An Actor Survives
Emily McKnight
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This podcast digs deep into Australia's most creative minds, to uncover the tools you need to survive being an actor.
Available episodes
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Feb 27, 2023
Lauren Grimson
What an exciting end to season two of An Actor Survives - an episode featuring Lauren Grimson. If you are a horror fan, you might know her from: The Osiris Child (2016), The Legend of Ben Hall (2017), Water Horse (2020), and The Possessed (2021).
Emily hasn't watched much horror... and was beyond thrilled to chat to someone with so much knowledge acting in the genre. Lauren shares lots about her experience, and offers useful advice for all actors. Support the show
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Feb 13, 2023
Anthony Brandon Wong
Actor, acting coach, pop singer, and all-round lovely person - Anthony Brandon Wong is this week's guest. Anthony shares stories, advice and experiences from his career and he and Emily discuss all sorts of things from music, to acting styles to cats! This was a hard episode to edit... there was so much good stuff, I am sure you will agree it was worth it to keep it a bit longer!
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Jan 30, 2023
Nikita Waldron
This week on An Actor Survives, Emily chats to the incredible Nikita Waldron - having seen her onstage at Sydney Theatre Company the night before! If you are Sydney based, it's likely you have seen her on our stages, or know her from her recent Rebel Wilson Scholarship at ATYP. Support the show
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Jan 23, 2023
Jade Fuda
Jade Fuda and Emily worked together last year with Sport For Jove Theatre Company - having both dreamed of one day working for them. Jade's continued working with them throughout 2022 (and already 2023!) She's been seen on our stages by young and old - also regularly working with children's theatre company CDP. She shares her experiences on this episode- and is open and honest about dealing with nerves, as well as the transition into life as a (regularly) working actor.Support the show
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Jan 16, 2023
Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Linda is a freelance voice, accents and dialect coach, an actor and a writer based in Sydney, Australia. Many in the theatre industry in Australia are likely to have worked with her in some capacity: as their teacher at drama school, as an accent coach on a play, a fellow actor, or indeed have discovered her through 'Accent Olympics' - a brilliant online accent coaching class she ran to help actors keep training in lockdown. Her story of working in the arts industry in Australia is fascinating - filled with much knowledge and experience of it from many different angles. Support the show
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Jan 9, 2023
John Bell
It's been one year since the podcast started! To celebrate, this episode features Australia's National Living Treasure, John Bell. Known best for running Bell Shakespeare Company for 25 years and for his incredible contribution to theatre in Australia. Emily recently had the opportunity to work with him at Ensemble Theatre, and they sat down to talk about John's life and work and how best to 'survive' as an actor. Support the show
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Nov 14, 2022
Deborah An
Deborah An actually HAS been on Home and Away - so she can say that to uber drivers! She's also a regular on our stages and screens and has very refreshing insights about these experiences. We also discuss being an introvert in foyers, not always knowing famous actors names and of course, dogs! Support the show
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Nov 1, 2022
Hannah Raven
Hannah Raven: Actor. Burlesque Artist. Edgar Allan Poe Aficionado.
Hannah shares with us her experiences about all of the above in this episode - and how she navigates creating work and combining all her skills in her many varying roles. Currently seen in The Great Gatsby in Brisbane - don't miss her incredible performance!
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Oct 24, 2022
Sandy Greenwood
Multi award winning First Nations artist, Sandy Greenwood has worked professionally across stage and screen as an actor, voice artist, cultural consultant and writer for over 20 years. In this episode she shares her journey creating her one-woman show, Matriarch, how her life experiences influence her artistry, and how much she continues to learn and grow as her career flourishes. Support the show
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Oct 17, 2022
Andrew Hearle
Andrew Hearle is an actor and acting coach. He is the founder of StageMilk.com, one of the world's largest acting resources, and has trained thousands of actors over the last 10 years. He graduated WAAPA in 2012, and has worked professionally across film, TV and Theatre. As you can imagine, with all of the above, he has a lot of interesting thoughts and experiences about ‘surviving’ as an actor!
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Oct 10, 2022
Monica Sayers
Monica Sayers is an Actor, Yoga Teacher and DJ - who has worked extensively in different performance mediums over the past 15 years in Australia, the UK and Ireland. In this episode she shares about many of these experiences. Support the show
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Oct 3, 2022
Emma Wright
If you are in the industry in Sydney, you have probably come across Emma Wright in some capacity. She wears multiple hats - actor, writer, producer - and co-founder of Eye Contact Theatre Company. She manages to be outstanding at all of the above, (aswell as be a very good human) and in this episode she offers her insights into how to juggle all that, and her experiences managing said juggle.
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Sep 19, 2022
Christopher Tomkinson
Christopher Tomkinson (AKA: CT!) has worked as an actor, director, producer and writer in theatre, radio, TV & film.
This chat originally went for over 2hrs and was hard to cut - CT has many a story to share about his experiences - and this ep even has a BONUS five survival tips.
You can find the Dylan Alcott speech referenced here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-26/dylan-alcott-australian-of-the-year-speech-in-full/100783308
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Sep 12, 2022
Maddison Burridge
Maddison Burridge is a Meanjin/Brisbane actor, who is currently understudying the main role in shake&stir’s national touring production of Jane Eyre. She’s also one of Emily’s best friends - they met when touring Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand with Poetry In Action in 2017. In this chat, they discuss navigating a career as a freelance actor, what it’s like working as an understudy, importance of support networks and the transition of craft from university to employment. Support the show
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Sep 5, 2022
Shan-Ree Tan
If you live in Sydney, you would definitely have seen Shan-Ree onstage. He has hopped from stage to stage for the last few years - performing in many different roles, and winning a Sydney Theatre Award in the process! Emily and Shan worked together in Sport For Jove's 'As You Like it' over summer, and in this episode they discuss that experience, juggling multiple careers and a great audition mindset. Support the show
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Aug 29, 2022
Sarah Bartolo
Sarah Bartolo is an actor, writer and singer based in Naarm/Melbourne. She is also... an instagram 'influencer.' Well, Emily was 'influenced' by her - Sarah posts hilarious characters and satirical sketches on her page, which Emily discovered during the pandemic lockdowns. In this ep that chat about Sarah's experience as an actor in New York (in comparison to Australia), creating the instagram characters and the ways to survive the times when the work is few and far between.
The book referenced is called: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Support the show
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Aug 22, 2022
Catherine Văn-Davies
In this episode, Emily and Catherine discuss a lot of BIG topics in the industry (and indeed society!) Catherine shares a lot of insight and wisdom about how she got to where she is now - a regular on our stages, our TVs (currently on The Twelve and Barons) as well as the Co-Artistic Director of Redline at the Old Fitz theatre in Sydney. Support the show
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Aug 15, 2022
Simon Ward
Simon Ward is an Actor, Singer, Psychologist, Director, Teacher and.. a guest on this episode! Emily and Simon discuss the importance of emotions - especially when coupled with stressful situations ( ie auditions) aswell as the many ups and downs of the industry. Lots of laughs and lots of practical tips in this ep - check it out! Support the show
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Aug 8, 2022
Billy McPherson
Billy's first Belvoir Theatre show was 1993... and he just performed in one in 2021. He's an incredible indigenous actor, writer and voice over artist, who tells many a story and offers some of the best advice I've ever had in this ep. It's a must-listen, right to the end!
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Aug 1, 2022
Emily Joy
An Actor Survives season two is here!!
This episode features actor and acting coach: Emily Joy. In this chat, the two Emilys discuss what it's like to be a 'jobbing' actor - in theatre AND film, and how to manage (and reframe) the challenges that that can present. Emily Joy has extensive experience working with actors and has a lot of insights from her own career and that of constantly meeting at talking with other actors.
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May 23, 2022
Alec Steedman
Alec is an actor, singer, composer, violinist, musical director extraordinaire. They have worked extensively for theatres around Australia. Emily was lucky enough to play some of Alec's music on flute earlier this year, and tread the boards alongside them in Sport for Jove's As You Like it. In this episode they discuss having a multi-faceted career, the problems of social media, creativity, and much, much more. Support the show
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May 16, 2022
Sean O'Shea
Sean O'Shea has been treading the boards for over 30 years - and at least 20 of those were with the Bell Shakespeare company. Emily grew up going to Bell shows with her Gran, and getting to meet and chat with Sean for this episode was particularly special. They chat about theatre, teaching acting and the ups and downs of the industry. Support the show
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May 9, 2022
Abbie-Lee Lewis
Abbie-lee Lewis is a Kalkadoon woman from WA, who has a flourishing career in acting and directing. In this chat she reflects on her artistry, identity and how the word 'poop' remains hilarious.
Explicit content: SwearingSupport the show
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May 2, 2022
Blazey Best
Blazey is one of Sydney’s best known actors with over ten years experience in theatre, film and television. In this chat, she shares openly and honestly about how she has survived as an actor in Australia.
*Disclaimer: *One of the mics stopped working, so please excuse slightly dodgy sound quality! Thanks Adam Buncher (our editor) for making it even sound this good!
*CW: *Discussion about drug addiction, swearingSupport the show
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Apr 25, 2022
Mansoor Noor
Emily and Mansoor went to drama school together. They have many similarities in their worth ethic and drive to be actors in the industry. This chat reflects that - and contains some invaluable advice from Mansoor from his years of experience. Support the show
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Apr 18, 2022
Gabrielle Scawthorn
Gabrielle and Emily had this chat on zoom just before lockdown 2021 as Gab was working with Bell Shakespeare on a Midsummer Night's Dream. She talks about what it's like to work with this company, what it's like to make your way as an actor in the UK and the scary moments on stage too! Her 5 survival tips are VERY useful. Support the show
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Apr 11, 2022
Shauntelle Benjamin
From surviving a touring musical show, to the ups and downs of being in lockdown - Shauntelle has lots of insight - particularly about being as creative as possible! This episode is also an example of how networking works!!Support the show
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Apr 4, 2022
Wendy Strehlow
Wendy Stehlow is an Australian actor well known for her many years on the Aussie soap 'A Country Practice' - and her many appearances on Australian stages. In this episode she discusses her love of Judi Dench, Shakespeare.. and whales!Support the show
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Mar 28, 2022
Kenneth Moraleda
Kenneth Moraleda is an actor/writer/director/creative producer of Filipino descent. He trained at NIDA graduating in 1995. Kenneth is a part of the STC/CAAP Directing Initiative and was recently Assistant Director to Kip Williams on Playing Beatie Bow by Kate Mulvany (Sydney Theatre Company).
In this chat he shares many valuable insights to working as a creative for so long in the industry in Australia.
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Mar 21, 2022
Jessie Lancaster
Jessie shares her insights into life as an actor in Australia. In fact, this episode was recorded while she was touring the country with Poetry in Action - her first full time professional acting job- that she maintained even in the midst of the pandemic. Support the show
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Mar 14, 2022
Doug Hansell
Doug has recently had a starring role in Come From Away, Sydney. In this episode, he talks about managing a career in both Sydney and London, working with his mentor, a quote that continues to inspire him and his struggles with (and triumphs over) his mental health. Support the show
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Mar 7, 2022
Deanna Cooney
Deanna Cooney is a 20+ year veteran of the acting and voice over world and an educator living in Perth, WA. Emily met her during lockdown by taking part in her online VO bootcamp. Deanna is an exciting and inspirational person - and this shines through in this discussion. Lots of wisdom on how to survive as an actor and a voice over actor. Support the show
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Feb 28, 2022
Jay Laga'aia
Jay has been in multiple mainstage productions, tv shows and films - of all different genres. From play school to Star Wars. All that, plus 8 children, he has a lot of advice on how to 'survive' as an actor. Support the show
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Feb 21, 2022
Fiona Press
Fiona Press and Emily discuss the nitty-gritty of navigating the acting industry as a woman with an expressive face (!), the importance of being part of the union and the challenges of 'surviving' when there are not many auditions. Enjoy this in-depth chat with this incredible award-winning actor. Support the show
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Feb 14, 2022
Shy Magsalin
Shy is the creative director of Ninefold - a theatre company based in Sydney and specialising in Suzuki practice. We had this chat during the lockdown in Sydney in 2021 which was a great time to reflect on the wonders and the struggles of being an artist - particularly at this time and place in the world. Support the show
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Feb 7, 2022
James Peter Fraser
James made his acting debut in 2007 opposite Daniel Radcliffe in 'December Boys' and recently was seen on our stages with Sydney Theatre Company. In this episode he talks about his process, his LA experience, his non-acting work - and offers some great tips on how to 'survive' as an actor.Support the show
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Jan 31, 2022
Mandela Mathia
If you are Sydney-based you have likely seen Mandela grace our stages - with recent appearances with Sport for Jove and Belvoir. An exceptional actor and storyteller, offering great insight about how he survives as an actor in this latest episode. Support the show
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Jan 24, 2022
Annie Maynard
In this episode, Annie Maynard and Emily we talk all things 'actor life' - family, therapy, multiple other jobs, juggling agents and other people's opinions about actors and the industry. Support the show
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Jan 16, 2022
Damien Ryan
Damien Ryan is the artistic director of Sport for Jove, a Sydney based theatre company with a focus on Shakespeare and classical text. In this episode he shares his insights and experiences about surviving the arts industry as a director, actor, writer and all round creative. Support the show
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Jan 5, 2022
Kate Mulvany
Kate Mulvany schools us on how to pronounce her name correctly, chats about working with Al Pacino, and discusses the time she dressed as a giant bilby. Support the show
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