Our Team
Sarah Grace - Studio Director
Sarah began her acting career with roles in television productions including Pigs Breakfast (channel 9), Neighbours (Channel 10), Canal Road (Channel 9) and Blue Heelers (Channel 7). In 2010 she landed the role of “Bridget Gross” in the Channel 7 drama series “Winners and Losers” and was a series regular for the entire 5 seasons of the show. Sarah has studied at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in LA and is a graduate of the 16th St Part Time Program. She was also lucky enough to work with renowned acting coach Susan Batson in her 2012 Master Class. As well as being an actor, Sarah is a qualified teacher, completing her Bachelor of Primary Education at Deakin University in 2007. Sarah is very passionate about the benefits of drama in Education and takes great joy in watching students at Grace Acting Studios grow and flourish. At home, she is mummy to her son Jack, which means she is an expert at playing trucks, play dough and getting a toddler to eat veggies among other things:)
Sue Grace - Administration
Sue is one half of our extraordinary admin team. Sue is a mum of three adult children (one of whom is Sarah!) She loves yoga and the gym and has recently taken up knitting. Having a kid who was always mad keen on acting means that she can offer parents first-hand advice on what to expect when your child gets involved in the industry.
Michelle Beattie - Administration
Michelle (the other half of the amazing admin duo) has also been the parent of a child who acts so can offer you plenty of advice based on her experience. She is also Sarah's auntie (We are one big family here at Grace Acting Studios!). Michelle loves adventure. She recently went skydiving with her family for her birthday!
Luke Saliba - Teacher / Industry Mentor
Luke Saliba is an Actor and Producer. Luke started training and working as an actor at the young age of 10 and continues to do so today with more passion than ever before, landing a number of roles in Television, Film and TVC’s. Luke not only brings a plethora of knowledge of the craft to the classroom, he also brings his onset experience from an Actor, Writer and Producer point of view.
In 2018 Luke had the privilege to train with internationally renowned acting coach Larry Moss (acting coach to Leonardo Di Caprio).
In 2019 Luke wrote and produced feature film 'Paper Champions' which was released in cinemas in 2020
Luke is a very passionate teacher who simply wants to bring his years of experience both in front and behind the camera to the students he teaches.
Mariah Mannae - Teacher
Mariah is an actor and writer who started out in the arts as a ballet dancer with The Australian Ballet School. She went on to do her academic at The Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School where she discovered her passion for acting in drama classes. Since then she has devoted her time to training and working with industry professionals.
Most recently Mariah performed with the Eagles Nest Theatre Company as the lead role of Isabella in the Shakespeare play, "Measure for Measure". She is also currently filming her key supporting role in the new Saara Lamberg feature film "Westermarck Effect".
Mariah wants to inspire students to trust their instincts and build creative intelligence from their own journeys, giving them the confidence to understand, enjoy and embrace their individuality
Erin Saliba - Teacher
Erin has been a performer from a young age and recently returned from Adelaide where she worked for the ABC as a reporter for the long-running children’s news program Behind the News. She is a passionate actor with credits in various short films, educational videos, as well as the show Rostered On (Netflix). Erin is a hard worker, and is driven to set goals and see them fulfilled.
Jayden L. Course - Teacher
Acting is my passion and Grace Acting Studios has made it possible for me to become an actor. It is a joy to work at the studio with co-workers I consider as friends. It's inspiring working with all the eager students who are passionate to become actors. To watch the very shy and quiet students be transformed and step out of their comfort zone is so rewarding. I was once one of those shy kids who couldn't say a word to a stranger. Grace Acting Studios helped me with my self-esteem and confidence to become the actor and the person that I am today.
Chloe Edwards - Teacher
Chloe Edwards is an Actor and Singer who completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Federation University Arts Academy (2018). Whilst at University, she performed in many musicals (playing the lead role of “Mama Morton” in her 3rd year production of Chicago); studied many units of acting, particularly enjoying those in Shakespeare, and Screen Acting; and collaborated with fellow students on a group Cabaret. She recently spent Term 1 of 2020 in Los Angeles, where she spent 6 weeks studying at The Acting Center.
Chloe loves to entertain, but she is also passionate about helping see others reach their goals; she loves that Teaching allows her the chance to be creative, but also be inspired by the students
Liam Pavey - Teacher
Liam first attended classes at Grace Acting Studio class when I was 16 and instantly became dedicated to acting and improvisation.
He is currently in his third year of Primary School teaching at Deakin University, and teaching at Grace studios has taught him how to become an effective teacher and facilitator.
His biggest inspiration for acting comes from his parents who always believed in him and motivated him to strive to be the best he can possibly be.
Kirsty Reilly - Teacher
Kirsty Reilly has been working in the performing arts industry for 25 years both in contemporary dance and theatre. She is passionate about the relationship between the two and the importance of an actor having an awareness and mastery over their physicality, a finely tuned vehicle to reveal the inner life of character and the ability to transform in any way the character requires with ease of effort and specificity.
Kirsty has been a movement tutor/coach, both nationally and internationally including National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the Victorian College of the Arts, Queensland University of Technology, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, and has conducted extensive workshops throughout Australia for theatre and screen actors.
Her technique is diverse and eclectic in helping an actor to find an honest body, authenticity, freedom and range and influences include: Stella Adler, Stanislavsky, Laban, Feldenkrais, Monica Pagneux, Pina Baush, Keith Bain, DV8 dance company, Theatre de Complicite and Paris Centre of Dance.
Kirsty is currently artistic associate and choreographer for Blink Dance/Theatre Company, teaches at 16th Street Actors Studio and is a consultant and yearly panel member for the NIDA auditions.
Brooke Howden - Teacher
Brooke has over 20 years’ experience in the casting industry and spent 14 years at two of Australia’s top casting consultancies.
Brooke has cast over 250 television commercials and worked on over 20 feature and short films with some of the Australia’s most renowned Directors. Her most recent 2019 work includes casting the Canon EOS Camera commercial - https://scoutproductionservices.com/canon-eos-r/ Melbourne casting for the feature film ‘Li Na’ and the latest Infiniti 2019 / 2020 car campaigns.
Brooke has extensive experience running workshops and classes for young actors throughout Melbourne, Sydney and Geelong. Brooke feels very fortunate to share her casting experience with our teenage actors, helping foster and unlock raw talent by using confidence-building techniques, individual encouragement and taking a naturalistic and playful approach to lessons. When she is not teaching or casting, she is being mum to two gorgeous girls.
Some of her favourite actors are Patricia Arquette, Kate Winslet, Gary Oldman, Edward Norton, Hugo Weaving, Toni Collette (just to name a few!!) and her fave film is ‘Magnolia’
Harry Musgrove - Teacher /Tech
Hi my name is Harry, I started acting at Grace Studios in 2009.
I’d always loved performing and lacked social skills, so acting classes were the perfect fit for me. I spent three years in the master class, and during that time was involved in an independent GPAC performance and making of a short film overseas in Ireland.
Late last year I gained representation with BGM agency and hope to find work with them. I currently work at Grace Acting Studios as a technician and find I’m still learning the craft, working with the range of teachers and equipment there. My role at Grace Acting Studios is helping me pursue my passion for cinematography and I love providing the students with well-shot scenes that can be used for showreels etc. I hope to work in the film industry, in acting or as a cinematographer.
Evie Rushton - Teacher / Tech
Evie began her journey with Grace Acting Studios in 2016 as a passionate student. She started acting as she could no longer play sport and soon after joining, her dedication grew along with her passion.
Evie is inspired by the care, kindness and devotion exhibited by her peers and co-workers. She enjoys watching students evolve into confident and proud young people!
Currently, Evie is signed with Filmbites and is working towards a career in the industry. She is grateful to be part of our team and is looking forward to what’s to come!
Tommy Luu - Assistant Teacher /Tech
Tommy is a passionate filmmaker who has completed his Cert III in Screen and Media and has always had a passion for the film industry. "Grace Acting Studios has really opened the doors for me and a lot of young talented people to pursue their passion and I am super excited to be a part of that."
Ali Cruikshank - Assistant Teacher/ Tech
Ali started taking acting classes with us over 7 years ago as a young girl and now we're lucky enough to have her as a part of our team! Her experience at Grace Acting Studio has landed her roles in performances such as her school musical ‘Pirates Of Penzance’ as a Pirate and a Brecht play called ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’. She is currently studying VCE Theatre Studies and attending Grace Acting Studios herself.
From a very young age Ali has always enjoyed pretending to be other people and acting, she would often do impersonations of people she knew or celebrities that she liked, she would walk around like them and act like them. Her favourite was Steve Irwin though.
Attending Grace Acting Studios has made her a much more confident and sociable person. She said about 7 years ago her Mum asked her if she wanted to start Acting classes to help make her not as shy and timid? She agreed to give it a go and she is so glad she did! She wouldn’t be how she is now if it hadn’t have been for all the AMAZING, KIND, ENCOURAGING, REASSURING and SUPPORTIVE teachers and staff that work here! She’s so glad that she is now one of them! Never in her wildest dreams she would think that she would end up working at such an amazing place that has shaped who she is now so much!
Her favourite thing about working at Grace Acting Studios is getting to know the students she teaches and building a connection with them as well as making them feel comfortable talking to her. She also loves watching the quieter kids ‘come out of their shell’ and have more confidence (like herself when she was younger). In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, watching movies, listening to music and hanging out with friends, she also like to sing and dance (when no one is around :)). She would describe Grace Acting Studios as THE BEST PLACE EVER!
Hannah Charnock - Marketing
Hannah Charnock is an Actor and post-graduate who's passion for acting began at the age of 10 when she started musical theatre. Since then she has focused on continuing to explore how actors use their personal experience to influence their characters. In the classroom, Hannah aims to create a fun and educating environment which promotes self confidence and encourages students to step out of their comfort zone.
Hannah further encourages her students to attempt a range of different ways to perform, often incorporating music, dance and singing into her class activities. She sets a strong focus on the power of improvisation, focus and imagination to help shape diverse young actors. When she's not in the classroom, Hannah is behind a computer screen taking care of all things digital and working on expansion of our brand.