Moving to Melbourne in Dec and seeking advice

G'day, I am British and have much amateur acting experience. Is it advisable to learn the Australian accent to get acting work? Or do Ozzie's like the british accent (no dialect - Oxford English)? Can anyone advise me about an audition website for professional classical singers? Thanks people lv nick

I wouldn't bother learning an Aussie accent; most actors here are busy learning American accents. And anyway, it won't stop you from getting auditions. Unfortunately, we have very few publications available for theatre, and none as specific as you are looking for; your best bet for finding auditions will be Arts Hub Australia, Quietonset, Theatre Australia, etc. (You can find some handy links here: http://www.thepromptcopy.com/pip/theatrelinks.htm). If you are looking for only amateur places, you may want to check out Malvern Theatre Co, Camberwell Theatre Co, and other groups which are listed on this site. If you let me know where exactly you're planning on being in Melbourne, I can give you some more specific advice about what groups would be nearby. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

Hi, I'm 22 and moving to Melbourne, I'm keen to get into some acting or drama stuff just as a hobby. I loved drama in highschool but haven't done anything since. I'm looking to move around st kilda area and would love some advice on how to get started. It's also important to note that I can't sing at all! Thanks, Sara

If you're going to St Kilda, your best start would be to look at the National Theatre classes/events. There's also Red Stitch classes nearby (and of course, their performances), plus there should be some amateur groups somewhere in that area. Basically, check out the companies listed on this site, and see what's happening and if you can get involved. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

http://www.barkerpendree.nl Thanks for your advice Na. You seem to know alot about the "scene" so that's appreciated. Specifically I am looking for professional work as an actor and /or opera singer. That means I am only appropraite to sing certain musicals as an extra option (Jesus Christ Superstar . Chicago perhaps etc). I will be based in St Kilda but willing to travel a bit of course. I am now 41 and have quite a bit of experience - as an actor my speciality is character acting and comedy. But I'm flexible. Not much opera experience but have done one professionally in Amsterdam. Have you got any handy links for this type of work in Melbourne? Thanks again for your info and willingness to help see my website for CV and further details, photos etc. Cheers Nick

The best advice I can give you is to: a) find an agent b) join MEAA, the Australian actors union (www.alliance.org.au) You may want to see if there are any opera/musical auditions at the moment with either the Australian Opera Company, or the Victorian Opera Company. (They'll probably be listed somewhere in the link I provided before, as well as ChamberMade and other Melbourne based musical theatre companies). Big musicals often hold auditions, but generally require an agent to get into their casting calls. Otherwise work is best found by joining Arts Hub Australia, QuietOnSet, etc. Much of Melbourne's theatre industry is fringe, and while there is paid work to be had, it is very competitive. If you are specifically looking at opera/musical roles, then I would suggest thinking of looking interstate (Sydney for instance) as there is more paid work available. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

Hi there I am 22 and moving to Melbourne from England in December I have recently graduated with a Drama degree that specialised in teaching and I am looking for work within this field! I am young an enthusiastic and really excited to begin work! if anyone has any information on where I can apply for positions or any good companies of recommendation that would be amazing! Thanks Donna

If you're looking for teaching work, then I suggest approaching Drama Australia (I don't remember their URL, but you could easily Google them), which is a peak body for drama teachers. They could probably direct you the best. You can also check the Arts Hub jobs feed - in the news section on this site - and see if there are currently any jobs going. You can download my links list below, which has a few URLs to councils and schools in the Melbourne area, who occasionally advertise for teachers. http://www.thepromptcopy.com/pip/theatrelinks.htm Outside of that, I'm not sure where else you can look. If you are a dance teacher, I believe you would find more work than just a regular drama teacher. Even drama teaching jobs are hard to come by in Melbourne. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/