III” with cackling, vengeful, arrogance transcending gender and even humanity whose hate and rage has engulfed them. What a meaty role that would be!

Emma Price

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Originally from the rolling hills of the English countryside, Emma Price trained as a multi-instrumentalist and singer, having studied at Trinity College of Music in London. She forged a successful and varied career in London and Europe, including touring and recording as accordionist, flautist and singer with alternative swing folk band The BeauBowBelles.

Through street performing in Covent Garden, Emma honed her love of comedy, improvisation and acting (training at Hoopla! Impro Theatre) and has performed in cabarets, improv festivals and prestigious events around the world, including Glastonbury Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Love, then COVID, brought Emma to Australia, her home for the past two years, singing, acting and making people laugh wherever she can. Credits include: the lead role in “The Pyjama Girl” (Premiere, Players in Exile, 2021), lead role in “Anvil” (Players in Exile, Flight Path Theatre, 2022), Baruska in “Once the Musical” (Darlinghurst Theatre Company, directed by Richard Carroll, 2022).

Emma joined Giffords Circus as singer and multi-instrumentalist for their consecutive 2023 and 2024 season (directed by Cal McCrystal). She also continued with the circus life with Circus Roncalli for their Christmas Tempodrom Berlin season.

Erinn Arnel

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Melbourne based, international dancer, model and actor Erinn Arnel has emerged as one of the most outstanding and contiguous graduates to come out of Australian Ballet School. Born in the central Victorian town of Bendigo, Australia in 1992 and started dancing at the age of 3. She was accepted into the Australian Ballet School at the age of 10.

While studying, in 2009 she danced with The Dancers’ Company (regional arm of the Australian Ballet Company) Tour of Australia, headlining “Poems” by Robert Ray and “Nutcracker” (Act 2) by Leigh Rowles. Again in 2010 she acted and danced corps de ballet in “Don Quixote”, choreographed by Ai-Gul Gaisina (influenced by Petipa). Graduating in 2010 with an Advanced Diploma of Dance with Distinction she was awarded the Graeme Murphy Award for Excellence in Contemporary Dance.

In 2011 Erinn featured in the Australian band My Disco’s music video “Turn” (part of the album My Little Joy) as lead dancer, which was received very well on Pitchfork. She also performed with Chunky Move in “It Sounds Silly” at Signal and has modelled for “We Are Handsome”, a swimwear label photographed by Stephanie Bailly. More recently Erinn has returned to Australia after performing musicals with Royal Caribbean Productions in “West End to Broadway”, “City Of Dreams” and “Tango Buenos Aires”. She gained the lead role of Sally Say So in ”Bada Bing… Bada Boom” and in 2013 has been proud to perform in Opera Australia’s “The Ring Cycle”.

When she is not a timeless and atmospheric mover, she is acting. Erin switched to stints like university graduate Danielle Caltabiano’s short “Inside of Me” (2013) about a visiting lesbian couple’s repercussions from a drunken one-night stand with a handsome male bartender, as well as a celebrity-laden, indie feature “The Sunset Six” (2010) about an ageing rock band’s desperate last attempt at reclaiming stardom by Jeremy Stanford. Similarly she has been cast in an acting role for the 2014 production of Opera Australia’s Rigoletto.

Meanwhile Erin continues to traverse between hip-hop, burlesque and contemporary shows with Melbourne’s SCIMM Dance Company.

From classy and free-flowing long splits and pirouettes in classical and neoclassical ballet to barefoot techniques to contemporary and orchestral music, alluring and sensual to burlesque, conscious and topical movements in hip-hop and shimmering, shadowy and frenzied to laser-infused, strobe rock, this multi-disciplined, award-winning artist definitely knows how to listen to her body.

It is not just her life: in effect, Erin’s body is the music.

Esmee de la Rambelje

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Esmee de la Rambelje was born in Holland and raised in France.

After finding a passion for acting, she decided to move to Australia and got her advanced diploma of acting for contemporary screen media studying at Sydney Actors School. In addition to acting, Esmee has pursued directing and writing, directing her first short film "The Bank Heist" in 2020. While at Sydney Actors School, she has also developed a love for comedy.

During her time at drama school, Emsee acted in numerous plays including “Animal Farm” directed by Kevin Jackson and “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” directed by Shane Anthony.

Esther Fwati

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Esther Fwati is an African-born and Aussie-raised girl. A ‘third culture’ kid whose blended upbringing has given her plenty of spices to sprinkle upon an unsuspecting world. She grew up performing, entertaining and telling stories to anyone who would lend her an ear. That upbringing inevitably fostered her passion for acting and writing.

Coming from a background in dance (hip hop & contemporary), Esther had her first L.A. experience when she was chosen to represent Australia in the “Coke Zero – Make It Possible” Campaign. She stepped into acting with her first lead role in a theatre production of “The Container” by Clare Bayley. She went on to study full time acting at Film & TV Studio International where she trained alongside many talented peers and under amazing working actors/teachers. One thing she took away was a piece of advice given by teacher and actor, Damian Walshe-Howling: ‘Be a creator of your own content’. Realising that was what she’d always done and has always been—a creator—she took that small snippet of wisdom and ran with it.

After being chosen as one of the finalists in the first ever Equity Foundation & Screen Australia Diversity Showcase alongside nine other performers in Sydney, Esther is now based in Melbourne. She continues to write works inspired by the themes of Third Culture, Multiculturalism and Belonging.
 

Eva Davies

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Naturally compassionate and percipient, Eva Davies is a proud advocate for body positivity and inclusivity, and as an actor, she is committed to change that caters to de-stigmatisation of disability and prevalent, consistent celebration of differences across the industry—and therefore society.

Originally scouted for modelling, Eva discovered an even greater passion in acting and wishes to play strong, powerful characters in any genre, particularly drama and comedy. She is interested in substantial, complex storytelling that is written with care, creativity and respect as much as family-driven values.

In that regard, Eva hopes to nurture this passion into a lifelong calling, where she gets to work with the best and most kind in showbiz. 

 

 

 

Eva Sifis

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Eva Sifis has lived a life that most would never imagine. From an international dancing career to learning how to walk again; from building herself anew to surviving advanced cancer, and from losing everything through head injury to assisting others in shifting their experiences of trauma to ones of empowerment. Her own stories of overcoming adversity give new credence to the motto ‘onwards and upwards’. She shows that it is a matter of tenacity and self-belief as well as taking the benefit of support through community and family in order to survive and thrive.

Now, in a surprise twist to confound all the disbelievers, Eva’s artistic life is experiencing a rebirth too! After believing all that was behind her, it seems an artist’s life as a presenter, actor, voiceover artist, singer, dancer and disability advocate really is for evermore. In other words, she is a storyteller at large.

Because of circumstances steering her life from an international dancing career to one of producing community arts, Eva has gained a unique insight to living with disability. This insight is presently being used in the development of workshops assisting the lives of those recovering from Acquired Brain Injury through her own business By Accident. Her only wish is to highlight the fortitude and tenacity that lies latent within us all.

In addition to being a facilitator as employed by organisations to deliver their training, Eva is a published author and public speaker.

Website: http://www.byaccident.com.au/

Eva Sliter

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Now living in Sydney, Australia but originating from Sosnowiec, Poland, Eva Sliter holds a Master’s degree in Dramatic Arts from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts (PWST) in Krakow, Poland. Her career has encompassed a diverse range of areas including theatre, advertising, film and television. Her acting credits include Polish National Theatre productions such as Gogo in “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel L. Beckett, Isabella in “Measure for Measure” by William Shakespeare and Masha in “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov.

Some of Eva’s acting technique specialties include: Mikhail Chekhov, Stanislavsky, Sanford Meisner, Grotowski as well as Body and Voice. The latter two of which she had the privilege to learn directly through Zygmunt Molik in Wroclaw, Poland. Directors have commended her for her high level and clarity of interpersonal skills, flexible responsiveness and creative acumen.

Eva has also been complimented for an easy and engaging personality, for her enthusiasm in learning new things and for being consistently passionate about character and story. With her Polish heritage, she has amassed a remarkably miscellaneous trivia in all things related to European theatre and film that—a foundation that has informed and nurtured her approach towards the different styles and techniques of her acting craft.

Frieda Lee

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Frieda Lee grew up in Sydney, and is of Chinese and Indonesian descent. She has worked with The Last Great Hunt on “The Advisors” (2017) and “Improvement Club” (2018). In 2017 she was a recipient of the Malcolm Robertson Foundation prize for her play “All His Beloved Children”. 

Frieda acted for Barking Gecko Theatre Company in “A Ghost in My Suitcase” at the Melbourne International Arts Festival (2018), Sydney Festival (2019) and Perth Festival (2019). She collaboratively created “The Inconsequential Lives of Little Fish” at The Blue Room Theatre (2018), nominated for five Performing Arts WA Awards. 

Frieda won the PAWA (Performing Arts WA Awards) for Best Actor in an Independent Production 2018. In 2020 she began writing “The Bright Side of Bum Town” as one of Griffin Theatre Company and Create NSW’s Incubator artists. The play was commissioned by the Sydney Opera House’s New Work Now Initiative and won the 2022 Max Afford Playwrights Award. 

Frieda has a Bachelor of Performing Arts from WAAPA, a Bachelor of Arts/Laws, a Master of Human Rights and is currently writing a PhD with UNSW and Australian Plays Transform. 

Gabriela Pangilinan

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Gabriela Pangilinan headlined the Manila staging of “Side Show” by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group in 2018, earning a nomination for her portrayal of Daisy Hilton in Broadway World Philippines. She was also cited in various publications on the Best of Theater in 2018 (Philippine Inquirer, ABS-CBN, TheaterFansManila). It was this role that led her to star in her next two productions in Manila: Black Box Productions’ “Mula Sa Buwan”, in which she vocally trained for classically, and Full House Theater’s “Ang Huling El Bimbo”, which was a monster-hit of a production of over 100 sold-out shows.

In 2016, Gabriela had the opportunity to be a part of “The Tempest Reimagined” which was a partnership between the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). The show which began her professional career in theatre was PETA’s “Rak of Aegis”, which closed with 449 shows.

Though she has always loved musical theatre and took workshops as a child, Gabriela only dove in headfirst in 2014 and has been a full-time theatre actor since then. To this day, she hasn’t stopped acting, dancing and singing.

Gemma Hansom

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Brisbane-born and bred Gemma Hansom is a bubbly and talented actress and musician. Raised from a rowdy Australian-Irish family, she has been exposed to a wide range of activities since from a young age. From farmyards to family yarns, all aspects have shaped her into the charismatic, quirky, versatile, driven performer/story teller she is today.

With her formal training beginning at the Australian Dance and Performance Institute (ADPI) at the ripe age of 17, studying ballet, commercial jazz, tap and acting, Gemma’s ambition and passion for Musical Theatre led her on to further studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCM), graduating with a BMus (Musical Theatre) in 2014. A quirky, versatile personality has seen her play leading roles such as Kira in Harvest Rain’s 2015 production of “Xanadu”, Carrie Pipperidge in “Carousel”, Rapunzel in “Into the Woods”, as well as featured roles in “Hair” and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. She has also featured in masterclasses with noted professionals such as John Bucchino, Neil Rutherford, Leontine Hass and Paul Sabey.

Aside from being on stage herself, Gemma takes pride in aiding the development of new, upcoming theatre. In 2014 she starred as the main character Zwante in Matthew Samer’s reading of” Hell and High Water”, which has since been taken to London for further development.

As a qualified high school teacher, (when time permits) Gemma also enjoys encouraging and supporting teens in developing their skills and love for performing too.

Gemma’s unwavering commitment and determination sees her going from strength to strength as she continuously seeks projects and opportunities to grow as a performer and artist.

 

George El Hindi

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George El Hindi is best known for his hilarious turn as a gay husband in a forced marriage with a lesbian in the phenomenally successful web series “I Luv U But”. This two-season run was nominated for a Beirut’s Social Media Award in Lebanon, had a social media blitz and received unprecedented hits across the Middle East and Asia among the LGBTIQ community.

George has a personable, handsome and open presence whose affinity with the camera suggests self-assurance and an unexpected sense of comic timing contrasting with his ‘straight man’ persona. Other than his impressive skills in martial arts, circus, sports and activities, his ability to mimic any accent also gives him scope and creativity to perform dramatic material and/or physical comedy on stage and on screen.

Well spoken, a good communicator and eager to learn, George is a well-rounded artist who has a tendency to make audacious, risky decisions that usually pay off, and an attitude for reinvention and return to form.

Georgia Spark

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Passionate and driven, Georgia Spark began her journey by undertaking singing and piano lessons from a young age. She continued to perform in local & school choirs, musicals and concerts.

Georgia went on to study a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and continued to learn for three years. Her university credits include: Rosalia in “West Side Story” (2017), Queen in “The Life” (2016) and Carmen in “Sweet Charity” (2016). Since graduating, she has taken on the role of Lauren in “Kinky Boots” at the Empire Theatre and has toured across Queensland with the children’s tour of “Blue Gum Farm”.

Georgia loves diving into the minds of different characters and exploring their possibilities. She is prepared to change her physical appearance and learn any instrument for upcoming productions.

Georgina Lloyd

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Blessed with a potent mix of Mediterranean and European ancestry, Georgina Lloyd is not only a talented emerging artist, but also a captivating burlesque performer. She is very much a juggler for the camera: she can straddle worlds between bubbly, showbiz transparency, timeless, old-world classicalism, the ‘good twin and evil twin’ archetype with a slightly twisted, ambivalent foible and the domestic goddess but imperfect mother/girlfriend.

Performing on stage at the Sydney Theatre Company (2021), Georgina was hand-picked to portray the role of Ato Asyet, a vibrant and chaotic character sharing her same unique ethnic heritage and cultural background.

When not treading the boards or gracing the screen, Georgina is rocking on stage as a finalist at this year’s Battle of the Bands at Sydney’s very own Kelly’s on King (April 2021) with her band, Cosmic Rodeo, where she plays keyboards and sings lead vocals.

But that’s not where her talent ends. Thanks to illustrious training for Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Western Sydney Institute of Music and Fantastiques Performing Arts Academy, in the last 15 years Georgina has shone in jazz, cabaret, musical theatre, belly and flamenco in addition to world, which comes from her interestingly ambiguous heritage. She is as resourceful as in sport and martial arts: a glance at her skills shows that you may fear for your life on the field!

Indeed, if there was one word to capture this actor, dancer and singer—or the triple threat as they call it—it would be ‘effervescent.’ And the lights agree with her as well.

Gerry Sont

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Gerry Sont trained originally in London at E.15 Stratford and later with Ms. Uta Hagen in New York. He has over 100 professional stage, film and TV credits but he is probably most well known as Melvin in “Melvin: Son of Alvin” and as Brett Macklin from “Home & Away” or even perhaps the host of the kids’ show “Double Dare”.

In his 30’s Gerry taught at NIDA for nine years and created their one-year TV Presenters course which he also facilitated. He became a senior trainer within NIDA’s Corporate Performance division. For The Actors Centre, he has taught various drop-in classes. For the Australian College of Entertainers in Melbourne he was Head of Drama for a year. Later in his 40’s he focused more on theatre productions and corporate training.

Currently, Gerry coaches nationally business presentation skills and is an affiliate lecturer at UNSW Business School, AGSM.

Gerry joined Actors Equity in 1976.

Website: http://www.gerrysont.com/

Glenn Levett

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Glenn Levett was a primary school teacher and principal for 40 years before recently retired, seeking a ‘stage change’. Thus he made the much-anticipated leap into his other nurturing love: acting. His interest in performing arts had begun through his teaching and as such is extremely accomplished in all facets of film, musicals, theatre, television and modeling.

During his tenure in education, Glenn had a drama group who competed at State Drama Festival, and once held in reserve for over 6 years. He critiqued Statewide school performances and was a member of the Eastern Suburbs Drama Committee for 5 years. He was also a member for 10 years and treasurer at the Eastern Suburbs Festival of Performing arts for 6 years.

Being of mixed Indian, French and English heritage, Glenn prides himself not only on his culture but also on his exercise regime; he is a regular at the local gym and can boast a super-toned body. In addition, he attends and teaches ballroom/Latin American dance classes.

In his downtime Glenn enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, travel and shopping.

Greg Semu

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Of Samoan heritage, Greg Semu (Gregory Alan Semu) is an established international photographer and visual artist, having aesthetically acclaimed technical experience in film and television behind the camera spanning for over two decades. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he has lived all over the world including New York, Paris and Berlin. In addition to being fluent in French, he taught himself German and Mandarin respectively. He has been based in Sydney since 2010.

It is partly due to that experience and diverse, worldly, driven upbringing that Greg has transitioned into a whole new phase in his fifties, which happens to be acting. Indeed, his intense flair, broody overtones and wild, shaggy appearance places him in a cut above the rest.

‘As an Actor, Artist and Protagonist, I am interested in the suffering of others…’

Website: http://www.gregsemu.photography/

Gregory Shand

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Gregory (Greg) Shand has taught tap dancing and musical staging at the London Studio Centre and in Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Sydney. He has directed and choregraphed musical theatre in Switzerland, Germany and Sydney, and taught musical theatre performance at Wollongong Conservatorium.

Gregory’s highlights are inspiring, far-flung and impressive, ranging from European tours of “Side by Side”, “Good Old Days”, “Me and My Girl”, “Amadeus” to Australian offerings like “Danny La Rue Show”, “Oklahoma!”, “The Death of Albatross” and, behind the scenes as choreographer for “Sweet Charity”, “A Chorus Line”, “Pippin” and “West Side Story” in his hometown of Wollongong. In addition to cabarets like “Schlemil” in Berlin, “Raus Damit” in the Weimar Republic and “Oh My God!” in Vienna, he has varied experience in opera and the festival circuit.

Gregory was a member of the Wollongong Contemporary Choir.

Hannah Gwatkin

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Whether dancing, acting, singing, playing saxophone or piano, choreographing or composing, Hannah Gwatkin is always keen to create and perform. Having completed a Diploma of Music (Contemporary Performance) in Sydney, she moved to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, graduating in 2017.

University credits include Nickie Pignatelli in “Sweet Charity”, Graziella in “West Side Story”, Watkin Tench in “Our Country’s Good”, Bridesmaid in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and Bobby in “The Life”. Hannah has also appeared in “The Boy from Oz: The Arena Musical” (2006), ABC’s “Sing!” CDs (2004-2007), as a Featured Dancer in Opera Queensland’s “Kiss Me Kate” (2016), and as Judy Turner in Mad About Theatre’s production of “A Chorus Line” (2018). Now a Melbourne local, she prides herself as an enthusiastic, hardworking, highly skilled and versatile performer.

Hannah Kassulke

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Hannah Kassulke is a Brisbane-born actor and singer. She graduated with distinction from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts in 2018, majoring in drama and history, and completed a musical theatre internship with Harvest Rain in 2013. She has studied under the likes of Mary Setrakian, Kathryn Marquet and Catarina Hebbard as well as gaining extensive acting experience through her work in theatre.

Hannah has been involved in musical theatre in and around Brisbane for a number of years. Her credits include shows such as “Next to Normal” (Natalie), “Les Misérables” (Fantine understudy), “Ladies in Black” (Fay) and “Complete Unknowns”, a one-act play in which she was awarded Best Actress for the South East Queensland One Act Play festival. A versatile actress, she approaches her acting with detail, subtlety and complete understanding of her characters, relishing in their vulnerability, or lack thereof.

Hannah O'Connell

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Hannah O’Connell grew up in Melbourne and was always surround by music and theatre since from an early age. She began her theatre training at Showfit in Melbourne before making her way to Ballarat to begin studying her Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at Federation University.

Theatre credits whilst at the Arts Academy included a workshop of Andrew Worboys Showtrain (Jacob) as well as a production of “Bye Bye Birdie” (Alice) In her final year at University. Hannah played Alexi Darling along with smaller featured roles in the musical “RENT” at the Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne, and also played Beadle in the production of “Sweeney Todd”.

Haolan Yao

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Haolan (Daniel) Yao started acting and presenting since he was 8 in China, having won multiple awards for public speaking and monologue delivery across the country. At the age of 14, he found his new passion in the form of singing. Skilled in both classical and contemporary genres he has undertaken a music degree at the University of Sydney.

After moving to Australia at the age of 18, Haolan applied his skills and participated in several theatre performances and TV shows. He furthered his career by collaborating with painter Charlie Sheard and photographer Michael Phoenix as an artistic model. He also became a public speaking adviser for The University of New South Wales.

In his spare time, Haolan is an extremely athletic individual and professionally competes in Muay Thai/kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. With a combination of strength and artistry, he is very versatile and can therefore succeed in many roles.

Happy Feraren

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With an accomplished background in a wide range of improvisational theatre formats in Manila, Philippines for over a decade, Happy Feraren has performed in more than 500 shows for both corporate and cultural audiences. Her experience includes participating as a performer and facilitator in international workshops and festivals around the world in cities like New York, Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Chicago respectively.

For improve theatre group SPIT (Silly People’s Improv Theater), Happy has performed in major cultural venues in the Philippines: Cultural Center of the Philippines, Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and the PETA Theater Centre. Not only did she assist in the devising of special shows such as: murder mystery, dinner theatre, themed city tours, improvised musicals and so on, she co-organised the group’s flagship biennial event, the biggest festival in Asia, Manila Improv Festival.

A screen and theatre highlight were being a part of “Limitless” with Chris Hemsworth (Disney+) and being part of Slide Night with Rove McManus in the Sydney Opera House respectively.

Moreover, Happy is as a professional presenter and sports broadcaster with experience on national televison, live events and radio in the Philippines.

Huan Nguyen

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Huan Nguyen is an actor working out of Sydney, Australia. With his Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, majoring in Film Studies at the University of Sydney, he relishes the prospect of being able to create opportunities to work in the film industry. He also has undertaken the acting course Acting for Mindfulness, with the intent of broadening his skills and experience, in order to drive his pursuit in film.

Huan is trained in the Vietnamese martial arts Vovinam, and was competitive in 2013-2018.

Hugh Pham

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A business student who has spent a great deal of his time living, studying and working overseas, Hugh Pham has truly found a passion for acting, dance and improvisation. Despite his day job, this does not stop him to fully pursue this craft, and he has begun by constantly learning about the entertainment industry and enhancing as much of his knowledge as possible. Since he understands that for every beginning as an actor, he has decided to be completely dedicated to the power of inhabiting a character that is not his own.

Other than a few small productions when Hugh was younger, and being able to feel the joy in performance, he has decided to take it more seriously in 2015. One of the highlights of his short but impassioned career was cracking the Top 20 in the fiercely competitive “So You Think You Can Dance Australia” in 2012.

What Hugh lacks in experience, his humble attitude and consistently, thriving, osmotic quality makes him ideal for the leap into the professional world of acting. He is thankful and understanding that ICACM is perhaps the place to give him a chance to improve and follow his dreams.

Imogen Church

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Imogen (or Immie to family and friends) Church is a qualified actor and musical theatre performer with an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts from ED5 International. She credits some of her ED5 mentors and peers as reassuringly, hopefully invaluable to the building blocks of her career longevity in this industry.

Immie’s measured professionalism is rivalled only by her stunning vocal capacity, top command of various dance genres and the stimulating energy that she receives from her audience. Not only that, with a taste for the screen, she is keen to branch out into other challenging, irreverent, exciting and creative roles befitting her experience yet also providentially beyond her years.

Inderjit Singh

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Inderjit Singh began acting since school. He participated in live drama shows and modeling; the first time he was on national television was in India in 2001. He attended a dancing school in 2004, to which he applied on television and Bollywood films with his team.

Inderjit came to Australia in 2009 where he started taking part in leading roles as a model in various Indian music videos. He also played a supporting role for a Pollywood movie “Sardar ji 2” (Pashto cinema) in 2015, and flexed his comic chops on “NRI” working alongside North Indian film actors.

Isabel Mulrooney

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Born and raised in Wagga Wagga NSW, Melbourne-based actress Isabel Mulrooney graduated from Federation University/BAPA with a B.A in Acting.

Isabel’s recent credits include one-woman show “Butchers Paper Cape” (VCA), 2018 feature film “Rock Sugar”, “The Power of 2” (T2 Tea), “Death of an Axolotl” (C31), “Teaching and Learning” (BYTE), “This is She” (Melbourne Fringe) and “Moment of Freedom” (La Mama).

Most recently, Isabel has been showing off her funny chops in the new Australian touring production “The Hall Committee” alongside comedian Damian Callinan.

Footage: https://vimeo.com/user43468527

Isabella Forte

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Isabella Forte is a Sydney-based Singer/Actor/Dancer. Blessed with Italian heritage, she is a bubbly and mature girl-next-door type who is always willing to work hard, striving to improve all the three aspects of her craft. Her career goals are to establish herself in the Australian Music theatre industry on an equal level as within the film and television industry.

Isabella’s love for performing stems from a curiosity and discovery of creating, portraying and delivering fantastically extraordinary, socially-aware, universal stories lifted from the people that she meets locally and from all over the world.

Although Isabella feels connected to her roots as much as drawing from Anglo-centric culture, she can pass off as Latino/Hispanic, Spanish, Greek or even Middle Eastern.

Isabella West-Just

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Isabella (Bella) West-Just was born and raised in Sydney, Australia as an only child with a single mother.

She grew up as a competitive gymnast training 25 hours a week for her entire childhood and most of her teen years. From a young age, gymnastics was all she knew until she discovered drama in high school and fell in love with acting and watching movies. She would watch movies and TV shows on repeat all the time when she realised that that was all she wanted to do as a career.

After high school, Isabella traveled to the USA to work at a summer camp in Upstate New York and afterwards decided to road-trip California by herself. It was there she realized that she wanted to pursue acting full time, so when she got home she auditioned for Sydney Theatre School.

During her studies Isabella was able to portray roles such as Lady Capulet in “Romeo and Juliet’ and Tameka in the self-devised play “The Warren”.

Isabella hopes to continue to play a wide range of roles and tell stories through her acting and inspire others, just as she was inspired by actors herself.

Isabelle Nader

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A Syrian-Armenian Actress and Voiceover Artist, Isabelle Nader is a first-generation Australian born and raised in Western Sydney. A 2020 graduate from NIDA, she speaks fluent Arabic and is more than ready to convey an authentic ethnic young adult with a little bit of sass and attitude.

Izabella Louk

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Izabella Louk (she/her) is an actor, dancer, playwright and producer, living and working on Gadigal land. She attended Drew University (NJ, USA) where she studied Theatre and Mandarin, and upon graduation, she was awarded the Thomas H. Kean President's Award for Overall Excellence in Theatre Arts.

Highlights from her time in the US include working with Tectonic Theater Project in New York to devise Stillwater an original play with music that premiered off-Broadway at the Helen Mills Theatre in New York, training and performing with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and interning with New York casting office Telsey+Company.

On return to Australia, Izabella produced and performed in the wildly successful run of “Much Ado About Nothing” which sold out over a month prior to opening night and received rave reviews. She is currently a member of ATYP’s prestigious writing development program Fresh Ink, and also recently had her short play “Fish Doof” published by Currency Press as a part of the anthology Intersection: Bloom.

Website: https://izabellalouk.wixsite.com/mysite

Jacek Dusznik

 

 

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Jacek Dusznik studied acting at Bull Alley Theatre. He achieved Distinction in both Theatre Performance and ATCL Diploma at Trinity College London. The ex-boxer and rugby player speaks fluent English, German and Polish. In 2010, the Irish public discovered him in Focus Theatre’s first production, “Scent of Chocolate” directed by Anna Wolf. He also was set designer for PTI’s devised piece of “Chesslaugh Mewash”, which was part of ABSOLUT Fringe 2011.

Jacek had the pleasure of working with Irish comedy legend Tommy Tiernan in “Dave’s One Night Stand” show as journalist Tomek. He memorably appeared in the highly-acclaimed TV series “Ripper Street” on his deathbed alongside Matthew Macfadyen (“Anna Karenina”) as well as Stephen Don’s “Faraway” feature, Daniel Corcoran’s short film “Promised Land” and “Death Waits” feature by Redmond Fitzpatrick. He appeared in plays “Henry V” as Charles VI, by Katherine Murphy and in “Street Scene” as Kaplan, by Neville Caryle Style. Jacek is proud of his work on “Blink”, a short film directed by Conor Maloney (“Ayamé”), about how destinies can be shaped in the blink of an eye. Written by and starring Gavin O’Connor (“The Tudors”), Jacek acted opposite IFTA nominee Róisín Murphy (“What Richard Did”) and Luke Griffin (“Band Of Brothers”).

Two beloved career highlights come to mind: one was touring primary schools across Ireland promoting environmental awareness through “Turning the Tide” for Down to Earth Theatre Company. The other one was 2013’s “The Vikings”. Jacek found it to be special, brutally rewarding and well paid work and even spent more time on the set than some of the main actors. Gleefully amongst some of the fiercest fights: a whack to the face, riding roughshod on a warhorse, blood-splattered nevertheless had endowed the Polish emigrant with priceless insight into how to deal with large-scale professional productions.

Since the mid-2014 move to Germany, Jacek was able to obtain a UK Channel 4 job in Stuttgart. Apparently he has no qualms in getting undressed for 3 hours in a Bigest German brothel! Indeed, he is nothing if not endlessly optimistic, facilitating, driven and honest about his services with the soul of a searching artist as seen in his favourite poem below. Inspired by Terry Gilliam’s “The Fisher King” he is more at home with a crazy, mad and roguish glint in his eye, with fashionably up-swept locks so as to avoid looking like ‘every third guy on the street’!

Jack Ngu

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Born in Australia, Jack Ngu is a self-styled Chinese-Vietnamese performer and multimedia artist. He is also a super versatile actor, presenter, model and filmmaker whose forte lies in comedy and improvisation.

Graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts and Media Communication degree from University of New South Wales, Jack also studied theatre and acting, which has helped him to ‘practice for life’. By osmosis, his curiosity for and exposure to all facets of productions – behind the scenes and on camera – is only rivalled by his people skills – from elders to children, from celebrities to pets and mentors to juveniles. By switching from four accents of English to the Cantonese and Teochew languages, he has been able to break language barriers, bridge generation gaps and thus widen the social scope in his world.

Everybody who has worked with him considers him to be creative, technical, adaptable, funny, charismatic, educated, intellectual, childish, geeky and random. He applies aspects of this philosophy with varying depths: in the spiralled, corruptive ambivalence of “Gangs of Oz” and “3 Men, One Dice” (2009); neo noir worlds of “Callabona Red” (2009) and “Rain Dog” (2013); the dreamy, wise and romantic connotations of “Mr Bench” (2012) and of course, the scatological practicalities of “Ultimate Guide to No Toilet Paper” (2010). In addition, he has worked with Rumble Pictures as a stuntman, actor and assistant.

Off screen, Jack’s characters are idle and idiosyncratic: from skating (heelys) and snowboarding to travel and spiritual journeys, as well as video games and ‘robots in disguise’. In other words, he is the ‘most dynamic person you may ever meet’.

You may find Jack equally down to earth, with an award-winning imagination that is this planet! Very quickly, you are convinced that entertainment is truly his passion.

Website: http://www.jackngu.com/

James Philpot

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James Philpot is a character actor who relishes playing comedic characters in contemporary plays such as those by David Williamson, to energetic slap stick comical roles in classics such as “Arsenic and Old Lace”. In 2018 he portrayed a ‘bucket list’ role when he used his dramatic and comedic skills combined as Norman, the titular character in Ronald Harwood's “The Dresser”. 

An accomplished Shakespearean actor, James has performed both dramatic and comical character roles. Musical theatre has seen him play a range of lead roles, including a tap-dancing brush turkey in an improvised production set around the Australian Rainforest entitled “Wild”. Always keen to stretch his talents, he has also featured as the title character of Hecuba in a traditional Ancient Greek Mask Drama, and in 2017 tested his adlibbing skills as he played Santa Claus doing an interview ‘live’ from the North Pole on the “Sunrise” program.

In his day job, James has been a drama teacher across NSW high schools with 25 years’ experience. He has a flair for storytelling to children and adults in those schools and also as a volunteer in nursing homes. He has hosted in front of audiences for variety concerts, award ceremonies and special occasions such as weddings and other celebratory occasions.

Jane Phegan

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Since graduating from Theatre Nepean in 2005, Jane Pegan has been working on stage. The day after graduation she began a 10-year journey as Company Artist with Version 1.0. In addition to devising and performing in all of its major works during this period, she was also performing in mainstream theatre productions.

Since the closure of Version 1.0 in 2014, Jane worked with Rinkogun Theatre Company in Tokyo, and toured Ilbijerri's “Beautiful One Day” from Southbank to London (2014). Meanwhile she continued to work non-stop in Sydney, proving to be an incredible veteran actress for Siren Theatre Co in “The Trouble with Harry” (2012 & 2017), “Good with Maps (2017), “The Ham Funeral” (2017) and “As You Like It” (2011), to name a few.

Jane has appeared in several short films, such as “How the Light Gets In” (2016) and “Butterfly Factor” (2004). She won Best Actress at Sydney Indie Film Festival in 2015 for “Entailment”.  She had a small role in the award-winning Bosnian director Jasmila Zbanic's feature “For Those Who Can Tell No Tales”. This premiered at TIFF in 2013 and screened at festivals around the world before coming to SFF in 2014.

Jane seeks work that is challenging and interesting, in turn encouraging people to engage and be proactive within the wider community.

Janet Foye

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A staple of Australian film and television for over 30 years, Janet Foye has been very blessed to work under the directorial lens of Philip Noyce in “Heatwave” (1982); Alex Proyas in “Knowing” (2009); George Miller on both “Babe” movies (1994, 1998). On the smaller screen, she held her own in guest roles against heavyweights John Wood on “Blue Heelers” (2001); comediennes Jane Turner and Gina Riley on “Kath & Kim”; heartthrob David Wenham and self-assured Sigrid Thornton on “SeaChange” (2000) and Ian Rawlings on “Sons and Daughters” (1982) as his bad boy’s therapist in one very memorable scene that was a little too intimate for her liking!

Janet, indeed, has played memorable exceedingly well in rural settings, having appeared in multiple arced episodes on “Bed of Roses” as a South Gippsland townsperson Lorna Lincoln who is an integral part of Kerry Armstrong’s character’s ‘new normal’; on “Something in the Air” (2000) whose town is revived by the preserving presence of a radio station, and on “A Country Practice” (1982-1990) whose personal relationships are as important as those of doctors and nurses’ with their patients.

Such as is the breadth and depth of Janet’s career that it has taken her to play in many sandboxes of bogan satire, apocalyptic doom, unbelievable melodrama, quirky pastoralism, action with both fantastical and felonious elements and uplifting coping mechanisms in the face of grief and loss.

Now Janet is about to enter the next and most exciting chapter of her life in Melbourne that she currently calls home.

Jarrod Barke

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Jarrod Barke is an Australian-born performer who has worked in numerous areas of the entertainment industry. As a young artist, he has already worked for some of the world's biggest brands on stage and screen’s including Alikhan Live Entertainment, Hi-5 World and Disney Cruise Line respectively. 

A hard-working, energetic and professional artist, Jarrod has the faultless ability to move between lead/supporting roles and ensemble roles, blending in very well with panache, lively physicality and zest. 

Jasmine Yo Shan Chan

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Though small in stature, Jasmine Yo Shan Chan makes up for it in award-winning passion and drive. She is a Melbourne-based performer originally from Hong Kong. From a young age, she has undergone training for singing, acting and dancing. As a young artist, she has already performed at impressive venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and Disneyland in Hong Kong.

Jasmine first stepped on stage in 2009 for the “My Hong Kong Dream Concert”. Her screen debut was a Hong Kong McDonald’s breakfast TV commercial in 2015. Her first theatre training was at the age of 14, where she was chosen as a recipient for the Bravo! Program offered by AFTEC Hong Kong. This was a two-year training program, including three-week training with the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in Taiwan as one of 10 people out of the final 30. This two-year program opened her eyes to the professional world of performing arts, where she received training for classical and physical theatre from Dr Vicky Ooi, Rodney Cottier from LAMDA and Ata Wong as well as instructors from the Cloud Gate Dance School. 

Jasmine’s determination to make performing a lifelong career was the moment she was chosen as the school drama captain at Geelong Grammar School in Year 12. Since then she has participated in productions such as “Chicago” (Mona); “Motor-mouth and Suck-face: An Apocalyptic Love Story” (Sarah); “Sense and Sensibility” (Margaret Dashwood); “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Hermia), and more during her time at Geelong Grammar School. After graduation she went on to work as a show character in Hong Kong Disneyland for almost two years.

 

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Jaylee Waters

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Growing up in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Jaylee Waters has been dancing since she was four, training in Jazz, Ballet and Tap at MJ Dance Studio, as well as having private singing lessons. After completing High School, she moved to Ballarat, Victoria and began her Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) degree at the Arts Academy. While at the Arts Academy Jaylee performed in: the original workshop production of “Motor-Mouth Loves Suck-Face: An Apocalyptic Musical” (Penelope Tupper), “The Pajama Game” (Dance Captain/Ensemble), “The Addams Family” (Marie Antoinette/Featured Dancer) and “Into the Woods” (Rapunzel). Jaylee has also worked in collaboration with La Mama Mobile Theatre, performing in the original short play, “Confide”.

Jaylee is a 2016 Music Theatre Graduate from Federation University’s Arts Academy.

Jean Judith Xavier

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Jean Judith Javier is a singer, musical theatre performer and a film actor, who is unstoppable in bringing her heart to her audience, she draws courage from them. As a soprano, Jean Judith sings for opera and musical theatre but never limits her capacity by performing pieces from world arts songs. As a film actor, her roles are unconventional that manifest her embodied inner strength but mystical persona.                                                           

She learns how to sing at an early age of nine performing in the church and villages. Coming from a humble beginning, Jean Judith captures the skill of fine singing from her mother and her sensitivity for arts was nurtured by being deeply connected to the expressive musical cultures of the Philippines, her motherland.

Her tenacity to work as a full-time actor and the faith she puts to her craft gave her opportunities to perform in cities and provinces in the Philippines and South and East Asian countries like Korea, Indonesia, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and various cities in China. She assumed self-title roles from many original musicales that have had impacted the history of Philippine contemporary theatre.

In opera, she played Sisa for “Noli Me Tangere: The Opera”, a difficult role. But her portrayal of the most iconic Philippine fictive character and deranged woman captures her audience giving her standing ovations and critical acclaim from critics. She offers passionate command of stage performance with her depiction of Gulnara for “Orosman at Zafira” where she earned admiration from theatre aficionados and from her audience:

Noli Me Tangere: The Opera: Unquestionably the high point of the rather meandering De Leon-Tolentino opera, Javiers renditionwas a mesmerizing piece of theater, a rapturous 11-oclock numberthat stands as the years most thrilling moment on the musical stage.

And in the famous ariasoprano Jean Judith Javier was spellbinding, and deservedly received the loudest applause at curtain call.

Jean Judith Javier as Sisa was nothing short of phenomenal...but more so by the passionate aria that half the time featured Javier imitating birdsong with her voice in pitch perfect precision.

Jean Judith Javier (Gulnara) ably and swiftly shifted from wife to mistress, mother and slave, to woman warrior, with nary a questionable act, not one moment of uncertainty in her voice or actions...Javier taking on the higher registers when singing with the chorus. She did it flawlessly, too.

Jean Judith's sheer talent allowed her to work in almost all major theatre companies in her native country gaining admiration from Philippines most respected and outstanding theatre directors.

This woman of inspiration, integrity and excellence with uncompromising spirit of an artist hopes to bring her singing voice and acting craft as an oblation for world's cultural and social transformation.

Jessica Loeb

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Jessica Loeb is a Sydney-based singer, actor, dancer and writer whose Filipino heritage helped her become the singer and performer that she is today. She has had a passion for the performing arts since she was a young child, commencing jazz dance and singing lessons at the age of 8. A self-proclaimed comedian, she also enjoys writing comedic cabarets and scripts.

Jessica has graduated from the Australian Institute of Music with a bachelor of Music majoring in Musical Theatre and was cast as one of the leads in AIM’s 2016 production of “Urinetown” as Little Sally.

Jessica is continuously finding ways to improve her craft and establish herself in the Australian music theatre industry as well as film and television.

Jessica Trueman

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Jessica Trueman is most known for her work in award-winning shorts “A Bold Choice”, “My Name is Richard” as well as “Beneath the Eye” (2019), “Consume” (2019) and “Ella” (2020), which screened at Flickerfest.

In 2022 Jessica made her directorial debut in “A Bold Choice” (released in August 2022), and won the Best Open Actor award for her portrayal of protagonist Alice. In late 2022 this was shown on SBS as a part of their favourite films from the festival, and also shown on the Aurora Channel in March 2023 as a part of their Focus on Ability Festival program.

She has trained at NIDA, Screenwise, Sydney Actors Collective and AAFTA, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Communication (Media Arts and Production) at UTS. She graduated in April 2020.

Jessica is Neurodivergent and is motivated to use her platform and talents to bring nuanced depictions of Neurodiversity to the stage and screen.

Jina Lim

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Korean-born, Jina Lim is based in Sydney and can speak English and Korean fluently. She is an actor, social media influencer, commercial and fashion model who has worked several companies including Microsoft, Manicare and Nikon Lensewear. She has more than three years’ experience in artistic nude and photographic modelling. 

Jina is confident, hard-working and brings a positive, audacious attitude to all aspects of her life. Her personable, down-to-earth and professional ethic makes her a joy to work with on set, believing in credible long-term relationships that sustain in mutually beneficial ways.

Jina enjoys water-based activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling and beach swimming. She is similarly passionate and balanced about healthy living, fitness, travel and beauty. She prides herself on staying in shape—mentally, spiritually and physically.

Jip Panosot

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Jip Panosot is a self-proclaimed lover of life in entertainment or to be more specifically—a perfect, diamond,self-assured expression of life and its value across acting, presenting, modelling, music or even martial arts. Even more so she is ever eager to explore and expand her potential and its continual reaffirmations in the eclectic and transparent variety of the characters that she plays.

After spending much of her childhood in USA since the age of six, Jip unsurprisingly slipped into a natural accent. She traveled the world to pick up some of the languages including German, French and Portuguese as well as kicking arse and taking names in all tremendous manners of fighting such as Silat, Savate, Taekwondo, Kali and Muay Thai to name a few.

She eventually settled down in Australia right at the turn of the millennium. Action acting is a passion—the ultimate poster child of combat and performing arts. The former has placed Jip in exceptional steed for lethal fight choreography and film stunts including competency in swords(wo)manship.

Meanwhile, she has a more artistic or ‘softer side’. From horse riding and fire twirling pursuits and intuitive grasp of Thai instruments such as a xylophone, flute and dulcimer to traditional classical dance, Eurythmy and capoeira, Jip is a welcome presence on stage that can incorporate two or more disparate elements together into one engrossingly paradoxical performance—as long as you remember who will always win in a fight!

Being an insanely motivated and quick learner, Jip often seeks diversely dynamic and experimental challenges all in the name of exciting adventures and endless possibilities ahead.

 

Joanne Chang

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Joanne Chang is a professional pharmacist in Australia and Hong Kong. She accidentally discovered her ‘creative bug’ in Hong Kong. Answering to a random Facebook post, she was cast as a plus size model for a China Mobile commercial in 2017. Having loved her time on set, she decided to pursue something further in the entertainment industry.

Returning to Australia, Joanne has been cast on a few short films, featured in commercials, and participated in the reality television show “First Dates”.  She has worked on various blockbuster films as a background artist. In addition to her training with Screenwise in screen acting, she is skilled in Chinese Kung Fu as well as hip-hop and contemporary dancing. She also speaks three languages.

Joanne is a passionate actress. As an Australian with Chinese ethnicity, she is excited that more diverse stories are being portrayed on screen and would like to be part of this movement.

Joanne Liang

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Joanne is a 2015 graduate of ACTT (Actors College of Theatre and Television). Whilst at ACTT she performed in “Coriolanus”, as Brutus directed by Sean O’Riordan; Joan in “Breezeblock Park”, Lizzie in “Wolf Lullaby”; and one of the demeaning cheerleaders Danielle in “SLUT: The Play” at Belvoir St Theatre, directed by Maeliosa Stafford.

Joanne loves to explore the topics that deal with issues of the society, morality, human psychology and philosophy with different forms of art. She has a strong belief in the ability of theatre and performance in affecting people through the use of storytelling to allow audience to have deep thoughts and opinion upon the topics and issues.

Joanne also has had experience in working as TV Presenter at the Sydney branch of the biggest Cantonese TV channel TVB, making herself well known to the Chinese demographic.

Apart from having a great passion in acting and performing, Joanne also loves to draw and paint in different forms of techniques.

 

Joe Le

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Joe Le is a Vietnamese-Australian actor who has been featured in the award-winning feature drama “The Finished People” (2003). The feature film debut was awarded the IF Independent Spirit Award and nominated for Best Screenplay, for which he was credited. He was also featured in feel-good drama “Footy Legends” (2006), “Missing Waters” (2009), Academy Award nominee David Bradbury's documentary “The Crater: A True Vietnam War Story” (2015), “Battle of Long Tan” (2006), “Change of Our Lives” (2013), “Home and Away”, “Hidden Peaks” (2018) and “Maximum Choppage” (2015).

Joe is a Telecomunications Rigger/Dogman by trade, in addition to being a screen action actor. His martial arts training includes brown belt in GoShin Ryu karate, Dragon Style kung-fu, boxing, kickboxing and gym training. He studied Diploma in Sound and Audio Engineering at JMC Academy in 2012, where he debuted as a song writer in “Dragon Love”.

In his spare time, Joe volunteers for the State Emergency Service/NSW SES as a Field Operator in Western Sydney.

Jonathan Goerlach

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Visually and hearing impaired Paratriathlete Jonathan Goerlach, suffers from Usher Syndrome Type II, meaning he has moderate hearing loss, no peripheral vision, is night-blind and has only tunnel vision. But having discovered a passion for Paratriathlon, he’s also discovered a passion for winning. And with the Paralympics firmly in his sights, he’s working hard to get there, one race at a time.

About Jonathan

It’s not often you come across a combination of raw talent, steadfast focus and sheer determination, but in Jonathan Goerlach, you’ll find this and more. As a relative newcomer to the sport of Paratriathlon, it’s hard to decide what’s more inspiring – his achievements with his disability or the fact he’s made such incredible progress as a paratriathlete in such a short time. It’s probably a bit of both.

Jonathan’s Story

Raised in Nowra, Southern NSW, Jonathan Goerlach was diagnosed with hearing loss when he was three and has been wearing hearing aids since. Fiercely passionate about sport, even as a youth, for Jonathan it was a case of which sport he would focus on as he excelled at whatever he tried.

However after years of bumping into things and brush-offs from optometrists, at 15, Jonathan was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome Type II – a hearing and degenerative visual impairment.  Having lived for sports, the first thing he asked was, “Will I still be able to play sport?”  Jonathan remembers the look on his Mum’s face. The car ride home was the only time he cried about it. Jonathan gave up sports completely as his eyesight started to deteriorate. If he couldn’t do it well, he wouldn’t do it at all.

Battling the loss of his sight, depression and the reality of life with his disability, Jonathan spiraled downwards, until, knowing he needed to take control of his life with a disability, he headed overseas for a fresh start.

While working in Amsterdam as a Sports Massage Therapist, he worked with many clients who were runners. Hearing their stories inspired Jonathan to pull on his running shoes again and to start to train seriously with a running squad.

Life changed for Jonathan with the announcement that Paratriathlon had been accepted into the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Having always been interested in Triathlon, he realised this was his sport.

And it’s now become his life.

Returning to Australia in 2012, Jonathan was noticed by the Australian Paralympic Committee and Triathlon Australia. Understandably so, as currently Jonathan is one of the fastest runners in the world in his class. Incredibly after only a short time involved in Paratriathlon, and having competed only one race, Jonathan was selected for the World Champs in 2012, which he competed in and came 5th, only 2 minutes behind the winner.

His journey had started.

Today

Jonathan competes in the very competitive PTVI Visually Impaired category in Paratriathlon. He trains under the guidance of his coach Luke Whitmore, who also doubles as Jonathan’s racing guide. Jonathan is also studying at University of Canberra in a Bachelor of Sports Management.

Jonathan has been selected as a member of Triathlon Australia’s High Performance team, and in 2017 successfully defended his title at the Australia and Oceania Paratriathlon Championships. He has a heavy schedule of local and international races planned for 2017 including ITU World Series races. Jonathan has gathered the right people and resources around him to help him work towards his goal, race by race.

“When I was first diagnosed, my family were thinking “what now?” But for many parents of disabled children, I am the “what now?” I’m what their child can be too.”

 Jonathan is a regular speaker at events and is proud that he can make a difference and inspire others, particularly disabled youth.

Jonathan’s message is not so much about his disability, but rather his ability that he’s found as a result of his disability. He can and he is.  And that’s something that everyone needs to hear and see, not just those with a disability.

“Whether you have an ability, a disability, or both, the power of sport can change lives.  It’s changed mine.”

Jorja Buckingham

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Born into a dance school, Jorja Buckingham’s stage debut was at 18 months old following an early retirement at age 3. Luckily, she gave that some more thought down the track! 

Jorja trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Singing in Newcastle before moving to Sydney. There she fulfilled her contract with “Sydney Showboats” in 2015 and hasn't looked back since. She is a triple-threat and also has fallen into the role of Show Host and Compère. In 2019, her contract involved two of her favourite things combined: kids + Christmas in the “Candy Canes” Christmas show. Other credits included performing for “Wet’n’Wild Sydney”, “Circus Krone”, “The Masked Singer Australia” and “Finding Fairyland – Musical High Tea”. 

Jorja also does Fit Modelling for Iconic Talent. She enjoys the opportunity to work on television and film sets as much as her job as a Registered Nurse, who might be prone to dancing her way down the corridors!

Joseph J.U. Taylor

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Joseph J.U. Taylor’s life could be an adventure movie. He spent over 25 years as a Marine Biologist in some of the most amazing and remote islands of Indonesia learning the cultures and language before marrying a warrior princess in Bali. And then he changed tack, sailing to Australia to launch a career in film.

After 7 years living on the boat and making movies, Joseph returned to Bali with only one thing on his mind: to tell stories that matter. His recent acting work includes the international feature “Lost in Paradise: Luchsinger and the Gods”, the award-winning feature "The Mumbai Siege: 4 Days of Terror", ITV’s “The Singapore Grip”, Beyond’s “Deadly Women”, Seven Network’s “Home and Away” and HBO’s “Strike Back” as well as web series and stage shows.

As a founding partner of Seeding Time Pictures, producing content under the mantra Stories That Matter, Joseph wrote and produced the short form documentary "3000Hands". He was Unit Producer and Director during filming of Tina Arena’s "Reset Tour" in Australia (2016), Story Consultant for the feature documentary "Power of Pearl (2018) and wrote, acted in and produced "Dark Waters" (2018) for ABC TV and iView.

Joseph’s pilot script for the TV series "Bali Sutra" was a winner of the HOOQ (parent company SONY) Filmmakers Guild screenwriting program.

Joseph is one of only a handful of registered foreign Film Directors in Indonesia and directed, wrote, and produced the television pilot “Promoter in Paradise”.

Jrisi Jusakos

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Jrisi Jusakos is one of Australia’s most recognised and influential oriental dance artists. With extensive experience in cross cultural and traditional dance forms, she has carved out a unique style that is both captivating and recognisable. She is the artistic director and creator of Hathor Dance Theatre, a sought-after master teacher, performer, producer, choreographer and international sponsor.

Separating her from other performers, Jrisi is also one of the only professional oriental dancers in Australia to hold a Bachelor of Dance from UWS, majoring in choreography. She trained extensively in Western dance styles like contemporary, jazz and ballet, fusing this experience with Oriental, Flamenco, Latin and Classical Indian movement styles, which makes her one of the most experienced and sought-after artists on offer. She’s an award-winning dancer receiving 3 choreographic dance commissions in Contemporary/Oriental Fusion works.

Jrisi’s belly dance career spans 25 years; in that time she has flown around the world developing, training and researching the dance with master teachers. She is one of Australia’s first belly dance artists to obtain an Australian Council for the Arts dance grant for professional development in both Oriental and Western Dance forms in USA, Egypt, Lebanon and Germany. Her primary mentors throughout many years have been Dr Mo Geddawi, Mahmoud Reda, Mdme Raqia Hassan and Yousry Sharif.

Most recently Jrisi has invested in international sponsorship to bring master teachers to Australian. Giving opportunities for Australian dancers to further develop and experience different techniques and performance skills. She has sponsored international guests such as Jillina, Bozenka, Tamlyn Dalala, Hadia, Kaeshi Chai.

She has also produced ground breaking International Bellydance Theatre shows such as Bellydance Evolution’s “Dark Side of the Crown” and Bellyqueen’s “Journey Along the Silk Road” (Sydney Tour). This adds up to 25 theatre shows that she has produced since 2001.

Adding to her range of experience Jrisi had the opportunity to work closely with talented Arabic Musicians for the last 15 years and has produced 3 training DVDs which feature original compositions and have sold worldwide. She has taught in Singapore and toured 3 cities in Japan for workshops and performances.

As a versatile dancer, Jrisi is invited as featured artists in 3 live music ensembles such as Davood Trabizi and the Far Seas, Flamenco Red and Masha’s Legacy which have composed an original piece written especially for her, titled “Safe Haven”

Jrisi is a passionate instructor and performer who has devoted her life to the art of Oriental dance and hopes to continue to raise the profile of this beautiful art with mainstream audiences.

Judith Zhu

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Judith Zhu was a typical broke university student when she decided on a whim to apply for a casting call on an ABC drama. Being her first experience on a television set, she did not know what to expect. However, she loved the feel of being on set and being a part of a project where everyone’s contribution makes a whole. She has since been cast in a number of other television dramas, commercials and promotional work.

New Zealand-born and Australian-raised with Chinese heritage, Judith appreciates the importance of diversity in the industry and continues to advocate for visibility for diverse talent. 

As an early career artist who wants to focus on TV, film and modelling, Judith is a hard-worker who is willing to try new things and discover where her strengths lie.

Outside of the industry, Judith is a final year law student at the Australian National University and competes in Taekwondo, kickboxing and soccer. She is passionate about giving back to the community and has volunteered for numerous community legal centres.

Jun Manuel Tuason

jun manuel tuason B WJun Manuel Tuason is an accomplished Filipino performer, producer and director on account of his many theatrical appearances in highly acclaimed shows and relevant charitable works.

He was involved in a number of productions worldwide: “Miss Saigon” on Germany and North America tours (Engineer u/s, Club Owner); “Aida” (Zoser / Pharaoh u/s); “The King and I” (Lun Tha), “West Side Story” (Bernardo, Pasadena Pops Orchestra); “Imelda” (Guest Artist, Workshop, East West Players; Los Angeles Opera (Actor); “Nagraland” (Prince Anshah) Japan Hongkong, Singapore. Prior to these stints, he had the privilege of working with Singapore’s renowned composer, singer and music producer Dick Lee and Hong Kong’s pop music sensation Sandy Lam. Jun’s involvement in all these is an affirmation of his enormous professional experience as a performer, joining the roster of highly esteemed Filipino musical theatre actors to date.

He is also recognised among Philippines’ contemporary Christian luminaries. He was a featured solo artist on Pat Robertson’s million-dollar project dubbed “The Answer” campaign (CBN Asia) as well as at a Christian Businessmen Convention in Germany, among others.

He has proven himself to be not only an ardent and conscientious theater performer but also a key figure in supporting worthy causes internationally. He produced and directed “The Reason We Sing” in Germany to benefit impoverished children in Asia and Africa and put together a segment in one of the “AIDS-Hilfe” benefit concerts in Suttgart, Germany featuring the Stuttgart Ballet. On August 29, 2011, Jun reprised his sold-out The Reason We Sing Concert at the Ebell Theater in Hollywood showcasing some of the finest Filipino performing artists in America (raising funds to help the evangelical churches in the remote areas in Cam Sur, Philippines).

Jun also taught performance art alongside Miss Saigon Alumni at Vivace Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles – a school for aspiring young musical theater actors in the Asian-American community. He was a featured dancer/actor on Showtime’s “Resurrection Boulevard” and played one of the monks in Adam Sandler’s movie “Anger Management”. He is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Actor’s Equity Association.

During his time in Sydney, Australia he was a valued student at Hillsong Leadership College under TV and Media Stream. 

Justice Jones

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Justice Jones is stage and screen performer of Eurasian/Middle Eastern heritage. With an opera singer for a grandmother and a grandfather who was a well-known Filipino musician and actor, the entertainment industry was an obvious path for her to take. With a strong work ethic, unwavering commitment and passion for performing, her dreams are to act in a feature film and sing on The Metropolitan Opera stage. 

Justice is equally passionate about writing, photography and styling—she has interned and contributed to leading Australian publications such as Cosmopolitan, Belle, IMG House Media, Girlfriend Magazine and All My Friends Are Models. In her HSC exams she was an NSW distinguished achiever in Music 2, Music EXT, English ADV and Drama. 

Justice began training as a classical singer from a young age and continues to do so in her BMUS majoring in Vocal performance from the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Growing up she was a regular performer with Opera Australia in various child roles as well as winning countless eisteddfods, and completing both her singing and musicianship AMEB exams. 

Justice has performed as a soloist in many prestigious venues such as The Opera House, Angel Place, The Domain and Sydney Town Hall and has been involved in both semi-professional and professional musical theatre productions. Her favourite roles to date have been Maria in “West Side Story”; Tuptim in “The King and I” and Hodell in “Fiddler on The Roof”. 

Justice has had masterclasses with respected industry teachers such as Arax Mansourian, Narelle Yeo, Marie Ryan, Rowena Cowley, Anke Hoeppner-Ryan and Barry Ryan. As well as her passion for opera and theatre, Justice has also trained in screen performance at The Actor’s Pulse Sydney where she had won a scholarship for. She has been coached at Screenwise and NIDA’s open program. She also has enrolled in acting masterclasses for TAFTA, The Actor’s Hub, Mcdonald College of Performing Arts and The Audition Room respectively.

Justice has done commercial print work for Girlfriend Magazine, Neutrogena Skincare and modelled for marketing campaigns and national commercials. She interned at and was mentored by the team at The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). 

Justice is known to be easy to direct, reliable and prepared, she is open to travelling for work. 

Kane Davies

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Kane Davies is a multi-faceted and -layered actor and singer/songwriter who’s known for productions such as “Fury”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “60 Minutes” and many more.

Currently holding an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Theatre (Acting), Kane has trained internationally at other institutions and has many years of experience in the industry.

Kane’s career highlights have been as scholarship recipient of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts; as licenced children’s entertainer for birthday parties and as part of a charity organisation Gen3M, which supports disadvantaged kids.

Website: https://kanedavies483.wixsite.com/website

Karim Zreika

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Early in his career, Karim Zreika captured the attention of notable theatre critic and blogger Kevin Jackson. He elevated that the fast-talking lead’s ‘twinkle-eyed, twinkle-toed magnetism’ in The Voices Project production showed charismatic potential, only paralleled by his rough-hewn observatory vignettes for ‘gritty, everyday reality’.

Arguably one of the standouts in an AYTP (Australian Theatre for Young People) monologue, Karim philosophises the themes of belonging, identity and place in a refreshing, cheerful and energetic fashion: a paradoxical muddle of urbaneness and panache. In addition to his apparent passion for theatre and the screen, he is a dedicated musician whose skills in piano such as his signature “River Flows in You” are met with aplomb and technical deftness.

Since starting ICACM, Karim was introduced to the exciting industry starting with an Egyptian swashbuckling mystical fantasy adventure feature film “Gods of Egypt” in 2014. He was honoured to work with Hollywood and local mainstays Gerard Butler, Geoffrey Rush and director Alex Proyas respectively. That same year, he was co-lead in Curiousworks’ “Riz” set in Cabramatta. In 2015, he was cast as Bilal Folouk in the SBS four-part drama miniseries “The Principal” about the lives of difficult and troubled students in Sydney’s south-west, working closely with Alex Dimitriades.

Karim was next seen in the medical drama “Pulse” (2017); respective crime biographies “Deadly Women” (2017) and “Australian Gangster” (2018) and a small role in Stan’s high school drama “Year Of” (2023). For film, he was in the sci-fi action adventure feature film “Pacific Rim 2: Uprising” (2017) and drama feature film “Hearts and Bones” (2019), starring Hugo Weaving.

Kate Hood

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Kate Hood has had a full career as an able-bodied actor, writer and director, which lasted for over 20 years. She has performed in everything from classics to musicals, working for major theatres (Melbourne Theatre Company, State Theatre Company Adelaide, Hit Productions)and commercial production companies(Gordon Frost, Everyday Productions). Some of her credits include “Pygmalion”, “BigRiver”, “Buddy”and “Hotel Sorrento”. Her film and television credits include “Prisoner”, “Dancingin the Dust”, “The Flood”and “Blue Heelers”and she has worked as the main promotional voice-over artist for the ABC. She has directed for Melbourne Fringe, the Brisbane Festival, Opera Plus and Jane O'Toole Productions.

As a wheelchair user, Kate reinvented herself as a disabled actor, has worked extensively as a voiceover artist, working commercially and winning awards for her audio book narrations forBolinda Publications. She now writes and performs her own work, which includes monologue, short story and spoken word. Some examples are “Queen Esme of Collingwood”, “Growl, Motor Neurone” and “The Girl with the Blue Hair”.  She collaborates with others as director, mentor and dramaturge (Quippings, Theatre on Wheels) and has become a strong advocate for actors with a disability, sitting on the board of Arts Access Victoria and Actors Equity's Diversity Committee as Deputy Chair.

Kate has been awarded a mentorship with Writers Victoria to work on her play“Ruthie”. Her most recent credits include Quippings: “Freaktastic Fringe” as part of Melbourne Fringe 2014, Newstead’s “Short Story Tattoo”, Quippings: “Hares and Hyenas”and a spoken word performance for the Words in Winter Festival.She is working on her show“That's Why the Lady Needs a Ramp”.

In 2015 the Australia Council funded Kate to participate in the Jo Verrent Sync Leadership Intensive, which is a course from UK disability/arts company No Limits. It is designed to find and train potential leaders within the Disability Arts sector in Australia.

In 2016 Kate formed the production company Raspberry Ripple Productions, and plans to collaborate with disabled and non-disabled performers to create work which dissolves the divide between the mainstream and disability arts sectors. Raspberry Ripple’s first production of “Enunciations” was supported by the City of Yarra, Arts Access Victoria and Footscray Community Arts Centre, and was an in-house production at FCAC in August 2016.

Kate is excited at the possibilities opening up in her new career as a disabled artist and creative leader, and feels that her years of experience as an actor, writer, director and advocate will serve her well in her new direction as Artistic Director of Raspberry Ripple.

Website: www.katehood.net

Kate Wooden

 

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Kate Wooden is an emerging Sydney-based actor who also dabbles in both writing and directing. At the age of eight (when her grandma became an actress herself), she was thrust into local theatre unknowingly. This bound her to the long life of an artist’s, when she fell in love with the ability in theatre to flip the perspective of an audience, to grow empathy and allow them to introspectively reflect on their own life and place in society.

In 2021, alongside performing, Kate is commencing a Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University majoring in Anthropology and Comparative Literature. In 2019, she graduated from the Hunter School of Performing Arts, where she received training in a range of dramatic forms and approaches to acting including Commedia Dell'arte, Shakespearean, Verbatim, Lecoq, Physical Theatre and Realism.

Alongside theatrical training, Kate received tuition in acting for film at Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, where she learnt how to approach a character by aiming to subvert the audience’s assumed idea of them as well as to play with the character’s vulnerability, traits or physicality in order to break down all premeditated ideas and convey the shared nature that all of humanity embodies.

Portfolio: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8737623

Katherine Grace

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Katherine Grace is a skilled emerging actor and filmmaker based in Sydney. Well versed in film history and consistently working on her craft, she has studied acting and screenwriting and is self-taught in other mediums. She thrives playing characters with mystery and spirit and has a passion for telling unique, ‘what-if’ stories.

From roles in multiple AFTRS & indie films and more, to writing and producing her own work, her passion for this life is palpable. She has co- produced two short films in 2023 alone, one micro-budget dark comedy "The Date" and one vintage-inspired domestic psychological horror completed in 2024 "Alison & Betty", which she directed, wrote, and acted in.

 

Kathleen Wesley

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Based in Melbourne, Kathleen Wesley is a tall red-haired Australian actress, who is diminutive in size but explosive in passion. She is devoted to the performance of art and always looking for new opportunities to improve her skills.

Kathleen has trained at top acting schools such as NIDA, Charles Sturt University, TAFT across Australia, Canada and America. She would describe her acting styles as ranging from Meisner to Alana Chubbuck. Kathleen works as a model as well presenter and public speaker. She has experience in all aspects of acting (print work, TV commercials, promo videos, short films and modelling-photographic, runway, and promotional work.

Kathleen is a quirky, intelligent and outgoing performer who loves to be in front of the camera portraying any number of characters. She believes that versatility and empathy are key skills involved when working as an actress.

Kathryn Niesche

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Kathryn Niesche’s childhood love of climbing trees, putting on neighbourhood plays—plus an inability to sit still—were the perfect prerequisites for a varied and still-evolving performing career. 12 years of dance training including RAD classical ballet, tap and jazz ballet was followed by an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts at the Drama Centre at Flinders University, Adelaide. 

Since graduating, Kathryn has performed as an actor, dancer, aerialist, acrobat, magician and clown across numerous genres such as physical theatre, traditional and contemporary circus, dance theatre, theatre for young people, contemporary performance, puppetry, cabaret, burlesque, film, television and radio as well as large-scale and corporate events.

After 20 years of performing, Kathryn transitioned into teaching aerials and circus history at the National Institute of Circus Arts, Melbourne. However, after a while the desire to perform again proved too strong!

Kathryn is a Founding member of Club Swing (an aerial performance company), and Clowns Without Borders Australia.

Career highlights include taking her red-nosed clown character Mouse on tour with Clowns Without Borders Australia to Central Desert communities out of Alice Springs; performing as a Dandy Minion in Taylor Mac’s acclaimed “24 Decades History of Popular Music” for the 2017 Melbourne Festival, and in 2019 performing her 1st solo aerial act in 18 years in the Melba Spiegeltent for Batton & Broadway’s over 50’s circus “The Classics”. 

As an aerial trainer/aerial choreographer she has worked on two major projects in India: “Zangoora”—the longest running live music theatre production at the Kingdom of Dreams in Delhi—and on the movie “Dhoom 3” training Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif for their aerial work in the most expensive Bollywood song clip “Malang”.

Kathryn is committed to creating work that is positive, empowering and entertaining, and is always ready to accept a new performing challenge. While she is at home in the comedic vein with 2 alter-egos in Mouse (red-nosed clown) and in Monkey (who plays the Dutch Street organ), she would also relish the opportunity to play some darker roles.

Currently, Kathryn dances with Fine Lines, a contemporary dance company for mature bodies.

In her spare time, she enjoys furniture up-cycling and is also a keen gardener.

 

Katie Swan

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Katie Swan graduated from Federation University’s Arts Academy with a Bachelor in Music Theatre, and has spent the last five years dreaming, creating, writing and performing as both a visual and performing artist.  Passionate about writing and supporting new Australian theatre, Katie is one half of composing duo: ‘Forrester & Swan’. Their songs have been showcased across Australia and their shows include “Join the Dots” (2015), A “New Summer” (2016), “Heart Songs” (2020), “Grown” (2021) and “Glitter and Be” (2021).  Their music is also featured in the AMEB Music Theatre syllabus. 

Since 2017, Katie has performed around Australia with her stage crush, Emma Dean, as a backing vocalist (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart—Festival of Voices, Edinburgh Fringe and Woodford Folk Festival).

Katie believes in individuality and creative freedom through every medium, impassioned to champion and teach young performing artists.  Her directorial credits include “John and Jen”, “April’s Fool” and “The Laramie Project”.

Katie works as a singing and acting teacher in her private studio and through Fame Theatre Company. She is currently completing her Ma. Music at the QLD Conservatorium of Music.

Kelly Huynh

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Kelly Huynh is a passionate and hardworking actor. In addition to speaking five languages she commands immense dedication to her craft, with a particular gravitation towards drama and comedy. She not only takes direction well, she also runs further and faster with it, exhibiting a very mature amount of confidence in all her roles. She revels in complicated challenges, possessing excellent intuition for providing realistic and compelling performances. 

Growing up in an Asian household where a corporate career was the equivalent to the pinnacle of life success, she broke the mold, instead focusing on achieving her artistic endeavours. This was the only way that she can truly be herself. While an early artist, Kelly performance in the 2015 Australian Theatre for Youth People monologue project “Between Us” has already garnered glowing reviews (quoted in more detail below). 

Kelly trained under Billy Milionis in the Meisner technique and accomplished screen acting with Nadia Townsend at Actors Centre Australia. She complements this perspective with her self-defence training in Krav Maga as well as qualifications in government investigations and a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising so so she understands the art of self-promotion and visceral display, such as modeling for Ms. Clover Fashion and throwing fights in “Maximum Choppage” (2014).

As is often the catch cry in this profession, Kelly loves to entertain others and wants nothing more than to witness people becoming affected by truthful acting. Indeed, she shows very promising growth and will go far than anyone would have expected of her, including unreserved relocation to where the best opportunities are.

Kendly Hawkins

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Kendly George Solomon Hawkins is an extremely confident, strong athletic boy with a sharp wit and fantastic, inquisitive personality. Born in Buenaventura, Colombia, he is of Afro-Colombian descent and is an Australian citizen.

Kennedy Lee

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Kennedy Lee was born in Randwick, Sydney but moved to China a year later and was there for five years. From a very early age he knew that he always wanted to entertain people, whether in film, dancing or any sort of performance. Although he was captivated by cinema on weekends and television on a daily basis, he soon realised that Asian characters and stories were scant, so his desire for wanting to represent his ethnic identity on screen in front of the public was born.

Most of all, Kennedy simply wanted to tell stories that could genuine evoke people to laugh, cry, think, explore and inspire, the same way he himself was as a child.

Having been practically raised in a Chinese restaurant, Kennedy learnt quickly how to not only be a hard and disciplined worker while rewarding consistency and positivity, but also share it with others. His motto is that attitude, sacrifice and ability are key pathways to smart success. He is a valuable, punctual and enthusiastic team member, flexible to adapt to the demands of the set and creative output as well as providing unwavering support to production where needed.

Kennedy ran the gamut behind the scenes on short films, music videos, web series as actor, PA, AC, best boy and gaffer respectively. It taught him the thrust of filmmaking in technical strokes but he soon discovered his passion laid in being front of the camera.

In July 2017 Kennedy decided to join The Actors Pulse, subsequently kickstarting his journey of developing his acting skills. He has been specialising in Meisner and continues to push himself every day. Eventually he hopes to direct as well.

Kiara Skye Nickson

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Kiara Skye Nickson is a graduate of the National Theatre Drama School, where she received the W.P Carr award in 2020 for excellence and potential. 

Kiara has acted in works such as the immersive play “Mysteries” at Testing Grounds directed by Harry Haynes; “HONEY” directed by Katie Cawthorne and performed consecutively as Lisa in the original musical theatre work “Cafe Cantata” written and directed by Mark Penzak. 

She has attended institutions including; the Ministry of Dance and Transit Dance and holds her CERT IV in Dance and Dance Teaching & Management.

Kieran Rodriguez

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Kieran Rodriguez is an enthusiastic and passionate performer whose practice in dancing, singing and acting started at age ten. Driven by his love of musical theatre, he continued this practice throughout high school, before being given the opportunity to study Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, from which he graduated at the end of 2016. He was featured in many different performances during this period, as well as a segment host for the Channel 10 program “Totally Wild”.

Kieran enjoys expanding his performance abilities, and hopes to continue doing so.

Kurt McCarthy

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Kurt McCarthy pursues everything in his life and career with boundless, fiery enthusiasm. It was that enthusiasm that led him to leave behind his life in New Zealand. With a single bag and no local contacts, he made the move to Sydney to build his dream of becoming a working actor.

He studied screen acting at The Performing Arts School of New Zealand for six years across nights and evenings while going to university during the day, and his work ethic has always reflected this drive. When opportunities were scarce, he made his own work – forming a comedy troupe and writing & performing in over twenty short films.

Though Kurt is dedicated to the screen, he is no stranger to the stage. After performing supporting roles in several musicals, he landed his first leading role in the theatre, playing Billy Claven in the wickedly dark Irish comedy “The Cripple of Inishmaan” in 2016.

Kurt is now pursuing a full-time career in the performing arts, wishing to study further at NIDA, and enjoying the more prolific Australian entertainment industry.

Laura Daniella Bucci

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Laura Daniella Bucci is a Sydney-based actress whose Mexican-Italian background has shaped her bubbly personality and unique style of performance. She has had a passion for the performing arts since the age of five when she commenced playing the piano.

In 2016, Laura graduated from the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Music Theatre. She has been involved in several musical productions including “Mamma Mia!”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Producers”. She also played one of the leading characters Michelle in the original Australian musical “Vicki”.

Laura’s love for horror and interactive theatre has seen her play terrifying characters including a hospital patient, séance ghost and a creepy doll, in Luna Park’s annual “Halloscream” event. She also toured around New South Wales with Hunted Interactive playing the role of Annabelle, a young girl who had been murdered, in “Rising Waters”.

Laura developed a passion for screen acting after training with acting coaches, Les Chantery and Ben Mathews. She played the role of Cecelia Pierce, a high school student in season 14 of the crime re-enactment television series “Deadly Women”. She also landed a lead role as The Blind Woman in the official music video of “Savior” by Sydney rap artist, Saif.

In 2020, Laura established her film company After You Productions alongside her long-term colleague and friend Cerise Kellie. Her first short film “Because of Ava”, which she directed and starred in, premiered in April 2022. Her company has now produced two more films which are currently in post- production and are set to premiere early 2023.

Lee Nguyen

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Lee Nguyen has been a prolific costume designer for television and film on set and during pre-production as well as fashion assistant in the fashion industry in Canada and New Zealand respectively. He began in 2018 in Vancouver, before relocating to New Zealand, continuing the breadth of his technical and creative know-how. In that time observing actors on set, he gained experience as an extra and came to enjoy being on camera as well.

Since arriving in Australia, with his sights set on the world of acting Lee hopes to take on invaluable opportunities that speak to his values if not his culture.

Lexy May O'Donnell

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Lexy May O’Donnell is a Sydney-based actor who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts with a Diploma of Musical Theatre; who also received a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) from the Australian Institute of Music.

Her credits include Vicki Nicholas in “The Full Monty “(Theatre & Company), Bethany in “Meet Me in St. Louis” (Starkeeper Productions), “Shrek The Musical” (Packemin Productions), understudying Mabel in “Fame” (Birdie Productions), “Hair” (Exclaim Theatre Company) and many more. Lexy was also featured in event performances like “Hats Off! For Harmony”, the “Actors Benevolent Fundraiser” and “Sydney Theatre Awards” respectively.

Whilst Lexy was studying, she performed as Annie Pluck in “LoveBites” (AIM), “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (AIM) and a self-created cabaret “Secondary Characters” as her final performance at AIM as well as the NIDA Showcase (2016).

Li Weng

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Li Weng is a Chinese-Australian actor with experience in film, television, and theatre, across genres of drama, horror, and comedy. He is passionate about creating authentic characters and enjoys writing character back stories to explore their deepest motivations. He values originality in performance and always brings something different to the role.

As a lifelong devotee to martial arts, Li has attained a masterful level of internal Kungfu in hand-to-hand and weapon combat. His moves are swift and graceful with incredible power and speed, a rare sight for anyone to behold. He has taught his unique expression of Kungfu in China to a selective group of students and is excited to showcase it to the world. 

Li is a native speaker of English and Mandarin. He has worked extensively in Australia and in China and is committed to promoting intercultural understanding as the basis to celebrating cultural diversity. He believes film and television play a pivotal role in representing the cultures of the world, and portraying people from different ethnicities and groups. 

Li has made it his resolve to bringing Asian character with strong appeal and depth to the world audience.

Libbi Swan

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Growing up the daughter of a politician, Libbi Swan’s love for performing became clear early in her life. She is a vibrant and energetic performer who graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. The highlight of her training was performing the role of Cassie Ferguson in “A Chorus Line”, working alongside West End creative’s Cressida Carré (Chor) and David Laugharne (MD). She appeared in the Cabaret “Day(job) Dreaming” at Bondi Pavilion. In 2014 Libbi was a soloist at Matthew Lee Robinson’s New Voices in Brisbane. Other roles include Rose in “Working”, Socrates and Dance Captain in “Godspell,” Ballet Laurey and Ellen in “Oklahoma,” Josephine Strong in “Urinetown” and ensemble in Harvest Rain’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Born in Brisbane, Libbi first started ballet at age 2. Her love for dance and music was nurtured during her 6 years performing with the Ballet Theatre of Queensland and the Young Australian Talent Company. She toured South East Queensland with both companies and performed at many corporate and public events. She also developed a passion for song writing, singing and playing guitar/keyboard with various bands, vocal groups and choirs. Her all-girl band Sunny June was a regular finalist in band battles in Brisbane, most notably finalists in Nova’s “Rock School”.

In 2018 Libbi has recorded demo vocals for a new Australian musical “Drummer Boy”.

Lorelei Tait

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Lorelei Tait has been performing professionally for 50 years both in Australia and overseas, in all categories of entertainment which include theatre, cabaret, radio, television variety, drama, film and advertising on radio, print media and television. As a veteran in the local entertainment industry, she has also directed and choreographed some of the most successful musicals in the country.

Lorelei began her career when she ran away to join a touring French cabaret show as the Soubrette and went on to tour Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. On returning to Australia in 1972, she joined the cast of “Hair”, and was a regular performer on many TV variety programs.

During her busy performing career, Lorelei also opened her own Pilates Method Studio and Remedial Massage Clinic in Sydney which operated successfully for 15 years.

Lorenz Martinez

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A veteran theatre actor, Lorenz Martinez’s inherent gift of quick comic timing and tenor singing voice has enthralled scores of audiences as witnessed in his myriad of comedies and musical performances both locally and Internationally. He reprised his role as Ra in the Sandbox Collective rerun of “Dani Girl” and concluded his role as Dr. Tombourri in the critically acclaimed musical “Passion”.

Recent works also include Repertory Philippines’ “A Comedy of Tenors” where Lorenz played dual roles of Tito Mirelli and Beppo that garnered Gawad Buhay citation for the Best Actor category. He closed the repeat run of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at Resorts World Manila as the lead Caractacus Potts; reigned over the stage as King Arthur in “Spamalot”; essayed the role of Manama & First Man in Ballet Philippines’ rock opera ballet “Tales of the Manuvu”; played the larger-than-life Juan De Zumarraga in “Guadalupe: The Musical” as well as repeat runs of the PETA hit musical “Rak of Aegis” and “Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical”.

Lorenz international credits include the Netherlands production of “Miss Saigon”—being the youngest to perform the role of The Engineer; The Rogers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” Asian Tour (King Cover); a pioneer as improvisational comedic actor and voice talent for the “Stitch Encounter” show in Hong Kong Disneyland, and Atlantis Singapore Production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (William Barfee).

Lorenz made his Philippine Theater debut in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in Repertory Philippines. Among his Repertory Theater credits include “Camelot” (Ensemble); “Evita” (Ensemble); “Fame” (Joe Vegas); Elaine May & Alan Arkin's Trilogy of One-act Plays “Power Plays” (Lefty & Harry); Neil Simon's “God’s Favorite” as rebellious prodigal son David Benjamin & Morris; Rep original “Miong” as the quick-stepping French Reporter; “The Secret Garden” (Archibald Craven); “The Baker’s Wife” (Antoine); “The Wiz” (The Gate Keeper); “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Hero); “Man of La Mancha” (Ensemble); “Noises Off” (Gary) and lastly, his remarkable performance as Judas Iscariot in “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

Other notable performances have been the British Council & Dulaang UP's “Crave (C)”; Trumpet’s “Fables and Parables”; “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (Maugrim the Wolf); “Honk” (Bullfrog); Atlantis Production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” (Cogsworth); Shrek the Musical” (Lord Farquaad); 9Works Theatrical’s “The Wedding Singer”; “Rent” (Benny); “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Snoopy); “They’re Playing Their Song” (Vernon Gersh); Upstart Production’s “Forbidden Broadway”; “Into the Woods” (Baker); Resorts World Manila’s production of “The Sound of Music” (Herr Zeller); “The King and I” (Lun-Tha); the Greenwings Production of “Lorenzo” (Lorenzo Ruiz); the international production of “50 Shades! The Musical Parody” (Christian Gray) and Musicartes’ “Godspell”.

Lorenz also regularly performs in Corporate Events, records for Radio Ads and appears in Television & Film. He ended a three-year run of the TV Sitcom “Vampire ang Daddy Ko” in GMA as the mainstay villain vampire Bam, appeared in two critically acclaimed films “Hari Ng Tondo” as Emil and “Heneral Luna” as Gen. Tomas Mascardo as well as part of the new ABS-CBN historical war TV series “A Soldier’s Heart”.

 

 

Lucca and Arden Bonnor

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LUCCA BONNOR

Meet Australia’s very own Von Trapp family—naturally taught at home!

Lucca Bonnor has a powerful and tuneful voice, and seems to have picked up the skills of his sisters, Cassidy and Alexis Bonnor. He made the last round of auditions for the recent Australian Tour of “Les Misérables” for the role of Gavroche. His sister Cassidy was cast as young Eponine, so he is not too far behind in the footsteps!

A polished cut of a personality above the pack, he has danced steadily for the last few years as part of his committed but fun theatre training. He also takes his instructors seriously and is an enthusiastic, confident participant in all performing arts opportunities, no matter how big or small.

ARDEN BONNOR

Like his other brothers and sisters, Arden Bonnor is a budding performer who is keen to stand out from the organised chaos of home, having already taken dance lessons for two years. He also has a tuneful and strong voice, which continues to improve in leaps and bounds thanks to his ability to listen, adjust and take direction well.

While Arden looks up to his older siblings, he will emerge as a trailblazer in his own right. Overall, both the boys and their sisters are a stronger and formidable force on stage, not a step out of tune—they definitely like to make a lasting, delightful impression on the audiences, letting their talents swing in rhythm and ring out for themselves!

Most of all, under their supportive and gently encouraging parents, these Bonnor individuals know that they were born to do what they love: ‘If it feels good and if it makes people happy, do it!’

 

Lucie Brumont

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Lucie Brumont is a French actor based in Sydney, NSW. She grew up in the beautiful south-west of France near Toulouse. As a child, her favourite pastime was to recreate film scenes in the school playground, so her parents decided to enrol her in the village drama association. From the age of eight she also learnt modern jazz and lyrical dance and continued her dance tuition for 20 years.

Lucie studied communication and marketing at Toulouse 1 University Capitole in France and launched an extremely successful career in advertising and marketing, while continuing drama and dance tuition. She moved to Australia in 2013 and continued her career in marketing in the entertainment industry. She joined the French company Le Petit Theatre Sydney in 2015 and performed in French at King Street Theatre, PACT and Chippen St Theatre.

Lucie completed the one-year Actors Studio training at NIDA which culminated in the production of “Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat” directed by Shane Anthony. She has a particular interest in physical theatre and comedy and is excited to practice and develop her performing arts talent in live theatre, film, and television.

Lucie Regal

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Lucie Poevaiki Regal is originally from France but grew up in Tahiti, French Polynesia and Bali, Indonesia. After working on a few amateur YouTube series as well as modelling and teaching drama to children, she decided to move to Melbourne so as to continue to improve her craft and enrolled in the Howard Fine Acting Studio. 

Acting to make an impact, Lucie is a motivated international individual with a passion for physical theatre and vulnerability on screen. She has travelled the world which has gifted her with an open-minded and intercultural work ethic as well as an international vision and inspiration for her craft.

 

Lucky Lartey

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Lucky Lartey is a Sydney-based dancer and choreographer, originally from Ghana, West Africa. Lucky’s work draws on his traditional culture of rhythm and dance as well as his understanding of contemporary movement practices. Lucky’s dance and choreographic practice looks for ways to negotiate what it means to draw on a rich history of traditional dance while innovating within a contemporary context. His methodology for developing dance work focuses on the collaboration between live percussion music and movement and is often informed by themes of social justice and the reinvigoration of past cultural forms such as cultural games and social activities.

​Lucky’s works include “Calabash” (2012, 2013), “Meeting Point” (2013, 2014) and “Long Walk”, which debuted at the Attakkalari India Biennial 2015 and “Jamestown!”, which premiered at Sydney and Melbourne Fringe Festivals 2015. As a dancer Lucky has worked with contemporary and cultural artists such as Annalouise Paul as part of “Mother Tongue”, and Marrugeku and Stalker Theatre’s project “Listening to Country” Dance Lab.

In 2016, Lucky was awarded the Keith Bain Travel Fellowship from Ausdance and the Innovating Practice Grant from Ausdance NSW to travel to Burkina Faso to work with Serge Aime Coulibaly in 2017.

In 2015, Lucky was invited as part of Critical Path’s Facilitated Program to participate in the 2015 FACETS program at Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts in Bangalore, culminating in a performance of the work at the Attakkalari India Biennial 2015. As part of the program Lucky got to work with 9 other choreographers and a team of international mentors including International Choreographer Philippe Saire, Curator and Media Artist Margie Medlin, Director and International Choreographer Jayachandran Palazhy, Lighting Designer Jonathan Roberts, and Sound Engineer Martin Lutz. Lucky then performed Long Walk to a Sydney audience as part of Critical Path’s Interchange Festival 2015.

In Sydney, Lucky has been part of choreographic labs and residencies including: at DirtyFeet Choreographic Lab (2014), Campbelltown Arts Centre, Dance and Education Program Mentorship (2013 and 2014), and Blacktown Concession Residency, Blacktown Arts Centre (2014).

Lucky has also taught, choreographed and performed as part of a number of community cultural art and development projects including Dancing in Harmony at STARTTS and “Dance Africa Dance”, which have focused on showcasing the artist talent of the African community in Sydney. In 2013 and 2014, Lucky has also received a number of nominations and awards as part of the Celebration of African Australians National Awards for the Best Contemporary Dancer and The Most Outstanding Troupe of the Year.

Lucky is the founder and Director for the TUUMATU Creativity, Dance and Music Festival an annual event hosted in every December in Accra, Ghana – a Festival seeking to celebrate local talent and bring independent artists together.

Lucky’s key interest areas include: Intercultural work and collaboration; exploring notions of what is contemporary and traditional movement practice; community cultural development; exploring his identity as a West African producing work in a contemporary context; and exploring opportunities to collaborate, present work and teach internationally.

Website: http://luckyafricandance.com.au/

Lucy Clough

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Lucy Clough has been pursuing a career in musical theatre since 2008. She was the first 17-year-old to be accepted into the prestigious Queensland Conservatorium Musical Theatre course and was the first student to receive the newly named Bachelor of Musical Theatre (BMT). During her whirlwind, bright-eyed time at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCM), she has performed lead/featured roles of the Witch in “Into the Woods”; Julie Jordan in “Carousel”; Dionne in “Hair”; Sarah/Bella in “The Wishing Well” and Jane in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.

Outside of campus, further credits have included originating the role of Belijtgen in Matthew Samer’s “Hell and High Water” and Go to Hell Kitty in “CHICAGO”. Lucy has been breaking into the industry across the pond and recently made her West End credit in “A Christmas Carol” at the Lyceum Theatre, London. She can also be seen in the Academy award-nominated “Bohemian Rhapsody” as well as “Aeronauts” (Amazon), “The Crown” (Netflix) and “The Little Drummer Girl” (BBC).

Lucy frequently performed in the cabaret “What Would Julie Do?” at the Pheasantry, Chelsea and Sing Easy, West End. She appears on podcast and radio show “The Penny Peep Show”, voicing multiple characters.

An accomplished pianist, Lucy had completed AMEB and ANZCA exams and was awarded honours. At 17 years of age, she had reached a CMus in contemporary piano performance and Grade 5 in Music Theory. In turn, she regularly conducts musical theatre and mock audition workshops for aspiring performers, teaching music/drama classes as well as private singing and piano lessons.

Luke Hodgson

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Luke Hodgson has had a love for the arts for as long as he can remember. After being introduced to the Gene Kelly musical “Singin’ in the Rain” by his grandmother at the age of 8, his passion for singing, acting and dancing blossomed and it was then off to private lessons to hone his craft and give life to this showman’s spirit.

A graduate of the Talent Development Project in Sydney, he was accepted as one of the first cohorts of the Musical Theatre program at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCM) under Paul Sabey’s guidance in 2011. He credits this program as being one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of his life. He found it to be dreamy collaboration with some of the most prestigious performers and teachers in the country.

During his time at university he was cast as a lead in every production, some of which included “Summer of the Aliens” (dir: Sue Rider); “Fiddler on the Roof” (dir: Brendan Ross); “Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens“ (dir: Kate Foy) and “Miss Saigon” (dir: Michelle Miall).

Upon graduation Luke was privileged to work on “Hell and High Water”, a new Australian musical about the cutthroat journey of the ship, Batavia and the people aboard. He relished the opportunity to develop and interpret the villainous character Cornelisz as his own. After that Luke travelled to Singapore with the Australian company Pen2Stage to eponymously sing, dance and act as Santa in the pantomiming show “Santa’s Magical Toyshop”. It was a fulfilling experience for him to be able to don such an iconic red hat and bring joy to the children and their families. Seeing their faces light up with excitement was a reward in itself.

As a classically trained singer, he also loves to perform in big band and jazz styles, gaining inspiration from the greats: Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. In the future Luke hopes to continue his journey in the performing arts and never stop growing as a performer, entertainer and artist.

Mackinnley Bowden

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Mackinnley Bowden is a genderqueer actor, singer, dancer, writer and milkshake enthusiast who returned to Australia after studying and working in New York City. He was seen as Leaf Coneybear in “Spelling Bee” Off-Broadway at the ATA Theatre, as Dead Fred/Herbert in “Spamalot” in Pittsburgh at the esteemed Milbrook Playhouse. Additionally, he was featured in the 2018 productions of “Funny Girl” at Riverside Theatres that September and “Shrek: The Musical” at The Concourse Theatre in October.

A graduate of the New York Film Academy (NYFA) Musical Theatre 2-year Conservatory program, Mackinnley has studied with and worked alongside Todd Buonopane, Mark Price, Erik Liberman and Nathan Brewer. These and many other industry professionals have helped shape him into the young, enthusiastic, passionate and humble artist that he is today.

Mackinnley was born in Australia and grew up in regional Queensland, Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and Bolivia. After completing high school, he moved to the USA at age 16 to pursue musical theatre, living in Florida and working professionally at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts before moving to New York to begin his training at NYFA.

Mackinnley's dedication and passion for his craft have been responsible for his successes thus far. With a deep love for art, theatre and all crazy things in between, he's excited to continue his adventure of self-discovery and growth in the wild world of storytelling.

Maddison McDonald

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Growing up in a small town on the coast of Central Queensland, Maddison McDonald’s passion for performing grew and she became highly accomplished in singing, dancing and acting. After performing in the Rockhampton Regional Council’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” it was then that her love for Musical Theatre took over and she auditioned for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCM) being accepted into the 2015 intake of the Bachelor of Musical Theatre.

At QCM, Maddison worked as a featured performer in “Sweet Charity” and Chi Chi in “The Life”. In her final year she played Anita in “West Side Story” which was choreographed by Chris Horsey and directed by Kris Stewart. She was proud to graduate in 2017 with Distinction in Musical Theatre.

Maddison was cast as Scaramouche in RRC’s production of “We Will Rock You”, having the opportunity to be directed and choreographed by Wayne Scott Kermond and Katie Kermond. She also was excited to Tanya/Ivy Understudy for Understudy Production’s 2018 premiere of “Bare” at the Brisbane Powerhouse. 

Madison Thomas

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Madison Thomas has been inclined towards performing arts from a young age—joining a choir in primary school as well as partaking in singing lessons, dance lessons and participating in drama as an HSC subject.

 At 18 years of age, Madison decided to focus her energy on cultivating her acting skills and began taking beginners acting classes at Sydney Theatre School (STS). This led to her successfully maintaining a place in STS’s Advanced Diploma of Screen and Theatre where she expanded, explored and workshopped her acting repertoire and skills.

Madison played the role of Lady Capulet in “Romeo and Juliet” (dir: Jerome Pride), and wants to further excel her Shakespeare skills in the future. Alongside her STS class, she also developed and performed a play, “The Warren” (co-dirs: Leah Pellinkohf & Kate Sherman) in which she played the lead role of Bunny.

Madison is passionate about Musical Theatre and is keenly invested in developing her skills in that area in the near future.

Maria P. Afanador

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Based in Melbourne, Maria P. Afanador is a Colombian-born actress. She started studying performing arts in 2007 at the Charlot Academy, and continued on at the National Theater Housein Bogotá, Colombia. She played Bella in “Beauty and the Beast” for a year at that venue. She graduated in 2013 and travelled, before settling down in Australia by November of the same year.

 Maria has worked in plays such as “44 Minutes to Recover Love”, “The Trojan Women”, “The Real Inspector Hound” among others. In the meantime, several of her distinguished professors had encouraged her passion for theatre and film through twice-weekly scene study courses. She has also worked on renowned Columbian television like “Also Mom” (Telest), “Popland” (MTV), “Infiltrados” (the Latin American version of “The Departed” by Caracol TV) and short films like “Belle & Sebastian”, “Heads & Tails”, “The Street” and “Victoria Klaus”.

Maria has also a professional model now for over 5 years, having gained significant and progressive experience in international fashion shows, photo shoots and commercials. Some of the highlighting contracts were for Lacoste, Virgin Mobile and appearing in high profile international fashion shows such as Colombia Moda and Bogota Fashion Week.

Since arriving in Melbourne, Maria resumed training and has performed with the Spanish Theatre Company presenting “Erotica Alleluia” (an adaptation of the play by Federico Garcia Lorca). At Bridge Latin Theatre, she performed “Women on the Verge” as the Woman Alone (from the 8 Monologues by Dario Fo) and as Lucrecia Borgia on “The Mask of Beauty”, both productions presented at La Mama Theatre in Melbourne.

Keen to act around the globe for the rest of her life, Maria is a chameleonic, symbolic, romantic thespian alternating between a fresh, cheerful, glamourous, liberal Latino and a forbidding, torrid, dark streak.

Marie Arthemise

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Marie Arthemise is a highly creative, passionate and hard-working actress/model based on Bondi Beach, Sydney. Her mixed French and Portuguese heritage are unique, and can be used to represent many different cultures.

Originally from Paris, Marie has both Australian and French citizenships, having come down under in 2009. Her flexible day job as artist and graphic designer means that she can prioritise acting/modelling. The prized asset that she carries is that the craft comes naturally to her, only rivalled by the professionalism in all the projects that she is enthusiastically involved with.

Marie’s looks can be very diverse: ranging from European (Parisian) to that of a hippie’s as well as young professional and mum. She believes that her creative, intellectual, persevering, hard-working, goal-focused and sociable personality is integral to any on-set environment.

In her previous life, Marie was a producer and director of short films and documentaries for BBC.

Website: https://gascmarie.wixsite.com/arthemise
 

Marlaina Curtis

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Marlaina Curtis (M.A., B.A., Honours, Cert Ad Tchg Dip.) boasts over twenty years’ unparalleled experience in TV, film, theatre, the arts and major advertising poster campaigns worldwide with a larger-than-life personality and voice to match. She holds an exceptionally positive attitude to life, which usually reflects what she has managed to achieve in her life. She is the eponymous host of a cooking/fashion hybrid show Marlaina’s Kitchen’s “Food in a Flash” for TV Prime, New Zealand, which aired for six weeks in 2013. On the back of a successful reception, she is selling the concept into other markets while working on the second series.

But that’s not all: she has written, produced and directed children's programs, a youth-orientated chat show “Teen Talk” as well as a quiz program for family. Marlaina backs up her brains and an imaginative, editorial flair with a diploma in novel writing, certificate in creative writing, two of her theses for her degrees, a Woman's Day write up and various magazines for the UK and South African markets. She has choreographed musicals, dance and fashion shows and has been a teacher in modeling, theatrical productions and numerous, evolving dance styles. She has given lectures and vital talks on cross cultural identity, black history and visual arts.

Due to Marlaina’s impeccable taste for styling and makeup artistry, she has demonstrated to her friends in how to make the best of their wardrobe. No wonder, she was named as the best-dressed person in the region of Christchurch and wrote an information pack for perusal, titled: “How to Dress to Impress”.

Marlaina has won dancing many competitions in freestyle, contemporary and Ceroc (a fusion of Salsa and Jive, also known as Modern Jive), exceling in improvisation. She also happens to be a WCOPA (World Championship of Performing Arts) USA 2011 medallist in four gold and two silver, as well as bagging two overall champion plagues. She was voted as Best Catwalk Model in the UK. She was recently a guest on the web show “Thestylish” and won a beautifully shameless ring for the most embarrassing story (which won’t bear repeating on here). She has curated her own exhibitions, some of which received a European tour for her efforts.

They all reflect Marlaina’s very direct approach to life and her love of living it to the fullest. Her motto is to take life by the horns and enjoy the ride. As the mother of three, however, her greatest success is that she has set a brilliant and unstoppable example for her children to follow—and for anyone else in this life.

Website: https://marlainaskitchen.com/

Marlon Dance-Hooi

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Marlon Dance-Hooi is a versatile, ebullient and quirky Eurasian Australian Actor and Voiceover Artist. Trained in improv, physical comedy and Meisner technique, he has been performing in some form or other since early childhood. His breakout role in “The King and I” (alongside the legendary Hayley Mills) instilled a love of the craft and a passion for theatre. He continued on stage in multiple South Australian productions throughout high school and college, and after completing degrees in Arts and Law embarked upon a professional acting career.

Moving to Sydney and then Singapore, Marlon worked on everything from live theatre and Fringe shows to feature films and television, appearing on four Singaporean TV series and several award-winning short films. Throughout this period, he worked tirelessly on his craft, tutored by working actors Sam Haft, Chum Ehelopola and Kamil Haque and learning Meisner, Adler, Chekov, Improv, Suzuki and Meyerhold techniques. 

Marlon is also a skilled impressionist and has lent his smooth, articulate and versatile voice to seven animated series including the award-winning Netflix show “Oddbods” and several animated feature films, in addition to dozens of ads, corporate videos, podcasts and animated shorts. 

In his spare time Marlon is an avid role-player, creating fantasy worlds, as well as a fan of manga and speculative fiction. 

Website: https://www.marlondance.com/

Martin Astifo

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While Martin Astifo’s ethnic background is Syrian/Iraqi, he was born and raised in Australia. As someone who has come from both war-torn countries, he appreciates the breathtaking level of sacrifice and arduousness that his family had to endure to journey to Australia and other European countries in search for that ubiquitous ‘better life’.

Martin has studied full time acting/theatre making for 4 years. He trained for 1 year at Swinburne University before achieving a further 3 years at the National Theatre Drama School in St. Kilda.

His career highlight was performing John Proctor in Arthur Miller's classic “The Crucible”. Such beautiful writing, beguiling new worlds and character values resonated with him in a way that he felt he was truly embodying the role.

Martin’s big goals in this entertainment industry are to create and impact a future of non-discrimination and colour-blind casting. He hopes to tell his story and other stories in the form of web series that revolve around those themes so as to develop a deeper audience understanding of different backgrounds.

In other words, he wants to set an example and be a trailblazer for those who may otherwise struggle to get a leg up on the mainstream ladder. He already taken steps by becoming involved with the MEAA diverse equity to help shape this country as a more non-discriminate, inclusive and colour-blind society with more diverse actors playing roles on the same peer level as that of an Anglo’s.

Martin is proficient in martial arts such as kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu, which makes him a dangerous opponent to cross. He enthusiastically applies this same approach to all kinds of sports as well.

Martin Fatmaja Hoggart

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Martin Fatmaja Hoggart is a performer, writer and model based in Melbourne. Raised with both Indonesian and Australian cultures Martin is passionate about expressing diverse voices and stories in the Australian arts industry. His time living in Melbourne, Canberra and Jakarta has exposed him to a wide array of artistic practices and has provided him with a unique skillset including fluency in Bahasa Indonesian, experience with movement and dance through QL2 and Force Majeure as well as voice and screen capabilities. In 2019 Martin has continued to develop and diversify his ability as a theatre maker as part of Union House Theatre’s “Writer in Residence Program”. Mentored by renowned director Petra Kalive and award-winning writer Mari Lourey, Martin wrote, directed and performed in “Pengorbanan (Sacrifice)” a work exploring the events of Indonesia’s 1965 political coup and multicultural identity.

Recently, Martin has also focused on refining his theatrical skillset while further developing his screen acting ability. On stage, his credits include ATYP’s Voices Project (Dir: Iain Sinclair), Union House Theatre’s “Macbeth” (titular role) and the site-specific performance “Orpheus Turns” at Melbourne Fringe Festival.

On screen, he has appeared in “2040” by award winning director Damon Gameau, “The Neon North: Sacrifice” and has worked with Crux Media on “Counting Sheep” the music video.

Maureen Anastanya

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Maureen Anastanya is an aspiring actress, who prides herself on holding a positive attitude and personality. With excellent time management, she is flexible and attentive and has strong people, active listening skills from her experience in hospitality and customer service. Nevertheless, it was always the acting that enticed her even before when she arrived from Bali in 2015. She began learning the basics of performing arts through the Drama subject in school in the small resort town of Jindabyne.

Maureen has gained some experiences in the industry as featured talent in a production by EXIT Films called “Unexpected Victims”. In addition to having taken on smaller roles as a background extra such as “Top of the Lake 2: China Girl”, she wants to grow into her craft and face new challenges head on.

Maureen has completed her first acting course through the New York Film Academy and an American Accent course through Screenwise Film and TV School. She is looking forward to furthering herself with training and enhancing her skills through more courses and agency opportunities.

Max Vaccu

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Max Vaccu first discovered his love for acting at Actor Centre Australia (ACA); he then relocated to Canada to continue his training at Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA). It was also there in Vancouver that he had some of the first profound experiences in the industry, be it acting, writing or directing, and from there, developed a firmer grasp and deeper understanding on the process of film-making as a whole.

After Canada, it was time to explore the film industry in the United Kingdom. Max hit the ground running and landed a role on the TV show “Doctors” on the BBC network not long after arriving in London, getting his chance to show off his acting chops on the small screen for the British audience.  

Beside his skills in acting, Max is also a highly-skilled martial artist. He moved to China in 2011 and enrolled himself in the Bachelor program of Beijing Sports University, majoring in Sanda (also known as Sanshou), a full contact Combat Martial Art developed by the Chinese Military.

Megan Mooney

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Megan Mooney has undergone intensive training in all three aspects of the performing arts since she was 5 years old. She has trained in Singing (Musical Theatre, Pop, Rock, Classical and A Cappella; Acting (Script Work, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Comedy Exploration, Voice, Language and Accent Work); and Dance (Musical Theatre, Commercial Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and Tap).

Megan attended Brent Street Academy—a pre-professional high school program focusing primarily on the arts in 2017-2018. She graduated with a Certificate IV in Dance as well as her HSC. In 2019, she completed the Diploma of Musical Theatre at NIDA. She has been fortunate enough to be mentored and taught daily by industry professionals including Philip Quast, Anne-Maree McDonald, Darren Gilhenan, Amanda Stephens-Lee, Luke Bryne, Simon Burke, Cameron Mitchell, Sophie Holloway, Matt Lee, Josh Anderson and Ellen Simpson, thus having acquired an entire performance skillset suitable for a large variety of roles.

Born in Belfast, Megan is from a large family that moved to Sydney when she was 5. Poetry, music and storytelling was always in her blood so this set her on the path to musical theatre ever since. She has won prestigious awards over the years—across talent shows, eisteddfods and dance festivals—and was awarded the June Bronhill Scholarship with The Australian Girls Choir/QANTAS Choir in 2018. She works at Luna Park Sydney as a Showtime Singer/Dancer, a Dance Teacher for companies such as REDed, ASPA, AIPA and Kids Upfront Drama School, an Acting Teacher for Kids Upfront Drama School and a Vocal Tutor for The Australian Girls Choir.

Aside from performing arts, Megan is super passionate about fitness, nutrition and nature. She loves being motivated by challenges and creativity and is looking forward to honing her entire skillset for many future opportunities.

Megan Scolyer-Gray

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Megan Scolyer-Gray (she/her) is a Melbourne/Naarm based actor, singer, dancer and writer. Most recently Megan has been performing in the critically acclaimed reimagining of “Guys and Dolls” at Chapel off Chapel with Antipodes Theatre Company.  In 2022, she debuted her first play “'Teeth and Tonic” to a sold out and then extended season as a part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. 

Since graduating Showfit, Megan has worked on a number of new Australian works across both theatre and film. Some of these include originating the role of Werneke in “Moonlite”; playing Tiffany in “Motormouth loves Suck-face” at the La Mama Courthouse; and Rosa in the new concept musical “The Breaths In Between”.

Megan is an empathetic and compelling artist with a passion for creating important and authentic work.

Melinda Nassif

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Melinda Nassif was born in Sydney, Australia and comes from a Lebanese background, growing up in the North/West of Sydney. Having worked in the TV and Entertainment Industry for over 10 years in various roles she has established a great understanding of the industry professionally.

As an actress, Melinda has a depth and understanding of what it takes to transform into character. Her naturalism as well as technique always brings a captivating performance. With her interest in dramatising social and cultural awareness to the audience, she has performed in theatre productions co-starring with Mamdouh Habib (as Egyptian/Australian Guantanamo Bay Prisoner) in “Waiting for Mamdouh” as well as performing “661″ at NIDA Parade Theatre and the bAKEHOUSE Theatre for Adelaide Fringe Festival. Other credits include Greek/Australian play directed by Tony Nikolakopoulos “Baraki” at Sydney Fringe Festival.

Melinda trained at the Sydney Theatre School completing the three year full-time Advanced Diploma in Arts (Acting). She also has previously studied in the Meisner technique and attended various screen test workshops with Australian Casting Directors.

Her love of performing has also led Melinda to form the band The Mezcaltones, which perform Tex-Mex Tarantino-esque music. She dances, plays percussion instruments and is a backup vocalist. They perform in the Northern Beaches and Inner West at various venues and have played at the Sydney Blues and Roots Festival, Narrabeen Lakes Festival. They were invited to play again at the 2020 Tamworth Music Festival in January. You can visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheMezcaltones or website: www.the-mezcaltones.com

Melinda also has a passion for movement dance and previously taught Nia, which is a holistic practice, incorporating healing arts, dance arts and martial arts. She currently is a Nia Blue Belt & Nia 5 Stages Instructor. 

Website: www.melindanassif.com

Michelle Kinnane

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Michelle Kinnane returned to acting and modelling in 2018 after teaching Drama, Dance and Visual Arts in high schools across Sydney for 20 years. However during that period, she worked as a producer on a television show; was employed as choreographer for the Catholic Schools Sydney Diocese; wrote and produced plays; and was adjudicator for the International Globe Shakespeare Festival.

In the short time since that return, Michelle deftly landed lead roles in numerous short films, TVCs, advertorials, brand shoots, interactive performances and online videos respectively.

Michelle harbours a deep enthusiasm for her craft, coupled with a professional approach and a love of life. Often told that she provides an invaluable asset to any project and the fact that she generates a natural chemistry with anyone, she is more than happy to only take direction and work with a team but also bring a lot of joy to each set.

Michelle Mary Schaefer

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Michelle Mary Schaefer hails from the United States which she has been performing (dance & music) since the age of four, and began her career as an actress at the age of 12 participating in various theatrical and film productions. 

Michelle is Deaf but doesn’t allow her Deafness stop her from obtaining roles which she does an amazing job bringing the characters alive. In all of her productions, she has the ability to communicate the characters’ dialogue either in American Sign Language (ASL) which she is fluent in; speaking the lines or even to sign and speak at the same time depending on the role requirements and on the director’s preferences.  She has been in the award-winning production, Mark Medoff’s “Children of a Lesser God” portraying Sarah Norman as the lead where she got numerous of positive reviews based on her showpiece performance: ‘The female lead is very powerful and remarkable which is better than the film version,’ Borek said.

Acting has always been Michelle Mary’s passion which gender casting has never stopped her from portraying Billy in Nina Raine’s “Tribes”. This makes her the first Female Deaf Actress for that coveted role, having led the audience to be in disbelief. ‘Schaefer does the character of Billy justice even though she’s a female playing a boy’s role,’ Mott said. 

Michelle looks forward to more theatrical, films, and television projects to challenge her acting ability and bring the characters alive. While Schaefer, is not acting or auditioning she is always creative by developing scripts.

Website: https://www.michellemaryschaefer.com/

Michelle Wilcox

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Michelle Wilcox is an intelligent, tenacious woman who is determined to lead by example and break down barriers so as to promote diversity throughout the television and film industry. She wishes to be perceived as a public figure who is proud to promote and recognise differently abled-bodied personalities.

In 2021, Michelle participated in the “A Life Changing Life” campaign on behalf of the Department of Social Services.  She relished in the opportunity to highlight and promote the importance of building meaningful relationships between people with disability and their support workers.

Michelle has featured in an in-house physiotherapy documentary for Australian Physiotherapy Association. This was to recognise the benefits involved in accessing physiotherapy that could develop and maintain a high quality of life for people with disability. 

She featured in an in-house documentary for the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate called “HealthCARE Conversations”. In addition, Michelle was the featured model in an advertising campaign for the Disability Service Provider “CareChoice”.

As public speaker, Michelle is experienced in offering opinions, facts and advice related to current affair issues around people with disability. Her concise, genuine and shrewd verbal communication skills to deliver relevant messages through television campaign and media interview formats are derived from lived experience.

Mikel Capriano

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Mikel Capriano (Mike Capri) Mike is originally from Perth, Western Australia and has spent a lifetime singing, dancing and acting.  He has travelled and lived in different countries from Brazil, throughout Asia, Western Europe, United Kingdom, French Polynesia, New Zealand and all-around Australia. He is multi-national citizen of Europe and Australia and works all around the world.

Mikel is a native English speaker, with an Australian accent but through extensive travel, work in other countries and language studies, he has established a proficiency with British, European, American and other accents.

He has been involved in various events and performances throughout his life.  Charismatic, confident but humble, flexible, committed, easy to work with.  He loves meeting and working with new people and is always eager to learn something new each day. 

As an actor, Mikel values his time on film, stage, in theatre and in musicals, having earned a master’s degree in acting (MA) from Guildford School of Acting (GSA) at the University of Surrey and previously at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), University of Kent. He was also nominated for Best Actor in a Role and Musical at the 2019 Gold Palm Theatre Awards Australia.

Mikel was originally classically trained professionally in classical genres, with French and Italian influences and language as well as singing; Handel, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Opera and similar compositions. From an early age, Mike started singing in gospel choirs and arrangements. Mike has also been the lead singer of various rock and pop bands and has performed at corporate, signature events and cabarets throughout the last 20 years.  Niche theme bands have covered and recomposed songs from the 50’s and 60’s through to the modern music of today. He has also been writing lyrics, songs and plays guitar.  His writing also carries over into script writing and other creative writing articles.

Mikel is an artist on Spotify, YouTube and Apple with releases of pop and folk music for romantic comedy themed soundtracks.

From an early age Mikel has danced at the highest level in Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue Sequence dancing.  He has also performed in floor-shows, cabarets and events representing Australia throughout Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Europe and Asia. Over the years, Mike has partnered dozens of competition dancers and students. He has danced in various styles including Theatrical, Salsa, Bachata, Swing, Lindy-hop, Charleston, Jazz, Rock ’n’ Roll, Hip-hop, Tango and Disco. Additionally, he can accompany anyone who needs a dance partner for any event.

With a passion to perform and engage his audience, Mikel maintains a youthful and athletic appearance.  

Website: www.mikelcapriano.com
 

Millie McIntosh

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Millie McIntosh is a vibrant and positive teenager with a beautiful, sunny disposition. She can lighten-up any room that she walks into with her wonderful smile, presence and warmth.

Millie has a burning desire to pursue an acting career—once telling her Junior School Head Mistress she wanted to be a ‘triple threat’ (and then proceeding to explain to her what exactly that was). She very familiar with the stage, having acted in school productions and dancing since she was three years old with Elevator Studios.

Millie’s highlights on stage for 2017 included performing one of the lead roles (Smee) in the Disney production of “Peter Pan Junior” for Toorak Primary. She also performed the role of Mary Poppins in a five-minute ensemble (instructed by Lauren Ferreira) on stage at the Melbourne Recital Hall, Southbank for the Elevator Studios end-of-year concert.

Molly Fry

 

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Molly Fry is originally from Ballarat, where she was surrounded by a performing arts-driven family throughout her years growing up. She takes every possible opportunity to study music, dance, singing and acting, which inspired her to pursue theatre as a career. She has completed her Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University Australia Arts Academy, from which she graduated in 2017.

Molly has fully realised a love of living history, and is a prominent figure in the Victorian theme parks and museums industry, performing for thousands of tourists a week in her career. Currently, she is contracted at Sovereign Hill and Kryal Castle as a professional historical re-enactor and performer, and through this has developed sharp theatre improv and guest interaction skills.

Molly also works as a Melbourne based cosplay influencer Momocoloured, and is a competitive sword fighter, representing Australia in many prestigious national and international tournaments.

 

Molly Parrish-Gibbons

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Molly Parrish-Gibbons is a Sydney-based Musical Theatre performer and Graduate of the National Institute of the Dramatic Art (NIDA) with a Diploma of Musical Theatre. She has professional experience in both Australia and internationally.

Molly’s love of theatre sparks from the chance to step into a character’s shoes and understand how they see the world. Some of her most notable achievements include being a featured vocalist in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade and Hollywood Christmas Parade (2017) as well as performing both musical theatre and her original works in the Qudos Bank Arena (2019, 2021).

Molly has studied under amazing mentors such as Philip Quast, Anne Maree-McDonald, Peter Cousens, Veronica Beatie George, Queenie Van De Zandt, and Glenn Winslade. She had the privilege to work with directors such as Jay James-Moody and Imara Savage. She completed an Australian Tour of a Theatre in Education show “Smashed” as leading role Bronte.

Molly is passionate about making a difference, so in 2020 and 2021 she wrote, produced, and performed two of her own sold-out cabaret shows raising funds in 2020 for the firefighters during the Australian Fires and in 2021 for the women’s community shelter to support women escaping domestic violence. In 2021 she released her version of ‘The Lion’ from the new Australian Musical “The Life of Us” on Spotify.

 

 

 

 

Monique Calarco

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Born and raised a Sydney Italian girl, Monique Calarco’s love of storytelling and passion for the performing arts started at a young age. She discovered her strong contemporary and classical vocal skills in her teens with various credits including Maria (“West Side Story”), Penny (“Hairspray”) and within “The Phantom of the Opera” (premiere), to name a few.

While completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree – Theatre Studies and English Literature (Notre Dame University, ND), Monique’s performance training was highly supported by her love of English literature, film, history and analytical skills, making her a strong researcher and problem solver in her acting process and roles. Gaining both stage management and directing experience during her time at ND, she was co-writer/co-director of her third year graduating show alongside Jane Bergeron.  

Monique is also a (BA) Music Theatre graduate (with Distinction) of Federation University (Sydney). Her versatility and transformative skills were prominent in productions of “Showtrain” (as Edna the Bearded Lady), “Bells are Ringing” (as Blake Barton and Inspector Barnes – Understudy), “Working the Musical” (as ‘The Mason Song’ soloist), “Into the Woods” (as Jack’s Mother) and her self-devised cabaret “You Want to Seymour”.  

Monique is a passionate, goofy, warm and versatile performer. She has been onstage at the Old 505 Theatre in ‘The House at Boundary Road, Liverpool’ as Laura in addition to performing as skipping queen Brooke Wyndham in “Legally Blonde”.

In among her acting, Monique is a weekly Performance and Vocal Coach, specialising in HSC, entrant to Tertiary studies and Tertiary performers coaching.  

Monique is a proud MEAA member.

Monroe Reimers

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Monroe Reimers is a seasoned actor, voiceover artist, teacher, newsreader and screenwriter who can quietly boast over thirty years of experience in the performance industry, going back to his 1979 feature film debut on “Hoodwink”, which was nominated eight times by the AFI Awards. As a NIDA graduate who has a pragmatic view on the three decades-long growth of the industry that he loves, his ambiguously portrayed ethnicity (whether it be Indian, Polynesian, Southern European, Hispanic or even Eurasian) often took a backseat to the authoritative yet gentle veracity of his talent. In fact, he has often played a doctor throughout his career.

Monroe takes a similar grip on the adventurous, semi-biographical, coming-of-age element in “Race the Sun” (1995) sharing the same space as Halle Berry, James Belushi, a young Eliza Dushku and Casey Affleck. He also has acted opposite local luminaries the likes of Jack Thompson, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Judy Davis and Michael Caton. Based on J. M Coetzee’s novel, Monroe’s latest feature “Disgrace” (2008) was a significant sociopolitical piece on racism, rape and cavalier abuse of authority in post-apartheid South Africa with John Malkovich. He was on the right side of the law in “Better Man” (2013), integral to the outcome in the real-life case of Van Nguyen’s crime as a drug mule in Singapore. At times, he’ll go for more lighthearted fare, such as popular children’s TV series “Spellbinder”, “Time Trax” and “The Girl from Tomorrow” in the early to mid-90’s.

He also has brought his firm, savvy, dexterous and glossy gifts into theatre, notably having worked with Melbourne Theatre Company and NIDA. Indeed when you look at his works, this Sri Lankan-born Australian finds value in the ingenious, histrionic collaboration and zeitgeist-like filmmaking that is arguably ahead of the times.

As teacher, Monroe also has been able to pass his hard-won lessons onto actors of all levels, as well as those in the corporate and migrant world. Fifteen years as a Radio 2RPH and ABC Radio National newsreader has enabled him to specialise in developing voice and speech in the workplace and speaking English with a neutral accent, all the while never losing sight of ethnic self-identity.

Natascia Berardi

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Natascia Berardi is a young Italian-born dancer, choreographer, instructor and actor who graduated in 2008 from Academy Stresa in Italy with commendable coursework in dance, acting, and theatre studies. Since then she has lent her talents as visual merchandiser, dancer, choreographer and producer to houses of “Versace” and “Guess” in Milan. For those events, she excelled in customer ‘meet ‘n’ greet’ service.

Since arriving in Australia and living in the most celebrated beach-side town of Bondi, Natascia has steadily been supplanting her skill set, featuring in fashion shows, various event promotions, presentations and performances in Sydney. Having previously graduated with high distinctions in architecture and décor from State Institute of Art in Italy, she has sculpted an overall sophisticated and trendy worldview into her art.

Natascia is an accomplished personal instructor with several years of experience in the fitness industry. Having worked as a professional dancer for most of her life, she is highly motivated and has first class experience in performing and teaching people of all ages and competency levels, from young beginners (around the age of five) to more professional dancers a variety of styles include hip-hop, modern jazz, ballet, drum dance, contemporary, lyrical and others. She posses a unique understanding of different strength and conditioning techniques, with a proven ability to develop and implement advanced training methods and programs.

Natascia is a hardworking, passionate and respected teacher of young children. As a leader of creative teams, fitness studios and acrobatic troupes, she possesses great people skills coupled with an eagerness and literal flexibility to adapt to any job. She lists the following traits as uncomplicatedly definitive of her magnum opus: attentive, motivated, reliable, organised, inspiring, honest, energetic and with a good, unaffected attitude.

Overall, she is looking to further develop her fitness, health and choreographic portfolio in not only helping people meet their personal goals and achieve general well being but also in the entertainment industry in any field.

Nicholas Allan Li

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Australian-born with entertainment in his genes, Nicholas Allan Li has been educated in some of the world-class institutions with the best teachers. He graduated Newton High School of the Performing Arts (NICA) in 2010, before studying full-time ballet at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy. There, he performed with Sydney City Youth Ballet for 2 acclaimed seasons.

After finishing his studies, Nicholas was accepted Into the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts (WAAPA), excelling in Contemporary dance. He soon received a contract to work on a larger scale for Disney’s “The Lion King” as Ensemble, which became a highlight of his career. Following the national tour, he joined Celebrity Cruises liner as a production dancer/aerialist performing on board the Equinox.

Nicholas’s credits include performing for “So You Think You Can Dance Australia”, Bangkok’s “New Year’s Eve White Party” and “Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras” After-party respectively. Thriving on the audience’s palpable, organic energy, he has developed essential people skills in tandem.

Nicholas Foustellis

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Nicholas Foustellis is an Australian-born actor of Greek ancestry, by second generation.

Having worked professionally in the industry since 2013, he graduated with a Bachelor of Performance degree from AADA (2012). In 2014 he did the Acting Graduate Course with Bell Shakespeare and has since worked with some of the most respected leaders, teachers and mentors in the industry such as Toby Schmitz, Leith McPherson, Kevin Jackson, and Les Chantery.

The seed for acting began with a Shylock monologue from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” for which he received perfect marks by the Year 9 Head of Drama. Since then credits have included AADA’s productions of “The Tempest” (2012), “Tiresias” (2012) and “The Skriker” (2011) as well as NSW Arts North West Grant’s “Romeo and Juliet” (2020), Extended Play Co.’s “Antigone” (2019) and New Theatre’s “Once in Royal David’s City” (2019). Nicholas has graced the television screen in the following sitcom “Here Comes the Habibs!” on Nine Network (2016) and “Deadly Women” on the Discovery channel (2015).

However, Nicholas was perhaps most known for Nick the Barista: having been scouted from 2000 applicants to be the face of Seven Network’s flagship breakfast program “Sunrise”, sponsored by Michel’s Patisserie. As their live spokesperson, he was on air everyday serving famous guests the likes of Katy Perry, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Wayans Brothers and Guy Pearce as well as engaging with the hosts and in ongoing sketches with the Cash Cow.

Nicholas may have worked steadily in television film and theatre, but he is about to be in the highly anticipated 2022 Untitled Amazon Project.

Nikola Rosero

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Originally from Manila, Philippines Nikola Rosero is a burgeoning singer, dancer, and actor with a degree in Bachelor in Music Theatre from Australian Institute of Music (AIM). 

Some of Nikola’s most notable work included the self-devised cabaret “P.O.V: I’m Your Therapist,” where she played the role of a self-absorbed therapist. For her graduating show she choreographed, directed and performed “The Face of Lightning.” 

Nikola is especially interested in exploring different genres in the fields of advertising, film, television  

Nishtha Singh

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Born in Austria, Nishtha Singh moved to London to pursue her career in acting and dancing. She nowadays spends her time dividing between the UK and Australia, with family.

With a natural British accent, Nishtha also can speak Hindi and Urdu fluently. She is also able to effect a LA valley girl accent.

Passionate about diversity and inclusiveness around her culture, she wants to set an example as a positive role model on screen for young generations to follow. Nishtha also wants to embrace all genres so as to experience what she truly is capable of.

Nyssa Milligan

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A vocalist who performs in many genres, Nyssa Milligan has sung with Hans Zimmer, OneRepublic and for Screen Australia. 

Stage highlights include “Voices of Angels” with Gondwana Choirs, “Hans Zimmer: Revealed” at the Qudos Bank Arena and “Spectacular – A Tribute to ABBA” for Metropolis Touring.

As a Cabaret artist Nyssa has performed solo shows at Sydney’s Sideshow and Eastside Sydney Music Festivals. In 2019, she was a Sydney Cabaret Competition finalist and a Sydney Fringe Festival award nominee.

Nyssa graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2016. During her studies, she was the recipient of the Diane Wishart and Estivo European Chamber Music Summer School scholarships.

Olivia Ruggiero

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Olivia Ruggiero developed a love of performing at an early age, undertaking many musical studies including piano, trumpet and singing.

Olivia graduated from Griffith University at Queensland Conservatorium of Music (QCM) with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre in 2017. During this time, she has performed the roles of Betty in “Sure Thing”, Ursula in “Sweet Charity”, Carmen in “The Life”, was a featured vocalist in Con2TheCabaret and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”.

Olivia has also had the opportunity to perform at the 2015 Tourism Awards; Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts as a featured soloist in 2017; as a soloist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra in 2017 and was featured in the “Thank You for The Music: An ABBA Celebration” at the QPAC Concert Hall in 2017. 

Olivier Rahme

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Olivier Rahmé has trained professionally in Sydney, where he received his Degree in Music majoring in Musical Theatre and Cert III in Music at Australian Institute of Music (AIM), NIDA, The Hub Studio and Seymour Centre. He also studied fulltime television/film acting at Stella Adler Art of Acting Academy in Los Angeles.

Olivier has cracked in the world of independent musical theatre, notably “Anyone Can Whistle” (Little Triangle), “Into the Woods” (Tyran Parke), “Texas Whorehouse” (Squabbalogic) and “Witches of Eastwick” (Tony Cogin) respectively. He made his professional debut in Opera Australia’s production of “Turandot”.

Although Olivier is happy to play any character, he relishes in playing the villain; a charming, rakish, larrikin type or those with a mental health illness and inebriation.

Opal Russell

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Born in Wollongong, Opal Russell studied dance at Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts and in 2017 trained with the school’s Pre-Professional Dance Company. The following year she joined Austinmer Dance Theatre.

Opal became a finalist in the 2018 Brisbane International Contemporary Dance Prix, and awarded with ‘Most Outstanding Female Potential’. Similarly, she was awarded ‘Most Innovative Choreography’ at Sydney’s Sharp Short Dance choreographic festival for her solo work ‘A Sigh”.

Opal has finished fulltime dance training in her Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year as a scholarship student.

In 2020, Opal performed in the Sydney Festival as soloist in the full-length dance work “Colossus” by Australian choreographer Stephanie Lake.

Patricio Ibarra

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Argentinian-born Patricio Ibarra began his career by being part of small productions in the off-circuit like the “The School of the Upside-World” musical by Eduardo Galeano (Matorra-Ocampo), “The Journey of the Luna's Siblings” (JUCUM) and “Dido's Queen of Cartage” (Marlowe) by Monica Maffia.

While living in London, Patricio completed an internship with London Arts Radiant with plays like “Obsession” and “Relentless”, which involved travelling to the Fringe Festival in 2014. As a playwright, he also wrote “Lodebar Land of Oblivion” which was based on Orwell’s 1984 and biblical texts, and which toured around Argentina.

In 2017, Patricio played Dewey in a local production of “School of Rock” with Musical Players. He was involved with the House of International Theater in Copenhagen, as part of Labs in Storytelling, Space, Adaptation and Genre. This led to ensemble and collective creation of different pieces.

He studied at Buenos Aires on Broadway in 2012 (Arg/NYC), Da Capo for musical theater (Arg), Cachimba for Lecoq training (Arg) and Hernan Matorra for repertoire and vocal training (Arg). In addition, Patricio undertook the Musical Theater course in RADA (London) and the American Conservatory Theater semester program in 2019 (SF-USA).

Patricio is now based in Sydney, Australia where he has worked in commercials for Mypher and Lush Cosmetics.

Patrick Schnur

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Based in Melbourne, Patrick Schnur has had a variety of experience in theatre and performing. Whilst being a musical theatre performer, he is also an avid multi-instrumentalist. While he is primarily trained in cello, he also studies guitar, ukulele and piano.  

Patrick studied a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at Federation University headed by David Wynen. While at the Arts Academy his theatre credits include: a workshop of “Motor-mouth Loves Suck-face: An Apocalyptic Musical” (Motor-mouth), “The Pajama Game” (Pop/Hines – Understudy), “The Addams Family” (Lurch) and “Into the Woods” (Wolf/Cello). Patrick also performed his own cabaret “You Had Me at Cello - Opus 20: A Little Klaus Music” with his cello named Klaus.

In December of 2016, Patrick made his professional debut with the Australian Shakespeare Company (ASC) in their production of “Twelfth Night”, playing the Officer as well as being the Male Understudy. Following that, he’s done further work with the ASC as the Head Chief Rabbit in “Wind in the Willows”, the King of Hearts in “Alice in Wonderland” as well as Feste in the return 2018 season of “Twelfth Night”. In 2017, he was extremely lucky to not only be an actor but also the musical director and composer for a new verbatim play “No More Silence”, which toured regionally in Victoria.

Penny Protogeros

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Penny Protogeros is a passionate, determined, admirably optimistic individual when it comes to her goals in life. Born in Greece, she was only two years old when moved to Australia with her mother and brother. Her life had not always been sunshine and rainbows: growing up with a single parent and not being able to have the funds to achieve her dreams was often a struggle.

Despite being told to have a backup plan, Penny continues to nurture a big heart and big dream that lies in the future of acting. Not even after turning down an offer to attend AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) overseas due to high fees did this or any other hurdle stop her since. She has sought experience as an extra in several feature films and television series, with her knack for creative insight and dramatic technique.

Growing up, acting has always been her passion—whether it be from reading books and acting out a script, to monologues and performing in front of an audience especially her mother and uncle, who have always been her loudest supporters. She hopes that her studies in nursing, personal training and strong soccer and taekwondo representative experience as well as a level of empathy would proper her into a confidence-brimming, astonishing acting career.

Teased throughout primary and high school due to her height, Penny initially struggled to apply herself. However through genuine discipline, sheer will and the care of loved ones, she was able to achieve higher grades. It is this mindset, coupled with a kind heart and contagious humour, from which she continues as one who no longer will let anything else stand in the way of both her professional and personal development.

Pepa Molina

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Pepa Molina is a professional Flamenco dancer, choreographer, director, choreographer and producer of her own Flamenco dance company called Compañía Pepa Molina. She has had a successful, elegant, fast-paced, impassioned and comprehensive international career in the last 25 years.

She spent the bulk of her career in Spain, firstly training with the best in the Flamenco world as well as training in classical and classical Spanish dance. She worked her way solidly with all the acclaimed Flamenco companies, tablaos and institutions so to be regarded as one of the most sought-after and, of course, award-winning trailblazers of this genre.

Pepa founded Compañía Pepa Molina in 2004. Under this mandate, she produced and choreographed 4 productions which she mounted at a wide variety of theatres and major festivals across Spain and the rest of Europe, America and Asia.

In 2014 Pepa moved back to Sydney with her family, where she was originally born.

Phillipa Russell

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Phillipa Russell was diagnosed with profound deafness since from a young age, but can speak English and is fluent in Auslan. Despite everyday challenges associated with her hearing impairment, she remains strongly committed to honing and pursuing her craft for the performing arts.

While at primary and high school, Phillipa developed her love of acting by appearing in various repertory group plays. At the same time she studied dance for 10 years, specialising in jazz, tap and funk. She completed her training at Children’s Performing Company of Australia (CPCA) in 2005 and furthermore undertook vocal training at Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) from 2007.

After graduating high school in 2008, Phillipa was accepted into a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) at Deakin University. During this course, she performed lead roles in three final-year performances “Muck”, “Attempts on her Life” and “Filling the Silence”.

Following graduation from Deakin University in 2012, Phillipa performed three lead roles in short films “Here in Silence” (for which she received a Best Actor award in), “Catching Tuna” (seen here in full: https://vimeo.com/98068162) and more recently “No One is Perfect”. Some of her other works include a sold-out show at La Mama called “Missfits “and “Wish 3 More Wishes” in both Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

Phillipa’s other credits include participating in benchmark events Melbourne Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Deaflympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Australian Deaf Games Closing Ceremony with Australian Theatre of the Deaf (ATOD).

Phillipa enjoys travelling the world, and spending time with her friends and family, whilst harbouring hopes to step up in her career free of social assumptions and covert discrimination. Currently she educates other young deaf people to be confident in their disability, make their voice heard and to turn such perceived flaws into treasured advantages.

Quyen Chung

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Quyen Chung is an emerging actor and a Creative Artist based in Liverpool, Western Sydney.

She has been featured in TV commercials for “Woolworths’ Home for Christmas” in 2018 and appeared as part of the extra cast for big name movies such as “Pacific Rim Uprising”, “Peter Rabbit 2” and “Shang-Chi”.

She also plays lead character(s) Jade Lang in the comedy action web series “How to become a Hero”, Anna in the comedy action film “Operation Kung Flu” and Jasmine in the drama short film “Millennial Story”.

Her creative portfolio covers Art Directing, Production Assistant, Hair- Make Up and Wardrobe Department. Quyen has experience in wardrobe alterations and costume designing, prop handling and set design.

Quyen has interned with comedy TV series “Fat Pizza” in the Art Department and ABC comedy TV series “Preppers” as a costume designer. She’s debuted as an Art Director in the independent action featured film “Echo 8” as well as fulfilling the role of action character Knuckles.

A dedicated entertainment professional, who’s trained in the Bella system method of acting, Quyen strives to be diligent, hardworking and willing to accept coaching and direction.

Randall Berger

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Randall Berger grew up in Santa Barbara, California, studying drama, vocal and instrumental music. He performed in school, rep and summer stock productions since age 13, mainly musical comedies. From there he did a lot of work with local theatre companies, namely Youth Theatre Productions (1967-1972) and Alechama Productions (1972).

In 1973, wanderlust got the better of him and he migrated to Australia by himself at age 19 ‘on a lark’ to follow close childhood chum, actor Lance Strauss (“Elton Jack”, “Chucky”) across the Pacific Ocean!

Following the course set in his early teens, Randal went into professional theatre, namely musical theatre in original Australian casts of Broadway and West End shows, as well as broadening into more dramatic roles. He married drama educator Helen Sandercoe in 1977 and settled in Melbourne with three cheeky and creative adult daughters, Sarah, Rebekah and Matilda.

Randall began a parallel career as a professional, award-winning copywriter and freelance scriptwriter in radio, multimedia and advertising, as well as taking extras work and small roles in local TV productions. In 1983, the first film role of note was as a reporter in the film “Phar Lap”. As a ‘portly’ character actor and an American expat, roles were few and far between at the time.

While only doing a couple of roles a year, Randall still had the opportunity to share some celluloid chemistry with a lot of incredible people, notably James Coburn, Reb Brown, Anthony Hopkins, Ron Leibman, Heather Thomas, Joe Bottoms (an old Santa Barbara chum), Barry Bostwick, John Savage, Steven Berkoff, Art Malik, Noah Taylor, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Laura Brannigan, Peter Graves, Paul Hogan, Cuban Gooding Jr and so on, not to mention the amazing rage of directors and DOPs.

Randall might have finally come out of the closet as a screenwriter but has fond memories of his highest profile role, which was as as violinist Isaac Stern in the Geoffrey Rush classic “Shine” (1996).

Rayesh Gunasekera

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Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Rayesh Gunasekera emigrated to Australia in 2008. Graduating in 2012 with an Advanced Diploma in Acting from The National Theatre Drama School, he had gone on to work with innovative theatre practitioners, both local and Sri Lankan. Being fluent in both Sinhala, and English, he has made it a necessity during his creative journey to explore both cultural backgrounds and thereby bridge the gap towards creating a greater understanding among his audiences.

To this effect Rayesh worked closely with National Theatre Drama School to perform in groupthink, rollercoaster dynamics from “The Conquest of the South Pole” (2010) to the serving-of-hate-crime-injustice in “The Laramie Project” (2011) and fatalistic love set in Ancient Greece in “Orpheus & Eurydice” (2011). Equally as importantly was highlighting the bicultural setting of his South Asian ancestry against the spectacular American waterfall setting on screen in “To Niagara with Love” (2012).

Aside from acting Rayesh has taken a step towards honing his craft as a screenwriter and director, studying at RMIT University. Through this he has greater hopes for creating stories that would transcend cultural barriers, and also help him find his unique artistic vision. He has already begun to make this stride by directing 2016’s “The Marriage Proposal” with Performing Arts Circle as well as “The Bear & the Proposal”, which were both received enthusiastically.

Other than his days on track and field and captaining a team during his high school days, Rayesh is fairly proficient in mixed martial arts including Wing Chun and karate and can adapt to any style quickly.

Reabar Othman


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Reabar Othman is a Syrian-born actor who has called Australia his home since 2011. He came to study film, became a citizen in 2015 and has been training in acting from 2016 and concurrently. To date, he has partaken of more than forty courses/masterclasses/workshops with great mentors such as Kim Farrant in Melbourne, Larry Moss in Los Angeles, Susan Batson in New York as well as the late Elizabeth Kemp.

Not only that, Reabar is an upcoming filmmaker with chameleonic sensibilities, both in appearance and storytelling depth. He speaks both Arabic and English fluently, and continuously in touch with both Middle Eastern and Western cultures.

Since moving to Byron Bay in 2020, Reabar has taken to farming, woodworking, and building with natural materials. As an actor he can now bring those skills onto stage and screen in a more authentic and integrated way.

Rebecca Nash

Rebecca Nash

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.’

Rebecca Power

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Originally from bucolic Southern Highlands, Rebecca Power is a partially deaf actress, musician and model based in Sydney. She has performed lead roles in well-received original Australian musicals by Coco Grainger and Andrew Neville Harget through 2016 to 2018, including for Sydney Fringe Festival.

Rebecca has always been a passionate fan of both the arts and music, having performed singing (Range: B2 - C6+), piano, saxophone, acting, and modelling pursuits from a young age in her hometown and school, knowing that she wanted to eventually pursue performance in all its forms as a fully-fledged career.

However, during COVID-19 this pursuit took a step back as she focused on completing her studies at an academic level. Despite receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis, Rebecca was awarded a Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience and Physiology) with 1st class Honours (Pharmacology) in 2020. She is currently employed in a Neuropharmacology medical research lab as an assistant, and loves the surprising creativity which comes with it. It helps to remind her of her equal love of the creative arts, which now she hopes to dive back into headfirst.

Rebekah Liepa

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Rebekah Liepa has trained in a broad range of dance disciplines since she was four years old. Since her teen years she has shown an immense passion for singing and has excelled in the areas of Musical Theatre and Drama, with a remarkable and consistent string of awards across Eisteddfod competitions, talent shows and festivals as well as within her own school Penrith Anglican College.

Rebekah achieved a state rank (3rd) for HSC Music 2 with an overall mark of 99, including an HSC Encore nomination. She also received a Band 6 for HSC Drama.

Rebekah attended weekly private vocal tuition and guitar classes, and took drama and music as elective subjects at school. In her spare time, she enjoys writing song lyrics, which relates to her worldview—youthful, family-orientated, fun, animated, with maturing traces of an old soul and a relevantsnapshot of the issues-based, socially conscious movement.

Rebekah has completed through AMEB singing grades, achieving high distinctions in all exam results to date. Having established leadership qualities at her school, she is keen to explore both areas professionally and to follow her idols’ footprint with consummate initiative, even relating to the circumstances of her audition and callback rounds—and of course her successes—as an optimistic learning curve. Either way she is quickly discovering the very high standards in all the disciplines and spectacles that she has to strive towards.

Red Concepcion

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Red Concepcion is an exciting and dynamic performer. With more than a decade’s worth of shows under his belt, he has portrayed a wide array of characters and has consistently churned out electric performances.

Red has recently won two of the most prestigious theatre awards in his homeland, the Philippines. He won the Aliw Award Best Actor in a Musical and the Gawad Buhay Award for his star turn as Adam/Felicia in “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”.

Red’s strong voice, expressive dancing and unique flair for comedy has made him a much sought-after actor in Manila, where he has appeared in such hit musicals as “Cinderella”, “West Side Story”, “Hairspray” and a number of original works.

Red has also been lauded for his work in plays such as the Manila productions of “The Normal Heart”, where he played Tommy Boatwright, and “Equus” where he made waves as disturbed Alan Strang.

Red is just as comfortable in front of the camera as he is on stage. He was most recently seen as the tough but loveable dishwasher Sam in “The Boston: The Kitchen Musical”, a musical comedy series which aired around Asia and in the United States on Myx TV.

Red hopes to reach a wider audience, and intends to be able to perform on a global scale one day. He has already achieved this dream through a star turn as co-lead The Engineer in the European and American tours of “Miss Saigon” since 2017.

Website: https://redconcepcion.com/


Rhiannon Jorgensen

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Rhiannon Jorgensen was born in Australia, and is of Norwegian, French and German descent. However, she grew up at Montsalvat Arts Colony in 1978.

A natural performer, she has been surrounded by the arts world and artists all her life. Having a painter and a singer as a mother and a classical guitarist as a father, she grew up on the road touring the country with her musician parents.  She later joined the band at 22 and performed at festivals and large audiences including Womadelaide, Moomba and the ABC's music show.

Rhiannon begun dance and movement at age seven and would continue to study and practice dance, musical theatre, acting for film and television and begun her journey as a professional, gaining work in

films, modelling and as a voiceover artist. As singer-songwriter she recorded her first songs and was sought out by famed TV show on Channel 10 “Offspring” for her song “Here and Now”.

Bringing the arts together and supporting other artists through her project Black Barn Gallery and the Montsalvat Collective, Rhiannon excels as host, curator, event planner and collaborator. Shas worked with other companies on their networking and showcasing events such as Ignition Immersive, VR Film Production Company and Tindle Collective.

Rhiannon is passionate to continue and expand on her skills in the world of film, music, presenting, modelling, curating events, welcoming collaboration with other creatives.

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Richard Habelrih

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Richard Habelrih lives in Sydney with his family and has autism.

Despite a very poor prognosis, Richard has achieved beyond what was imagined by professionals. His parents were told that he would never walk or talk and were discouraged from having any hopes or dreams for him.

Fortunately, Richard has overcome all those huge obstacles over the last 24 years to become an inspiring and resilient young man today. He is intent on living life to the fullest and making a difference in the lives of those around him. Today he is a public speaker accepting invitations to speak at various events, sharing his experiences and inspiring people. His achievements and highlights include:

  • Graduating from high school
  • Playing basketball and representing the Sydney Eastern Region for Special Olympics
  • Winning an Australian Government Vocational Student Prize in national recognition of outstanding achievement and excellence in secondary education, which included a cheque for $1000 and a certificate from the Dept. of Education
  • Being able to attend World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Year 11 peers
  • Becoming a foundation member of St Michael’s Meals alongside family, a community service project or charity which feeds the homeless across Sydney
  • Writing and performing the “Best MATES” puppet show in Sydney primary schools and preschools
  • Working on creating an animation of the “Best MATES” puppet show
  • Modelling at Westfield at the “Model MATES” events
  • Being nominated by Westfield and becoming a finalist for the Westfield Local Hero Awards in 2020

Richard has hopes and dreams like everyone else. He regularly speaks at conferences, inspiring and educating people. He also wants to educate society on what it is like living with autism and is currently working towards achieving these goals. He has a love of public speaking and always asks when his next speaking gig is!

Richard’s big goal is to become independent and to become employed as a speaker, model and actor. He also enjoys travel as much as being around doctors and hospitals!

Rik Stowman

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Rik Stowman is a dedicated actor, writer, singer/songwriter, musician and humanist. Trained in Stanislavski, Meisner, Method and Viewpoints, he has a deep love of the performing arts and considers them central to the human experience. He thrives best when he is tackling authentic and engaging work, owing his broad awareness of the world due to his parents of a multi-ethnic lineage.

Similarly Rik possesses a director’s deft and detailed eye for values-based theatre, particularly those which when placed within the legally complex If not larger context of indigenous history, can expose an individual’s tendency for both personal and systematic prejudices, flaws and interpretation of truth. Teaching his actors this very same sentiment, he therefore holds the arts as a vehicle, if not as a rustic impetus for moral change.

Based in Melbourne, Rik is a family man with a dash of the wanderlust and percipient eye for society’s fault lines. He believes in the fluidity and evolving journeyman’s process of discovery informing the true timbre of a performance-focused piece. All his works, particularly in his own plays and lyrics have tended to deal with man’s untapped potential to convert pain and robustness into those of beauty and immersive sources of strength and recovery.

Rio Bond

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Australian actor Rio Bond is hardworking, highly-motivated and professional-minded, who strives to achieve his future goals. With ten years of experience, he is a passionate actor, who works well under pressure and follows instructions to the best of his capabilities. His friendly and outgoing personality enables him to interact with directors and colleagues smoothly. He has maintained a great time management schedule to suit his lifestyle and he is willing to make any changes to receive any role as much as necessary.

Rollie-Ann Serrano

 

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Rollie-Ann Serrano is willing to get her hands dirty, at least when it comes to both being in front of and behind the camera. She likes her process to be full of creative spark and chemistry, refined, messy, thrilling, inspired by the masterful auteurs (Darren Aronofsky and Christopher Nolan most notably), evolving, alterable and challenging. The most important aspect is that it all has to come from the heart, where the Filipino-Australian has got in spades and in desire.

A writer, director, editor and actor, Rollie is beginning to test the limits of all four crafts, yet she acknowledges that they are all big, unknown steps to take. The steps have been linear yet unquantifiable, having moved from nearly making a career in sports medicine into the unpredictable seas of filmmaking, yet she loves every second of it. Ever since Rollie began training to be the ultimate acting warrior from NIDA and Actors Centre, she is up the ladder in a much more functional sense, and that is to make films with the most bemusedly eclectic talent she’s ever worked with so far, from Macquarie University.

She wills her mind to expand, to explore, to prod, and to enter into the enlightened realm of a world that ought to be. She has already willed her family to back her, and now she’s got to back herself for the long haul. Sydney is becoming her oyster, the world an exquisite pearl bracelet to slip reverentially her hand into.

 

Rome Champion

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Rome Champion is a 12-year old Triple Threat. He shines bright on the acting, dancing and singing stage. He is known for his boyish charm and confident stage presence. He poses great expectations for himself, something that is to be commended at such a young age. He comes from an active family of entertainers and so naturally has great discipline in applying himself to pick up lines, lyrics and choreography. He is very passionate about the arts. His accolades thus far really reflect his commitment to becoming a great and sought-after entertainer.

As the only boy in his age group, Rome was chosen out of 500 auditionees to be a part of a 10-week intensive with the infamous Oneill Twins (New Zealand, The Royal Family, Parris Goebbel). The intensive focused on strengthening his ability in dance, choreography and stage presence.

Rome played a supporting role as Fletcher, the son of Paulini’s character (made famous by Whitney Houston). He quickly became a cast/crowd favourite and toured nationally in front of sellout audiences. For publicity, he made appearances on Channel Seven’s “The Morning Show”, “Sunrise” and Channel Nine’s “Today” as well as featuring in newspaper magazines and blog interviews.

In 2018, Rome made his six-episode debut on a streaming service Netflix in “The Pine Gap” as Andre James, the son of an American military mother living in Alice Springs.

Rome was the youngest in the well-known “Ready Set Dance” crew starring young triple-threat Aussies across dance, acting and singing. The 2019 series was created for younger kids and designed to build life skills where he helped talk and demonstrate them through mad moves in order to help little ones build their confidence, co-ordination and creativity.

Romeo Ladera-Bispo

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A little power rocket, Sydney-born Romeo Ladera-Bispo is one of the most exciting child acrobats in Australia. Passionate, full of energy and enthusiastic best describes him. With a Capoeira Master and Black Belt BJJ for his father and a Dancer/Capoeira Artist for his mother as well as a dedicated big brother, he enjoys training with his family.

As a martial arts enthusiast Romeo trains 6 days a week, so he is sure to give his best to every project he is given. His talent includes playing traditional Brazilian instruments Berimbau, Atabaque and Pandiero. With a passion for culture, dance, music and arts. he plays Capoeira and proudly shows his culture around the Australia community, corporations and schools.

Aside from his acrobatic performances, Romeo was awarded the Most Outstanding Academic Student in Year 1 – 2017 at OLMC, Waterloo. With his exotic background, he is sure to represent your brand with pride. Romeo values family, courtesy, gratitude and honesty.

Ruby Williams

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Unveiling stories through the art of performance. Ruby Williams, a proud Dharumbal Aboriginal Woman, brings a captivating blend of talent and passion to the stage and screen. A graduate of WAAPA 2018 CERT IV in Aboriginal Theatre Performance and NIDA's 2019 Diploma in Stage and Screen, she crafts narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. 

As a versatile artist, Ruby wears multiple hats—from acting to writing to directing—all in the service of bringing untold stories to life.

Ryuichi Fujimura

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Since the mid-1990s, Japanese-born Ryuichi Fujimura has extensively studied contemporary dance technique, improvisation and choreography in Sydney and overseas on an ongoing basis. Within his spontaneously natural, gentle, hypnotic, abstract and inventive dance style, this level of his commitment, engagement and self-expression is as much as a commentary on his body as on his life.

Over the last fifteen years, Ryuichi has collaborated with both emerging and established international and Australian dance/theatre/visual artists in various dance, theatre, opera, site-specific performance and film projects. He has performed for both established and experimental companies including Force Majeure, De Quincey Co., La Fura dels Baus, Opera Australia, Kaldor Arts Projects, Flightpath Theatre and Clockfire Theatre Co,.

Ryuichi has choreographed and performed three short solo works (“Fall! Falter!! Dance!!!” in 2022, “How I Practice My Religion” in 2017 and “How Did I Get Here?” in 2015). With those solos, he toured internationally (Finland 2017 and Taiwan 2018). He has also created two site-specific performance works in collaboration with Kate Sherman (“Under Harry’s Circumstances” in 2014 and “Under Different Circumstances” in 2013) and a site-specific solo for Dance Makers Collective’s Future Makers (Sydney Festival 2021).

Ryuichi is a recipient of Australia Council for the Arts’ International Residency (New York, 2018) and International

Strategic Market Fund (2018), Create NSW’s Artist Support grant (2017) and Innovating Dance Practice Grant (2016), Ausdance NSW’s DAIR Residencies (2020, 2018, 2016 and 2015) and Critical Path’s Responsive Choreographic Residency, with Kate Sherman (2017).

Website: https://www.ryuichifujimura.com/

Saara Lamberg

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Finnish Australian Saara Lamberg is an actor, director, writer and producer. She has received several awards for her work, including Bronze prize at the Beverly Hills screenplay contest (Hollywood 2013), Best Actor at Comfy Shorts (Melbourne 2014), Best Drama at the Connect Film Festival (Melbourne 2014) and Best Actor (Lithuania 2004). She lived in England 2006-2010 and studied in the critically acclaimed Dartington College of Arts, graduating with a BA (HONS) degree in Theatre and Choreographic Practices in 2007.

Saara moved to Melbourne in January 2010 and received a Distinguished Talent Permanent Residency in 2012 and citizenship in 2014. In 2015, she started directing and producing her first feature film “Innuendo” which she wrote and in which she plays the lead. 

Safiye Vurdu

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Safiye Vurdu began singing training at eight years old with Nancy D’Agostino, and, through this, discovered her passion for all things performing arts. Before studying a BA in Music Theatre at the Arts Academy, Federation University, Safiye was the lead singer and co-songwriter of Melbourne band Vacant Skies. Safiye has also worked as a sessional vocal recording artist for musicians such as John Trager. During her time at the Arts Academy Safiye’s highlights include “Urinetown” (Little Sally cover), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Bun Foo), “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Helena Landless cover) and her self-devised cabaret “What Would James Dean Do (WWJDD)?”

Sally Alrich-Smythe

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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.

Salvatore Gulinello

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Salvatore Gulinello is an Italian-Australian actor, based in Melbourne. He trained at Federation University Arts Academy Ballarat, recently graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Acting). His theatre credits at Federation University include The Wolf in “Company of Wolves” directed by Cheyney Caddy; Shamraev in “The Seagull” directed by James Wardlaw; Young Waverley in the “Woman Hater” directed by Ian Scott and Peer Gynt in “Peer Gynt,” directed by Justine Campbell. During his time at university, he co-devised a new work called “The Durnagee Effect”.

Salvatore's latest works have included a voiceover role in the ABC's television series “Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" as well as a role in The Independent Feature Film "Innuendo" directed by Saara Lamberg. Most recently he co-devised and performed in a new sketch comedy at the 2016 Melbourne International Comedy Festival titled “The Million Dollar Fish”.

Salvatore has a great passion for political comedy and plans to develop such work in the future.

Sam Concepcion

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Sam Concepcion (aka Samuel Lawrence Lopez Concepcion)—born in Manila, Philippines—is a Filipino singer, dancer, actor, VJ and host. He emerged as the winner for the Big Division of “Little Big Star Season 1 in April 2006. He currently has a contract under STAGES and ABS-CBN's “Star Magic”.

Concepcion began with a total of 12 theatre roles and participated in various plays even at a young age, including the role of Edmund Pevensie in the local stage adaptation of “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” and “Mr. Noah’s Big Boat”. He has been in the titular role of “Peter Pan” from 2002 to 2012. Aside from theatre roles, he has acted in movies including “Way Back Home” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll 13”. He acted in his first lead role in 2012 in the first Filipino musical film entitled “I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!" He had his first role in television in ABS-CBN's “Mga Anghel na Walang Langit”, and his major break as Boy Bawang in the fantasy series "Super Inggo”.

In 2007, Sam launched his self-titled album under Universal Records, which was certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. He also launched two other albums “Pop Class” (2010), and “Forever Young” (2011). The latter was his biggest hit, hitting the charts at Number 1 for seven weeks in a row. I

In 2008, he was chosen by Dreamworks to sing the theme song of the animated movie “Kung Fu Panda”, entitled, ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ which was included in the Asian soundtrack album. With this project, he is the first Filipino artist to have collaborated with Dreamworks.

Sam has been an ambassador for many agencies and organisations. He was appointed by the Department of Education as ‘Youth Role Model and Spokesperson’ and National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) Get Caught Reading ‘Campaign Ambassador’ in 2007. In 2008, he was appointed by the Business Software Alliance as the Official Spokesperson of the Philippines for B4USurf, ‘Youth Ambassador for Education and the Arts' in the 3rd District of Manila and World Vision's 'Ambassador for Children'.

Sam was also given a representative role by the Department of Tourism to the Korea World Travel Fair (2006). He was also chosen by the Philippine government to sing in front of the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and top world economic leaders during APEC's Business Advisory Council Gala opening. He was awarded by the United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines the prestigious UNAP 'Outstanding Youth Leader' award given in Malacañang Palace in 2009.

Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Concepcion

Sam Hayes

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Sam Hayes has worked as a puppeteer with Erth Visual and Physical Inc for “Dinosaur Zoo”, performing in major arts venues worldwide like Sydney's Carriageworks, Arts Centre Melbourne and New Victory Theater on Broadway, New York. He has performed in “BASH: Iphigenia in Orem” (Subiaco Arts)—nominated for a 720 ABC Perth Theatre Award—“Tissue” (Subiaco Arts) and “The Inconsequential Lives of Little Fish” (The Blue Room Theatre)—nominated for 5 Performing Arts WA Awards including Best Actor in an Independent Production.

Sam graduated from WAAPA in 2017 where he performed in “Memory Bones” (His Majesty’s Theatre), “The Solo Stage” (Subiaco Arts) and TILT season’s “View from the Penthouse” (The Blue Room Theatre).

Sam Nasser

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Sam Nasser is a classically trained actor who has undertaken multiple summer acting courses including state acting camp and summer courses with Sydney Theatre School (STS) to further develop his skills. 

Sam was thrilled to land a lead role in CPAC YOUTH’s theatre production “The Outsiders” for a praised six-show run. Working alongside highly experienced actors, his lead role as Ponyboy allowed him to develop exceptional methodologies such as method acting and the Stanislavski technique. 

Sam also was a part of an ensemble that performed a piece called “Animal Farm” in Enmore Theatre for three shows in Sydney. This strengthened his sense of team-building capabilities within an ensemble. Since traveling alongside a journey of self-discovery, maturity and growth he has been able to stand out as a confident and well-trained actor.

Sam has also been involved in numerous film and television production as an extra but is ready to broaden his body of work into more substantial and meaty work, where he could truly thrive.

Sam Unn

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Sam Unn is an award-winning consummate student whose various achievements at The Hub Studio and The Actors Pulse have been of a notably high and dedicated standard. Born to Cambodian and Australian parents, he tends to lose himself in demanding, articulate roles that reveal his dramatic range. But what people do not realise is that he also has a knack for comedy, and can play deadpan straight man among considerably outlandish people or circumstances.

Sam is softly spoken and unassuming yet no-nonsense and conscientious. Listening and taking direction well, he is able to communicate the essence of a scene so as to achieve desired or maximum emotional impact. Because of his passion for acting, this makes him very easy to work with.

Sam enjoys writing and directing actors, fostering a close relationship with them and understanding their needs and the overall craft. He feels that there is a lack of diversity on Australian film and television in terms of characters, stories and their nuances but hopes to change all that.

Sam aims to appear in both locally and overseas, as well as turning a long-term project into a television, Netflix or web series.

Samantha Aloe

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Samantha Aloe is a Melbourne-based actress of Italian and French heritage. 

She graduated from The Australian Film and Television Academy in 2022 and has since continued her training studying the Meisner technique. 

Samantha has been involved in a range of theatre and short film productions. In 2022 she was featured in “Red String”, a short film uncovering the Japanese theory of destined lovers. She also has been in “Dracula” (directed by Peter T. Nathan), which uncovers the psychology of playwright Steven Dietz. 

Samantha tends to gravitate towards savage and sassy best friend roles with a love for everything to do with fashion and style. While she may seem tough on the outside, she has a soft and kind interior.

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel F. Lee

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Samuel F. Lee (birth name Samuel Lee Fujian) was born to Malaysian Chinese-Japanese parents in Ipoh, Perak in Malaysia. He came to Australia to pursue his tertiary education. From a young age, he was exposed to foreign film and music—all thanks to his housemaid who was looking after his grandparents back then. She only favoured foreign movies outside of his heritage; from short Hong Kong TVB series to lengthy Spanish telenovelas, so he had always been glued to the TV while completing his homework.

However, it was at the age of seven when Samuel’s passion for Bollywood began. He would sit and watch subtitled Bollywood features for two-three hours without knowing what the dialogue really meant. Instead he was entranced by elaborately colourful and gaudy sequences of good-looking leading actors and actresses, illogically dancing around palm trees, doing their best ‘peacock mating ritual’ in order to woo each other’s hearts.

It wooed Samuel’s heart, for sure. As an openly gay man, his favourite onscreen gay couple is ‘Chrolli’—which stems from a famous German soap called “Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love)”.  That laid the groundwork for some self-taught German as well as a fancy for good-looking German men.

Clint Eastwood once said: ‘Whatever you do, do it well. Be humble, work hard and be a man’.

So began Samuel’s foray into filmmaking and acting, which did not blossom not until his second year at the University of Adelaide where he became sick and tired of academic based assignments. As a matter of fact, his volunteering for film as an extra and behind the scenes got his first foot into the door of creativity and entertainment, which also extends to contributing to Hollywood films as a donor or producer. In 2011, Samuel auditioned for the SBS Bollywood Star Search in Melbourne. Although he was not shortlisted, the experience was memorable, providing him with glimpses into how much effort was needed to pick up the choreography (within a tight time frame) before a Bollywood dance sequence was shot. 

Samuel undertakes Bollywood classes every weekend and have performed Bollywood dance at various major community events in Adelaide including the most recent International Cricket Cup 2015. He has also participated in various flash mobs both in Sydney and Adelaide, dancing for Australia Day, Adelaide Fringe and so on. As an avid Beyoncé fan, he completed a dance workshop and flash mob at the Adelaide Fringe with the Bey Dance group from Melbourne. 

Samuel regularly dances and performs at the annual Credit Union Christmas Pageant—the largest of its kind in the world.

In 2013, Samuel scored an amazing opportunity to play the Chinese acrobat on the dystopian suspense thriller “The Rover” alongside Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson. He found Guy to be a well-grounded and protean actor whereas Rob was definitely pushing his limits with his first role on an Australian film. He recounted a ‘Cedric-Diggory-meets-Harry-Potter-moment’ when during a break Rob had come over to say hi, due to the fact Samuel was sporting a gunshot wound on his forehead!

Samuel has a very sneaky, tongue-in-cheek streak with a sexually playful and self-deprecating sense of humour that tends to put a smile on people’s faces. He is known to have a running, ‘people-watching’ commentary on the who’s who of all the gorgeous men in the film and fashion industry!  While quite the extrovert and often expressive about his feelings, he can also compartmentalise an incredible degree of professionalism, courtesy, empathy and a helping hand for others.

Samuel’s ultimate mission is to star in a Bollywood extravaganza and dance for his life alongside some of his favourite Bollywood legends such as Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Prabhu Deva. Moreover, he would like to work full time in the film and fashion industry and reap rewards for doing what he is passionate about. His dream is to travel round the world and meet many different people one day, speaking more languages and learning about other cultures. On the business end, Samuel plans to set up his own film production and event management company in the near future.

Samuel was also one of the organising committee members for the Miss/Mrs Australasia & Pacific Islands Pageant 2015 in a bid to create awareness about violence against women.

Samuel’s motto is: ‘I always believe in myself, live my life to the fullest and will strive to treat everyone with kindness and respect.’

Sean Connell

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Sean Connell is a Scottish-born Australian Actor. Born in Aberdeen, he relocated to Perth, Western Australia at the age of 12 with his parents where his passion for acting began in high school after taking a film class as an extracurricular activity. Naturally he pursued acting after high school where he participated in several screen acting classes in Perth whilst working different jobs to support himself.

In 2022 Sean relocated to Melbourne after being accepted in to the TAFTA full-time program, and which he also graduated from end of the same year. He has trained under the guidance of esteemed industry professionals such as John Orcsik, Kym Valentine, John Preston and Jason Christou.

Other than his affinity for straight-laced, stoic, deadpan characters, Sean particularly feels at home in a period drama, romance comedy, spy thriller or even dystopian sci-fi.

Sedem Banini

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Sedem Banini is a skilled Ghanaian-Australian actress with a specialty in musical theatre and an international mindset. Raised as an adult third-culture kid (which a child that was raised outside their parent’s and passport’s home culture), she has lived a culturally rich life which has informed her craft. 

Comfortable in front of live and virtual performances, Sedem is poised to utilise her talent and expertise to expand the world of performance art.

Website: https://www.saybanini.com/

Sepideh Fallah

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Sepideh Fallah is an Iranian-born actress residing in Melbourne. A native Farsi speaker, she completed her acting training in both Iran and Australia; the latter in where she studied writing and directing at Victoria Collage of the Arts. Her performance experience includes plays, television and movies. A highlight was a play called “The Second Son” directed by Alkinos Tsilimidos.

In her acting, Sepideh is dedicated to expressing the unique humanity and enriched storytelling behind her character, thus inhabiting that world holistically and often with a truthful gaze that resonates with audiences.

Sepideh has extensive experience writing and working as an educator.

Shanelle Sin

 

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Born in Auckland and identifying with Indian heritage, Shanelle Sin is an aspiring actor/model. She has been a part of beauty pageants as Miss Wellington and Miss IndiaNZ, as well as fashion shows, photo shoots, commercials, TV soaps, short films and theatrical productions.

Shanelle trained in Performing Arts of NZ and Studio111 in Auckland. Now she is pursuing acting in Sydney, training at NIDA. She is open to all opportunities available to her but is excited with agency representation to go that much further by taking part in as many projects as possible so as to gain valuable experience and progress her career. 

Shaniz Del Rosario

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Shaniz Del Rosario hails from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, growing up with an intrinsic love for music, theatre and the arts. Focal points from her time at the Arts Academy include being cast as Florinda – one of the pantomimic step-sisters in Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”, her comedic role as Bride in “The Addams Family” and being a part of a workshop premiere season of “Motor-Mouth Loves Suck-Face: An Apocalyptic Musical” written and directed by Anthony Crowley. In April 2016, she performed her self-devised cabaret “Mysteries of My Orient” where she was able to playfully discuss her identity in juxtaposition of the image she portrays.

Sharmali Kulatunga

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From solo hiking the peaks of Patagonia, to riding the glassy waves of Papua New Guinea, Sharmali Kulatunga’s passion for adventure and new experiences fuels her creativity as on-screen talent, which has seen me work with renowned brands on major TV and social media campaigns with a specialty in the outdoors. Driven and committed, she brings her goal-orientated attitude and team player mindset into every production to ensure quality results.

As an adventurer and ‘all-round outdoors girl’, Sharmali aims to inspire women to take a risk and get into extreme sports.

IG: @finding_sharmy 

Shelley Dunlop

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Shelley Dunlop is an eclectic, versatile, multi-disciplined performer based in Melbourne, Australia. She is an actor, musician, singer, voiceover artist and dancer with a lifelong obsession with the performing arts. She has performed in large theatres, tiny jazz clubs, as roving characters, in orchestra pits, in cartoons and commercials and once in a giant fish tank, but you’ll have to ask her about that one.

Shelley has studied classical voice at the Victorian College of the Arts and contemporary voice and piano at Melbourne Polytechnic as well as being part of 2019’s NIDA Actor’s Studio program in Melbourne. She prides herself on being a dedicated, skilled and somewhat quirky performer who brings a sense of play and professionalism wherever she goes.

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez

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Hers is an angelic voice and face. Shiela Valderrama-Martinez is the muse of the musical theater stage, marked 26 illustrious years in the industry and performed in over 30 productions locally and internationally. She’s the winner of Leaf Awards Best Actress in a Musical, Awit Awards Best New Female Recording Artist & Aliw Awardee for Excellence in Dramatic Performance.

Shiela has concluded the prestigious Ballet Philippines’ rock opera ballet “Tales of the Manuvu” as the First Woman. She headed Resorts World Manila’s 7-month run of “Disco Glam” concert at the new Grand Wing. She also reprised her roles as Lily Dela Rosa in “Binondo”, a Tsinoy musical at Theater Solaire and Katherine Lyons in the critically acclaimed musical “Dani Girl.” In September 2019 she played Fosca one of the most coveted roles in Musical Theater, in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Passion” at RCBC Theater. She also made her Repertory Philippines comeback in the title role of “The Quest for Adarna” in Rep Children’s Theater’s first original musical.

Some notable performances have been Upstart Production’s "Into the Woods" as Baker's Wife; Atlantis Theatrical’s "Shrek The Musical" as Princess Fiona; Resorts World Manila’s “The King and I" as Anna Leonowens; 9Works Theatrical’s “The Wedding Singer” as Julia Sullivan; PETA’s Filipino hit musical “Rak of Aegis” as Mary Jane; Atlantis Theatrical’s "Carrie The Musical" as Miss Lyn Gardner where Shiela was part of the show’s original cast recording as well as Gantimpala’s “Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag” as Ligaya Pariso. She received Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress citations.

International theater credits include Broadway Asia’s Asian Tour of Rogers & Hammerstein’s "Cinderella" as Cinderella cover for Lea Salonga, Hong Kong Disneyland’s Original Opening Team, performing in stage shows “The Golden Mickeys” as Cantonese-speaking lead Bebe and Tarzan Singer. Shiela was also the first Asian to perform the role of Nala in the Disneyland Park Show “The Festival of The Lion King” as well as performing in Atlantis Singapore Production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as Marcy Park.

On the concert and events stage, Shiela is proud to have been chosen as one of the performers for the Opening Gala show of the 30th Sea Games. She has performed at the Malacañang Palace for state dinners for Mexican and Indian Presidents as well as performed for the ASEAN closing ceremony. She also performed in shows aboard the Genting Dream Luxury Cruise around Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia and headlining Christmas, New Year’s Countdown and Valentine shows at Solaire Resorts.

Shiela is also a local and international events singer and host, commercial model, film and television actress. She appeared in a Malaysian indie "The Gift", the international TV series “The Kitchen Musical” and the top rating ABS-CBN soap “Wild Flower” as the feisty lawyer Georgina Fischer.

She is also a Facial Care Center and Marby Food Ventures Ambassador.

 

Shruti Agarwal

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Born in Mumbai, India all Shruti Agarwal ever wanted to do was to be part of the entertainment industry. Her duties ranged from being a director and assistant director to choreographer utilising and bringing to life her creative vision for the company, and involved in the full production. In supporting the mission of the industry and the belief that it is a place where people look to as way of disconnecting from the monotony and challenges of daily life, she enjoys in delivering her best undertaking each time.

After studying Indian classical and folkdance styles, Shruti pursued a career as a performer, teacher and choreographer. She danced with Shiamak Davar Dance company and later started assisting in choreography. She trained Bollywood celebrities like Sridevi, Preity Zinta, Gauahar Khan, Radhika Apte and many more. She became the world’s first ever Bollywood theme park’s Show Director, where she developed concepts, wrote scripts, directed and choreographed all the shows and musicals.

In addition, Shruti has worked with the IPs like Lionsgate and Dreamworks by developing shows, parades and musical based on their movies. She had auditioned and cast more than 400 performers from around the world in various roles for Dubai Parks and Resorts. Her thirst for knowledge is so much that she ensures to be constantly updated with the industry’s new innovations in technology. She has been part of Bollywood’s biggest musicals like “Zangoora” and “Jaan-E-Jigar” as director and choreographer.

Shruti is a certified 200-hour yoga teacher.

Sidique Swaray

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Sidique Swaray was born in Guinea West Africa in 1998, and moved to Australia in 2004 with his father. Eventually he was reunited with his mother and sister, who followed suit down under in 2008. He has grown up with a great interest and creative expression in the performing arts industry, and has been involved in several performances designed for the school community nationwide.

Sidique has been dancing for as long as he can remember, having been involved in various competitions, festivals and youth events. He has busted hip-hop and breakdancing moves with an amazing ensemble of boys for School Spectacular for 4 years in a row. In addition, Sidique was involved in a prestigious competition called Wakakirri Performing Arts, versing other schools as both dancer and public speaker. He performed in an ensemble in front of an audience nearly totalling 8000 people at Sydney Entertainment Centre.

For Refugee Week, Sidique was proud to be school ambassador in a team that was key to raising awareness about the struggles faced by refugees and asylum seekers. He also served the student council as a representative, where local political matters are close to his heart.

On the acting side, Sidique’s only but life-changing screen credit to date was to work alongside Australian veteran Alex Dimitriades and award-winning director Krive Stenders of “Red Dog” and “Kill Me Three Times” fame in the SBS’s gritty 2015 drama “The Principal”. It has inspired and furthered his engagement within the entertainment field, giving him a chance to build upon his dramatic skills while learning more about the fact. He counts his parents’ support as being integral to his pursuits during and outside of school hours – and beyond, both professionally and personally.

Silvana Lorenzo de Shute

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Silvana Lorenzo de Shute is a hard woman to pin down: her Uruguayan heritage, that is. While she proudly bills herself as an Australian citizen by birth, she attributes her artistic and literary influences as well as a soothing, inspiring love of people and music to her ancestors who are also from Spain, Italy, France, England and Nigeria – phew, what an eclectic, potent melting pot!

This all has given Silvana a leg up in showbiz; while she has made a self-assured and bold name for herself in ‘black box’ theatre from “In the Company of Ants” (2010 and 2011), “Mikey” (2010), “A Mouthful of Birds” (2009), “Songs in the Speed of Love” (2007) and “Rocket to the Moon” (2007), she is no stranger to the screen as well and is always ‘audition ready’. Her spirited assistance on student short films and documentaries alongside filmmaking stalwart Katherine Davis and ACTT mentor John O’Hare in “7 Days of Sydney – Eastern Beaches” (2010) and “Barry White Saved My Life” respectively has pushed her to commit her studies by correspondence for BA Stage & Screen Performance at UNE.

When Silvana isn’t too busy devising, producing, acting and singing, she is a doting mother to two beautiful, infectiously positive children.

Simon Tse

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British born and raised Chinese with a quintessentially British accent of Received Pronunciation, Simon Tse had been travelling across the Asia-Pacific since June 2014. He was a part time model in the UK and Singapore in 2010/2011 and did some adhoc work during his travels around Asia. He notes greater diversity abroad compared to the UK market that fails to cast any Eastern Asian personality for anything within the media such as billboards, adverts and magazines.

Simon notes that beauty is simply based on perception and is not subjected to limited guidelines, but that it can ‘be found everywhere, in the most different of faces’. Androgynous features that have more of an ‘high end’ look tend to work in his favour.

Although Simon is more experienced in modeling he is willing to have a go in acting, having completed two terms for Sydney Drama School. He was thrilled to be cast as a WW2 soldier for the Japanese frontline in Mel Gibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge” in late 2015.

Beyond these industries, Simon is fun, daring, charismatic and sophisticated and has a strong, hardworking passion for the industry, which brings its own sense of style.

Simon volunteers with St. Vinnies in Martin Place, NSW as he believes in giving back and helping those in need. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and does smile in person—honest! Either way, he is happiest when he is able to express himself and be creative with like-minded individuals or by himself.

More examples of his work can be found on: http://www.modelmayhem.com/1697246.

Sonia Marcon

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Sonia Marcon has always had an obsession for performing. She grew up in Perth and after realising her love for the stage from a young age she began her formal training with a four-year Theatre & Drama degree from Murdoch University. During this time, she was heavily involved in the Perth theatre scene as an actor, singer and dancer. She knew this was her calling when she found she could walk through the city and get recognised by strangers who had seen her in various productions including Beatrice in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”; a Spanish-dancing Death in Lorca’s “Bodas de Sangre (Blood Wedding”); Kate in Pinter’s “Old Times” and Eponine in “Les Misérables”.

Sonia was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis four years into her performing life but that did not slow her down. From then she starred as Julie in the Australian comedy “Cosi”, the monologue-heavy role of Chorus in Shakespeare’s “Henry V” plus leading roles in the Guild Equity Trust Award-nominated original thriller “Serpentine” and the Guild Equity Trust Award-winning original drama “Cry Havoc”. She didn’t even let her relocation from Perth to Melbourne get in the way of her performing career. In fact, this move was a highlight regarding her love of inclusive theatre where difference could be embraced with open arms.

Since the move Sonia feels that her obsession for performance has hit an all-time high. She recently starred in Auspicious Arts production of “Flesh Disease” at La Mama, the Misfit Toys production of “When You Wore Braces” as well as original theatre productions for WIT Inc, Heartstring and 24 Carrot Productions. She has performed at the Malthouse Theatre, the Melba Spiegeltent and ACMI (Australian Centre of the Moving Image) and enjoyed performing in the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the ButohOUT Festival and the Midsummer Festival.

Her experience also spans to film including the IFFA (International Film Festival of Australia) Under 18 Best Short Film winner “Have Some Respect”, television, radio plays and commercials including the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards – Agency Campaign of the Year “Racism. It Stops with Me”.

Sonia is a proud performer with disability and is excited about where her years of experience and professional training will take her.

Sophie Morris

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Sophie Morris is a singer, actor and presenter. She began singing aged 10 as Gretl in “The Sound of Music”, which sparked a love for being on the stage. Career highlights include performing major musical theatre roles such as Sophie – “Mamma Mia!”, Jellylorum – “Cats” and Sandy – “Grease: The Arena Spectacular LIVE”.

Sophie has performed many national anthems at high-profile sporting events, including the “Parker v Ruiz WBO World Heavyweight Title”, the “T20 Black Clash” and the “Rugby League Four Nations”. She has acted in film, television, theatre and commercial productions and has performed at numerous events including “Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park” and “The Silver Scroll Awards”.

Website: https://www.sophie-morris.com/ 

Presenting Reel: https://youtu.be/XqgagSpNvjA

Sophie Stephens

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Sophie Stephens is a young and accomplished performer. In 2011 she competed at the Dance Worlds in Orlando, Florida, winning 4th place in the National division. After successfully auditioning for entry into the QCGU Musical Theatre course, she has had the pleasure of playing roles such as Jack’s Mother in “Into the Woods”; Edith Middleton in “The Wishing Well”; Mrs Mullins in “Carousel” and Rose Ritz in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. Sophie also sang the iconic song Aquarius in the production of “Hair”. Sophie is excited to enter the world of Musical Theatre and aboard.

With an Irish-English background, Sophie grew up in a large, boisterous, cricket-watching family with three brothers and a sister. She began singing from a very young age in school choirs and performed at various carol gigs with artists such as Normy Rowe, Rikki-lee Coulter, Paulini and Shelley Craft over a 3-year period. Most of all, she is a huge Beyoncé fan and actually got to meet her in 2009.

If Sophie were to describe herself in one word, it would be quirky. She never misses a chance to have a laugh and make jokes. She believes that she is exactlylike the character Chandler from the TV show “Friends”! Her crazy dream in life is to star in an action movie and play Wonder Woman (though any superhero will do).

However Sophie often can also be deep in thought, understated and studiously apprised of current affairs, pop culture and youth issues. For instance, she ran a radio show on 4ZZZ called “Alphabet Soup” in 2011, where they basically had a letter for each show and played an artist or song starting with that letter, before discussing topics on whatever letter it was. Running on graveyard fumes (from 2am till 6am) and going to school straight afterwards, it’s no wonder that she has the work-life balance down pat!

With a British passport, Sophie plans to move to London later on in life as she loves everything about the scene.

Sophy Carol

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Sophy Carol has been a dance and vocal teacher for over five years. She is a graduate of Australian Institute of Music (AIM) where she completed her Bachelor of Music: Music Theatre in 2015 with a Distinction. Not long after graduating from AIM, Sophy toured Australia in the premiere of “Bring it On” where she played the role of Bridget. She then went on to play Gingy in the NSW premiere of “Shrek” and was also cast as Georgie in “The Full Monty”.

Her other credits include Pilar in “Legally Blonde”, The Scrutineer in “Keating”, Charlotte in “Oliver!” as well as “Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Hairspray”, “City of Angels”, “Rent”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “West Side Story”and Les Misérables.

She has also appeared in a Neutrogena commercial and was a part of the Channel 9 reality show “Date Night”. Sophy has been singing for over 13 years and continues to train with her wonderful singing teacher Robert Bertram.

Stan Kouros

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Stan Kouros is an immensely passionate, curious, industrious and hardworking creative. He always believed that creativity and productivity were inextricably linked. His breadth, commitment, talent, real-world experience and adaptability has seen him repeatedly generate success throughout his career. Having graduated in Acting at NIDA in 1982 after three years developing his voice, body and mind as ready to meet the rigours of the Industry, having worked in various Theatre, TV and Film roles.

During Stan’s career in arts he also pursued various business enterprises, co-founding Actors Centre Australia and Bonza Brats Pty Ltd in 1986. After managing, growing and enjoying the success of these companies for over 30 years he is now focusing his energies on various creative projects and continuing his career as an actor. All his creative and business experiences combine to offer a unique set of skills which allow him to thrive as cast member, writer or producer. He is confident in his ability to create a prosperous environment in any project and look forward to sharing his energy, talents and success.

Since the start of 2018, Stan is writing with Wayne Scott Kermond and Katie Kermond collaborating on a new Australian comedy TV series, based on their combined experiences in straight theatre and musicals.

Stefo Nantsou

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Stefo Nantsou is an actor/writer/director. He has acted in feature films, short films, web series, on TV and in over 200 theatre productions worldwide, playing a broad range of ethnicities such as Macedonian, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, Anglo-Australian, South American, North American, Samoan, Spanish and Russian respectively. He is adept at both comedy and drama, can play a variety of genres, and is best described as a versatile character actor. He has also directed over 130 theatre productions worldwide and written over 50 plays, having 3 books published in his almost 40-year career.

Born in Newcastle, Australia from Macedonian parents, Stefo co-founded the Ship-O-Fools in 1980, was an ensemble actor/writer with Freewheels Theatre (1983-84) a full-time ensemble member of Sydney’s Sidetrack Theatre (1985-87), and founded Zeal Theatre in 1989, now celebrating 30 years of touring original theatre worldwide receiving critical acclaim and numerous awards for their powerful and thought-provoking productions dealing with contemporary social issues with biting humour and empowering truthfulness. Under Stefo’s accomplished directorial leadership, Zeal has created over 50 original productions, notably “Joyride” (600+ performances throughout Australia & New Zealand ‘92-‘96) and “The Stones” (performed with co-writer Tom Lycos 1400+ times worldwide, also translated in more than 30 countries). Zeal Theatre received the prestigious ASSITEJ President’s Award for ‘outstanding services to the theatre for young people industry’ in Montreal, Canada in 2005.

Stefo was resident director at Sydney Theatre Company 2009-2013 where he wrote, directed and acted in 10 original productions. He has also directed his plays for companies around Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Norway, Hungary, South Africa, New Zealand and Wales.

Stephanie Beza

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Stephanie Beza has been involved in the performing arts since the age of three. Her love for theatre and music encouraged her to learn multiple instruments including piano and alto saxophone. In addition to Music Theatre, she has passionately pursued Martial Arts (karate) since 2006. In 2014, she attended the Studio Short Course at the VCA.

Stephanie began her formal training at Federation University in the Bachelor of Music Theatre Program, where she played Velma Kelly in the production of “Chicago”. Upon graduating she wrote and performed her cabaret “Wonder Women'' at Chapel Off Chapel and appeared in Opera Australia’s “Faust”.

During the 2021 lockdown Stephanie workshopped a new Australian Music Theatre piece, “The Breaths in Between” and created a Melbourne Fringe Festival show “I’m a Raindrop, Get me Outta Here”. In addition to performing, she is completing a Certificate IV in Auslan.

Stephanie Kurlow

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Dancer, Actor, Model, Influencer and Motivational Speaker.

The first professional hijab wearing ballerina in the world.

Advocate for the empowerment of youth, women and those from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Stephanie Kurlow is based in Sydney, Australia and has been performing since the age of two. Her areas of work include dancing, singing, acting, poetry, writing, art and modeling.  She is training to become the world’s first professional hijab wearing ballerina to empower youth and break down the barriers and stereotypes.

Stephaie’s passion for ballet and inspiration has gained a lot of attention from the world. Despite criticism, she advocates for the empowerment of youth, women and those from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Stephanie's story was featured in media powerhouses such as BBC, CNN, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Independent, SBS, Channel 10’s “The Project”, SMH etc. Articles have appeared in many countries, including Australia, America, UK, Russia, India, Tunisia, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sweden, Belgium and France. Most recently, she won a competition hosted by SBS and Foundation for Young Australians where she created her own short film, which was broadcast on TV. She has been taking the Internet by storm and has received a tremendous amount of criticism along with phenomenal support. Some of her videos have received more than 7 million views and currently, she has more than 45K followers on social media.

Despite all the hype, Stephanie remains a focused and grounded individual, achieving exemplary results in her ballet school. Marrying raw talent with her chosen passion of ballet, there is so much more potential yet to be realised.

Combining her faith and her passion and drive to excel in ballet, Stephanie is doing what no one else has - becoming the first Muslim, hijab-wearing ballerina. She is bridging the gap between how ballet is perceived by people of different cultural backgrounds and how ballet can be accessed on a larger scale and revolutionised beyond the Anglo-centric talent pool, thereby creating new streams to or outside of established dance institutions. 

This was recognised when Swedish sports brand Björn Borg awarded Stephanie the very first Game Changer scholarship to train in ballet in 2016 and created a short film about her journey. 

While responding to the drive to express herself through ballet, Stephanie has become a role model for the youth, especially young girls, as to what can be achieved through perseverance and hard work.

In a climate of Islamophobia, she is one of the few pioneers in sports and entertainment who has reached personal and artistic goals at the tender age of 16.

Stephanie believes that solutions can be seen where others see problems, as evidenced by her dream to open a performing arts school to cater to people of different religious and cultural backgrounds. By servicing an area that has traditionally received little support, she can create an opportunity to inspire others who may not have otherwise chosen dance as a form of creative expression - simply because of where you come from. This will in turn tap into a larger talent pool that can serve both ballet and diverse communities respectively.

Not one to rest on her laurels and continually driving her own initiative, Stephanie plans to open her own performance company as director, dancer and choreographer in the future. She envisions performances in the mainstream space, both across Australia and worldwide, whilst allowing her to retain the integrity of her Muslim faith. This will thereby allow her and others to wear the hijab and still be able to perform in a safe, enlightened and unobjectionable environment.

Stephanie also would like to become an actress. Her engaging, grounded persona, gentle beauty, trailblazing attitude and ground-breaking talent in the performing arts would be assets to the Australian film landscape that is beginning to favour social progress and casting unorthodoxy.

Her dedication to full-time ballet school is exemplary, as are her worthwhile achievements at this early age. Indeed, this young girl, of Australian-Russian heritage, is poised to perform her chosen art of ballet to a transcendent standard and change the world into a better, more inclusive place.

Stephanie Wang

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Stephanie Wang was born in Beijing; grew up in Spain; and spent three years in the Netherlands in addition to a year in Mexico and Hong Kong respectively. Since her mid-twenties, she became a model and singer in the Netherlands who was able to create her own music. As songwriter/composer, she has made both American and Chinese hip-hop, chill beats and sometimes reggaeton with Logic Pro.

Stephanie’s passion for acting similarly began in middle school when she performed in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. She began to cut her teeth in the lauded techniques of Stanislavski, Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Laban movement, Michael Chekhov. She particularly thrives in the genres of romantic drama, sci-fi and horror.

Her upbringing in European culture and exposure to the different languages has made Stephanie a very open-minded and enthusiastic actor. Constant improvements in her craft and performance have brought a real and vivid interpretation of her character for the audience. 

By the same token, Stephanie looks for a challenge—and an adventure—in exploring the myriad emotional states and fates of her characters. She believes that good acting doesn’t just require individual talent, it also needs collaboration, teamwork and flexibility in order to create unique and memorable work.

Whatever the artistic vision that may be with the director, crew and cast members, Stephanie ultimately hopes to entertain, inspire and touch the public’s hearts, moving them to real emotion and power of the story on stage or on screen.

Stevie Mac

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A proud ginger model, singer, presenter and actor, Stevie Mac has had some success in cabaret, pop music and social media influence. He consistently performs jazz and classical guitar, specialising in rock ‘n’ roll. He has positioned himself as a public figure with a growing influence from not only on the New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week catwalk, in print but also on stage.  

Stevie has played the eponymous lead in “Jesus Christ Superstar”. He consistently pushes out pop music in the band ParisLane (www.youtube.com/parislanetv) with his twin brother Andy as well as the other band The Thrill. Moreover, he has featured in Gold Lotto ads and was on the cover of a wedding magazine as the groom model. He even had his own calendar dedicated to just himself and his twin.

Stevie’s height and athletic frame has been known to turn heads, and is happy to carry the reputation as the ‘ginger fox’. While based in Australia, he is better known to his fans internationally.

As photographer Stevie has worked with Pulse Tempo, which has won cinematography awards on concerts, music videos and ads.

Struan Davidson

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Struan Davidson is a Malaysian-Australian actor of mixed heritage and a graduate of the National institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) (Musical Theatre, 2021). His recent stage credits include Joly in the Noteable Theatre Company’s production of “Les Misérables” and a Zoom production with a US-based theatre company featuring songs from new musicals.

He is also a singer, pianist and violinist, having trained professionally with Robert Bertram (voice), Dr Paul Rickard-Ford (piano) and Professor Peter Shixiang Zhang (violin). Growing up as a performer, Struan has appeared on stage across multiple venues, including Sydney City Recital Hall at Angel Place (Australia), Admiralty House in Kirribilli (Australia) and the Kuala Lumpur Town Hall (Malaysia).

With a passion for language, literature and communication, Struan speaks Mandarin and completed a double Bachelor’s degree in French studies and law. In his spare time, he also tutors high school Latin and classical texts.

Sudip Sauden

Sudip SaudenHS2017

Born in Tumlingtar, Nepal, Sudip Sauden’s only dream in Australia was to contribute to the strikingly attractive landscape of its peoples. And there’s nowhere he can achieve this measure than as a model and actor. His best asset lies in a seemingly perpetual state of ‘barechestedness’. Although his homeland is a conservative society, he considers this freedom here to be a lifestyle by professional and liberal necessity. As a model, he owes his various states of undress to depth, poise, fashion impact and fixation within the human gaze, while holding himself to utmost standards. His colleagues share this same philosophy, which is why he tends to view them as birds of the same feather.

During his career as a model, Sudip has been a summer catalogue model for “Leather On”, in leather attire – the quality of his photographs were such that they were used to advertise the corporate website. He also promoted Adidas, Reebok and other individual designer brands for the “Ivy Runway Project”, placing him in high publicity with well-known Sydney fashion designers as well as for the subsequent year’s event. He straddled characters and genres for wedding photo and gothic art shoots associated with Studio 1A. He caught international attention as both a male and female character with an Afro hairstyle modeling for a ‘Body Beautiful Remix’ performance, so as to illustrate a modern take on commercialism.

Just as easily, Sudip has converted his ideology into the world of acting to a smaller degree. Whether he is familiar on the set of a photo shoot, commercial, music video or a short film or on a runway, he strives for the same typical depth: intense, silken-skinned, nonplussed, inscrutable, diligent, comfortable and holding the cards close to his chest – literally.

Suppakorn Chuwongwut

Suppakorn Chuwongwut 1

You cannot find a more dedicated and flamboyant dancer than Suppakorn Chuwongwut, who trains for four hours a day, six days a week in Ballroom and Latin styles.  He is a Ballroom teacher who worked with Thailand Dance Sport Association and had the privilege of extensive training with Marcel De Rijk (former President of the Dance Sport Association in Holland). When he moved to Australia, he continued his employment at The Promenade Dance Studio, under proprietor Leanne Bamptom (acclaimed "Dancing with the Stars" choreographer).

Whilst he graduated from accounting at University of Thailand where he had learnt about financial management, his true passion lies in dance. Suppakorn’s leadership skills and choreography of variety of dance styles—both socially and professionally—are faultless, attentive and punctual. Alongside his ageless, leathery smooth and approachable looks as a model, he treats the stage as an intimate and flirtatious partner, which is why people tend to gravitate towards him and all the best moves.

Suppakorn’s performance on “So You Think You Can Dance”, which saw him finishing in Top 100 was his first foray into television. However, it was not until at the start of 2015 that he had the great pleasure of acting as Nutt in “Down Under”, a satirical feature about the Cronulla riots. He hopes that the screen will be the start of his lifelong love affair with screen entertainment.

Taya Orchard

 

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Taya Orchard is a passionate and versatile Triple Threat performer. Making her stage debut in “Annie” at the age of eight, she has over 16 years’ experience spanning across theatre, film, radio and television.

Taya has extensive training in singing, dancing and acting, graduating with the Chancellors Award for Academic Excellence from Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Bachelor of Music (Musical Theatre). While studying she has performed lead/featured roles in “Carousel” (Hannah), “Hair” (Jeanie), “Into the Woods” (Florinda), “I Love you your Perfect Now Change” and was a soloist at the “QPAC American Music Club”. Prior to graduating she accepted a contract to perform the lead in Brainstorm Production’s Australian Tour of “Cyberia” and “Magic Words”.

Taya feels grateful to be able to travel doing what she loves and has spent 2015-2017 years touring internationally as the lead in “The Little Mermaid”, “The Magical Beanstalk”, “Dora the Explorer”, “Peppa Pig” and “Jungle Book Jive”.

Constantly striving to hone her skills Taya has attended master classes with Neil Rutherford, Leontine Hass, John Bucchino, Matthew Robinson and Tom McSweeney. A talented and disciplined performer with a wonderful work ethic, combined with her warm and open personality, she is an asset to any cast.

Thara Mogwe

Thara Mogwe

In the world of radio, live awards coverage and general communication, Thara Mogwe is a woman of many brush strokes. Not only has she been an on-air broadcaster, announcer, newsreader, celebrity and community-based interviewer, voice talent, host, journalist and presenter she has made broad inroads into roles and extras’ work for film and television.

Her credits to date have included “Deadly Women”, “The Matrix”, “Superman”, “The Alice”, “All Saints” as well as “Peugeot”, “Chanel”, “Smiths Crisps”, “Libra” advertisements.

Self motivated, resourceful, quick to learn and multi-tasked with excellent time management, Thara has been able to work in fast-paced corporate settings; prepare and read news bulletins; produce and present for commercial talk-back and lifestyle radio, SBS music and culture shows; and meeting broadcasting and news deadlines.

Her technical skills in sourcing, researching, developing engaging and accurate content and writing news bulletins as part of the 2SM news team have enabled Thara to effectively produce, lead and present current affairs shows such as “African Vine”, “African Hour” and “MultiCult” for SBS Radio. As writer and editor, she has over four years of experience in program scripts and news segments related to entertainment, youth, music and culturally diverse content.

Just as importantly, she views people skills as essential to staff, client, student and public liaison in both radio and music industries. Thara lends her voice as a presenter and host’s warmth in equal measure to commercials, community announcements, narratives for radio, corporate videos and events.

Thomas Masihi

ThomasMasihiHS2023

Thomas Masihi is an Australian-Assyrian based actor currently living in Sydney, Australia. He is a recent graduate of Acting for Mindfulness (AFM) and worked as a background extra on ABC’s “House of Gods”. He began his acting journey in Year 9 & 10 when he chose drama as an elective and ended up becoming more interested in acting and enjoyed the overall experience of coming up with a story and then being able to portray it to the audience.

Thomas studied fitness and is currently working as a receptionist and group fitness trainer at Planet Fitness. 

 

Tiffany Joy Young

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Tiffany Joy Yong is originally from Denver, Colorado in the US. She moved to Sydney in 2014 with her husband. She taken many acting courses in the states, in Brisbane and recently at NIDA. Moreover, she is considered as part of the prestigious Sydney University alumni, having recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Brain and Mind Sciences.

Tiffany has had theatrical roles such as Kaa in the 2017 musical version of “The Jungle Book” and received positive reviews for her portrayal of an ex-Ugandan child soldier in the verbatim play “Talking to Terrorists”. To that effect, she hopes to help people around the world to embrace diversity and different cultures through acting.

In her downtime, Tiffany enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing, and video games.

Tim Wotherspoon

Tim Wotherspoon

Tim Wotherspoon is chuffed to be the Assistant Director of “Evita”, his fourteenth show with Miranda Musical Society (MMS) since 2011. His love of musical theatre began when he was in the ensemble of Evita in Rockhampton (ROCKPAC), Queensland in 1996; his first show after leaving high school.

Tim’s previous MMS show credits include: Mark in “Altar Boyz”, The Heavenly Friend in “Carousel”, Rooster in “Annie”, Charles Guiteau in “Assassins”, Ike Skidmore in “Oklahoma!”, Fop in the “The Phantom of the Opera”, Geoffrey in “Stepping Out the Musical”, a Deltone in Shout, Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast”, the Duck in “Pippin”, the Purser in “Anything Goes”, Greg Gardner in “A Chorus Line” and Mungojerry in “Cats”.

Tim is also the Treasurer for Miranda Musical Society.

Off stage, Tim has represented NSW in men’s netball – winning national championships in 2013, and is owner/manager of NumberWorks’nWords Miranda (specialists in Maths tuition and English tuition).

Tina Alcorace

TinaAlcoraceHS2020
 

As a qualified music teacher, vocal coach and professional artist, Sydney-based vocalist and songwriter Tina Alcorace (Mys T) has been inspiring and capturing audiences for over 15 years. She has been writing songs, releasing music, performing and making a name for herself in the cyber world with over half a million views and climbing. Her smooth, soulful and eclectic vocals along with her expressive qualities make her a force to be reckoned with. Years of continuous labor and tenacity has led the songstress to work alongside some of the most talented musicians in the industry.

Since 2008, her growing fanbase known as the Mystifiers was a team of loyal, respectable and supportive listeners to her music. Acknowledging this support, Mys T continues to conquer by appearing and working on various radio stations and television shows such as “Young Talent Time”, “Australia’s Got Talent”, “Australian Idol”, “The X-Factor” and “The Voice Australia”.

With a Bachelor in Contemporary Performance and a Masters in Teaching (Music) along with an impressive resume, Mys T continues to share her vast knowledge and skills with aspiring singers, making her an inspirational and professional artist. In 2018, she utilised her skills and knowledge by appearing as a judge on the show “All Together Now” for Channel 7.

Mys T will always be a student of music and will continue to build her empire with humility, passion, hard work and fierce determination.

Website: www.mystofficial.com

Tony Munnings

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Tony Munnings has worked in the warehousing, logistics, security, and hospitality industries for 35 years in order to pursue the passions that define him.

As a teenager in the 80’s he dreamed of becoming the next Chuck Norris, studying and competing in a variety of martial arts. However, he was diverted from this path by discovering he had a real talent for rugby league. Young Tony was focused on building a professional career in rugby in his twenties, first in New Zealand and then in Dublin, Ireland of all places. He would spend his time playing acoustic guitar and singing recreationally, in between training and competition.

This hobby then developed in his late thirties, into a career in musical performance as a singer-songwriter, playing shows in restaurants and bars throughout the Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland region in the USA. There, Tony lived as a resident for the early part of the 2000’s while also playing and coaching rugby.

In order to overcome a malingering anxiety about performing in public, Tony turned to acting classes to learn techniques in order to appear more confident on stage. He unexpectedly discovered a love of acting and being able to explore the dichotomic relationship between actor and character, as well as actor and director.

This life of following wherever fate may lead has given Tony a wealth—and breadth—of real-life experience to bring to any character that he may be given the opportunity to portray.

Trish Fredericks

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Trish Fredericks began acting in 2019, with a few commercials and an extra role on Marvel’s “Shang Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings”. She is a very passionate, confident and positive person, whose down-to-earth and outgoing personality makes it easy for her to follow instructions on set.

Despite her senior age, Trish is always keen to learn new things at every chance and determined to succeed in her new craft. She is prepared and excited for the challenges that lay ahead.

 

Trudi Camilleri

TrudiCamilleriHS

Trudi Camilleri trained in opera at Victorian College of the Arts in her hometown of Melbourne before moving to London to pursue her career further. Having begun that career at Melbourne International Festival in the Australian premiere of “English Eccentrics”, other roles that followed were as leads “Suor Angelica” and “Madama Butterfly”, Mimi (“La Boheme”), Sieglinde (“Die Walkure”) and Dame Nellie Melba (“Remembering Melba”). Her musical theatre roles have included Anna Edson Taylor (European premiere of “Queen of the Mist”) including the making of the Original London Cast Recording, Featured Ensemble/Cover of Queen Elizabeth I (“The Pirate Queen”) Cora (UK premiere of “Death Takes A Holiday”), Mother (“Ragtime”), Mrs. Fox (“Dad's Army – What a Song and Dance”), Astrologer (“Sunset Boulevard”) and Ida (“Honk!”).

Trudi has been heard on radio and television providing the vocal soundtracks for advertisements. She also performed cabaret with The Diva List and had her own one-woman sell out show “A Little bit of TLC” at Jermyn St Theatre in London.

Before returning home to Australia in 2021, Trudi was seen as Opera Singer in the international campaign for “Amazon Alexa”.

Trung Ly

Trung Ly

Trung Ly is one of Australia’s top and award-winning martial arts fight choreographers who started out on short films such as "Enter The Dojo",  "Gaffa", "Hit Girls" as well as on Hollywood legend Roger Corman's martial arts movie  "Fist Of The Dragon". In 2014, he was the Action Fight Choreographer on ABC's TV series “Maximum Choppage” – Australia's much-publicised first Kung Fu comedy set in Cabramatta. He also choreographed the battle scenes in David Bradbury's ABC1 documentary "The Crater" in 2015.

Trung is the founder, owner and Master Instructor of Dong Thanh Martial Arts Association, Australia's largest and one of the oldest Vietnamese non-profit martial arts schools based in Western Sydney. Dong Thanh has been a catalyst of cultural diversity since the late 80’s and has been a crucial place for young people streaming in from refugee backgrounds to develop and therefore adhere to traditions in martial arts skills, specialising in XMA (Extreme Martial Arts) classes. Because of his integrity and authenticity in staging fight movement, he has become one of the influential proponents in this field today.

Trung has studied martial arts since 1984 and is skilled in Shaolin, Kung Fu and Vo Vi Nam, to name a few. He is a current master in Hapkido and has mastered martial arts weaponry such as the nunchucks, staff, swords and hand-to-hand combat. He leads the Xtreme Martial Arts team and also choreographs the lion and dragon dance team, which is renowned for its lively and spectacular performances across Sydney particularly during Chinese New Year Festival.

In addition, Trung has 16 years experience as a QANTAS aircraft engineer and holds a pyrotechnic license, making him very qualified to handle practical, stunts-based effects such as blood splatter, explosions and weaponry.

 

Uma Kali Shakti

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After falling love with Shakespeare in high school, Uma Kali Shakti went on to study for a double degree BA & MA in Literature with a sub-major in Drama & Theatre, and never looked back since. In fact her career has spanned to 40 years working in theatre, film and TV across Aotearoa in NZ, Australia and England.

She has written, directed, produced, stage ­managed, performed at over 30 festivals & theatre companies internationally and here in Sydney including International Women’s Day, Imagine, Sydney Mardi Gras, Crash Test Drama, Sydney Fringe and Mamapalooza. In addition she has spent over 12 years with the Short+Sweet Festivals and picked up a handful of awards along the way. She was director of OWN (Older Women’s Network) Theatre Group, which mainly specialised in Theatre-in-Education. Currently she tutors at the Martian Embassy with Sydney Story Factory and direct plays written by children themselves (https://www.mynrma.com.au/living-well-navigator/work-volunteering/the-sydney-story-factory.htm).

TV & film credits include Britain’s TV series “Watch”, Tropfest films “Dance Card” (award-nominated screenings in international film festivals), “Jacob & Esau” and “Cost of Love” to name a few, as well as the Sydney Film Festival selection “Sling Shot.” In 2014, Uma produced, directed and acted in her first short film “Recession” which previewed at the Sydney Fringe Festival.

Holding a Multimedia degree, Uma has been a print journalist and was involved over nearly the same duration in writing, editing and producing journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers in both hard copy and web.

Vi Lam

ViLamHS2020

Based in Sydney, Australia, Vi Lam is a dancer, choreographer and dance educator. He graduated from Urban Dance Centre full-time program in 2009, and since then danced internationally in Vietnam and China.

Over 15 years, Vi has honed a unique dance language, sculpting movements that interpret lyrics and resonate with the intricate nuances of sound, delving into shapes and textures. In other words, his love of dance comes from his passion about human expression through dynamic and athletic movement. 

To Vi, dance is not just performance but a rich narrative. His choreographies unfold stories, emphasising both abstract and commercial facets, and highlighting cultural motifs. Music is more than an accompaniment to Vi—it guides, acting as the compass for his heartfelt choreographic conversations. His collaborations span Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet and LOcREaDO Dance Company.

In recent years, Vi has served as Co-director alongside Loredo Malcolm within LOcREaDO Dance Company, a self-funded independent platform established since 2009. During his tenure, he showcased two original full-length works, namely "Grounded" and " Arkiteknicians". This platform serves as a vital hub, not only for his creative endeavours but also for fostering opportunities for emerging artists, ranging from indie productions to commercial ventures such as the HINO and Bresic Whitney Gala events. Additionally, LOcREaDO Dance Company offers comprehensive training and mentorship programs, catering to aspiring performers of all ages.

As teacher in lyrical and contemporary open classes at Sydney Dance Company, he believes in motivating his students by hard work, persistence, curiosity and playfulness.

Vi also co-founded The Combination, which has a vision of ‘creating a dance community and establishing a creative presence in the corporate world of entertainment… with an aim to develop more opportunities for contemporary dancers in Australia… by inspiring young dancers, progressing to work within regional communities and dance studios’ (https://www.th3combination.com/).

On screen, Vi has contributed to SBS’ “I’m Not Gay” and ABC’s “Significant Others”, and has appeared in corporate videos for in “UNSW Global”, “CHUFA Fitness” and “Business Propel”. 

He has choreographed for Sydney Chinese New Year Festival, Lantern Festival and Bank of China as well as Assistant Choreographer for Packemin Productions’ musical “Wicked”.

A notable achievement was Vi’s choreography for the 2023's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" presented by September Remedy Production at Hayes Theatre Co (for which he won an award as Best Choreography in a Musical by 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards). He is delighted and thrilled to debut his musical theatre journey with the acclaimed Asia Pacific touring production of “Miss Saigon” throughout 2024.

In addition to qualifications in Pilates and Yoga, Vi is a registered fitness trainer with Fitness Australia.

Website: https://www.vi-lam.com/

William Best

WilliamBestHS2 

William is a passionate, diligent and curious non-binary actor who loves to throw himself into different worlds. His other stage credits include Basic Jane in “This Changes Everything” (2022) for Echo Youth; Rob in “Little Girls Alone in the Woods” (2021); Derek in “Dags” (2022) for Canberra Youth Theatre; one of Fagin’s Gang in “Oliver!” (2018) with The Queanbeyan Players, and The Dormouse in “Alice in Wonderland” (2018) with Ickle Pickle Productions.

Film and television credits include Terry in the short film “Safety Net” (Official Selection Sydney Film Festival, New Zealand Film Festival and The Slam Dance Film Festival) and Horace in the ABC TV series “Born to Spy”. He has very much enjoyed his time on set, crediting his influence to his family who works in the arts. As such he has a great respect for the hard work that goes into any production, thus striving to contribute to all artistic projects in a professional and committed manner.

In addition, another reason for William’s interest in an acting career is his desire to be involved in the creation of narratives that better reflect his lived experience. As an actor with cerebral palsy he wants the world to see him as he truly is, in turn wanting others who have disabilities to be able to see themselves on screen.

William is learning singing and drums at The Bec Taylor School of Music, while producing music in his spare time.

 

William Cheung

WilliamCheungHS

While William Cheung’s former profession was human resources, he started his acting career in 2006. In 2009, he formally studied screen acting and since then he has been awarded featured and lead roles in television and commercials. In 2017, He secured a lead role for corporate video productions and have been actively starring for three years. 

William was born in Hong Kong and moved to Australia when he was 12 years old. He first became interested in acting in primary school, where he participated in the school orchestra and was part of the school drama team which gave him the confidence to perform on stage. After graduating from school, He studied human communications and psychology which assisted him with his ability to improvise and perform method acting styles. He believed that performance can touch people’s lives by connecting to one’s emotions. 

William has extensive experience in professional presenting, coaching and training and was an external lecturer at the University of Sydney.

Wilson Zou

Weishenzou Headshot 3

Wilson (Wei Shen) Zou is an emerging Asian Australian actor from Sydney, NSW. He is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Despite being always interested in film, he did not decide to pursue an acting career until when he was 25. Working full time in an office during the COVID pandemic made him realise that life was short and that he ought to be chasing passions instead of delaying them.

Since then Wilson been building invaluable experience across film, online content, modelling and voiceover work, gaining a reputation as a bombastically fast and accomplished learner. He is continuously improving himself through acting classes at Sydney Acting Studio and stuntman training at Stunt Action Consultants.

He also competes in martial art competitions (Muay Thai, Boxing, Taekwondo) and has a breakdancing background (seven years). He also enjoys practicing different forms of weapons such as nun-chucks, a bo staff and sword.

Wilson’s zany, pastel, offbeat energy in contrast with the more straight-laced, arthouse drama or political thriller persona and a moodier, horror undertone heft would place him in the right roles. Thriving on such creative pressure and challenges, he is open to unexpected tonal shifts and character physicality with a standout fluid, resourceful Jackie Chan-esque fighting style.

Sydney-Melbourne-Jakarta
 
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M - F
 
 

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