News
January 2010
On the first day of February 2010- 01.02.2010 – ACTT begins a new chapter in its growth with the commencement of the first intake of students into its very successful Music Theatre course. The course will be conducted in association with a new off-shoot of the Merrimac State High School, distinguished in Queensland for the high calibre of its performing arts department. The ACTT students will be training in brand new premises, built on the grounds of the High School and due for completion in March 2010. The purpose-built complex includes a large dance and acting studio with a sprung timber floor, and student facilities include showers and a break-out room to complement the students’ experience.
ACTT is thrilled to have some of Queensland’s most brilliant teachers lined up to deliver the program and especially pleased that the acting component will be headed up by long time ACTT Sydney Tutor, Gael Ballantyne, now resident in the area.
A very few places remain open in the first intake, and anyone interested in enrolling should contact Lynn Dyer, Head of the ACTT program immediately. The Merrimac website contains all application information so go to Merrimac's Website here.
December 2009
Preview the 2009 Graduate Actors Showreel.
October 2009
ACTT launches Weekend Intensive workshops
A new way of sharing the ACTT approach to actor training is being launched from the end of October. The very popular acting essentials courses- in stage and in screen acting- and the music theatre introductions have been further developed to capture the greatest benefits for students. By immersing in the program over two days, each student is able to make deeper connections and greater breakthroughs in their performance and confidence. Full details and enrolment hereFree Acting Classes
ACTT regularly runs free drop-in acting classes. During November to January each year the drop-ins also include free course and career information sessions and are held in Sydney as well as regional and interstate locations. Next course Details hereImagine Festival – Successfully launched
ACTT’s very successful inaugural IMAGINE Festival was held at The Cleveland St Theatre from the 9th-11th of October 2009 at 199 Cleveland Street. The programme included over 50 acts from artists based in Sydney and interstate over three days from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2009. A broad mix of companies and individual artists in dance, theatre, performance art, comedy, music, cabaret, burlesque and visual art came together over the festival to share their work with the public and each other.A forum discussion on Saturday welcomed the CEO of Adelaide Fringe Festival, Sandy Verschoor to Sydney. After the forum, Sandy met with artists interested in being part of Adelaide’s Festival. The Festival filled a thirst in Sydney for artists to come together, risk new ideas, and try out work destined for further development and greater seasons. Most of the works premiered at the Festival and may feature again in the future lineup at the theatre. Ideas for the 2010 Imagine Festival are flowing in, and it looks as if Sydney can count The Imagine Festival as a milestone in developing the network of Sydney’s fringe artists.
ACTT Corporate Actor in STC’s Streetcar
Michael Denkha is appearing alongside Cate Blanchet and Joel Edgerton in STC’s current sell-out production of Streetcar Named Desire. We wish Michael great success with the production in Sydney and when it tours to New York next month.
ACTT Head of Acting in Address Unknown
John O’Hare, ACTT’s Head of Acting is performing in Address Unknown by Katherine Kressman Taylor and Directed by Moira Blumenthal. Address Unknown co-stars Patrick Dickson and opens on October 15th 2009 at the Seymor Centre.July 2009
Graduate Successes
Miss World Australia - Sophie Lavers!Sydney Eisteddfod Success
Congratulations to Advanced Diploma of Arts in Stage and Screen Acting graduates Patrick Connolly and Alex Plim who took 2nd place in the Open Duet section. Also Alex came 3rd in the Australian Song section. This is a great result for a first-time competitor.
Heath Ledger Award
Congratulations go to Firass Dirani, Professional Actor graduate 2004, whose talent was recognised when the inaugural Heath Ledger Scholarship was announced in Hollywood on February 20th. Sydney actor Oliver Ackland won the Scholarship and the 2009 Heath Ledger Scholarship runners up are Firass Dirani and Veronica Sywak. Firass and Veronica win return tickets to the US to advance their careers.
Firass most recently co-starred in the new Australian film The Combination, directed by David Field and written by and co-starring George Basha. Michael Denkha, one of ACTT’s most frequently requested Role-Players also featured in the film. Firass is leaving this month on his way towards LA using the flight he was awarded. Good luck to Firass!
Logie Nomination
Congratulations to George Houvardas, a graduate of The ACTT Core in 2003, who has been acclaimed for his role in Channel 7's Packed to The Rafters. George was nominated for the Most Popular New Male Talent Category in the 51st TV Week Logie Awards, which takes place on May 3 in Melbourne. We congratulate George.
Other Alumni seen in...
Advanced Diploma grad Matt Holmes returns to the new series of Sea Patrol on Channel Nine.
Buddy Danoun has a lead role in The Cedar Boys in cinemas.
ACTT ACTIVATE grad Leeanna Walsman recently starred in Saturn's Return by Tommy Murphy at the Sydney Theatre Company.
2008 Advanced Diploma grad Andy Madden in Channel Seven's All Saints this month.
New Directions @ The New Theatre
2008 Advanced Diploma grad Oleg Pupovac in Horrific Acts for Charity at The New Theatre 22 – 25 July.
and…ACTT tutor/director Pete Nettell in A Couple of Poor, Polish-Speaking Romanians 5 – 8 August.