Acting graduate Donna Sizer recently launched, produced and performed in the contemporary play ‘Vital Signs’, alongside other AFTT (Formerly ACTT) graduates.
We caught up with her to find out what she’s been up to since graduating in 2000 and get her advice to current students!
‘After graduating, I signed with Carolyn White management and appeared in many commercials and was a presenter on TVSN. I also joined Wink models and have successes with a Just Cuts campaign, an internet advertorial for NBN and also a print ad for Cocclear implants. I am also a fitness presenter and was the voice over on the Songfit app launched by Sony music. Furthermore, I have appeared in many short films and have a feature film due out this year in India! I have been doing a lot of independent theatre which is my passion including 'Blackrock', 'Calendar Girls', 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'We are the Ghosts of the Future' and 2 years ago I set up 'Bare Productions' with the director Annette Rowlison, the lighting technician Heidi Brosnan and a fellow actor Sarah Haddock Carroll (also ACTT graduate) from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
They have just launched their third production called 'Vital Signs' at the Exchange Hotel in Balmain. The play 'Vital Signs' is a contemporary piece consisting of one-two minute monologues. They are all intertwined through directorial technique using one central man as all the male characters. The style of the play suggests bare stage so the director's vision was to play homage to the 1970s black box drama theatre.
‘The AFTT (formerly ACTT) course prepared me for the industry in so many ways and even now 16 years later I am still recalling advice that the tutors have given me. I think the biggest thing is to believe in yourself. If you are feeling it when you perform then you can trust yourself that the performance is good. My favourite things about the course was the camaraderie which is still my favourite thing about theatre. Working with others closely to create safe, experimental and challenging work experience.’
‘My biggest achievement to date was producing and performing in Bare Productions inaugural show 'Cinderella'. It was an awesome pantomime at the King Street theatre. It was great fun and the show sold out all performances. It made a lot of kids very happy and was a fabulous experience and really put Bare Productions on the map on the independent theatre scene in Sydney.’
‘My advice for the students would be to create your own work. If you want to be in a play then produce it and put it on. If you want to be in a short film team up with a director or film maker. Never stop experimenting and challenging yourself.’
Thank you Donna and best of luck with your future endeavors!
Find out more about our Acting for Stage and Screen course or Enquire now.