MICHELE WILLIAMS: BA (Melb), Graduate Dip Performing Arts (Various)

Trained at some of the USA and UK’s premier drama schools, Michele has acted professionally for twenty years. A classically trained actor, she has performed in a wide range of genres for mainstream as well as self-devised theatre companies in the USA, UK, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Her TV credits include major guest roles on most Australian TV series, some of which include (for the ABC ) Janus, GP, MDA, The Arts Review, The Great Air Race, as well as Neighbours, Blue Heelers, Stingers, TAC Ad Campaign, Acropolis Now, Rafferty's rules, E Street – to name a few. She has taught drama both recreationally and to professionals in the USA, Sydney and Melbourne at many programs and academies. She has been the recipient of several grants and of outstanding theatre reviews from almost every Australian theatre critic both in press and on radio. For more details see Michele Williams’ website.

RICHARD LAWTON: Graduate of Warwick University (UK), Post Graduate of Dartington Hall, London, Current MA Monash University

Richard's career spans over several decades and several continents. With credits too numerous to mention in full, Richard has headed departments at both NIDA and The VCA; artist in residence at Sydney University, Co-founder of the Drama Studio Sydney (a renowned independent school in the 1980s); The Actor's Centre, Sydney and currently at Monash University's Drama Department. He has formed well known companies which have toured through Europe, directed at The Sydney Theatre Company and The Belvoir St Company and now teaches for Drama with a Difference in our Professional Actor Training Program (for students 18 years and over).

TRENT BAKER: Bach Dramatic Art (Western Australian Academy of Dramatic Art – WAAPA), Post Graduate Directors Degree Victorian College of The Arts

Recent credits include ongoing roles with The Bell Shakespeare Company and The Melbourne Theatre Company (2005–07), Trent also played Toad in The Wind In The Willows in The Botanic Gardens over several years; extensive performance, directing and teaching at The VCA, The Red Stitch Theatre Company (where he was a founding member) and experience as an acting teacher at many fantastic independent drama schools; panel of The Shakespeare Globe Competitions. TV includes: Blue Heelers, Round the Twist, On The Beach and the face of ‘Telstra’s Broadband’. Trent will be directing for The Melbourne Theatre Company in 2008.

CASSANDRA MAGRATH: 10 years at Drama with a Difference

Cassandra teaches both our recreational classes and our advanced film class. When teaching in the advanced classes, Cassandra’s real life experience in film and television is an invaluable source for actors who want to work in this industry. Her approach is hands-on and comes from many years of practical experience which enable Cassandra to work with students ‘as if’ they were on a film set.

From Recreational through to Professional classes, Cassandra’s training was also very much ‘on the job’ throughout most of her life! A non-stop working actor from the age of 10, Cassandra's more recent credits include the lead in the acclaimed Australian Film Wolf Creek, Miranda in Sea Change, Pi in The Crash Zone. Other credits include lead roles in The Wayne Manifesto (ABC), Shock Jock, Ocean Girl, Blue Heelers and the host for the ABC Digital Youth Network. Her theatre work includes the Melbourne season and tour of Bold Girls. Cassandra has taught on and off for Drama with a Difference for seven years.

MARK WILSON: 7 years at Drama with a Difference – from Recreational through to Professional classes, Diploma In Community Services (Children’s services)

Managing a successful career both in child development and in acting, Mark has worked with Canteen (a service which supports children with cancer) and managed The After Care at both Spensely Street and Crib Point Primary Schools. He has worked for Drama with a Difference on and off over a ten year period. His TV credits include major guest roles in most Australian TV series:Blue Heelers over a 5 year period, ‘Duffy’ in the Australian cult film Welcome To Whoop Whoop (by the makers of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert) and the feature film Dead Letter Office. He acted in a major capacity with The Melbourne Theatre Company in the Melbourne, Sydney and the country tour of David Hare’s Skylight.

GEORGIA BOLTON: BA (Drama, Media, Psychology) Deakin, member of Drama with a Difference Professional Actor Training Program over four years

Currently playing a lead role in one of the first online series screening on Foxtel, Girl Friday, and has a role in the current Australian feature film Noise. Other TV includes Blue Heelers, Fergus McNeil, Stingers and numerous commercials. Theatre includes: Victorian Arts Centre, Chapel Off Chapel and La Mama. She has participated in many short films, many of which have won awards at major festivals and has taught for a wide range of other drama schools over several years; regular ongoing work as a corporate trainer in the business sector, which includes major companies both here and in the USA.

LARA SACHER: Training – 12 years of Speech and Drama Exams with Trinity College, London, 3 years at Drama with a Difference, currently undertaking a degree in psychology at Monash University

After attending Drama with a Difference over three years, Lara’s talent became obvious to the school and she was shortly cast in several commercials, major guest TV roles and soon followed with the ongoing role of Serena Bishop in Neighbours. As a drama teacher Lara’s youth, enthusiasm and extensive hands-on experience make her a popular teacher with both children and teenagers.

FREYA NIELSON: BA (Drama) Charles Sturt University.

Freya has taught at Drama with a Difference for a period of eight years prior to which she directed productions and worked in youth theatre with the Playhouse Actors Theatre and The Mandragora Theatre. She attended the foundation course at The Victorian College Of The Arts and studied extensively in her youth at The National Theatre. Freya is currently appearing in several ongoing episodes of Neighbours and has recently worked on Kath and Kim. Other recent TV credits include MDA. Freya has an extensive list of theatre credits to her name.

SARAH HALLAM: Casting Director

Sarah spent ten years at Drama with a Difference and has forged a successful career as a casting director. She has worked on a never-ending list of children’s television series, and on Blue Heelers. Sarah is currently involved in the casting of a new television series to be shot in Melbourne.

JULIETTE ROBSON: Casting Director

We are extremely fortunate to have Juliette Robson as part of our team. She is one of the UK’s most experienced and well-known casting directors, currently living in Melbourne. She has cast many films, TV series and commercials across Scotland and England where some of her credits include: BBC Scotland Flag’s River City, Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Touch of Frost, Big Smoke, The Adams Family, How We Used To Live. Juliette is also an experienced acting teacher. She is currently in the process of starting her own agency.

CAMERON HARRIS: Casting Director

Working currently for Rove Live, Cameron has played a major part in the lives of many of our past students through his long career as the casting consultant for The Australian Children’s Television Foundation. These credits include Round The Twist, The Crash Zone and Pirate Islands (to name a few!). Equally adept at casting adults, he has worked for Kath and Kim, The Games, and for many feature films. These include the recent film Noise, The Caterpillar Wish (winning AFI 2006 Best Supporting Actress for Susie Porter) and The Craic. While resident casting director over several years at the ABC, Cameron worked on numerous TV series there, and it was during this time that he introduced Hugh Jackman and Rachel Griffiths to the industry.

JOANNE BAKER: The Artists Management Group

Joanne has many years’ experience as an agent. She stepped into ownership of an agency once known as Frog Management, Melbourne when she was in her twenties. This had been one of Australia’s leading agencies, having represented many of this country’s A Grade actors. She later re-named the business The Artists Management Group and it gradually became an agency that offered personal management.

Joanne has been responsible for introducing and representing many of Australia’s leading young stars, many of whom were also students at Drama with a Difference. They include Cassandra Magrath (Wolf Creek/Sea Change) and Jane Allsop (Jo Parrish in Blue Heeleers). She has represented actors throughout major Australian and international feature films, television series, musical theatre, mainstream theatre, commercials and voiceovers. She is now the full-time manager of one of Australia’s biggest icons, Mr Charles (Bud) Tingwell.

Joanne will give feedback on students’ acting at our TV and Film course and there will also be a Question and Answer time at our weekend workshops and at the Industry Presentation Talk.

JAN RUSS: Casting Director

Jan Russ is the current casting director and co-producer for Neighbours where she has employed several past students in small, medium and LEAD roles.

She has been with Neighbours for many years and will be able to offer true experience and genuine advice to all participants. Jan is one of the most respected veterans of the Australian Entertainment Industry where she has played major roles in casting, producing, theatre, song, dance and television. She offers the insights of a highly experienced performer and casting agent.