An Actor Survives

Send a text Linda is a freelance voice, accents and dialect coach, an actor and a writer based in Sydney, Australia. Many in the theatre industry in Australia are likely to have worked with her in some capacity: as their teacher at drama school, as an accent coach on a play, a fellow actor, or indeed have discovered her through 'Accent Olympics' - a brilliant online accent coaching class...

Send a text It's been one year since the podcast started! To celebrate, this episode features  Australia's National Living Treasure, John Bell.  Known best for running Bell Shakespeare Company for 25 years and for his incredible contribution to theatre in Australia. Emily recently had the opportunity to work with him at Ensemble Theatre, and they sat down to talk about John's life a...

Send a text Deborah An actually HAS been on Home and Away - so she can say that to uber drivers! She's also a regular on our stages and screens and has very refreshing insights about these experiences. We also discuss being an introvert in foyers, not always knowing famous actors names and of course, dogs!  Support the show

Send a text Hannah Raven: Actor. Burlesque Artist. Edgar Allan Poe Aficionado. Hannah shares with us her experiences about all of the above in this episode - and how she navigates creating work and combining all her skills in her many varying roles. Currently seen in The Great Gatsby in Brisbane - don't miss her incredible performance!  Support the show

Send a text Multi award winning First Nations artist, Sandy Greenwood has worked professionally across stage and screen as an actor, voice artist, cultural consultant and writer for over 20 years. In this episode she shares her journey creating her one-woman show, Matriarch, how her life experiences influence her artistry, and how much she continues to learn and grow as her career flourishes.  Sup...

Send a text Andrew Hearle is an actor and acting coach. He is the founder of StageMilk.com, one of the world's largest acting resources, and has trained thousands of actors over the last 10 years. He graduated WAAPA in 2012, and has worked professionally across film, TV and Theatre. As you can imagine, with all of the above, he has a lot of interesting thoughts and experiences about ‘survivin...

Send a text Monica Sayers is an Actor, Yoga Teacher and DJ - who has worked extensively in different performance mediums over the past 15 years in Australia, the UK and Ireland. In this episode she shares about many of these experiences.  Support the show

Send a text If you are in the industry in Sydney, you have probably come across Emma Wright in some capacity. She wears multiple hats - actor, writer, producer - and co-founder of Eye Contact Theatre Company. She manages to be outstanding at all of the above, (aswell as be a very good human) and in this episode she offers her insights into how to juggle all that, and her experiences managing said...

Send a text Christopher Tomkinson (AKA: CT!)  has worked as an actor, director, producer and writer in theatre, radio, TV & film.  This chat originally went for over 2hrs and was hard to cut - CT has many a story to share about his experiences - and this ep even has a BONUS five survival tips.   You can find the Dylan Alcott speech referenced here:  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-26/dylan...

Send a text Maddison Burridge is a Meanjin/Brisbane actor, who is currently understudying the main role in shake&stir’s national touring production of Jane Eyre. She’s also one of Emily’s best friends - they met when touring Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand with Poetry In Action in 2017. In this chat, they discuss navigating a career as a freelance actor, what it’s like working as an under...

Send a text If you live in Sydney, you would definitely have seen Shan-Ree onstage. He has hopped from stage to stage for the last few years - performing in many different roles, and winning a Sydney Theatre Award in the process! Emily and Shan worked together in Sport For Jove's 'As You Like it' over summer, and in this episode they discuss that experience, juggling multiple career...

Send a text Sarah Bartolo is an actor, writer and singer based in Naarm/Melbourne. She is also... an instagram 'influencer.'  Well, Emily was 'influenced' by her - Sarah posts hilarious characters and satirical sketches on her page, which Emily discovered during the pandemic lockdowns. In this ep that chat about Sarah's experience as an actor in New York (in comparison to...

Send a text In this episode, Emily and Catherine discuss a lot of BIG topics in the industry (and indeed society!) Catherine shares a lot of insight and wisdom about how she got to where she is now - a regular on our stages, our TVs (currently on The Twelve and Barons) as well as the Co-Artistic Director of Redline at the Old Fitz theatre in Sydney.  Support the show

Send a text Simon Ward is an Actor, Singer, Psychologist, Director, Teacher and.. a guest on this episode! Emily and Simon discuss the importance of emotions - especially when coupled with stressful situations ( ie auditions) aswell as the many ups and downs of the industry. Lots of laughs and lots of practical tips in this ep - check it out!  Support the show

Send a text Billy's first Belvoir Theatre show was 1993... and he just performed in one in 2021. He's an incredible indigenous actor, writer and voice over artist, who tells many a story and offers some of the best advice I've ever had in this ep. It's a must-listen, right to the end! Support the show

Send a text An Actor Survives season two is here!!  This episode features actor and acting coach: Emily Joy. In this chat, the two Emilys discuss what it's like to be a 'jobbing' actor - in theatre AND film, and how to manage (and reframe) the challenges that that can present. Emily Joy has extensive experience working with actors and has a lot of insights from her own career and th...

Send a text Alec is an actor, singer, composer, violinist, musical director extraordinaire. They have worked extensively for theatres around Australia. Emily was lucky enough to play some of Alec's music on flute earlier this year, and tread the boards alongside them in Sport for Jove's As You Like it. In this episode they discuss having a multi-faceted career, the problems of social med...

Send a text Sean O'Shea has been treading the boards for over 30 years - and at least 20 of those were with the Bell Shakespeare company. Emily grew up going to Bell shows with her Gran, and getting to meet and chat with Sean for this episode was particularly special. They chat about theatre, teaching acting and the ups and downs of the industry.  Support the show

Send a text Abbie-lee Lewis is a Kalkadoon woman from WA, who has a flourishing career in acting and directing. In this chat she reflects on her artistry, identity and how the word 'poop' remains hilarious. Explicit content: Swearing Support the show

Send a text Blazey  is  one of Sydney’s best known  actors  with over ten years experience in theatre, film and television. In this chat, she shares openly and honestly about how she has survived as an actor in Australia.   Disclaimer: One of the mics stopped working, so please excuse slightly dodgy sound quality! Thanks Adam Buncher (our editor) for making it even sound this good! CW:  Discussion...

Send a text Emily and Mansoor  went to drama school together. They have many similarities in their worth ethic and drive to be actors in the industry. This chat reflects that - and contains some invaluable advice from Mansoor from his years of experience.  Support the show

Send a text Gabrielle and Emily had this chat on zoom just before lockdown 2021 as Gab was working with Bell Shakespeare on a Midsummer Night's Dream. She talks about what it's like to work with this company, what it's like to make your way as an actor in the UK and the scary moments on stage too! Her 5 survival tips are VERY useful.  Support the show

Send a text From surviving a touring musical show, to the ups and downs of being in lockdown - Shauntelle has lots of insight - particularly about being as creative as possible! This episode is also an example of how networking works!! Support the show

Send a text Wendy Stehlow is an Australian actor well known for her many years on the Aussie soap 'A Country Practice' - and her many appearances on Australian stages. In this episode she discusses her love of Judi Dench, Shakespeare.. and whales! Support the show

Send a text Kenneth Moraleda is an actor/writer/director/creative producer of Filipino descent. He trained at NIDA graduating in 1995. Kenneth is a part of the STC/CAAP Directing Initiative and was recently Assistant Director to Kip Williams on  Playing Beatie Bow by Kate Mulvany (Sydney Theatre Company).  In this chat he shares many valuable insights to working as a creative for so long in the in...