BRONWEN COLEMAN ~ ACTING (ADULTS SCREEN & STAGE, PRIVATE LESSONS)

Bronwen Coleman is an award winning director, writer, actor and teacher based in Melbourne.

Bronwen lived in New York for more than a decade, in which time she became a specialist in Strasberg’s Method and was made a Life Member of the prestigious Actors Studio. She has acted in film, television and theatre internationally, and is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts School of Film and Television (BFTV), and the Actors Studio Drama School (MFA). She is currently undertaking a Master of Teaching at Monash University.

Recent directing projects include Angus Cameron’s “Dirt” for the 2021 Adelaide Fringe, which won both the Critics Award and Frank Ford Award. She is the founding Artistic Director of the Anthropocene Play Company, with whom she is directing Daniel Nellor’s new play “Ignis” in its Bunjil Place development in May 2021.

ALEX PINDER ~ MASK/ANIMAL UNIT (FULL TIME & PART TIME PROGRAM)

Alex Pinder has forty years experience working in the performing arts. He has worked as an actor in theatre, film and television and as a theatre director and acting teacher. Alex is a graduate of L’École Jacques Lecoq – Paris (1985) and Ensemble Studios – Sydney (1978).

He has taught through out Australia, in Singapore, and in India. He has performed on stage film and TV. Recent credits include the film Hotel Mumbai, TV series Neighbours and the in the playing Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet. Please see www.alexpinder.com

SUSAN BAMFORD-CALEO ~ VOICE/DIALECT COACH (FULL TIME PROGRAM)

Susan is an award-winning performer and a teacher who is fascinated by the expressive potential of embodied voice. She has taught Voice privately and at institutions including La Trobe University, Federation University, St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, Melbourne University, Victoria University and the National Theatre. She has trained with acclaimed Voice and Physical Theatre practitioners in Australia and internationally, has a Bachelor of Education in Drama and Music from Melbourne University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Voice Studies from the Victorian College of the Arts and is a PhD candidate at La Trobe University exploring embodiment and presence in Zygmunt Molik’s Voice and Body Work and Roy Hart Voice Work. She has been awarded research grants from Victoria University (in 2010) and from La Trobe University (in 2019) to study Voice in the UK, France and Poland. Susan is very happy to be on this exciting journey with the students at APS.

SIOBAN TUKE ~ IMPROVISATION (FULL TIME PROGRAM)

A core tutor of the Full Time program at APS, Sioban trained as a secondary drama teacher at Victoria University, Rusden before going on to three years actor training at Victorian College of the Arts. Upon graduation Sioban joined the ensemble of the ‘Comedy Company’ which was the highest rating show in its time slot for two years. Sioban went on to perform with theatre companies such as Melbourne Theatre Company, Playbox, Theatreworks, and Glen Elston’s Shakespeare in the Park at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. After ten years as a professional actor, Sioban took up the role of Casting Director at Melbourne Theatre Company. Sioban worked with Artistic Directors Roger Hodgeman and Simon Phillips and a host of national and international directors during her time at MTC. Sioban left MTC to pursue her own directing career. She has directed commercial comedies for Kay and McLean at the Victorian Arts Centre, Hit productions, MTC Education productions and various independent comedy shows. In 2010 Sioban studied screen directing at the WA Screen Academy and has written and directed her own short film projects for Tropfest and various other short film competitions. As well as core tutor with APS Sioban currently directs the graduate showreel film scenes for Federation University Ballarat. As a 2014 graduate of the Open Channel Diploma in Screen Writing, Sioban is currently developing a number of original concepts for television.

BRODIE DERRICK ~ SCREEN ACTING (KIDS)

A professionally trained actor,singer and dancer with the Australian Ballet School, Brodie began his acting career starring in numerous Musical Theatre productions and operas including The Wizard of Oz (Princess Theatre), Der Rosenkavalier (Opera Australia), Brundibar (Opera Australia) and The Dolls House (Melbourne Theatre Company with Rachel Griffiths).

As an adult, Brodie moved into screen work and has worked consistently, appearing in many Feature Films, Television shows and Commercials over the past 12 years. Brodie’s Feature Film credits include  Holding the Man, Lost and Found (role of young McKenzie Morgan), and Spin Out (Role of Rosco), and as well as several critically acclaimed short films. His Television credits include the Role of Bryson Jennings on Neighbours, the role of Tyler on Jonah From Tonga, the role of Jim Dodson on Seven Types of Ambiguity, as well as regular & guest appearances on Blue Heelers, Full Frontal, Pigs Breakfast, Glitch ,  Hamish & Andy’s True Stories, Rove Live. In addition, Brodie has appeared in numerous national Ad campaigns inlcuding Sportsbet, AAMI, V Energy, RACV and Cadbury.

Brodie is a highly experienced and qualified tutor who relates particularly well to young people, making him a popular tutor among our Kids’ and Teens’ classes. He has also written and directed many short films for previous and current APS Short Film Festival, including The Message Man which was voted most popular teens film in 2017, and Super Super which won best picture in the kids division in 2016.

ZOE NICHOLS ~ MUSIC THEATRE (KIDS, TEENS)

Zoe is a young, exciting and vibrant teacher who is loved by our younger students.

Holding a certificate III in Theatre and Screen Performance from the National Theatre and a Certificate IV in Music Theatre from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Zoe is also a graduate of our Full-Time program.

While training at APS Zoe played roles such as, Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, (Directed by Francis Greenslade) Clytemnestra/Tyndarues in Electra.Heart.Orestes, and Ophelia in Der Hamletmachine (Both directed by head of course, Briony Dunn)

Zoe has written a number of self devised cabarets, and most recently had the pleasure of performing her solo cabaret, “Zoe is a Cabaret” at Chapel Off Chapel for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, under the guidance of cabaret legends, Melissa Langton and Mark Jones.

In 2015 Zoe was selected by Matthew Lee Robinson to perform his original material in Matthew Lee Robinson Presents: New Voices in Sydney and was thrilled in 2016 when she was selected again for the Melbourne season.

Zoe loves sharing her knowledge of acting for the stage and the screen with her students and helping them become the best storytellers they can be. Zoe is as passionate about her students’ craft as she is her own.

NAOMI DERRICK ~ SCREEN ACTING, MUSIC THEATRE (KIDS)

One of the directors of APS and Smallfry children’s talent agency, Naomi has a long history in showbusiness spanning decades. Having always been involved in the performing arts, she raised four sons each of whom have had successful careers in stage, television and film. Naomi has also been involved in many of APS’ short films in her capacity as producer and executive producer over the years.

Her solid inside knowledge of the industry, her decades of experience, her uncanny ability to identify talent and her dedication to nurturing young talent are just a few of the qualities which make Naomi such a successful and popular tutor.

Naomi is also a talented and experienced photographer and owner of SnapMe Photography, a successful photo studio specialising in Theatrical and Corporate Headshots, live Performing Arts photography, Portraiture and Wedding Photography.

ROBERT SHOOK ~ STAGE COMBAT (FULL TIME PROGRAM)

Robert is a professional actor, stuntman and specialty entertainer with 25 years of experience in stage, screen and television. He is a graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasis in Acting.

Robert worked for 15 years in Los Angeles. His film and television credits there include: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Days of our Lives, Profiler, Weird Science, To the Ends of Time. In live performance Robert was the fight director and understudy for the Droogs for the Company of Angels production of ‘A Clockwork Orange.’ In LA Robert has been involved in over 20 different live stunt shows and has performed over 12,000 high falls.

Robert is a member of the Screen Actor Guild, American Federation of Radio and Television Artists and has a Stunt Actor grading through Actors Equity. His Australia credits include: I Frankenstein, The Pacific, Knowing, Underbelly, Jeffrey Wright’s Macbeth, Winners and Losers, City Homicide, Rush, Tripping Over, Ned Kelly, Bastard Boys, Salem’s Lot, The Extra, McLeod’s Daughters, Neighbours, Ponderosa, Stingers, Surprise and various TVC’s.

Robert’s love is live theatre and he has provided fight direction and/or action training for the Melbourne Theatre Company, VCA, Australian Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Red Stitch Theatre and Cheltenham Light Opera Co.

Robert currently teaches ongoing classes and workshops in Action, Acro and Acting for adults and kids. Robert also provides private training geared to the professional or student by teaching and cultivating a wide range of skills.

ESTHER VAN DOORNUM ~ VOICE OVER (FULL TIME PROGRAM)

Esther is a NIDA graduate and has worked in film, TV and theatre for the past 20 years. She has appeared in TV shows such as ‘Water Rats’, ‘All Saints’ and ‘Jack Irish’. She recently completed two short films – ‘Bird’ and ‘To the Sea’. In 2001 she worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company appearing in ‘Anthony and Cleopatra’ and ‘Julius Caesar’. Esther also works extensively as a voice over artist. She recently worked with voice and acting teacher Patsy Rodenburg.

We welcome Esther as a guest tutor of the Voice-Over unit in our Full Time Program

JESSICA WINDOW ~ ACTING, SENSORY (ADULTS & FULL TIME PROGRAM)

Jessica has spent most of her life in the field of Performance. In her early years predominately in musical theatre, and as a dancer in Perth WA. She then spent almost 3 years traveling the world and performing in numerous shows along the way; and picking up a few languages too. As a young adult she moved to Melbourne and went back to study completing a Diploma in Theatre Arts, which later earned her a full scholarship to study at Nottingham University (UK) doing her Honours in Performing Arts. When returning home to Melbourne she finished up with her studies with yet another degree; Bachelor of Creative Arts: Majoring in Acting, Shakespeare, Screenwriting and Musical Theatre. She loves teaching and sharing in the years of her experience. Particularly for students wishing to further their education after high-school, or doing private one-on-one audition preparation courses.

LEAH ZILBERMAN~MUSICAL THEATRE & SCREEN ACTING (KIDS & TEENS)

Leah is an experienced and inspired performer with a versatile career as an actor, singer, dancer and teacher. A graduate of the National Theatre, Leah has continued her learning in many techniques including Meisner, Improvisation, Stanislavski and various Voice techniques and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University with a major in Music and minor in Drama where she was awarded the Dean’s Acknowledgement Award.

Leah’s stage credits include Lady of the Spa in Nine for StageArt, Fran in Dating a PT, Ensemble in Kismet for The Production Company, Lead singer for numerous Crown Casino shows, Sarah in Ragtime For MONUCS, Ensemble in Rebecca the Musical, Wu Lin in Frank Christie, Frank Clarke and Elli in Love For Sale. Leah has also performed extensively as the lead host in various children’s stage productions touring nationally and internationally. Her screen credits include Paula in the Feature film Lost and Found and Maria in Kick for SBS. Leah has also appeared in dozens of national TV ad campaigns including 7-11, Holden, Worksafe, NAB, Coles, Officeworks, Kmart, Australia Post, Goulburn Valley and many more.

Leah is passionate about education and currently teaches singing in her private studio. She has taught voice, acting, musical theatre and dance at various secondary schools and performing arts schools using her knowledge aquired through training combined with her life experience. Leah is thrilled to be teaching at APS to help guide the students on their journey.

TOBY DERRICK ~ SCREEN ACTING (TEENS)

In 2002, when Toby was just 9 years old, he found himself on the set of Heath Ledgers, Ned Kelly. Inspired and surrounded by Hollywood A-listers, Toby wanted to build a career in film.

Toby is a BFA Acting Graduate of NIDA (2017) and an Adv Dip Graduate of WAAPA (2012) His TV credits include: INFORMER 3838, Home & Away, Superwog, Neighbours, House Husbands and Halifax: Retribution coming soon to Channel 9.

In Physical Theatre, Toby has collaborated with Sydney based Shaun Parker & Company for many years. In 2019, he toured internationally with the companies newest work KING, which received critical acclaim at its 2019 Sydney premiere. International tours of HAPPY AS LARRY and Trolleys are amongst his credits with the company since 2013. Toby also worked with Perths Barking Gecko Theatre Company in 2014, performing 1507 (Dir. John Sheedy).

ELISHA MOORE ~ SCREEN ACTING (KIDS)

Elisha Moore, born in Melbourne Australia has recently directed and written the short film Unforgotten featured in 2018. Last year Elisha went to the States to do a workshop in Los Angeles at Stella Adler, where she had a life-changing experience and earned herself a scholarship. Elisha has been a part of Acting Performance Studio completing her second year at the Full Time Program.
She also studied at Swinburne University completing a Theatre Arts course which led her to continue learning.
Whilst living in Amsterdam, Elisha had the opportunity to work with Theadora Voutsa for the International Theatre English company for the play Antigone.
Since being at Acting Performance Studio, Elisha is inspired to continue her career as an actress, writer and director and is excited to see what the future brings.

SAM HOWARD ~ SCREEN ACTING (TEENS)

When it comes to the performance arts Sam has been training, performing and filmmaking since he was 8 years old.  His credits include Rove Live, City Homicide, It’s a Date, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, Between Trees, Bathrooms, Dead Gorgeous, The Pacific, Prank Patrol, As The Bell Rings. As well as numerous commercials.  Sam also takes great pleasure educating and takes great pride in seeing his students develop their skills, talents and passion for film and the performing arts.

AMY FULLER ~ PRIVATE SINGING TUTOR

Amy Jaulin Fuller is a vocalist, lyricist and actor. Singing since the age of 4, born and raised in Perth WA. Amy began training in voice at 13years old. She was classically trained by Christina Riley (WA Opera Company) and Tayrn Fiebig (Australian Opera Company).

At 15, she won best overall vocalist for the W.A. Star Search competition singing “I will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton performed by Whitney Huston. At 16, she sang the Australian National Anthem solo before 8000 people at Perth Entertainment Center to open a basketball game of The Wild Cats vs. Woollongong. In 2003, Amy studied at The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in the Commercial / Jazz Department where she further developed her singing skills with teacher Annie Neil. Just after this Amy did jazz duo gigs around Perth at various venues for 2 years. In 2006 she attended the Seth Riggs Vocal camp in Los Angeles. The Seth Riggs method is well known in the entertainment industry. Amy was fortunate to have had a class with Seth himself. Seth Riggs has worked with many stars such as Barbara Streisand, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Prince to name just a few. During 2007 Amy wrote the melody and lyrics on original House dance tracks with a producer/DJ in Perth. At this time, Amy did her Cert 3 in Music Performance and Music Industry skills at TAFE. In 2010 Amy made the move to Melbourne. Once in Melbourne Amy began gigging with the Melbourne Jazz jammers performing at various venues in Melbourne including the Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Amy travelled to LA again in 2010 where she had the opportunity to perform at all the major theme Parks and Hollywood Blvd. In 2011, Amy started training with Australia’s renowned vocal coach Gary May who is now her mentor and current coach. Gary is very focused on vocal technique and vocal longevity important to all vocal styles. Amy will incorporate these techniques in her classes.

Amy completed a bachelor of music performance majoring in voice at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) Melbourne in 2017 and now as a singing teacher, she is eager to share her knowledge and passion for singing and performing.

JASON AGIUS ~ SCREEN ACTING (TEENS)

Jason has worked as an actor consistently over the past 8 years, beginning with a bit part on the critically-acclaimed TANGLE alongside Lincoln Younes. Since, he’s appeared in the MIFF funded (and opening night) film THE DEATH AND LIFE OF OTTO BLOOM, starring Xavier Samuel (of TWILIGHT fame) and produced by Oscar winner Melanie Coombs. This led to Jason’s casting in NEWTON’S LAW, working alongside Claudia Karvan and in comedy COREY WHITE’S ROADMAP TO PARADISE— both which aired on the ABC (For a more extensive CV, visit www.imdb.me/jasonagius).

Between his gigs and auditions, Jason has coached actors of all ages, teaching a practical approach to learning scenes and helps to provide them with the necessary tools (the business side to acting) to become working actors. 

Jason is also currently developing a feature film screenplay with an AFI award winning producer/director. 

Away from the industry, Jason enjoys eating, watching James Bond films, and keeping up to date with foreign affairs. 

SANCIA ROBINSON (ACTING, FULL TIME, PART TIME PROGRAMS)

Sancia is a NIDA trained actor, television casting producer, writer and acting teacher.

Her credits include lead roles for STC, Belvoir, MTC, and Malthouse along with guest appearances on TV as an actor. As a writer, Sancia has co-written a critically acclaimed play” What is the Matter with Mary Jane?” which STC internationally to outstanding reviews. “Five Stars out of Five- Kill to get a ticket”.

Sancia is also an experienced talent producer and her credits include ‘Spicks and Specks’, ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’, ‘First Contact II”, ‘Everyone’s a Critic’, ‘Thank God You’re Here’ and ‘The Panel’ among many others.

More recently Sancia has taught at 16th Street, AP Studios, NIDA Open, The National Theatre and privately teaches “The Practice”.

WENDY MOCKE ~ SCREEN ACTING (KIDS)

Wendy is a Papua New Guinean inter-disciplinary storyteller. She is a NIDA Acting graduate and devises across live performance and film as an actor, writer and visual artist. Some of her acting credits include; ‘Chicken’ a short film by Alana Hicks, ABC’s Season 2 of ‘The Code’,  ‘Home Invasion’ at the Old 505 in Newtown and ‘Moby Dick’ at the Seymour Centre where she was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in an Independent Production. In 2018 Wendy undertook a residency through the University of Sydney at the Rex Cramphorn Studio to develop a verbatim theatre piece she devised called ‘Voices of West Papua. Wendy is an emerging writer with Sydney Theatre Company and will also be developing a play she co-wrote with Indigenous writer Phoebe Grainer at Darlinghurst Theatre Company. One of Wendy’s quests as a writer and artist is to make alive what is quiet and asleep in Melanesian stories and unpack the myriad of layers that is black Pacific Islander identity. Her visual arts project entitled ‘m e r i’ will be going into exhibition in April of this year at Bulmba-ja (formerly Centre of Contemporary Arts), Cairns.

TAYLOR PENROSE~MUSICAL THEATRE (KIDS & TEENS)

Taylor has been teaching singing, dancing and acting for 5 years and is now teaching from her home studio in Diamond Creek. She has worked as an assistant acting teacher for VCE Theatre Studies and on occasion volunteered as vocal coach for several high school productions. Taylor also has experience adjudicating singing and dance competitions and held an online competition for youth during Victoria’s COVID-19 Lockdown. Taylor choreographed her first show for Nillumbik Youth Productions last year and currently choreographing their 2021 production of We Will Rock You.

Taylor performed at Hisense Arena as a featured solo vocalist for the Victorian State School Spectacular (dir. Neil Gladwin), five years in a row. In 2016, Taylor graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) and was selected to feature as solo vocalist for Morning Melodies at Art Centre Melbourne. A few of Taylors theatre credits include Road/Two, The Seagull, The Hatpin, Little Shop of Horrors, 42nd Street and Spring Awakening.
Taylor continues to study her craft and improve her skills as a performer and teacher. Amongst auditions and teaching, Taylor will graduate with her Masters in Counselling in 2021.

MICK O’MALLEY~OVER 35’S & PRIVATE TUTORING

After graduating from the Centre for performing arts in Adelaide Mick worked with a number of professional theatre companies before a national tour brought him home to Melbourne.

Back at home Mick formed Rooftop Productions and staged sell out theatre events around Melbourne. Mick then gained a Directors residency at the famed Mietta’s, where he directed a number of highly acclaimed shows, including the Mietta’s tribute show, featuring a who’s who of Melbourne’s best-known Actors and performers.

Over his years working in theatre Mick was twice nominated for the prestigious Green Room Awards: Best Director 1999, Best Actor 2001.

Mick has regularly appeared in lead guest and on-going roles in all of Australia’s best known TV shows, including, Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Stingers, Rush, Marshal Law, State Coroner, MDA, Dr. Blake, Offspring, more than 30 commercials and two HBO movies of the week, Noahs Arc and the Klimes.

These days Mick runs a production company producing and directing TVC’s, short films, web-series and countless training and promotional videos.