Teacher Profiles

CRAIG MCMAHON

Craig is the founder and Artistic Director of the Film & Television Studio International. The former Network Ten personality starred on adventure program Totally Wild as a presenter and was also employed as segment producer, researcher, writer and offline editor from 1998 - 2005. He has appeared in prime time dramas and soap operas including Banjo Patterson's Man from Snowy River, Neighbours, Fat Cow Motel, numerous television commercials, corporate videos, and hosted Network Tens In the Box, Click on Ten and was a regular guest on Bert Newton's, Good Morning Australia. In 2004, Craig won Network Tens achiever of the year award - nationally - for his outstanding contribution to the network. He is inspiring, motivating, and a true patron of the arts.

DOMINIQUE MCMAHON

Dominique is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Film & Television Studio International, the highly successful training facility for performing artists. Her roles also include producing National and International seminars for actors, directors, producers and casting directors throughout Australia & the United Kingdom. Dominique has an advanced diploma in screen performance and studied performing arts at QUT (Drama & business). The former Australian Champion and 3 time Australasian Champion Dancer has performed on stage in the UK & Ireland, was guest co-host on Network Ten's In the Box and is a recording artist. Her knowledge as a highly skilled and award winning performer and her 8 year tenure at the Film & Television Studio International gives her invaluable entertainment industry experience and she has been instrumental in helping launch many emerging performers into the film & television industry.

ANDREA MOOR

Andrea studied Practical Aesthetics and was taught by 2006 Golden Globe winner Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) and American actor William H. Macey at the Atlantic Theatre Company of New York. Practical Aesthetics is an effective acting method devised by American playwright David Mammet and American actor William H Macey. Andrea was co-founder of Practical Aesthetics Australia, the Sydney annex of the Atlantic Theatre Co. of New York. Since introducing Practical Aesthetics to Australia, Andrea's work has influenced many film & television actors and directors, with this fast and effective technique. Andrea is a NIDA graduate and lecturer and has worked extensively both as an actor and acting coach / dramaturge in many films and television series that include Home & Away, H20, FARSCAPE, Wildside, Heartbreak High, Breakers, Eco Point, The Man who Sued God, Oscar & Lucinda; Soft Fruit; Strange Planet; He Died with a Falafel in his Hand; Love Serenade; A Floating Life; Walk the Talk; Traveling North, Round the Bend, and Passion.

JOHN HIGGINS

John Higgins has had an extensive career both acting and coaching in theatre, TV and film. He has worked in London and Hollywood where he worked as dialogue director for films such as Steel Magnolias starring Shirley McLain and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Bert Reynolds. He also coached Denzel Washington, Tamin Sursok, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Jon Voight & Oscar winner Annette Bening. Since returning to Australia in 1999, John has coached some of Australia's top stars including Francis O'Conner, Tara Morice, Holly Brisley, Ben Mendelson, Tony martin and Rose Byrne who says, "My work with John was of enormous help to me during my audition for the film TROY [starring Brad Pitt & Eric Banna]". John is an exceptional Dialogue Coach. In my opinion John would be a benefit and a blessing to any actor wanting to learn about American Acting and accents". John's most recent credit as an on-set dialect coach includes Feature Film, Superman Returns.

JOSS MCWILLIAM

Joss McWilliam is is one of Australia's most highly regarded performing artists. A core actor with the Queensland Theatre Company, Joss has just returned from touring Australia with Michael Gow's production of Away. Over the past 2 decades, Joss has also performed with the Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company and many more nationally and internationally. His on-screen appearances include ongoing lead roles in Water Rats, Pacific Drive, New Adventures of Skippy, and currently appearing on Ten's hit drama H20 - Just add water.

IAIN GARDINER

Iain Gardiner's career as a successful actor spans over decades in the Australian film, television & theatre industries. Some of his film credits include lead roles in: The Proposition; The Great Raid; Ghostship; and Mad Max to name a few. His television roles are extensive with appearances in: The Lost World; Flipper; Fat Cow Motel; Medivac; Cybergirl; E Street; and has recently appeared on H20 - just add water. Iain is also a well rounded theatrical performer who has worked extensively for the Qld Theatre Company and La Boite.

KIM KREJUS

Kim Krejus has worked in professional theatre, film, and television in Australia & Internationally for 30 years. She has toured in the Broadway production of Noises Off, as well as performing in John Bells Twelfth Night and Macbeth. In Australia, Kim has worked for the Melbourne and Queensland Theatre Companies and on many notable film and television projects to critical acclaim. Kim is a multi-award winning performer and was nominated for an AFI Award for best actor in a film. She has studied for many years under some of the greatest legends in the business including Uta Hagan (USA), and Practical Aesthetics at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York, founded by William H Macey and David Mamet. These days Kim's focus is on educating and inspiring performing artists, and coaching actors on Motion Pictures including Warners Brothers Blockbuster Aquamarine. She is one of Australia's most reputable acting teachers who is respected and known for achieving unforgettable performances with students under her tutelage.

SHAUNA CROWLEY

With 26 years experience in the Australian Film, Television and Theatre industries, Shauna trained as a Casting Consultant with M&L Casting Consultants (now Mullinars) from 1981, working initially on the feature film Star Struck and following this with many film, television and advertising projects. She worked as an agent and in theatre and drama school administration from 1983 - 1984 before moving back into Casting for the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. From 1986-1992 she was the Casting Director for JNP films and the multi-award-winning Television Series Drama, A Country Practice, launching some of Australia's most recognisable faces. In 1997, she also cast the award-winning feature film, The 13th Floor. She was an Associate Producer and Casting Director for the large-scale musicals How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying starring Tom Burlinson and Georgie Parker and South Pacific, both of which toured Australia. In 1993 Shauna launched Crowley Management, the exclusive Sydney-based agency representing Australia's top script writers and directors. She was shortly thereafter nominated for the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year Awards. She holds qualifications in Radio and Television Production as well as Law for Managers (University of NSW), and Law for Producers (The Australian Film, Television and Radio School). Shauna is the published author of two books, including the hugely popular, The Screen Test Handbook: an Actors Guide to Auditioning for Television & Film in Australia (1990), a reference text for professional and student actors used in high schools and universities.

MICHELLE FORNASIER

Michelle has been working Professionally as an Actor for over 15 years. She completed her actor training in Queensland and has worked in Theatre, Film and Television in Brisbane, Sydney and now in Perth. Michelle studied Practical Aesthetics under Andrea Moore, Melissa Bruder and Karen Kohlhaas from New York. Michelle has been in Perth 3 years and won the Best Actress Award at the Actors Equity Guild Awards in 2005 for her lead role in "The Visit". In 2006 she acted alongside Bud Tingwell and Jill Perriman in the Screenwest funded 30 min Drama "Hidden Creatures" and had a regular role in the Childrens Series "Sleepover Club 2" due to be aired in 2007. She is currently employed by Black Swan Theatre Company to perform in "Lady Aoi" for the Perth International Arts Festival for 2007.