Enter, stage left

I grew up in Minto but left to go to acting school when I was 17. While I was in the western suburbs I didn’t know I was gay and it wasn’t very visible or something that I had a strong connection to or understanding of.
I then moved to Nepean in Penrith to study acting, which just happened to be one of the few professional drama schools at the time. The course was amazing and I learnt so much.
Acting school had such a supportive environment. It really helped me discover my sexuality. In general the arts is a safe environment for anyone to discover different things about themselves.
Once I finished I moved to Newtown to pursue my career, which was a shock but a fabulous change from what I was used to.
I’m an actor, singer and dancer so most of the work I do is in musicals and cabaret. I love storytelling but the other part of my career has me working as a producer. At the moment I’m also the production development manager at the Seymour Centre.
I’m passionate about the power of live performance. I love how theatre can make people think, be entertained and can provoke. A lot of theatre gets labelled as left wing.
I feel that this art can take people somewhere else and that’s what made me want to be an actor. It’s not an easy job but it’s fulfilling once you’re in.
What helps anyone survive in this business is determination. One of my teachers said, If you look around at the different people in the class most of these people won’t be in the industry in 10 years’ time.
You have to work hard and treat the arts like a business. You have to stick out all the hardships because you will reap the benefits.
My favourite show I appeared in was Boyband. I was not only an actor, but I also co-wrote and produced the show. It was a musical that takes the mickey out of the boy band phenomenon.
The audience always got into it but in different ways. Being able to look at the show and say that I helped create that was very empowering.
I’ve also done a bit of television and film work -“ I even appeared in the film Boys Grammar.
It does feel like the screen or stage chooses you, but no performer is going to say no to a stage job. You take what you can get when the job is right.
In the future I’m planning on pursuing both of the career paths. I just got back from Melbourne with my cabaret show Little Boy Blue. It’s a silly show that makes fun of what it is to be a bad boy.
The Seymour Centre is a great place to check out the best theatre shows around. I enjoy making sure that each show has a big crowd and that I leave them feeling entertained.
As told to Sunny Burns
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