What it’s really like studying acting in Australia

From comfort zone to career: a student actor’s journey at Collarts

‘’You’re not just a student. You’re an actor.’’

- Collarts acting student Taylor Camilleri

For many aspiring performers, studying acting is about more than learning lines or stepping onto a stage. It’s about discovering yourself, building confidence, and stepping into a completely new way of thinking.

For Collarts acting student Taylor Camilleri, that journey has been defined by growth, opportunity, and learning to embrace the unknown. From the very beginning, one thing was clear: this isn’t just a course, it’s the start of a career.

“I’ve had endless opportunities at Collarts, everything just connects.”

Studying acting at Collarts means being surrounded by a community of creatives, all working towards their own artistic goals while supporting each other along the way. Now in trimester four, Taylor reflects on how much they’ve already learned, from the technical and psychological foundations of acting to experimenting and developing their own creative voice.

Taylor says: “I’ve learnt so much [at Collarts]. From understanding the logical side of acting to really experimenting and growing in my craft.”

Acting career opportunities are growing in Australia

Acting across theatre, film, and TV is one of the most powerful ways to tell a story. It shapes culture, reflects identity, and captures the voices of its people. In Australia, storytelling plays a vital role in representing diverse perspectives and experiences. Acting connects industries like film, media, theatre, and even marketing, influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.

Performing arts is also a growing sector. Australia’s creative industries contribute over $112 billion to the economy, with many career opportunities available. Take Collarts acting student Grace, who has recently secured a full-time professional role at Brainstorm Productions before even graduating. Stories like hers challenge the myth that a career in acting isn’t achievable. 

Stepping into the unknown changes everything

A 2025 Australian study found that acting involves deep emotional and psychological processes tied to identity and self-awareness.

Acting is more than just performance. It can be a form of personal transformation. It builds resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-reflection, while also requiring strong well-being practices. This is reflected in one of the most defining moments of acting student Taylor’s journey: taking on a role that pushed her far beyond her comfort zone. Playing Boris Pishchik in The Cherry Orchard was both challenging and transformative. Taking on a character of a different gender brought nerves at first, but ultimately unlocked a new sense of creative freedom.

Taylor says: “Playing a character of the opposite gender turned out to be incredibly fun and freeing.It taught me about stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing the unexpected.”

Before Collarts, the unknown felt intimidating for Taylor. “I used to avoid the unknown because it didn’t feel safe unless everything was in order.”

Throughout the course, that mindset has shifted. Whether performing under pressure or navigating new challenges, growth and resilience has come from stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Learn acting from industry professionals who’ve done it all

The Collarts Acting course is led by active industry professionals who have worked with leading organisations including Belvoir, Griffin Theatre Company, NIDA, Queensland Ballet, and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 

Building an acting career requires flexibility, resilience, and the ability to apply your skills across different creative pathways. Collarts’ Bachelor of Acting is about preparing students not just for their first role, but for a sustainable future in the creative industries.

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