NSW Equity Graduate Day 2025

Host(s)

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  Fayssal Bazzi

  Fayssal Bazzi is an accomplished Australian actor with extensive credits in TV, film and theatre. Fayssal’s television credits include ABC’s Stateless, directed by Emma Freeman and Jocelyn Moorhouse for which he won the AACTA award for best lead in a television drama in 2020. Other television credits include The Common, Chosen, Mr Inbetween, Rake, Wake in Fright, The Let Down, Top of the Lake: China Girl, East West 101, Stupid Stupid Man, All Saints, Significant Others, Shantaram for Apple TV and starring opposite Sean Penn and Mathew Fox in C*A*U*G*H*T, Total Control S3, The Artful Dodger, Prosper, Austin and The Twelve S2. Fayssal’s feature film credits include Measure for Measure, which premiered at Melbourne International Film Festival in 2019 and earned him an AACTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor, The Merger, for which he also received an AACTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Late Night With The Devil which he received a FCCA Award Nomination and an AACTA Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Film. Other feature film credits include the voice role of Mr Todd in the animated feature film Peter Rabbit, Mother Mountain, Down Under, 6 Days, Emulsion, We’re Not Here To F**k Spiders, Cedar Boys, Black Site, and How to Make Gravy opposite Hugo Weaving. Fayssal can most recently be seen in The Correspondent. Fayssal has performed extensively with many of the national theatre companies. Selected credits include: Deep Blue Sea, Mary Stuart, The Other Way, Look the Other Way (Sydney Theatre Company); a national tour of The Merchant of Venice (Bell Shakespeare); Sami in Paradise, Food and Back at the Dojo, Ivanov, The Government Inspector (Belvoir); Blasted (Malthouse); Good Cook. Friendly. Clean, The Pigeons (Griffin Theatre Company); The Motherf**ker With the Hat (Black Swan State Theatre Company) and Queen Fatima, All the Blood and All the Water (Riverside Theatrre).
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  Nicole da Silva

  Nicole da Silva has a twenty year career encompassing theatre, film and television. Nicole is widely known for her work on Wentworth, five seasons of Doctor Doctor, as well as Rush, Carla Cametti PD, Dangerous, All Saints and Harrow. Nicole can currently be seen in the Paramount+ series One Night. Her feature film credits include Carmen, The Tangle and Drama. She will soon be seen in the Amazon MGM feature Play Dirty. In theatre she has performed in The Lover, The Memory of Water (Ensemble Theatre), Blood Wedding (Malthouse Theatre), A Behanding in Spokane (Melbourne Theatre Company), Queen C (Belvoir) A Life in the Theatre (Darlinghurst Theatre) and Who’s Afraid at 25A, a project that she co-produced.
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  Rowan Witt

  Rowan is an Australian actor with a résumé that spans film, television, theatre, opera and musical theatre. A multi-award-winning actor, Rowan can be seen starring as John Cunningham alongside Thomasin McKenzie in the critically acclaimed, TOTALLY COMPLETELY FINE (Stan/Sundance/ITV). He also recently starred as Alex Ryan opposite Katherine Parkinson in SPREADSHEET (Paramount+/CBS) which appeared in the UK on Channel4. He can next be seen as Sean Middleton in the upcoming television series, GHOSTS (Paramount+). He is best known for his roles in high-profile theatre productions, including originating Elder McKinley in the original Australian production of THE BOOK OF MORMON (Scott Rudin) for which he received a Helpmann nod, a BroadwayWorld Award, a Glug, and a Sydney Theatre Award. He followed that with an acclaimed portrayal of King George in HAMILTON at Her Majesty’s Theatre (Michael Cassel Group/The Public Theatre). He was nominated again for both a Sydney Theatre Award and a Glug for his performance as the romantic lead in the revival of SHE LOVES ME at the Hayes Theatre, and again the next year, for playing Dean in the premiere of Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ play, GLORIA (Outhouse Productions), for which he went on to also win a Broadway World award. Some of Rowan’s other notable theatre credits include staring in the Australian premiere of Pasek and Paul's DOGFIGHT (Hayes Theatre Co), Cameron Mackintosh’s LES MISÉRABLES (Michael Cassel Group/Cameron Mackintosh), as Professor in the Lincoln Centre's record-breaking production of SOUTH PACIFIC at the Sydney Opera House (GFO/Lincoln Centre), and originating the role of Newton Pulsifer in the stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett’s GOOD OMENS (Squabbalogic). Rowan is known for frequently being cast in work by Stephen Sondheim, including playing: Jack in INTO THE WOODS (Victorian Opera), John Hinckley in ASSASSINS (Watch This), and Young Buddy in FOLLIES (StoreyBoard Ent). Some of Rowan’s additional screen credits include ALL HER FAULT (Peacock/Universal), WELLMANIA (Netflix), X: Night of Vengeance (Circe Films), THE ESCAPE OF THE ARTFUL DODGER (Grundy Prod.), UNDERBELLY (Screentime), HOME AND AWAY (Seven Network/Channel 4), and THE MATRIX (Warner Bros). Rowan’s formal training includes a degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he majored in Classical Voice. He is a professional member of the Academy and of Actors' Equity.
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  Penny McNamee

  Multi-talented Penny McNamee has starred in leading roles across film, television and theatre. Penny’s US television credits include, Blue Bloods (CBS), Steven Spielberg’s The Pacific (HBO), Political Animals (USA), Elementary (CBS) and Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot (CBS). Penny was a series regular for six years in the Seven Network’s hugely popular drama, Home and Away in the role of Dr Tori Morgan, which saw her nominated for a Logie Award. Penny’s other Australian television credits include roles in White Collar Blue, All Saints, Headland and Foxtel’s Satisfaction. Penny’s feature film credits include, lead roles in the US feature film, See No Evil, (Lionsgate) and John Duigan’s critically-acclaimed Australian feature, Careless Love. Penny’s Australian musical theatre credits include Nessarose in the original Australian production of the musical Wicked - for which she won a Green Room Award, Jennifer Gabriel in the original Australian production of Witches of Eastwick for Cameron Mackintosh, Ella in Bells are Ringing for the Hayes Theatre Company and Alaura Kingsley in City of Angels, also for the Hayes Theatre Company. Penny’s international musical theatre credits include Daddy Long Legs and Rocket Science, both staged in New York City. Penny’s theatre work includes her recent role as Gwendolyn Pigeon in The Odd Couple for Crossroads Australia, alongside Shane Jacobson and Todd McKenney and  Donna in the Griffin Theatre’s production of Hurlyburly. Penny can currently be seen in the role of Rachel in the popular Micahel Jackson musical MJ The Musical. As a writer, Penny is the author of the Scholastic Young Adult Fiction series, Stage Stars and is also a screenwriter for Home and Away.
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  Glenn Hazeldine

  Glenn is a proud Novocastrian who graduated from NIDA in 1994. Having appeared in over 70 stage productions, professional highlights include No Pay? No Way!, Cosi, Victory, Tot Mom, Love and Information, Elling, The Pig Iron People, Perplex and After Dinner for STC; Amadeus for Red Line/Opera House; Tuesdays With Morrie, A View From The Bridge and All My Sons for Ensemble; A Hoax for Griffin; The Judas Kiss for Company B Belvoir; Transparency for Seymour Centre and As You Like It for Bell Shakespeare. His long and fruitful association with David Williamson includes roles in world premiere productions of Dead White Males, Birthrights, A Conversation, Happiness, Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica, Managing Carmen and Sorting Out Rachel and revivals of Rupert, Sanctuary, Charitable Intent, Face to Face and Don’s Party. Film/TV work includes Last Train to Freo, Little Monsters, Colin From Accounts (seasons 1 & 2), The Twelve, Dripping in Chocolate, The Moodys and Redfern Now. Glenn has been a proud member of MEAA for 30 years and is President of the NSW branch of Actors Equity. He is also Deputy Chair of the Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW.
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  John Batchelor

  John Batchelor is a familiar face to Australian audiences following his 5 season stint on Sea Patrol as ‘Charge’ and as the larger than life character Peeto in the AACTA winning film Red Dog. John’s feature film highlights include the Chinese/Australian feature The Whistleblower, The Tenderhook, Chasing Comets, Walt Disney Pictures’ Inspector Gadget 2, Danny Deckchair, Peter Rabbit 2. In addition to Sea Patrol, John’s television highlights include Barons, Underbelly: Razor as Kate Leigh’s underworld ‘right hand man’ Wally Tomlinson; The Great Mint Swindle (Tony Lewandowski), Brock (Larry Perkins), Harrow (Clayton Pike), The Secret Daughter (Nick Mackay), Home and Away (Winston Markman) and Devil’s Dust (Jack Rush QC) However, John’s first love is the stage and there he has enjoyed such productions including: Peter and the Starcatcher” produced by Dead Puppet Society, The Odd Couple – Crossroads Live, Storm Boy - MTC, The Way of the World, Festen and Top Coat - STC, The Underpants – Company B, Holding Achilles (World Premiere) – Dead Puppets Society/Legs on the Wall, Antony and Cleopatra, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, Troilus + Cressida, Julius Caesar – Bell Shakespeare, Christmas at Turkey Beach, Oz Shorts and Managing Carmen (World Premiere)- QTC. His 5 years working in Brisbane also gained him 2 Matilda Awards for his work in Queensland Theatre.
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  Monica Sayers

  Monica Sayers is a proud Australian born Chinese artist working as an actor, director, voiceover artist, yoga teacher and DJ. Having studied at Actors Centre Australia & ATYP, Monica continued her training at NIDA, graduating with a Bachelor in Dramatic Arts in 2004. Over the years she has worked extensively across different mediums including TV’s -The Messenger, The Unlisted, Rake, Love My Way, All Saints, The Royal (UK) and The Clinic (IRE). She has featured in countless commercials, corporate training videos, short films, voiceovers, podcast interviews and currently recording her second audiobook. Monica’s main theatre highlights are Romeo and Juliet (Bell Shakespeare) Chimerica and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Co) Hay Fever (Melbourne Theatre Company) Moon Rabbit Rising (Belvoir 25A) In 2023, Monica turned to directing -co-directing In A Moment - winning Best Short in the Best Film Awards this year in L.A. Other directing highlights include Noodle Salad, and A Day in the Life of Instagram for Slanted and NTOFP’s Luna Festival, Rockstars and Tricks & Tricksters Circus Cabaret for NIDA, and one of the educational shows for Poetry In Action’s current 10 month tour. Rounding out the last 6 months, Monica assistant directed Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which just closed at the Hayes Theatre over June long weekend. Currently collaborating with Yr 11 students on a piece for the Nepean Nexus Festival of Drama and Technology in late June and in rehearsals for a play for then Old Fitz - Fewer Emergencies - part of the Late Night season.
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  Nicholas Hope

  Nicholas has worked in film, television and theatre in Australia, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain. His first feature film role as the lead in Rolf De Heer’s acclaimed Bad Boy Bubby won him the Australian Film Industry Award for Best Actor. He was recently nominated by the Film Critics Circle of Australia for Best Actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Joseph in Ivan Sen’s Limbo, and has been seen in Storm Ashwood’s debut feature The School, Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, and in Erin Goode’s Jade of Death, for which he won Best Actor at the Denver Series-Fest 2018. Other credits include Born to Spy, Kurt Martin’s Moon Rock for Monday, Peter Duncan’s ABC series Operation Buffalo, Leah Purcell’s debut feature The Drover’s Wife, Hal Hartley’s Henry Fool, and Paramount’s The Secrets She Keeps. He was Old Man Smithers (aka the Luna ghost) in Raja Gosnell’s Scooby-Doo, appeared as the alcoholic and abusive Tommy in Goalpost Picture’s Black Snow, and will soon be seen in Enzo Tedeschi’s It Will Find You and Adrian Chiarella’s Leviticus. Nicholas has been a proud Equity member since 1989.
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  Anousha Zarkesh

  AACTA and Casting Guild award winning, Anousha Zarkesh Casting, specialises in top end Australian TV and film for over 25yrs.. Based in Sydney, our casting agency has gained a reputation for a specialised service championing cultural diversity and inclusive casting. We take pride in casting for a wide range of genres including political satire, drama, comedy, telemovies, documentary series and film. Recent productions include: , Shayda (FF), Thou Shalt Not Steal (TV), Ladies in Black (TV) The New Boy (FF), Territory (TV) Class of 07 (TV, The Stranger (FF), Firebite (AMC) Total Control 1 and 2, Mystery Road Series 1, 2 and 3, (TV) Rake (TV), Redfern now (TV), Cleverman (TV), The Principal (TV), INXS , Never Tear Us Apart (TV), Catching Milat (TV), Black Comedy (TV), Jasper Jones (FF), Hounds of Love (FF), Manny Lewis (FF), Alex and Eve (FF), The Office (Amazon, BBC and Bunya) and shoot to be released The Correspondent (FF) and Kangaroo (StudioCanal). Anousha currently sits as Vice President of the Casting Guild of Australia. Website: https://www.zarkesh.com.au/
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  Kirsty McGregor

  Kirsty McGregor’s journey, from performer to an influential casting director, has had a major impact on Australian film and television. Working locally and internationally, she wears multiple hats: a champion for her industry via CGA leadership, key voice behind acclaimed projects including Lion, Animal Kingdom, Babyteeth, Colin From Accounts, The Twelve, Apple Cider Vinegar and Bump. A supporter of creative audition spaces,  in recent years, she has adapted to and embraced the challenges of the industry’s shift to more online practices, adapting her process to maintain trust and creative connection while embracing new technologies to connect with actors and their representatives across borders. Her work continues to shape and elevate talent both in Australia and internationally.  Kirsty is a proud member of the Australian Casting Guild, the Casting Society of American and the American Academy.
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  Natasha Harrison

  United Management was co-founded by Natasha Harrison (Tasha), Lee-Anne Higgins, Trish McAskill and Catherine Handley in 2011. In that time, it has become one of the leading agencies for actors in Australia. Beginning her career at Shanahan Management in 1998, Tasha has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has been involved in the development of many actors now working both locally and internationally. United Management specialises in the professional representation of actors at all stages of their careers.  Tasha successfully manages her clients across all entertainment platforms including, theatre, film, and television, while always maintaining a strong focus on her passion for supporting young emerging talent. She has extensive knowledge and understanding of the industry which in turn has established strong and long-standing relationships with Australia’s leading casting directors, producers, and directors.

• David Sheridan

  David set up Marquee Management in 2004 as a management styled agency that cares for a select group of rising as well as established actors, writers, directors and key creatives in the film, theatre and television business. A pro-active agency Marquee focuses on the individual clients needs as well as supporting their ideas and projects in development and onto production in film, television and theatre. After completing his degree at the Australian Film and Television School David worked for 2 years at Palm Beach Pictures as a Producer and Development Executive before working at the Australian Film Commission as a Project Manager. Then after working with Morrissey Management both as a Producer and Packaging Agent, David opened Marquee where he works in partnership with Matt Andrews. https://marqueemgt.com.au/
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  Jenny Farrar

  As a Stakeholder Relationship Manager and Education Specialist at Media Super, Jenny is responsible for nurturing relationships and identifying opportunities for partners within various sectors of our creative industries. Jenny has 20 years’ experience as an educator within member-based organisations and 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, including her previous role as Founding Director of community bank Clifton Hill North Fitzroy and with Media Super and Cbus Super. Jenny also worked as an industrial organiser with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance for 15 years and has an Arts Degree from Monash University, has completed a Diploma in Superannuation and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Jenny prides herself on member engagement and providing quality service and support to members, employers and those considering joining the only industry super fund dedicated to the Creative Arts, Media Super. 
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  Egan Sun-Bin

  Egan is a storyteller and an Equity Organiser for the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance. He is a 2020 QUT Acting Graduate and since then, has worked as an actor, director, writer and teaching artist. Most recently, Egan directed the Award Winning Independent Production 'Scenes From A Yellow Peril' which was part of Queensland Theatre’s Door3 Program and had its mainstage premiere at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.