Jessica Orcsik Arts Scholarship

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Renown Acting Coach with Hagen Teacher Training Program with Carol Rosenfeld at HB Studio, NYC; Plus 16th Street Actors Studio  and AAFTA, Co-developed and co-produced two LA and NYC workshops with Oscar, Tony and Pulitzer prize winning writer/director, John Patrick Shanley. Co-produced and directed one of his short plays right here in Hollywood. Founding Co-Artistic Director and Head of Talent in charge of casting/training now defunct Australian Theatre Company.  Program Director Short+Sweet Hollywood Latino. 

Born in Chicago and raised between Chicago and Boston.  Attended Deerfield Academy (’01), Tufts University (’05) and Suffolk University Law School (’08).  Passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam in 2008.  Went to law school knowing he wanted to rep talent.  Moved to Los Angeles in late 2010 worked at ICM and CAA from 2011-2015.  He transitioned to management in 2015 by moving to Industry Entertainment and has been there ever since.  Actors/Icons worked with include, Christopher Walken, Jamie Foxx, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, RZA, Laura Linney, Holly Hunter, Bobby Cannavale, James Spader, to name a few. 

As a child, Peter lived in Europe, Asia and South America before settling in Southampton, New York. After graduating with a business degree from Boston College's Carroll School of Management, Peter moved to Los Angeles. Over the course of his career, Peter has worked with some of the most acclaimed artists in film, television and theatre and has developed a reputation for identifying and cultivating exciting young talent and understanding the increasing global presence in the industry. Peter joined Echo Lake in October of 2015.

Caitlin got her start as an assistant to Ronna Kress (Moulin Rouge!, Fury Road) before becoming an Associate with Warner Bros. Feature Casting. At WB she worked under EVP, Lora Kennedy (Tombstone, Argo), and SVP, Kristy Carlson (Wonder Woman, Man of Steel) for four years until she moved to Australia for a year where she continued her career in casting with Thea McLeod (Pawno, Neighbours). After moving back to California, Caitlin has worked as an Associate Casting Director at Automatic Sweat for the past two and a half years alongside John Papsidera (Dunkirk, Westworld (HBO)). Her most recent credits include Venom, Lost in Space (Netflix), The Oath (Sony Crackle), and Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone (Paramount TV) starring Kevin Costner. To see her list of credits, please check her IMDb!  Some of her film credits include Frankenweenie, The Lucky One, Happy Feet 2, and Man of Steel. She has also overseen the casting of various Warner Bros. projects, including Argo, Cloud Atlas, and Winter's Tale, Fury Road, 300: Rise of an Empire, All You Need Is Kill, and This is Where I Leave You. 

Menik Gooneratne is a Sri Lankan-Australian actress and writer whose body of work has grossed over $500 million worldwide. Born in London, Menik spent her youth travelling to developing countries with her father’s UN work in combating climate change. While living in Papua New Guinea, her passion for the arts was ignited when at age 4, she was cast in the coveted role of “Wild Boar” in her kindergarten's Easter play. Aside from “Wild Boar", Menik is best known for her roles as rebel fighter Sathya in the Peter Jackson sci-fi epic MORTAL ENGINES, Swarmina in Oscar-nominated LION and her 111-episode run as PRIYA KAPOOR on the iconic Australian series NEIGHBOURS. 

As a writer she has been developing numerous projects including an adaptation of the novel “The Wedding Season” by Melbourne author Su Dharmapala. She has been mentored by award winning writer/director Gurinder Chadha OBE and Paul Mayeda Berges (BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT) for this project and her script was shortlisted for the 2020 Sundance Development Lab.

Tarik Kanafani was born in Washington D.C. and grew up spending many years in the Middle East and North Africa where he gained life experiences and perspectives that he values today in his approach to the job. With a love for TV, Film and Acting, he immediately pursued a career as a representative shortly after high school. Starting off at a young age working for and learning from Hollywood veterans Bonnie Liedtke and Thor Bradwell, who helped to launch the careers of many movie stars in their young age, he then moved on to the William Morris Agency (and eventually through the transition to WME) where he spent 5 years working with the top players and actors in the industry. To gain the experience of the actor’s perspective, Tarik took a one year hiatus from WME to work on the production of a large movie franchise where he studied the ins and outs of a film set/production.

Tarik has been at Silver Lining Entertainment since its inception in 2014.

Kanica Suy is a seasoned professional with twenty years of experience in the entertainment industry. Her main focus has been working with talent to develop and grow their careers. Previously, she worked at 3 Arts Entertainment, Endeavor Talent Agency, Al Burton Productions, Telepictures Productions and others. She was also a manager at Authentic Talent & Literary Agency, when she left to form her own company. In 2018, Kanica launched Cultivate Entertainment with a diverse group of clients that includes Dayo Okeniyi (Greek Freak for Disney+, Sobini Films’ Emperor, NBC’s Shades of Blue), Bella Dayne (BBC/Netflix's Cursed and Troy: Fall of a City), Claudia Doumit (Amazon’s The Boys, Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, NBC’s Timeless), Jay Ali (Amazon’s Carnival Row, CBS’ Magnum P.I., Marvel/Netflix’s Daredevil), Max Carver (Warner Bros.’  The Batman, MTV’s Teen Wolf), Mika Abdalla (Hulu’s Sex Appeal, Awesomeness TV/Netflix’s Project MC2), and Francesca Eastwood (Universal Pictures’ Old, SXSW’s M.F.A., Sundance Film Festival’s Outlaws & Angels). She is a producer on several film and television projects in various stages of development. Kanica has a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of California Los Angeles and a Master of Fine Arts in Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. She is also an alumna, active board member and mentor of Inner-City Filmmakers, a non-profit organisation aimed at helping low-income and minority youth learn and procure jobs in the entertainment industry. 

Chelsea, originally from Carlsbad, CA, has been working in representation for over 6 years and is a voting member of the Television Academy. She graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a BA in Theatre Arts. Chelsea began her representation journey in New York City Chelsea, originally from Carlsbad, CA, has been working in representation for over 6 years and is a voting member of the Television Academy. She graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a BA in Theatre Arts. Chelsea began her representation journey in New York City working at Take 3 Talent Agency. While there, she worked with talented youth in film, TV, and Broadway. In 2015 she moved back to Los Angeles and began working at Innovative Artists Talent and Literary Agency on developing exceptional, young talent. After Innovative, Chelsea knew she wanted to make the move to management as she loved developing and discovering the next emerging stars. In 2017, she transitioned into talent management, booking her clients several series regular roles, including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series(Disney+), OutMatched (FOX), and The Big Show Show (Netflix) to name a few.

Over the years Chelsea has developed strong relationships with casting, and agents alike. She enjoys growing and fostering relationships with talent and helping them grow into successful well-rounded actors and people.

Mike Gillespie is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended The University of Massachusetts Amherst and received a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Upon graduating, Mike decided to follow his dream of being in the entertainment industry and moved to Hollywood starting his career in publicity for The Jim Henson Company. After leaving the publicity world, Mike found his true calling in talent representation and worked at one of the biggest talent agencies in the world, United Talent Agency for 5 years; starting in the mailroom and becoming a talent agent. During his time at UTA, Mike realized he loved the personal relationships with clients, as well as packaging films and decided that management was his true calling. After leaving UTA, Mike Gillespie was instrumental in starting Intellectual Artist Management. The company quickly became one of the top management firms in Los Angeles and soon merged with music powerhouse Primary Wave Music where Mike has spent 7 years at both firm grow into a full service media company. Mike Gillespie is known for his taste in discovering new talent and building their careers in the Film and TV space as well as across all Entertainment platforms.

Mike has produced 7 films; SUGAR MOUNTAIN starring Jason Momoa, the Crime Thriller THE LOOKALIKE with Justin Long, WHEN THE STARLIGHT ENDS starring Sam Heughan, the indie drama BROKEN GHOST as well as the historic drama ROBERT THE BRUCE, the atmospheric thriller, MINE GAMES and the Australian Sports Drama, BLINDER.

Lisa Robertson most current coaching credits include: Alexis Bledel for her Emmy Award winning role in THE HANDMAID’S TALE (Hulu); Logan Browning's NAACP Best Actress nominated series lead role in DEAR WHITE PEOPLE (Netflix) and also THE PERFECTION opposite Alison Williams; Ashleigh Cummings opposite Ansel Elgort in THE GOLDFINCH and her television lead roles in NOS4A2 (AMC) opposite Zachary Quinto and WESTSIDE (NZ).  Lisa also coaches lead and supporting roles in PEN15 (Hulu - Emmy nominated); THE L WORD: GENERATION Q (SHOWTIME); GOD FRIENDED ME (CBS); AMERICAN PRINCESS (Lifetime); Ron Howard/Brian Grazer's, MARS (NatGeo); WARRIOR (Cinemax); and MORTAL ENGINES. A protégé of acclaimed acting coach, Larry Moss, other favorite coaching credits include: MUNICH (Steven Spielberg); RENDITION, (Chopard Award for Breakout Performance at Cannes); Eddie Izzard’s series lead in THE RICHES (on-set) as well as OCEAN’S THIRTEEN (on-set), VALKYRIE; and the feature, TENDERNESS (on-set) starring Russell Crowe. Also, THE TWILIGHT SAGA; THE PACIFIC; THE STONING OF SORAYA M (title role, Mozhan Marno); BOSS; BROTHERHOOD; THE OC (numerous roles); THE SHIELD; THE SOPRANOS; POST GRAD (Alexis Bledel). She was James L. Brooks casting coach for SPANGLISH. Her full list of credits runs to the hundreds. As a writer/director Lisa was selected for the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Her short film, COMMERCE, won numerous festivals, qualified for Academy Award consideration, and is a top 50 All-Time Bestselling Drama Short on iTunes. With her feature screenplay, COMMERCE, based on her short, she received Film Independent fellowships in Screenwriting and Directing. Her script also received recognition in the Academy Awards' Nicholl Fellowship and the Page Awards. Lisa now mentors directors in FIND's feature film Directing Lab. This year, she also advised alongside Liz Hannah (THE POST) in the AT&T HELLO LAB filmmaker incubator. 

Rick Millikan has been a Casting Director in Hollywood for over 30 years. Among his many credits he cast several long running TV series including 12 seasons of the Fox drama “Bones” starring David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel, 7 seasons of “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch”, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Caroline Rhea, and his most widely acclaimed credit - casting all 216 episodes (11 seasons) of the world- renowned series “The X-Files” starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.  Some of his other credits include, “Melissa and Joey”, with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, “The Guardian” with Simon Baker and Dabney Coleman, “CSI: Miami” with David Caruso, and the last two seasons of the long running comedy “Married With Children”. . Mr. Millikan began his casting career in 1987 as a casting assistant on the TV series “Dynasty”. From there he became a casting executive at MGM/UA Television, where he cast such television series as “In The Heat Of The Night” with Carroll O’Connor and Howard Rollins, and “The Young Riders” with Josh Brolin. After a two-year stint as Director of Casting at Columbia Pictures Television, he opened his own casting office where he began casting “The X-Files”. Other credits include movies-of-the weeks “Christmas On Division Street” with Hume Cronyn and Fred Savage and “I Still Dream Of Jeannie” with Barbara Eden. 

Matthew Barry began his career in New York City. His father is Broadway playwright P.J. Barry. He was off-Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre when he was just 8 years old and on a CBS TV show by 13. The big break came when he starred in Academy Award winning director Bernardo Bertolucci's controversial film “Luna.” Matt studied at The Actors Studio and with Uta Hagen at the famed HB Studios. After years of acting in film and television, begged director Barry Levinson for a behind the scenes job in casting. Twenty years later he know’s what it takes to “make it” and does whatever he can to help along the way. He’s discovered or given breaks to: Amanda Seyfried, James Gandolfini, Rachel McAdams, Dakota Fanning, Ryan Philippe, Olivia Wilde, Michael Rapaport, Steve Zahn, Don Cheadle, Lucy Liu, Jason Ritter and many others. He’s taught workshops in Sydney and Melbourne Australia, New York, Chicago, London, Detroit, North Carolina, Miami, Dallas, Sacramento, Oklahoma, San Francisco and Toronto. He enjoy’s passing on my knowledge to help others achieve their dreams.

IMDB

With numerous award-winning credits to her name, Lisa Duff’s producing career spans over 20 years.  Her feature film credits include producer of feature films Last Train to Freo, Last Cab to Darwin starring Michael Caton and the Academy Award® nominated Jacki Weaver and Unindian, the first feature film financed by the Australia India Film Fund, starring Brett Lee and Tannishtha Chatterjee. 

Lisa was producer of the critically acclaimed documentary Sexing the Label for SBS and theatrical release in Australia, The Future Makers for Discovery Channel and a number of short TV dramas and documentaries for Australian broadcasters, including drama Road for SBS and Leah Purcell’s short drama Aunty Maggie & The Womba Wakgun for the ABC’s series The New Black.  

Lisa has completed a Masters thesis on the impact of the global film industry on Australian film making culture and has a Juris Doctor degree. She worked as a Senior Production Investment and Development Manager at Screen Australia for 5 years overseeing feature film and TV drama projects and is currently the Head of Scripted at EQ Media Group.

The Film and Television industry is a family business for Tony, with both his father Calvin and grandfather Jack being accredited cinematographers. From a young age Tony knew he wanted to work in the family business. Starting in the camera department at Panavision Australia then moving up through the camera department to become a director of photography. In his career as a DOP Tony has had many career highlights including winning best cinematography at the worlds largest short film festival "Tropfest". Tony has also won multiple Australian Cinematographers Society awards for his work in commercial and drama. After 5 years of shooting Australians highest rated drama "Home and Away" Tony turned his mind to directing. After a successful attachment on Home and Away Tony went on to direct 35 episodes of "Home and Away" and more recently moved to another Australian classic drama "Neighbours" with his most recent episode becoming the highest rating episode in several years both in Australia and the UK. Tony is currently developing a series created by well known Actors "Brenton Thwaites" and "Tai Hara".

Kim is the founder of 16th Street Actors Studio. She is known and respected as one of Australia’s most esteemed acting teachers.

Kim began her career as an actor in film receiving an AFI Best Actress nomination and has worked for all major television networks and theatre companies across Australia including Nimrod, MTC and QTC.

Kim has also worked in theatre in the United States, including touring Broadway productions, and in repertory theatre across the United Kingdom.

Kim was a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Sydney, The HB Studio (NYC), The Atlantic Theatre School (NYC) and is a graduate of the Drama Centre, London. Kim received a prestigious Churchill Fellowship and has trained under some of the most highly regarded acting teachers in the world including Yat Malmgren & Doreen Cannon in London, Uta Hagen in New York and Ivana Chubbuck in Los Angeles. Kim is now accredited to teach the innovative Chubbuck Technique.

“Acting is the most intimate of The Arts. Acting is a craft that requires respect and dedication and is learned and refined over years of practice. In a world that is obsessed with the cult of celebrity, actors must be reminded to do what is required to be a great actor. They must be willing.” – Kim Krejus

Sydney born and Darwin raised, Asian-Australian, Tsu Shan, is a multiple film, business and community service award winner.  An Optometrist turned Actor/Writer/Producer, she is passionate about bringing awareness to issues that matter through telling provoking stories. She was selected as one of Screen Producers Australia’s “Ones to Watch” in 2018 and awarded the Charlies Grant Residency with AiF in 2021. Tsu Shan holds a Graduate Certificate in Creative Producing at AFTRS and a Master in Public Health.  

She is the producer of romance drama feature UNSOUND about deaf culture and pride.  It was nominated for 'Best Indie Film' at the AACTA awards.  It won ‘Best Australian Feature Film’ at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and 'Best Fiction Feature' at the ATOM Awards.  Internationally, it was selected in competition for the UNICEF Award at the 32nd festival for Children and Youth in Vienna and the UNESCO-Gandhi Medal at the International Film Festival of India, among others.

Tsu Shan's latest screenplay  BLIND LOVE was semi-finalist in the WeScreenplay Diverse Voices competition and quarter-finalist for ScreenCraft's Film Fund.    She continues to develop her slate across TV, Features and Online formats to create unique and bold stories with underlying social impact thematics.

Australian Director Rod Hardy moved to Los Angeles in 1992. Directing Lies and Lullabies the traumatic life story of Susan Dey & Piper Laurie awarded the Scott Newman Award (founded by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in memory of their son). He's garnered Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for movies of the week & mini-series from Grounds for Murder for CBS, starring John Ritter & Henry Winkler, Marjorie Rawlins’ novel remake, The Yearling, for CBS with Jean Smart and Peter Strauss and Robinson Crusoe with Pierce Brosnan and Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Michael Caine. Rod also directed successful Turner Network Television adventure-drama Two For Texas, starring Kris Kristofferson, Tom Skerrit and Scott Bairstow garnering prestigious Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Award. His work includes HIGH NOON for TBS, X-Files series 8, JAG series 7 for Belisarius Productions / CBS, Robbery Homicide Division for Producer Michael Mann, The Practice for David E Kelley Productions, Touching Evil for producers Bruce Willis/ Arnold Rifkin and Battlestar Gallactica for the Sci-Fi channel. Also included in his repertoire, The Mentalist starring Simon Baker, DollHouse for producer Joss Whedon and FOX, Covert Affairs with Piper Perabault, Burn Notice with Jeffrey Donovan, and Make It Or Break It for The Family Channel. Mental for FOX, shot in Bogota, Colombia, and Persons Unknown NBC, shot in Mexico City.

His theatrical feature DECEMBER BOYS was winner of the Giffoni Film Festival Award 2008. Released by Roadshow/Warner Bros, it starred Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame and Teresa Palmer.

Judi Levine has had an extensive producing career in feature films, television mini-series and documentaries, and has been associated with award-winning film projects since her first short feature PLEAD GUILTY, GET A BOND won an AFI award for Best Screenplay in a Short Film.  Levine produced the award-winning feature film THE SESSIONS starring Oscar-winner Helen Hunt, and Oscar-nominees John Hawkes and William H. Macy. A highlight of Levine’s career, the film won numerous international awards including Audience Awards at the Sundance, San Sebastian and Mill Valley Film Festivals, a Sundance Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast, and acting nominations and awards at the Independent Spirit, Golden Globe and Academy Awards.  In 2017, Levine was a co-producer on the WWII drama THE CATCHER WAS A SPY starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and Guy Pearce which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and opened across the US that same year. 

Levine recently completed the romantic comedy FALLING FOR FIGARO starring Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald due for release in 2021, and is currently producing the comedic drama HOW TO PLEASE A WOMAN, in Perth, Western Australia. 

While Levine has a number of projects in development through her company Such Much Films, she also tours with the seminars JUMPSTART HOLLYWOOD, aimed at helping aspiring artists find an easier path to establishing themselves in Hollywood. 

During the last ten years Faith has consulted with many major US television networks, including ABC US, Fox, Universal, HBO, Starz, Sundance Channel which has resulted in Australian actors being cast in leading roles for US television and international.“A life in film has provided me with the most outstanding gift and that is to “do what I love” and to share my day collaborating with the most inspiring range of talent across all sections of the Film Industry”.  I am priviledged”Features include:  Buckley’s Chance (Dir: Tim Brown, Bill Nighy’s first film in Australia), Strictly Ballrom, The Crossing, Russell Crowe’s first feature film, Peter Pan (PJ Hogan, Australian casting,  Paperback Hero, Alexandra’s Project (Dir:  Rolf de Heer) Crush, Lapis Lazuli (German – Lead Boy), Acolytes and Cactus (Dir Jasmin Yuen Carrucan)  which launched David Lyons into an International career and  Gabriel which  also launched Andy Whitfield into an International career).  More recently, 33 Postcards (Dir Pauline Chan), The King is Dead (Dir Rolf de Heer). Healing (Dir:  Craig Monahan) The Merger (Dir Mark Grentell) Better Watch Out (Dir Chris Peckover Osirus Child (Dir Shane Abbess) Gabriel (Dir Shane Abbess) Infini (Dir Shane Abbess) Cabin in the Woods (Cast Anna Hutchison out of Aust Evid Dead (Dir Fede Alvarez) The Sum of US (Dirs Kevin Dowling & Geoff Burton, Satellite Boy (Dir Catriona McKenzie)Tele-moves include:  Junction Boys (US) creating a breakaway career for Ryan Kwanten in the US and casting Ewan Leslie in his first screen role. Invincible (Icon Productions) Disappearance (US). Carlotta (Dir Sam Lang) , Blood Brothers (Dr: Peter Adrikidis, Television series include: Spartacus, Legend of the Seeker, Which Way Home (HBO) Kangaroo Palace, Four Day Revolution (out of the Phillipines) In television series:   Blue Heelers (10 seasons) Water Rats (6 seasons) Stingers (4 seasons) Out There (2 seasons), Two Twisted, Rain Shadow, Blood Brothers, Sea Patrol – Season 1, Upside Down Show, Out There, Good Cop Bad Cop, The Battlers, Mortified, Going Home (improvised series)

Julie Kalceff is an award-winning Australian writer, director, and producer best known for writing, directing and co-producing the television series First Day. This ground-breaking story of a 12 year-old transgender girl starting middle school was the first Australian series to star a transgender actor in the lead role. It has sold to multiple territories worldwide including the UK (CBBC) and the US (Hulu). 

In April 2021, First Day won a GLAAD Media Award (Children and Youth) which honour media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2020, First Day was nominated for two AACTA Awards (Australian Academy Awards) for Best Children's Program and for Best Screenplay in Television. That same year, the series won its category at the prestigious 59th Rose d'Or Awards which are voted on by over 80 international judges.

Also in 2020, Julie was announced as part of a "powerhouse female directing team" that is spearheading the feature film anthology drama Here Out West.

Julie first gained international attention when she created, wrote, directed, and produced the global hit digital drama series Starting From Now. Attracting critical and popular acclaim, it is one of the most watched web series in the world - amassing over 170 million views in 230 countries. The series also sold to and played on broadcast television in Australia. Julie was the sole writer and director on all 30 episodes of the series and was a producer on all five seasons.

In 2018, Julie was selected to participate in Screen Australia's Talent USA Program that introduces the best emerging Australian talent to the international market.

A graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School with a Masters Degree in Scriptwriting, Julie founded and is director of the Sydney-based production company Common Language Films. Julie specializes in utilizing humour to tell dramatic, character-driven, female-centric stories that appeal to a wide audience. She is passionate about authentic representation and inclusion, both on screen and behind the camera. Julie’s work explores themes such as identity, belonging, community, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Sharron's early career began working as an international model after being spotted by John Casablancas of Elite Model Management when he was visiting Australia on a scouting trip. Shortly after, Sharron was invited to Paris where she lived and worked for several years commuting between Paris, London, New York, Milan and Munich. After a highly successful career gracing numerous magazine covers in France, England, Germany and Italy, Sharron made the natural transition from Model to Model Agent, mentoring young international models starting out.
On returning to Australia, Sharron continued working as an agent developing models, photographers, stylists and hair and make-up artists. Inspired by all her gained knowledge traveling the world and by some of the people she worked for; Dr Clive Waters, June Dally Watkins, Lorraine Ashton London, Ursula Hufnagl, Jane Cameron, entrepreneur, Harry M. Miller and Theatrical Agent, Bill Shanahan, Sharron decided to create her own unique style agency and thus formed Meissner Management in 1995.
Meissner Management is now one of Australia’s leading Film, Television and Theatrical Agencies for performing artists. Meissner’s have been the embryonic base for many of Australia’s best young actors of today. In line with company expansion and the inexhaustible demand for young Australian talent, Meissner Management now have international affiliates. Whilst the search for talent inevitably remains the agency’s principal objective, Meissner Management will continue to be discerning in selecting fresh and exciting new artists introducing a galaxy of new names and new faces to our ever evolving industry.
Sharron is a proud member of the ADA (Association of Drama Agents - NSW) and headed the Steering Committee for many years. Sharron is also an Accredited Mental Health First Aider for the Screen sector. 

From a childhood where the family theatre was her playground the transition to a career surrounded by actors seemed rather inevitable. Tracy started a career in acting, working on stage and screen during the 80’s. She was then presented with an occasion to work as a freelance casting director and continued this throughout the 90’s. This provided opportunities to travel which resulted in eighteen months spent living in the UK and immersing in European culture. Upon returning to Australia Tracy dedicated the following years to refining her craft and developing foundational relationships that would pave her way to actor management. 

As Director of Management 11, based in Sydney Australia, Tracy has created a bespoke company that caters to a wonderfully versatile, creative group of eclectic actors, performing in both stage and screen – locally and internationally.

In an industry often defined by the sharp instruments of success, Tracy leads with love and her following have applauded her many achievements in the years since she first embraced emerging and established actors into her well curated portfolio. 

Fine humans and laughter are a constant interface among the treasures of Tracy’s life - her literature collection, the enjoyment of good wine, appreciation and creation of abstract art, and the discovery of historically significant locations that surround her cherished Sydney home. 

Jo Briant is a Casting Director at Fountainhead Casting and has been a successful actor for 37 years. She has worked extensively in theatre, film and television in New Zealand and Australia appearing in projects such as The End the Beginning, Life Goals, Bondi Slayer, Reckoning, Smokescreen, Kairos, Dave and Theo, The Fighting Season, MotherLode, Psychoanalysis, Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am, Home and Away, The Moodys, All Saints, Water Rats, Murder Call, Big Sky, Shortland Street and numerous commercials and voiceovers. She is also an experienced Director, Acting Coach, Success Coach and Energy Healer. And is a regular teacher at TAFTA and The Hub Studio and runs her own drop in classes. She loves combining acting, casting and coaching, as her wealth of experience and intimate understanding of an actors world both on screen and off enables her to guide other actors in a fun and nurturing way. 

Little is known about the first few years of Kirsty’s life though certain assumptions can be made from a photograph taken of her performing in a 1200 seat theatre in roller skates. Born into a large and creative family, Kirsty was forced to learn varied and obscure tricks to be able to get any attention. By the age of 6 people were paying her for it.

Growing up she performed in various theatre and television shows culminating in the Australian cult hit Bride’s of Christ, where her acting talents were stretched to the limit when she took on playing the role of a good catholic girl. In her late twenties Kirsty got jack of being cast as a teenager and discovered a passion for casting. She worked for various people around Sydney until she discovered that starting your own business and working from home meant you got to sleep in and wear pyjamas to work. 

Thus McGregor Casting was born and Kirsty slogged away creating what is now one of Sydney’s most highly respected Casting agencies. Today Kirsty works with Australia’s top directors….and she still roller skates.

Emma Fleming is a casting director and acting coach who has worked in the film and television industry for over 10 years as in Casting, Coaching + Costume Design in Melbourne, Sydney, Berlin, London and New York. Now based in Los Angeles, Emma has worked on numerous features most recently including ’Snow Valley’, the directorial debut for Brandon Murphy of ’The Hitman’s Bodyguard’s Wife’ and ’The Immaculate Room’ starring Kate Bosworth + Emile Hirsch. Her work on ‘The Immaculate Room’ resulted in her being inducted into the Costume Designer’s Guild of America under her Costume Design alias ‘ Alabama Blonde’.  Emma's career in Casting is guided by a passion for storytelling and the authentic need to express these stories through the perspective and interpretation of the human condition; via the actor. "I have a deep and genuine love of film and television, escapism, the human psyche and the infinite possibilities which lay within total freedom of imagination.” Emma was nominated for the ‘Achievement in Casting Award’ by the Casting Guild of Australia in 2017 for the show ‘Testament’, she remains a proud member of the Casting Guild of Australia. In 2020 she was appointment Casting Director for Schön Magazine, where she has cast + produced feature covers + editorials for the likes of Maggie Daddario, Karen Gillan, Kelvin Harrison Jnr, Letitia Wright + Victoria Pedretti, to name a few. Emma has trained in several acting techniques and methodology’s; namely the Meisner Technique and Alexander Techniques. She has also studied in the work of Michael Chekov, the Chubbuck Technique at 16th St in Melbourne, and the Mike Leigh Method with Robert Marchand. Recently she was selected for Carol Rosenfeld’s esteemed teachers lab, where she will train in the work of Uta Hagan. Recognizing that no two actors are alike Emma offers a variety of techniques, method’s and ideology's so that actors can develop a process and approach to the work, which resonates with them as individuals. She believes that it is not a process of putting on masks which allow us to become a character, but rather peeling then away, layer by layer, in order to unmask oneself and reveal character. In 2019 Emma was one of 15 teachers selected to train and work alongside Alexandra Billings (USC), Hugh O’Gorman (SCU/MICHA), Gregory Wallace (Yale), David Bridel (USC) and Kenneth Noel Mitchel (NYU) at the University of Southern California with the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. She is now a proud member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers of America.

Professional career began age 4 on TV show Richmond Hill. Since then worked professionally as Actor/Performer, Writer and Producer on TV, Film, Theatre, Stage, Music Videos & more. CEO of American Arts Film & Television Academy and curator in arts education, Jessica's entrepreneurial skills and podcast ArtArtistBiz is dedicated to educating/providing opportunities for artists whilst supporting inclusion & diversity.

Starting with internationally acclaimed J.O. International Productions; Jessica produced nation-wide/international dance expos, workshops, shows, events, competitions inc “On Broadway” "Don’t Dis Disabilities Dance Extravaganza” and "Focus On Ability USA”. Produced international prize experiences for festivals and charities; engaged in public speaking, mentoring and hosting events for Breakdown Services, Dance Informa, Focus On Ability Short Film Festival, Special Olympics, Showcase National Dance Championships and more.

Diversity Entertainment, LLC (Diversity Pictures) see's Jessica enter world of writing and directing. Recent film “A Death Perspective” (writer, director, actor) received numerous awards including Best Indie Short & Best Women's Short at Independent Short Awards. Honourable Mention at Global Shorts, Los Angeles (IMDB) and gained selection for Artists Emerging Initiative with Ermantourage. Associate producer on Australian feature “Unsound” (WiseGoat Productions) won Melbourne Queer Festival and rated 3rd Top 10 Australian Films of 2020. Projects released 2021 include Enigma & Mercy. With feature films Alphabetas & Reverie (Semi Finalist in Scriptapollooza & Your Script produced) in development for 2022. 

If John Hughes blended the filmmaking styling of Stephen Spielberg in Denver and Delilah Productions you’d find Jessica. A vulnerable and diverse storyteller in search of adventure & hope. Combining her artistic & philanthropic voice with humour, imagination & heart and creating new worlds about kids who are adults and adults who are kids.

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Reece Noi is a British-Ghanaian actor. Born and raised in Manchester he began working at a young age and has worked consistently across Film, TV & Theatre for the last twenty or so years. Across 3 Continents he has starred in a number of critically acclaimed, BAFTA and Emmy winning shows including Game of Thrones and When They See Us. Most recently he lead Aussie Feature Film ‘Unsound’ 

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