Scholarship sees Leo evolve into an actor

“I wanted to study a course focused on the depth and craft of acting, to learn how to be a performer,” explained Leo.

Studying the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Acting and Performance) (ARB401) delivered in a practical and hands-on way, Leo found precisely what he was looking for.

“I'm an actor, I want to act, and this course is focused on being a body in the theatre, to be an actor and reading scripts,” he said.

Helping Leo become the best actor he can be, are his teachers, who bring a raft of experience to the classroom, giving the class real-world insights as they blend the acting theory with practical performances.

“Getting to pick the brains of some of the best directors in the country every day is invaluable. Hearing about their experiences in Europe, Japan or the USA and what the theatre, screen and TV means to them is so insightful.”

“I don't even think I knew what acting was before I came here. I have been pushed as a person to learn how to craft performance, craft a character, develop my technique as an actor.”

Helping Leo to perfect his acting performances is that his classroom is the Norman Price Theatre, located at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus in the heart of Brisbane's arts and cultural precinct.

“When I started going to performances in other theatres, I realised we have a beautiful, massive space that we work in throughout the week. We can host shows in it, work on our voices, and build our technical acting skills.”

“Training here day after day, week after week, is a real privilege – it’s been such an awesome space to work in for three years. I own my body and voice on that stage, and I feel like I've learned how to connect with an audience and developed a strong confidence in myself.”

Helping Leo to take his performing arts skills to the next level was being awarded a scholarship from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

As one of only two third-year actors to be awarded the annual scholarship, Leo spent two weeks in Sydney, participating in classes, seeing theatre, and observing teaching at Australia’s leading Theatre training institution.

“NIDA expanded my ideas of acting once again, I learned from so many different practitioners from the Sydney Theatre community, and it was extraordinary.”

We went to NIDA classes for two weeks, spent time with the first and second-year students and watched third-year shows. We worked with NIDA actors daily, participating in or watching their classes.”

NIDA is considered one of the top acting schools in the world and was the training ground for its most famous graduates, Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson and Baz Luhrmann.

“We talked to actors, picked their brains and watched them act to see how they did things. It was refreshing to know that we learn the same principles at TAFE Queensland, and that opens your mind up.”

“It was a successful and valuable experience, and we left connected to actors and directors from the industry and insights into potential further study options. They welcomed us with open arms.”

Leo looks forward to exploring his creative future, thanks to studying in an innovative course that gave him the best possible launch pad for success.

"My acting knowledge and skills have improved and come through in every performance. I'm so happy I found this course and could focus my studies on becoming an actor. If performance is your thing, go for it. You won't regret it," concluded Leo.