Mandahla Rose
Mandahla trained at SA Casting and Flinders University. Film credits include the acclaimed web series Wastelander Panda, an internet sensation seen by over 100,000 people in 3 days with more episodes under development by the ABC, South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) and distributors, Madman. Mandahla stars in Aaron Schuppan’s Pale Blue Dot, premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival in 2013. Other credits include Oranges and Sunshine (director Jim Loach), and the film shorts Shadow Valley (director Aaron Shuppan), ISIS (director David Tang), Priya (director Chris Kellet) and Tennis (director Chris Kellet).
Brett Rogers
Brett graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in 2009. He has appeared in the feature films Before the Rain and Jimmy Tennison; the short films Love is a Pitch, Dark Decisions, City Limits, and a number of commercials. At NIDA, Brett performed in a range of productions directed by some of Australia’s most respected directors, including Kate Cherry, Gale Edwards and Darren Gilshenan. Originally from Tasmania, Brett appeared for companies such as Big Monkey, Hobart Rep and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra before studying at NIDA. Since graduating Brett has toured with terrapin Theatre company performing in Boats, Trolley Boys and the TV series Rake on ABC.
Julia Billington
Julia graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2008 and has worked in film, television, and theatre. TV shows include East West 101 (SBS, season two) and Tricky Business (Southern Star). Julia has been in several short films including Shopping; Manmares; The Filmmaker; and Thanks For Coming. Julia’s theatre credits include: Embers; Gallipoli (Sydney Theatre Company), Baghdad Wedding (Belvoir St), Romeo and Juliet (Bell Shakespeare: The Players), and My Name Is Rachel Corrie (La Boite) which earned her a Greenroom Groundling award. Independent theatre works include: Top Girls (New Theatre), CUT SNAKE; Bill W and Dr Bob; and Motel (Arthur), Heaven (ISM Festival of New Australian Writing), and I Only Came To Use The Phone (Darlinghurst Theatre).
Simon Bolton
Simon trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has worked in theatre, film, TV and radio. Theatre acting credits include: Macbeth (Cheek by Jowl, dir. Declan Donnellan, winner of Olivier Award for Best Production), Easy Virtue (dir. Tim Luscombe), Mozart in Amadeus (dir. Christopher Dunham), The Soldier in The Soldiers Tale (with Mark Strong), and Paddy in The Arbor (with Jeremy Northam, Sean Pertwee and Polly Pleasance). Film roles include English/Spanish co-production Loving Anna. Simon has directed for several theatre companies, including an award winning production of The Black Tulip for Theatre Sans Frontieres.
Kim Antonios Hayes
Kim trained at the Sydney Acting School, and has 20 years’ experience in film, TV, musicals and musical comedy. Film appearances include After Hours and Two Friends (dir. Jane Campion), Smash (Rayon Productions), Lotus Sonny (Gary Sofarelli), and TV shows including Home and Away, A Country Practice, and Spellbinder. Stage roles include Diana in Lend me a Tenor (Gary Penny Productions and Kevin Jacobson Productions) and Three Little Pigs (Phillip Street Theatre). Kim has also appeared as a solo performer and sung lead vocals with bands including ‘the Cheatin Hearts’ and ‘Akapunkture’.
Lex Marinos
Lex Marinos was born into a family of Greek cafe owners. After graduating from the University of NSW, receiving a BA with Honours in Drama, Lex has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry as an actor, director, writer, broadcaster and teacher. He is best known for his television performances in Kingswood Country and, more recently, as Manolis in the ABC’s production of The Slap. Lex has also worked extensively on ABC radio since the riotous inception of 2JJ. His book Blood and Circuses: an irresponsible memoir was recently published by Allen & Unwin. Lex has just returned from the Melbourne Festival as part of the highly successful Big hART production of Hipbone Sticking Out.
Paul Berenger
Paul first acquired a taste for acting in Zimbabwe at the age of 11 after seeing his older brother on stage in a primary school play. It was only after relocating to Western Australia he got his first taste of acting and has been hooked ever since. After moving to Sydney and training at the National Institute of Dramatic arts, Paul has appeared in films such as ‘Two Fits one Heart’ (2008), ‘Cain Rose up’ (2010), ‘Die Krankenhaus’ (2013), ‘Brittany’ (2011) and the Pilot ‘The Army Within’ (2014), which is expected to hit international film festivals. Paul has just been announced as the lead in another two films: ‘The Crate’ by Double Barrel films and ‘Wriddled’, both set for release in late 2015.
Martin Ruscic
Martin is a professional actor and bodybuilder. Having accomplished major milestones early in his career, both on set and as an athlete, Martin featured in major Hollywood films and has been trained by some of the greatest body builders ever. He studied acting at prestige schools both in Australia and USA, where he acquired some unique skill sets. Being proficient in small, medium and large firearms, he trained in special forces tactics and advanced stage combat, both hand to hand and knives and swords. These days, Martin continues to grow as a professional, striving towards his goal of working internationally.
Karli-Rae Grogan
Karli-Rae Grogan is an Australian born actor known for comedy with her debut in children’s TV series Wormwood at the young age of 16. Since then, Karli-Rae has worked extensively in Australia on various TV and film projects, including docudrama ‘The War That Changed Us’ (abc). Having recently moved to Los Angeles, Karli-Rae has veered into drama and feature films stretching her horizons hoping to challenge societies’ view on the world by taking brave roles in bold stories.
Zoe Houghton
Zoe graduated from Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art with a degree in Performing Arts in 2002. After graduating, she has successfully entered the world of professional acting, working on numerous theatre, film, and TV roles, including Stepfather of the Bride (2006), Scorched (2008) and Footy Legends (2006). Her recent theatre credits include: Dirty Butterfly (dir. Wayne Blair) and Rabbit Hole (dir. Michael Futcher), for which she received a 2009 Matilda Award nomination for best supporting actress.
Margot Nash
Margot Nash started out as an actress with the Melbourne Theatre Company in the late 60s. She was a member of the APG (Australian Performing Group) at the Pram Factory in Melbourne in the 70s, but gave up performing to pursue a career as a filmmaker. Her credits include the experimental shorts We Aim To Please co filmmaker (1976) and Shadow Panic (1989) the feature documentary For Love Or Money co filmmaker (1982) and the feature dramas Vacant Possession 1994 and Call Me Mum 2005. Her latest film The Silences, a feature-length poetic essay documentary will be released in 2015. See www.margotnash.com.