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Actors

ARIKA MCELROY-LAKOSTAArikaMcElroy_LakostaWeb.jpg

Arika is an actor with a dynamic background in performance, currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts – Theatre Practice at the Victorian College of the Arts. Her training background includes Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz and Burlesque Dance and Circus Arts. She recently underwent an Emerging Artist Internship with Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre and has performed with QPAC/Power Arts and Zen Zen Zo’s production of Cabaret (live installation and promotional roving) and in Zen Zen Zo’s In The Raw Season in Bliss. She has also worked as an extra in the TV series East of Everything and has performed in various regional theatre collectives, short films, music videos and children’s party entertainment.

CHARLES PURCELLCharles_Purcell_Web.jpg

Charles Purcell is an accomplished actor, writer and theatre maker currently studying Theatre Practice at VCA. He was nominated for Best Male Performer in an Independent Production in the 2012 Green Room Awards for his role in MFF award-winning Show Me Yours, I'll Show You Mine.  A graduate of the University of Technology’s creative writing program, Charles has also been the recipient of a Dramaturgy Internship with PlayWriting Australia and an artist-in-residence position for The Rocks Pop-Up Artists’ Initiative, as well as taking part in the ArtStart Young Screenwriters’ Program.

GEORGE LINGARDGeorgeLingardWeb.jpg

George has performed in a wide range of professional theatre shows that have toured Australia and the UK. He has also directed/performed in several short films and web series, including Theft & Wedlock, Viewer’s Choice Award winner, Short + Sweet Melbourne 2010. George’s dedication to professionalism and to maintaining a positive rapport with others was instilled in him during his tenure at Grundy Television’s Neighbours in 2006.

LAURA JANE TURNERLauraTurnerWeb.jpg

A proactive and passionate artist, Laura Jane Turner's credits include performances at the Victorian College of the Arts, 12 short films, 2 music videos, 3 TVC's, 4 pilot episodes, a web series, 2 theatre/musical theatre productions, 4 roving/street performances, an instructional video, runway fashion show and a feature film released on DVD in 2012. In 2010 she was nominated for Best Actress at the Brisbane 48 hour Film Festival and has recently received a scholarship through the VCA for her outstanding artistic abilities.

RANI PRAMESTIRaniPramestiWeb.jpg

Rani Pramesti is passionate about storytelling. Her versatility has seen her engage in creating a multimedia puppetry performance, show off her team-spirited devising skills, wow audiences with her quick-witted improvisational cleverness and more. She is entering her third and final year of a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts, where she has expanded her repertoire of classical and contemporary plays and continued to build on her film acting experiences. Moreover, she is disciplined, dedicated and punctual as a professional artist.

SEBASTIAN LAMOURSebastianLamourWeb.jpg

Some of Sebastian's credits include STC's La Dispute, Lewis in Cosi and Mark in Second Childhood (both for New Theatre), Meryl Tankard's contemporary piece VX18504 and Through These Lines: The Tunnel Project, performed in the historic WWI tunnels in Mosman (No Rest For The Wicked). Other roles include various TV performances in Home and Away, All Saints, The Life Support Show, the U.S. feature film Wolverine, the ABC feature The Road to Coorain, various short films and TVC's.

 

Contemporary dancers

FIONA BRYANTFiona_Bryant_Web.jpg

  

Fiona is a Melbourne based choreographer and performer specializing in contemporary improvisation. She was awarded a Diploma of Dance through the Queensland Dance School of Excellence before moving to Melbourne in 2001 to study her Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts. She has since completed both a Postgraduate and Masters degree, each with first class honors and has created and performed works for curated and independent seasons at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne International Design Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne Fashion Festival, Next Wave Festival, Lucy Guerin Inc. and Dancehouse. She has studied with Australian and internationally renowned artists including Deborah Hay from whom she has commissioned and performed solos I’ll Crane for You (2008) and In the Dark (2010). Fiona’s training, choreographic and performance work has been recognized and supported by grants and awards from The University of Melbourne, Australia Council for the Arts, City of Melbourne, Friends of the Victorian College of the Arts, Besen Family Foundation and Chunky Move. Fiona is currently completing her Advanced Diploma of Alexander Technique Teaching and is a Solo Residency artist at Victoria University.

“Bryant is such an exciting choreographer, it’s difficult to do her work justice in words.” (John Bailey, The Sunday Age)

JULIA COURSEYJules_Coursey_Web.jpg

Julia began her dance training with the Beverley Rowles School of Dance. At high school Julia recieved an award for contribution and involvement in the arts as well as nominations to perform at the HSC excellence showcase in Dance, Drama and Art at the end of 2008. In 2009 Julia began her training at the Victorian College of the Arts where she studied a Bachelor of Dance. Whilst a student, Julia worked with a range of leading choreographers including Neil Adams, Jade Dewi Tyas Tuggnal, Brett Daffy, Benjamin Hancock, Phillip Adams, Prue Lang and Lina Limosani. In 2012 she was selected as one of six students to represent Melbourne University at Y-Fest in Singapore, a youth Dance festival. She Graduated with her degree in November 2012. 

 

Music theatre

ANDREW DOYLEAndrew_Doyle_Web.jpg

Andrew is a proud graduate of the Victorian College of The Arts (Music Theatre). Since graduating in 2011, he has toured nationally and internationally with stage productions and is featured on the cast recording of children's musical, Happy Birthday Peter Rabbit. As a corporate singer he has performed at the Emirates Melbourne Cup tour and Cabaret for Camp Quality (featuring Trevor Ashley), an event he hosted/directed which raised over $4000 for children's family cancer charity, Camp Quality. Andrew is also a regular guest host on The Cabaret Room (Joy94.9)