Step Up: Professional Development for Emerging Artists

Intensive professional development workshops designed to equip young and emerging artists with sector-ready skills.

Session 1: Audition Preparation | Tues 25 Nov with Alice Qin

Learn how to prepare for both in-person and self-taped auditions. Cover text analysis, rehearsal strategies, performance techniques, and presentation skills to walk into any audition with confidence. 

Session 2: Navigating the Industry with Self-Determination | Thurs 27 November with Tahlee Fereday

Understand the professional landscape of theatre and screen. Learn about your rights as an actor and gain insights about roles and the industry. Discover how to seek representation or self-represent with confidence.  Gain tools for shaping your creative ideas and pursuing opportunities that reflect your artistic vision. 

Light food and refreshments provided.

For more information, please contact us via programs@westernedge.org.au or (03) 8658 4052.

This event is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program.

Your Facilitators

Who can join?

Step Up is open to young (18-30 years old) and emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds who are seeking to deepen their practice and understand the professional arts sector.

No matter your experience level, if you’re ready to develop your skills and explore career pathways in performance, Step Up is for you!

How to join?

Registering is free and essential. You can join for both sessions, or just one. Places are limited, so don’t miss your chance to gain the skills, knowledge and industry insight to launch your artistic journey.

Alice Qin

Alice Qin is a Melbourne-based theatremaker, actor and educator. Her interest in lifting voices from undervalued communities into a theatrical context has led her to a lot of work with young people, as well as a lot of powerful Asian Australian femme theatremakers.  

Alice most recently directed Watch on the Rhine by Lillian Hellman presented by the VCA Acting Company, and SECURITY by Michele Lee presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy. She was the directing mentor on the Green Room award-winning 落叶归根 (Luò yè guī gēn) Getting Home. As well as directing the first developments of Poona (Next Wave 2021). 

Her Australian acting credits include The Enlightenment of the Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and the Encounter with the Monkey King, Great Sage Equal of Heaven (Elbow Room 2021), Mad As A Cute Snake (Theatre Works 2019), Atomic (Malthouse Theatre 2018/2019), Little Emperors (Malthouse Theatre 2017). 

Tahlee Fereday

Tahlee Fereday is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and a rising talent forging a career in film, television, and theatre. Predominantly an actor, Tahlee is also expanding into writing. 

Tahlee has recently adapted a short film from a Tony Birch short story, The Lovers, which will enter pre-production in the coming months. Tahlee was also a dramaturg on the Melbourne Independent film Blue Canaries, where she played the lead role. 

Tahlee will next be seen in the Australian horror film Penny Lane Is Dead, also starring in the lead role. Her other screen credits include Videoland (Netflix), Fisk Season 2 (ABC TV), Erotic Stories (SBS), Triple Oh! (SBS), and Jones Family Christmas (Stan). 

She has also worked on stage with leading companies such as Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, and Arts Centre Melbourne. 

As a First Nations and queer artist, Tahlee is a passionate advocate for the representation of minority voices on our screens and stages.