Curtain rises on a new generation of Aussie actors

Performing Arts students Grezzu Vella and Julia Wilkins with Adam Cook, Director and Head of Acting for the Bachelor of Performing Arts.

Western Sydney University is set to call ‘action’ on the academic year with the official commencement of its new Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting) at Theatre Nepean.

All 23 available places in the inaugural cohort were secured through a competitive audition process, attracting emerging performers from across Australia and New Zealand. Students will arrive on the Kingswood campus this week to begin classes in the highly anticipated program, delivered by Western Sydney University and Actors Centre Australia (ACA).

Following in the footsteps of distinguished Theatre Nepean and ACA alumni including Joel Edgerton, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, Celeste Barber and Yvonne Strahovski, the first cohort will enter a training environment with a proud legacy of shaping world class talent.

Among them is Julia Wilkins, who is relocating from Auckland to Western Sydney after discovering the prestigious degree across the ditch. Having completed high school last year, she said the opportunity felt like the perfect next step as a theatre and film buff with a passion for performing.

“Auditioning from New Zealand meant I got to hop on a Zoom call, where several of us auditioning Kiwis warmed up together before individually performing our selected monologues to the team via zoom,” said Ms Wilkins.

“I’m looking forward to gaining experience and knowledge, as well as making connections within the industry. This is a time for me to learn and just be in a creative environment to absorb as much as possible.

“I want to become a working actor. Performing gives me life, but it also brings energy and ideas into the world. I love watching live theatre as well as screen work, and there’s been so many performances that have completely moved me. I hope I can do the same.”

Performing Arts student, Julia Wilkins.

Western Sydney has long nurtured some of the nation’s most exceptional creative talent, and the revival of this dedicated, world-class performing arts program at Theatre Nepean reaffirms the region’s place at the forefront of actor training.

Across the three-year program, students will undertake rigorous training in character, voice, movement and emotional truth, performing in a range of productions as they progress. The course will prepare students for not only the foundations of performance, but also the power of collaboration, resilience and creative expression.

Adam Cook, Director and Head of Acting for the Bachelor of Performing Arts, is a quiet force in Australian theatre having directed more than 200 plays. He will lead the first cohort through what he describes as a transformative journey.

“This first semester is all about discovering the fundamentals of acting—voice, body, imagination, and ensemble—while building confidence and curiosity in a supportive studio environment,” said Mr Cook.

“Students can expect to work hard, take risks, and begin developing the habits and mindset of a professional actor from day one.”

Mr Cook said the course will equip students with the essential skills for a sustainable career in the performing arts.

“Our audition process identifies potential rather than polish. The panel looked for energy, imagination, and a willingness to engage fully with the idea of actor training. Each of the successful applicants showed that they are ready to build their craft from the ground up.”

“Students begin developing core techniques that will be honed throughout the degree. By grounding them in strong fundamentals early on, the training sets them up to grow into adaptable, confident actors ready to meet the creative and professional demands of the industry.”

Western Sydney local Grezzu Vella has only ever imagined becoming an actor, and the chance to audition for the new degree was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

He will be the first person in his family to attend university and feels privileged that it is for something he is so passionate about.

“I’m excited because I get to fully pursue something that I love. The only reason I ever went to school was for drama, so to now be able to study it full time is a dream come true,” said Mr Vella.

ENDS.

6 March 2026
Photo credit: Monica Pronk
Video credit: Mark Keiller
Lauren Coskerie, Senior Media and PR Advisor