Andrea Demetriades

Andrea Demetriades  

Andrea Demetriades is an actor originally from WA. She attended and graduated from NIDA in 2006.

Since graduating from NIDA, Andrea has worked in theatre across the country, most recently for the Bell Shakespeare Company playing Viola in Twelfth Night directed by Lee Lewis (for which she received a nomination for Best Actress in the 2010 Green Room Awards Association in Melbourne) and just prior to that as Marina in Pericles directed by John Bell. She has also appeared as Helly in Helly’s Magic Cup directed by David Mealor for the State Theatre Company of South Australia and Anna in Winter at the Griffin Theatre Company, directed by Nick Marchand.

Andrea is currently on our television screens in the ABC series Crownies. Her other television credits include the pilot Think Tank for the Seven Network and All Saints.

At the 2011 Brisbane Festival she will be appearing as Juliet in the Bell Shakespeare production of Romeo and Juliet.

She spoke with ArtsHub about her journey so far.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A cake maker and a storm chaser.

When did you know you would work in the arts?
When I nearly peed myself (with excitement) performing in my first dance concert.

Is there a mission to your work?
Truth, clarity and bravery.

What's your background - are there studies that prepare you for this?
I studied at NIDA, which teaches you the foundations of acting. But I have learned most of what I know through watching and working with great actors.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
At the moment I am very lucky to be working with Damien Ryan for Bell Shakespeare Company which means rehearsing from 10-6 each day.

What else do you do to pay the bills?
Luckily just acting at the moment. But I have worked as a waitress, retail assistant, weight loss consultant, fairy at kids birthday parties, food chain assistant manager, personal assistant, warehouse worker… the list goes on…

What's the one thing - piece of equipment, toy, security blanket, – you can't work without?
Might sound obvious, but the other actor. Or if I am alone on set or stage: the script. Or if all else is lost: bravery.

What gets you fired up?
Narrow minded people.

Who in the industry most inspires you?
Any actor that takes risks.

What in the industry do you despair about?
People doing it for the wrong reasons. Good actors not working.

What is the best thing about your job?
Getting to tell wonderful stories that audiences can escape with.

What’s the worst?
Being unemployed.

What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
Bravery, Focus and Belief.

What advice would you give anyone looking to break into the field?
Really understand and know why you want to become a storyteller. If you can think of more than one reason, go for it.

Which of the below phrases best suits your career development to date and why?
"The road to success is always under construction. "
"Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor."
"Success is best measured by how far you've come with the talents you've been given. "
"No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."

The road to success is always under construction.

When do you know you’ve made it?
When there is at least one person in the audience that truly believed my characters' experience on stage and to a lesser 'creative' degree, when I can pay my rent with "acting money".

Head to our Brisbane Festival/Brisbane Writers Festival mini-site.
Or check out Brisbane Festival’s full program here.