Aussie acting sensation, Russell Crowe captivated audiences with his riveting performance as Maximus in the film 'Gladiator'. So convincing was he in the role that he went on to snare the Oscar for Best Actor.

There are approximately 300 professional actors in Western Australia and just under 50% of them are female. Nearly all of the State's actors work in the Perth metropolitan area.

Each year, approximately 20 training places are offered in the Certificate II in Music Theatre, 20 in the Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Acting) and a further 20 in the Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Contemporary Performance).

Escape From Reality

Talented actors have the skills to keep us glued to cinema screens, our television sets and the stage.

Their clever use of characterisation, with skilled use of vocal and movement techniques, brings characters to life before our very eyes.

To get the chance to perform, they generally go through an audition process. It's more than likely that hundreds of actors will attend the same audition, so it's now or never for these entertainers. Actors have to outdo themselves during auditions, giving the most convincing character reading and proving to artistic directors that only they can do a part justice! Being fully prepared is the key to a successful audition.


Once actors are chosen and rehearsals begin, it's time for intense study of the script and any professional actor will undertake background research to get a good grasp of the play or movie. Throughout rehearsals, actors memorise lines, rehearse movements, mannerisms, and interactions with other characters.

Local actor Steve Shaw says actors use different acting methods to immerse themselves in a character. Characterisation is developed with either an externalised approach or a personalised approach. Externalising means, for example, adopting a character's distinctive walk and developing the character from that point. Personalisation is the technique where actors identify with a character from their own life experience to make a character more whole, more believable. Such methods may come naturally to some actors, but these skills are also developed during their training.

Another essential quality, which may come naturally but is generally developed through training, is a clear, strong voice that can be altered to suit different characters. Voice projection is not just about having a loud voice. It is equally the ability to whisper on stage and still be heard in the back row of a theatre.

Actors attend rehearsals before and between performances. During this time they may discuss their work with the director, perhaps examining ways to make their character more convincing or to improve a scene. Actors also discuss ways in which to improve a production with the rest of the cast. Throughout rehearsals, actors also need to attend wardrobe fittings for costume, publicity calls and photo shoots.


Ready, And Action!

All this hard work and preparation culminates in a performance. Film and television actors have the luxury of doing scenes until these are exactly as the director wants them. There's little such luxury for stage actors, according to Steve Shaw.


''I enjoy taking people on a journey and creating a believable character. Working in theatre is what I do best as opposed to TV. Theatre is live and it happens right there in front of an audience. Performances are not doctored and some nights can be brilliant, while others are a disaster,'' he says jokingly.

Steve's most memorable theatrical experiences have been in 'Low' written by Daniel Keene, for which he earned the WA award for most outstanding actor for the year, and 'Lone Star' by American writer James McClure.

It's only natural that actors get nervous when performing, and it may be a reaction they have to endure no matter how many times they perform.

Former Black Swan Theatre Artistic Director, Andrew Ross says actors need to be confident. Versatility is an added bonus:

''They also need courage and to have a realistic view of their acting strengths, weaknesses and limitations,'' he says.

People with a range of skills such as dancing and singing may find more parts open to them. The drive to succeed, dedication, patience and resilience will also help actors get further. In this industry you will receive more rejections than you will offers and there may be a long wait between role offers. A good memory and a high level of stamina to perform at peak level and cope with the demanding work hours are also important.

Actors perform indoors, in studios and theatres, as well as outdoors on location. They must be prepared to travel for shooting and for touring purposes.


Act For The Love Of It, Not The Money

Earnings vary enormously and, while high profile actors can earn millions, many are quite poorly paid and experience gaps in the availability of employment. Under the Performers Live Award (WA) 1993, an adult actor/actress must be paid at least the minimum wage of $504.40 per week (October 2006).

For more information regarding a thespian's wage, look at the Australian Government Workplace Authority link below.


Go Where The Work Is

Former Research Manager for the WA Arts, Sports and Recreation Industry Training Council Alison Wright says that, because many actors move east in search of acting work, employment opportunities in Western Australia may be improved when productions are made locally.

Steve Shaw warns though that, while there are arguably more film, television and stage acting opportunities in the eastern states, actors will face fiercer competition amongst the even greater number of actors competing for roles. The reality is that productions may only run for a few weeks or months at most, so it's advisable for actors to be prepared to do other work to tide themselves over.

It is also recommended to undertake some formal training in acting to improve your chances of employment, even though there are no specific educational requirements to become an actor.

Various private training organisations offer training courses. For more information, please check out the NTIS website below.

Edith Cowan University (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) offers a Certificate II in Music Theatre and an Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Acting).

Entry into the Certificate course usually requires the completion of Year 10, while Year 12 with good grades in English is needed for the Advanced Diploma course. Entry into the Academy is very competitive and you will need to attend an audition.

In addition, degree courses are offered by most of the State's universities. Curtin University of Technology offers a Bachelor of Arts (Art) degree, Edith Cowan University (Mt Lawley) offers a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Contemporary Performance) degree and Murdoch University offers a Bachelor of Arts (English and Creative Arts) degree.

Entry into the degree courses generally requires successful completion of the TEE and, in some cases, having studied English or English Literature. For further information, please check out the Universities website below.


Each November, the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney conducts auditions in all states for its degree course. Details and application forms are available from August. Please contact NIDA direct for further information.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Future Now - Learning for Life
PO Box 57 Mount Claremont WA 6010 Ph: (08) 9285 8555 Fax: (08) 9283 8755 Email: info@futurenow.org.au URL: http://www.futurenow.org.au

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
123 Claisebrook Stree Perth WA 6000 Ph: (08) 9227 7924 URL: http://www.alliance.org.au

WA Academy of Performing Arts
2 Bradford Street Mount Lawley WA 6050 Ph: (08) 9370 6594 URL: http://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au

National Institute of Dramatic Art
215 Anzac Parade Kensington NSW 2033 Ph: (02) 9697 7600 URL: http://www.nida.edu.au

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Bitten by the acting bug nine years ago, Trevor Jamieson says his foray into acting was inevitable.

''Singing and dancing is in my blood, it's part of my culture,'' says the Indigenous actor who belongs to the Wankatja clan.

Trevor's first ever performance was in his high school's production of 'Honey Spot'. The play, which was written by Aboriginal writer and poet, Jack Davis, is about the bridging of cultural differences. In it, Trevor played a young boy who becomes friends with the local non Indigenous park ranger's daughter. His character was instrumental in teaching others in the play that the Indigenous peoples' lifestyle is at harmony with the environment.

It was then that Trevor says, ''I got the taste for acting.''

Since then Trevor has acted in both film and theatre productions, mostly the latter. This includes 'Rabbit Proof Fence', a film that looks at the Stolen Generation, and 'The Merry Go Round in the Sea', where Trevor really put his acting ability to the test. It's not everyday that you slip into the persona of a female character.

''I played the very dainty and polite Mrs Vinegar. It wasn't difficult for me to get into the role. Once I put on the frock, I became the character!''

The ease with which Trevor immersed himself into the role is something he attributes to his Aboriginal heritage.

''When we put the face and body paint on for our ceremonial dancing, we're not the person we are. It brings out the spiritual being.''

Personalisation is one of the acting techniques Trevor finds helpful in acting. To help trigger different emotions, Trevor thinks back on certain moments or experiences in his life that have brought on similar reactions.

But learning his lines can be a bit trickier.

''That can be hard. I think my difficulty stems from holding back a lot during rehearsals. I tend to feel a lot of pressure, but when I'm performing, that's different. I regularly work with artistic director Andrew Ross and he gives me great encouragement. I love the way he works because he gives me the space that I need to develop my character.''

So what's next?

''I'm currently researching my part in the play, 'Career Highlights of the Mamu'. Mamu means devil, and the play is based on the nuclear testing that happened in Maralinga. It's about the before and after effects of nuclear testing.''

Trevor says it's a role of particular importance to him because it involves his people.