LUKE MCKENZIE MASTERCLASS

Luke McKenzie, a Melbourne and Los Angeles-based actor turned writer/director, transitioned into the arts after an earlier career in rugby league funded his drama school studies. His versatile career spans roles across theater, film, and TV, on productions such as Wentworth, Conan O'Brien, The Flip Side, Wyrmwood 1 & 2, Home & Away, Winners & Losers, Rescue Special Ops, The Club, Underbelly, and more. Currently, Luke is main cast on Foxtel/Binge's new premium drama, High Country, with season 1 scheduled to air in early 2024.

With a lifelong passion for literature, Luke wrote short form poetry and fiction since childhood, with his writing career gaining significant momentum in recent years. While building his acting career, Luke wrote and directed several award-winning shorts, a play that sold out an Off-Broadway run and in 2016 returned to film school, graduating from AFTRS with a remarkable 99% High Distinction. He went on to write for Home & Away, a Marvel AVENGERS coffee table book, then sold an original drama feature to a U.S. company, was commissioned to adapt an ABC documentary into a feature, and in 2023 optioned another original comedy feature to an Australian producer, set for production in 2024. Luke's slate continues to expand, also featuring an original lifestyle and travel series, recently acquired by a leading international distributing partner.

Beyond storytelling, Luke’s interests are as dynamic as his career. He’s an adventurer at heart, finds joy playing guitar in a band, is a keen shooter of infrared photography, and follows the call of the wild. His approach to filmmaking is characterized by a commitment to truth and a collaborative spirit that values every voice on set.

• DATE: SATURDAY MAY 18TH

• TIME: 1:30PM - 5:30PM

• COST: $199

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

LEIGH PICKFORD MASTERCLASS - MAURA FAY CASTING - SOLD OUT !!!

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome Leigh Pickford from Maura Fay Casting, for a Masterclass at our studio.

With an impressive repertoire that spans across projects such as Hotel Mumbai, Killer Elite, Packed to the Rafters, Reef Break, Secret City, Pine Gap, Janet King, Wonderland, ANZAC Girls, Crownies, Predestination, and more, Leigh brings a wealth of experience to share.

Participants will be provided with a scene to prepare for the day, and Leigh will delve into scene analysis to enhance preparation and performance. Additionally, he will shed light on specific techniques and effective working practices, empowering you to take control of the audition process for your benefit.

• DATE: MAY 25

• TIME: 9:30AM - 1:30PM

• COST: $199

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

DAVID NEWMAN MASTERCLASS - Mcsweeney newman CASTING

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome David Newman from McSweeney Newman for a Masterclass at our studio.

With over 30 years of industry experience, David has dedicated the last 22 years to casting, including 7 years with Christine King Casting. His career evolved from handling numerous commercial projects to contributing to major feature films and long-form dramas in Australia. In 2010, he co-founded McSweeney Newman Casting with Tom McSweeney.

Noteworthy recent projects include "NAUTILUS" (late 2023 release) and "THE BLUE" (2023 release), as well as involvement in productions like "DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD," "LOVE & MONSTERS," "BLACKLIGHT" (featuring Liam Neeson), and series such as "THE FAMILY LAW," "THE END," "ROCK ISLAND MYSTERIES," "THE BUREAU OF MAGICAL THINGS," "MAKO MERMAIDS," "RED DOG," and "EAST WEST 101."

David's expertise extends to his 15-month role as the Australian Casting Associate on "THE PACIFIC" (produced by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks for HBO), where he conducted over 3000 auditions, considering it his 'degree in casting.' He served as the President of the Casting Guild of Australia from 2020 to 2022, representing his peers with honor.

• MASTERCLASS COST: $199

• TIME: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

• DATE: SUNDAY MAY 26

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

GRACE NAOUM MASTERCLASS

Join us at Sydney Acting Studio for a transformative four-week Embodiment Masterclass with Grace Naoum. Experience the power of listening to your body, unleashing creativity, and crafting compelling narratives, both personal and for the characters you portray.

Testimonial from Jen Pfitzner: "The embodiment sessions with Grace were transformative. Her blend of vulnerability and strength creates a safe and freeing environment. Her guidance helped me truly listen to my body, allowing me to let go for the first time in a long while."

Masterclass Highlights:

1. Listen to Your Body Explore the wisdom within by paying attention and engaging in a dialogue with your body.

2. Body Speak Discover the untold stories your body holds about your identity and learn how to reshape these narratives.

3. Creative Structure Build habits for a healthy, sustainable acting career, incorporating creative rituals before performances and in everyday life.

4. On Screen Presence Experience the fullness of a scene as an embodied actor, fostering presence, vitality, and connection.

• DATE: TBC

• TIME: 9:00AM -11:30AM

• COST: $299

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

STEVIE RAY MASTERCLASS - MCGREGOR’S CASTING - SOLD OUT !!!!

Sydney Acting Studio is thrilled to welcome Stevie Ray from McGregors’s Casting for an upcoming Masterclass at our studio.

Stevie boasts an impressive portfolio of work, with credits that include Last King of the Cross, Transfusion, Penguin Bloom, I Met a Girl, Down Under, Colin from Accounts, Thai Cave Rescue, and a myriad of other noteworthy productions.

In this class, you'll have the opportunity to showcase a prepared scene and collaborate with Stevie to deepen your comprehension of what casting directors seek in the audition room. It's a hands-on experience aimed at refining your skills and enhancing your understanding of the casting process.

• DATE: JUNE 30

• TIME: 10:00AM - 4:00PM

• MASTERCLASS COST: $199

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

AMBER MOSDELL MASTERCLASS - PETA EINBERG CASTING

Sydney Acting Studio is thrilled to welcome back Amber Mosdell from Peta Einberg Casting for an exclusive Masterclass.

Amber, a Goldsmiths University, London graduate in 2002 with a Masters in Television, began her casting career at Maizels Casting in Sydney in 2003. She has since worked on notable TV and film projects, including All Saints, Packed to the Rafters, A Place to Call Home, The Kettering Incident, and Doctor Doctor. Alongside TV production, Amber has contributed to the Fine Arts Acting – Graduation Showreel for NIDA and taught Speech & Drama at The Drama Studio at MLC. In the realm of TV commercials, she's been a consistent presence at Peta Einberg Casting, collaborating with major brands and agencies like Clemenger BBDO, M&C Saatchi, Leo Burnett, The Monkeys, and Special Group, working with production companies such as Finch GoodOil, Rabbit, and Revolver Films. Brands range from Aldi to Zyrtec.

Upon confirming your reservation, participants will promptly receive two television commercial scripts to review and prepare in advance. Additionally, Amber will be leading an insightful Q&A session, offering valuable insights on optimizing your preparation for a TVC audition.

• MASTERCLASS COST: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

MICAELEY GIBSON MASTERCLASS - ZARKESH CASTING

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome Micaeley Gibson from Zarkesh Casting for a Casting Masterclass at our studio.

Micaeley's impressive credits encompass a diverse range of notable productions, such as "High Ground," "Jasper Jones," "Hounds of Love," "Mystery Road," "Total Control," "Operation Buffalo," "Seachange," and numerous others.

In this class, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your chosen scene and collaborate with Micaeley to deepen your understanding of what casting directors are seeking in the audition room. It's an interactive session tailored to enhance your skills and provide valuable insights into the expectations of casting professionals.

• MASTERCLASS COST: $199

• TIME: 2:00PM - 6:00PM

• DATE: APRIL 20

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

DAVE SMITH MASTERCLASS

Sydney Acting Studio is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to David Smith from Smith and Macdonald Management for an exciting Masterclass at our studio.

David attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London was fortunate to study voice under Patsy Rodenburg. During his time at Guildhall he had the pleasure of working with Dan Craig, Joseph Fiennes, Orlando Bloom, and his flatmate Ewan McGregor.

After graduating he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and toured the world with a number of plays. He also worked with the National Theatre and appearing in ongoing roles on Eastenders, BBC sitcoms, and BBC dramas. David appeared as John Hemmings in Shakespeare in Love and his final Movie role was as Lord Argon in Young Alexander the Great.

He worked for his agency Jonathan Altaraz Associates as a trainee agent. JA at the time was one of the most influential agents in London representing talent such as Gary Oldman, Ewan McGregor, Jude Law, and Pierce Brosnan. David set up the agency Smith and Jones Management almost 20 years ago. He recently partnered with Tania Macdonald to create Smith and Macdonald Management.

• MASTERCLASS COST: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

NATALIE WALL MASTERCLASS - BArrETT CASTING - SOLD OUT !!!

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome Natalie Wall from Barrett Casting, for a Masterclass at our studio.

Natalie has been a part of Barrett Casting for the past twelve years working on a wide range of film and television projects, including Oscar winning features, US studio productions, international co-productions, acclaimed Australian films and limited series television.

Recent work as Casting Director includes Goran Stolevski’s feature Of An Age and two seasons of Fremantle Australia’s The PM’s Daughter for ABC Me, as well as Co-Casting on ABC series Fires and the forthcoming Black Snow (Stan) and Bay of Fires (ABC). Natalie has been Associate Casting on many other projects including Elvis, Mad Max: Fury Road, Carmen, The Invisible Man, Peter Rabbit, Aquaman, Breath, The Babadook, Netflix series Pieces of Her, HBO’s The Leftovers and Foxtel’s Picnic At Hanging Rock.

• MASTERCLASS COST: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

KRIV STENDERS MASTERCLASS

Sydney Acting Studio is excited to welcome the distinguished film and television director, Kriv Stenders, for an engaging Masterclass at our studio.

Kriv's extensive credits encompass notable productions such as Red Dog, Danger Close, Australia Day, Kill Me Three Times, Bump, Brock, Doctor Doctor, Mr Inbetween, Jack Irish, Wake in Fright, A Place to Call Home, and numerous others.

Participants in the Masterclass will be presented with a carefully curated scene for preparation. This exclusive experience aims to offer valuable insights into Kriv's creative process, with a particular focus on partnered scene work.

• MASTERCLASS COST: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

FAITH MARTIN MASTERCLASS - CLAIM THE SPACE

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome Faith Martin from Faith Martin Casting, for a Masterclass at our studio.

Faith is renowned for her multifaceted contributions as both an Agent and a Casting Director, boasting an impressive portfolio that encompasses acclaimed projects such as Strictly Ballroom, Outlander, The Osiris Child, Evil Dead, Satellite Boy, Cactus, Gabriel, The King is Dead, Peter Pan, Alexandra's Project, Paperback Hero, Dead Heart, The Sum of Us, and numerous other noteworthy productions.

Attendees will receive a designated scene in advance to prepare for the upcoming Masterclass.

• MASTERCLASS COST: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

MICAELEY GIBSON MASTERCLASS - ZARKESH CASTING

Sydney Acting Studio is delighted to welcome Micaeley Gibson from Zarkesh Casting for a Casting Masterclass at our studio.

Micaeley's impressive credits encompass a diverse range of notable productions, such as "High Ground," "Jasper Jones," "Hounds of Love," "Mystery Road," "Total Control," "Operation Buffalo," "Seachange," and numerous others.

In this class, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your chosen scene and collaborate with Micaeley to deepen your understanding of what casting directors are seeking in the audition room. It's an interactive session tailored to enhance your skills and provide valuable insights into the expectations of casting professionals.

• MASTERCLASS COST: $199

• TIME: TBC

• DATE: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO

JEREMY SIMS MASTERCLASS

In 2006, Jeremy produced and directed Last Train to Freo. The film received 3 AFI Award nominations, including Best Actor. In 2010 his second feature, the WW1 epic Beneath Hill 60 was nominated for 12 AFI Awards, 5 IF Awards and 8 FCCA Awards, including Best Director and Best Film across all three awards. Jeremy was awarded the Alfred P Sloan Feature Prize at the Hamptons International Film Festival. 2014's Last Cab to Darwin, which he co-wrote, was a financial and critical hit. It received 13 AACTA (AFI) award nominations, with Michael Caton winning Best Actor for the lead role of Rex.

Jeremy's last film Rams, starring Sam Neil, Michael Caton, and Miranda Richardson, was released in 2020 and has since become a worldwide hit. Jeremy recently directed the 8 part Medical Rescue series RFDS for Endemol/Shine and the 6 part series Back To The Rafters for Amazon.  Jeremy currently has four feature films and two television projects currently in development. 

Participants will select a scene for preparation, with Jeremy actively rehearsing and workshopping the chosen scene in the initial session. The culmination of this effort will be the actual filming, scheduled for the second session.

• DATE: TBC

• TIME: TBC

• COST: TBC

• LOCATION: SYDNEY ACTING STUDIO