About Us> Tutors
All atyp tutors are trained industry professionals with strong teaching experience. Our team is proficient in specialities as diverse as circus and musical theatre, whilst offering expert tuition in acting, devising and direction for young people.
atyp tutors have worked with a wide range of companies close to home, including Sydney Theatre Company, Company B Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare and Legs on the Wall, as well as in Europe and America.We pride ourselves on employing tutors who create programs that inspire and challenge students. No two courses with atyp will ever be the same because we draw on an individual tutor's knowledge and expertise to ensure a truly original theatre experience.
AMY HARDINGHAM Amy was the Regional Manager at atyp, collaborating with artists and young people to develop and deliver youth theatre projects in communities including Tennant Creek, NT and Palm Island, Queensland. Amy has been directing theatre since 2000, and in 2002 and 2003 was the Assistant Director on five atyp productions including Louis Nowra's Beatrice and The Musicians by Patrick Marber. READ MORE
ALEX WALKER Alex Walker is currently artistic director for the Outback Theatre for Young People, conducting a playwriting and performance project across six schools. She is also directing a new play, Debs, that has been commissioned for the company with plans to tour it regionally.
READ MOREOver the past 8 years Alison has worked extensively as a theatre director and tutor for community theatre companies, Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Shopfront Theatre, PACT Theatre and atyp. Her commitment to young people and the arts led her to establish her own company, If It's Not Fun Don't Do It Productions, which over three years promoted the works of young writers and performers across various stages in Sydney. READ MORE
AMY KERSEY Amy trained at ACTT after completing a BA at UNSW. She was a founding member of theatre company Urban Tales (1999–2007), co-writing, directing and performing in comedy and plays including: Swallow; Masticate; You’ll Eat it and You’ll Like It; and Friday Night Youth Group.
ANYA BEYERSDORF Anya Beyersdorf is an actress and drama teacher, having starred in feature films Rats and Cats (2006), Triple Happiness and Black & White & Sex both due for release in 2011 as well as numerous TV series and award winning short films. READ MORE
CHRISTOPHER TOMKINSON Christopher first turned up at atyp in about 1986 and threw up from food poisoning [thank you, cheeseburger]. It wasn't a great start but it just got better from there. READ MORE
CURTIS FERNANDEZ Curtis has tutored young students with St. Michaels Grammar - Drama Dept., in text analysis, physicalizing text, slapstick, monologue presentation, horror and nonsense. For Swinburne Curtis tutored in Character Work, Voice, Comedy Sketch Development, and Ensemble Work. Curly is a full time dreamer and father.
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DANIELLE O\'KEEFE Danielle studied music and is currently the Director of music for Sydney Theatrical Productions and conductor of the Australian Youth Choir in Sydney. Danielle regularly does theatre workshops at atyp, AIPA and musical theatre classes at Brent Street. READ MORE
GEORGINA SYMES Georgina is a versatile actress with work spanning film, theatre and television,radio and dance(Once a Bluebell Showgirl in Paris) Her film credits include Bad Behaviour, Karen Says and Eat in or Take-Away. Her television credits include The Day of the Roses, Blue Heelers and Simone de Beauvoirs’ Babies.
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HONORA JENKINS Honora Jenkins has worked as a pre-school drama tutor for atyp, a creative play facilitator for Early Years Care a Creative Leader and Interactive Children’s Story Teller for Illawarra Children’s Services since 2009. She was Administrator and pre-school circus trainer for Circus Monoxide from 2008 to 2009, a performer and trainers assistant for Circus WOW since 2007, and a Theatre Education Coordinator for Merrigong Theatre Company @ IPAC from 2005 to 2008.
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JACKIE BROWN Jackie has extensive experience in theatre and education, performance, writing, devising & drama teaching. READ MORE
JENNIFER MONK Jennifer Monk has been involved in theatre as a creator, writer, performer, producer and director for over 10 years. Jennifer has a degree in Theatre and Drama from La Trobe University and trained at the London School of Dramatic Arts where she graduated with Honours.
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JENNIFER WHITE Jennifer White graduated from NIDA as a Voice/Dialect Coach and from Nepean as an Actor. She is also a professional Musical Theatre and Cabaret Singer. READ MORE
JUSTIN BUCHA Justin Buchta born November 30, 1969 is an Australian theatre maker, actor, director and artist. Leader of independent theatre ensemble PLAGIARISE, he trained for theatre at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq from 1994-1996, and 1998-1999. He has worked as an actor and trained for theatre with Richard Hayes-Marshall from 1989-1993 and has co-devised and performed theatre in Sydney, France, Portugal and England. READ MORE
KATHY BURNS Previously working for The Actors Workshop; a private Film, TV and Theatre Acting college, Kathy brings a strong background in self devised work with a large focus in Musical Theatre. Kathy’s youth productions span from learning how to make costumes and sets to creating music and movement and devising inspiring and imaginative scripts. READ MORE
KAYLEE HAZELL Kaylee's first experience with atyp was in 2001 when she was chosen as a representative to attend a 10-day drama workshop in Central Australia along with 30 others from youth theatre companies from across the country. After that atyp became her home to create, develop skills, make friends and be herself. READ MORE
Kylie Bonaccorso has completed a Degree and a Graduate Diploma of Education in Theatre Studies, Communication and English at UNE. In 2005 she completed further study at the International School of Commedia dell’ Arte in Italy and a short course with LISPA, the physical theatre school in London.
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LAURA TURNER Laura has worked professionally as a performer and performance creator/collaborator in theatre and screen as well as teaching drama. She is interested in creating new work both for the theatre and childrens theatre.
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LUKE KERRIDGE Luke trained at NIDA where he appeared in productions of The Shifting Heart, The Slaughter of Saint Theresa’s Day, Undiscovered Country, The Wild Party, Richard III, and Variety Vaudeville & Basic Burlesque.
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LYNDELLE GREEN Lyndelle initially gained a Bachelor of Business from The University of Queensland and then trained as a High School Drama Teacher. She has worked both in Queensland and NSW as Head of Drama in various Senior Schools. During this time she presented regularly at conferences and directed many High School Musicals and Rock Eisteddfods. Lyndelle continues to mark the Higher School Certificate in NSW in the area of Drama and has also directed productions at Theatre companies in both Queensland and NSW.
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MARIKA AUBREY Marika is a graduate of Theatre Nepean (2002) and whilst there appeared as Prospero in Maeliosa Stafford’s The Tempest, and as the Jewish Wife in Marion Pott’s Fear and Misery of the Third Reich. In 2003 she received the Big Brother Drama Award to study in the UK. READ MORE
MITCHEL BUTEL Mitchell has worked extensively for the STC, MTC, QTC, STCSA, Company B Belvoir, Ensemble, Malthouse, The Production Company and Bell Shakespeare. Highlights include Six Degrees of Separation, Summer of the Aliens, The Café Latte Kid, Tartuffe, Mourning Becomes Electra, A View from the Bridge, Othello, Stones in his Pockets, Woyzeck, The Laramie Project, The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Venetian Twins and Boeing Boeing.
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MURRAY DAHM Murray Dahm is a director, author, playwright, singer and arts educator. He is currently the project director of Opera Australia’s acclaimed WotOpera education program which sees groups of young people write their own operas. He is also a project director of SmartArtz which sees groups of young people create responses to real-world issues and ventures.
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NATALIE RICHARDS Natalie completed Certificate III in Theatre Performance & Practice at ACTT, 2001. She studied at The Method Studio London, 2002; attended a 3 month training program on Lecoq & Gaulier approaches at atyp, 2004; and studied the professional course full time at the Jacques Lecoq International School of Theatre in Paris, 2005. READ MORE
NETTA YASHCHIN Netta has graduated from the Tel-Aviv University Acting department in 1993. She was an actress for one of Israel’s most innovative theatres companies the Itim Ensemble. Itim’s production Va-Yomer, Va-Yelech was presented in the 1998 Telstra Adelaide Festival. Prior to netta’s arrival in Adelaide, she performed in Itim’s production of Romeo and Juliet and participated in the prestigious production of the Dibuk in Habima, Israel’s national theatre.
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PAIGE RATTRAY Paige is a graduate of NIDA and Resident Director at Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney, Australia. Theatre credits include Heartbreak Hotel co-devised work (Griffin), Dirtyland by Elise Hearst (Arthur, The Spare Room) Blessed are the Wild devised work (MINCED, NIDA), Bronte by Polly Teale (ATYP), Delightful by Elise Hearst (Griffin), Budgerigar by Lachlan Philpott (Griffin) and Motel by Angela Betzien (NIDA, Adelaide Fringe). Paige has recently embarked on a new adventure with her theatre and event production company Arthur.
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RACHAEL COOPES Rachel Coopes has worked in theatre, film and television since 1993. Her television work includes series leads and semi-regulars in SBS cult comedy Life Support, All Saints, David Williamson/ABC's Dog's Head Bay and most recently McLeod’s Daughters. READ MORE
Rowan's national and international professional experience includes performing, choreographing and directing productions that range from large scale aerial works on the sides of buildings to intimate works of theatre. Directorial credits include Bubble (Sydney Opera House Studio) for Legs on the Wall; Together (Bsharp, Downstairs Belvoir St Theatre); Telstra Next IP Launch (Jack Morton Worldwide); and an aerial performance for Rotary International Conference 2003 (George P Johnson). READ MORE
SAM HAFT Sam grew up in London and emigrated to Australia in 1998. Graduating from NIDA in 2002, he has since appeared in Stained (The Darlinghurst Theatre), The 24 Hour Play Project (Downstairs Belvoir), What The Butler Saw (Company B), The Homecoming (BSharp), The Birthday Party (BSharp) and more. READ MORE
SARA RITCHIE Sara Ritchie graduated from NIDA (Movement Studies) in 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Communication in Theatre and Media from Charles Sturt University. In 2005/2006 Sara was the Artistic Director of Cirkidz, Australia's longest running youth circus. READ MORE
SCOTT WITT Scott has been working in stage, television and film for over twenty-five years. In that time, he has been acting, adapting, writing, fight directing, directing and or clowning for Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, Griffin, Opera Australia, Merrigong Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre, Queensland Theatre Company, Zen Zen Zo, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, NORPA, square the circle, Bare Boards Productions, Bell Shakespeare, Queensland Performing Arts Trust, Kooemba Jdarra, Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe, someone, JUTE, Tropicsun and many independent features and short films. Performances Scott has directed have played throughout Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. During 2002 and 2003, he was the Intern and Associate Director for the Queensland Theatre Company. In 2004, Scott completed a Master in Fine Arts at Queensland University of Technology. READ MORE
SELENA CHEYNE Originating in New Zealand, Selena has a diverse background in the performing arts and has worked with children of all ages in many parts of the world. After graduating from Queensland University of Technology with a BA in drama and music in 1999 she began working as a Gymboree Play and Music Leader and programme developer for 2 years in Brisbane. READ MORE
Shane has worked for the past 12 years as a director, acting and movement coach. He is a 2006 graduate of the Directing Program of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA, Sydney) and has also completed a BA in Theatre Studies at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
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SOPHIE KELLY Originally from Melbourne, Sophie has been working as an actor, writer, director and teacher since graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2003. Sophie has been a regular tutor with atyp since 2007. READ MORE
TANYA GOLDBERG Tanya graduated from NIDA (Acting) in 2002. She is the co-founder and director of independent theatre company Ride On. Tanya was Assistant Director to Michael Colgan from the Gate Theatre, Dublin, for their Sydney Festival Beckett season of First Love, Eh Joeand I'll Go On, and to Mark Gaal on L'Orfeo for Pinchgut Opera. READ MORE
TIM HANSEN Tim Hansen is an accomplished composer, musician, and youth theatre practitioner. He has worked extensively for many years with young people creating original works for theatre and music with organisations such as Canberra Youth Theatre, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Music for Everyone, PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, Young Music Society, and the Australian National University’s pre-tertiary programme. READ MORE
TRACIE SAMMUT Tracie Sammut is an actress who has appeared in All Saints, House Gang, Home and Away and most notably G.P. for which she was awarded a Logie for special achievement in 1993. READ MORE
