The School at AIPA hires qualified teachers and working industry professionals to teach classes and programmes.
Teaching staff guarantee consistency for students across the term and year.
NICHOLAS BURTON
Granny Flat Productions
AIPA Alumni
Programme : Film Stream (Tuesday) and PPSS – Film Stream (adults)
Programme : Acting in Motion (Saturday) Theatre Stream
Nicholas can be currently seen playing the key role of ‘Dr.Sneed’ in Disney+ series THE ARTFUL DODGER, alongside David Thewlis and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. He recently finished shooting the series CRITICAL INCIDENT for Stan. He also stars in the feature film SAHELA, which is currently running the festival circuit. His other television credits include SBS critically acclaimed mini-series SAFE HOME, Australian ABC drama series BARONS and US Netflix series, PIECES OF HER opposite Toni Collette, Jessica Barden, Omar Hardwick and David Wenham.
As well as acting, Nicholas has been writing and creating since the ripe age of twelve. He wrote a short film to be released this year titled GRADUATION directed by Emmy award winning director; Madeleine Parry (Hannah Gadsby: Nanette). Whilst studying at NIDA, Nicholas created, wrote, co-directed and starred in comedy web series, DAVE AND THEO. The series was selected into nine International Festivals and won best web series at the Oniros Film Awards NY and the Gold Movie Awards UK.
Five years ago, Nicholas co-created GRANNY FLAT COMEDY productions, delivering a collection of online sketches and serial content made by a community of young Sydney creatives. This year, the duo made a skit with Michael Bublé after Bublé played one of their skits to an entire arena in Sydney. With this, their audience grew, amassing over 50,000 followers on social media and over 10 million views across their comedic content. Nicholas also wrote and shot a pilot titled NAKED which starred Susie Porter (WENTWORTH) and was directed by Ben Howling (Netflix’s Cargo). Nick is constantly writing and is currently working with Alex Feggans (JACK RABBIT) on a new feature film.
Nicholas Burton graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2018, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. He trained in directing and writing with Spencer and Lloyd Harvey in his youth and trained at AIPA, OI West, Second City and Atlantic Theatre Company in LA. Nicholas is a versatile creative constantly seeking to push his own boundaries, educate himself and collaborate with openness, energy and passion.
POLLYANNA NOWICKI
Programme : Acting in Motion (Saturday) Acting in Motion
Pollyanna Nowicki graduated with a BFA in Acting from NIDA in 2019 and completed the NYC Atlantic Theatre Co. Summer Intensive in 2013. She was born on Darug Land and brought up in a Polish household.
Credits include; Night Bloomers dir. Undi Andrew Lee for SBS On Demand, VO for A Royal In Paradise dir. Adrian Powers, Method In Madness for Bell Shakespeare, Short Film Wigilia for AFTRS, It’s Still Her Voice for Siren Theatre Co dir. Kate Gaul, Featurette Film Witkacy i Malinowski at the 2019 Sydney Film Festival, Taste Of Australia with Hayden Quinn S2 Ep10, Tragedy Of Antigone dir. Shy Magsalin, Hamlet as Hamlet at the Old Fig Tree Theatre, On Hold The Short Film Musical dir. Matthew Predney & Jake Neilson which won Flickerfest 2017, Ruby Moon at the Seymour Centre, Twelfth Night as Viola dir. Sarah Goodes. In 2009 she received the NSDF Sunday Times Emerging Artist Award For Acting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
ERIKA FELTON
Programme : Acting in Motion (Saturday) Screen Acting
Erika is an avid storyteller both personally (an adolescence spent in China has provided anecdotes to boot) and professionally, having completed her BA in Screen Production at the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School. She started young, working in the industry as a child actor before turning to directing – Erika has a passion for fostering creatively brave spaces for performers to learn and grow. Erika is a Casting Associate with Mitchell Casting.
JAMES HARTLEY
Programme : Acting in Motion (Saturday) Commercial Improv
James is an award-winning director, writer, and actor. The short play, “The Fox and the Hunter” which he directed and performed in, won Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Writer at Short+Sweet Sydney 2013.
His short films have been screened around the world in almost 100 cities in over two dozen countries; “First Love,” was awarded the Audience Prize at the Festival International des Très Courts.
JEFF HARDWICK
Programme : Acting in Motion (Saturday) Commercial Improv
From Los Angeles (via ZOOM)
Jeff is a US Casting Director based in Los Angeles. Jeff has been a US Casting Director of feature film, tv series and commercials for over 15 years. Prior to that was an SAG franchised talent agent for 13 years in both NY and LA. Have produced 4 films. He is an acting coach for both theatrical and commercial and teaches one of the most sought-after commercial improv classes in LA.
Specialties: I’ve cast everything from celebrities to non-union actors. Athletes, comedians, models, character types, actors with true medical skills, high end military personnel, kids and everything else far and wide. You seek it, we find it.
LOUISE DODGE
PROGRAMME : FILM STREAM (TUESDAY) – FILM PRODUCTION
Louise has worked in the film and television industry for over 15 years as an actor and filmmaker.
Her experience in the film industry has led to an array of diverse roles in front of and behind the camera. These include working with casting director, Faith Martin for over 5 years and writing and co-producing the nine part web series Zombie Therapy starring Marcus Graham and Susan Prior. Her acting credits include roles in both Australian and International productions such as, Rescue Special Ops, Infini and the Osiris Child. In recent years Louise has begun share her skills and knowledge of film acting and film production, through teaching.
ADIENNA (ADI) SLOMAN
Programme : Performance Stream Junior (Saturday 9.00 – 12.15pm) Tap and Hip Hop
Adienna’s passion for dance started at the young age of three. While growing up in New Zealand she trained and competed in various different styles of dance. Adienna began teaching at the age of 15 and at age 17 completed her NZAMD Solo Performance Diploma in Contemporary Dance (Distinction).
After a successful audition for Brent Street’s full time Performing Arts course, Adienna moved to Sydney to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. She also has experience training in America. Adienna has a passion not only for dancing but for teaching and choreographing too, she loves to pass her knowledge onto the younger generation and is excited to do this at AIPA.
CATRIN LEWIS
Programme : Performance Stream Junior (Saturday 9.00 – 12.15pm) RAD Ballet and Jazz
Catrin is a performer and dance teacher, originally from Perth WA. Qualified with both her Cert IV Dance and Diploma of Musical Theatre. She is currently studying towards her Diploma, management in dance. Trained in lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, acro, musical theatre, contemporary and technique classes Cat loves both teaching and performing on the commercial scene.
MARIE IKONOMOU
Programme : Performance Stream (Saturday 1.30 – 6pm) Commercial Dance
Graduate of Ettingshausens Pro Full Time Dance Prorgamme, Marie is a Bangarra Dance Theatre Junior Company member. A featured artist in many commercials and dancing professionally she was most recently in the Australian National Tour of Jagged Little Pill and Mamma Mia.
HELEN STUART
Programme : Performance Stream (Saturday 1.30 – 6pm) Drama
Helen is a Actor/Producer/Writer. Helen has worked as an actor and creative for over 20 years living and working in the UK, US (NYC), Sydney and Melbourne. From a young age she found a deep love of storytelling in plays, TV, Film, literature and Art. Helen has travelled the world to work and study with the greatest storytellers of their generation. She started her study at ATYP and NIDA leading her to NYC where she graduated from Atlantic Theatre Company (Tisch University NYC). She continued her study and mentorship with world renowned teachers such as Larry Moss (Austin Butler, Elvis & Sebastian Stan, Avengers), Carol Rosenfeld (Uta Hagen, HB Studios NYC), Elizabeth Kemp (Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman, Lady Gaga, Actors Studio NYC).
At Atlantic Theatre Co, Helen found her love for Voice training and started her teacher training in NYC. She went on to work with Patsy Rodenburg (RADA) and Krisitin Linklater in the Orkney Isles (Scotland). Helen is currently in development of multiple projects with her company Outlaw Productions. This includes a new Australian Play called ‘A love letter to an outlaw’ going in to a workshop in Melbourne, 2023, a TV series of the play which is multi generational and another comedy series called ‘Dog Park’.
Helen has a passion for teaching and sharing all she has learned with young people. It is a way for her to pay it forward for all the teachers and mentors she has along the way. For Helen’s many other credits see her bio on the AIPA website and teacher wall.
KATE SHEAF-MORRISON
Programme : Performance Stream (Saturday 1.30 – 6pm) Contemporary, Ballet Technique
Kate is a highly respected performer trained in all disciplines full time ballet programmes to commercial dance. Kate graduated from Village Nation Full Time (2022/2023) NZAMD Modern Solo Performance Diploma (2021)
CARMEL RODRIGUES
Programme : Performance Stream (Saturday 1.30 – 6pm) Vocal Repertoire and Performance
Programme : Tuesday Song & Dance, Friday Triple Threat (singing)
Sydney-based Carmel has always loved performing from a young age and might be familiar to audiences from when she appeared as a 16-year-old in 2016 as a semi-finalist on season five of The Voice, where she was coached by Jessie J and the Madden Brothers. After an extensive national search, Carmel Rodrigues beat hundreds of auditionees to play the coveted role of Tracy Turnblad in the Tony Award-winning production of Hairspray. Rodrigues joined an extraordinarily talented cast, including Shane Jacobson, Todd McKenney, Rhonda Burchmore, Rob Mills and Asabi Goodman.
Emily Perry
Programme : Monday Jazz, Wednesday Funky Jazz, Thursday Hip Hop, Thursday Tap (High School), Friday Triple Threat (dance)
Emily Perry is a recording artist and choreographer who shares her time between Sydney and Los Angeles.
She has collaborated with Grammy-winning producers, scored three Billboard Dance chart hits and a top ten appearance on the UK Commercial Pop chart.
Emily graduated full time with a Certificate IV in Dance before moving to Los Angeles. With experience in film, television, music videos and live theatre – and now part of the AIPA teaching team – she loves to pass on her knowledge and experience to her students.
Bryce Bofinger
Programme : Monday Drama, Wednesday Acrobatics & Tumbling (assisting), Friday Triple Threat (drama)
Bryce is a Brisbane-born playwright, director, choreographer and performer. His theatrical education began with Queensland Theatre’s Intermediate (2014) and Senior (2015) Youth Ensembles. During his studies at QUT, Bryce wrote several works for Vena Cava Productions. In 2017, Bryce participated in Queensland Theatre’s 2017 Playwrights Program 18–26, where The Resurrection was written, developed and read. Bryce continues to pursue his love of playwrighting and screenwriting, alongside his passions for performing, choreographing and directing.
TAHA ZONOOZI
Programme : Tuesday Acting for Screen, Thursday Drama
Taha Zonoozi is a dedicated Actor with a thriving career prominently spanning across the stage and screen. He has honed his craft through rigorous traditional training at the Actors Centre Australia (ACA) and National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). In 2022, Taha portrayed Pablo Picasso on stage in a production of Steve Martin’s iconic off-Broadway “Picasso at the Lapin Agile”, while most recently as Prince Loris in the Victorian-era adventure thriller short film ‘OZMAR’, scheduled for release later this year. Throughout his career, Taha has worked alongside high caliber coaches and mentors in the industry, helping him shape his skills and artistry. Taha is an individual who seeks new opportunities, with focused dedication to continuous growth and professional development.
JAID OTRUPCEK
Programme : Tuesday Acrobatics & Tumbling (High School), Wednesday Acrobatics & Tumbling (Primary)
Jaid has had a lifelong passion for gymnastics that began even before she could walk. She has achieved numerous milestones, including winning a gold medal in her first National competition in 2011 and a silver in her debut international competition in 2017. Jaid participated in the World Cup, ranking 5th shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaid has been teaching gymnastics for a number of years now, deriving joy from sharing her athlete experience and providing children with insights gained throughout her career.
KATIE BRITTAIN
Programme : Wednesday Acrobatics & Tumbling (assisting), Thursday Tap
BELLA JORDAN
Programme : Wednesday RAD Ballet, Wednesday Contemporary/Lyrical (High School)
Isabella Jordan has recently returned from studying abroad at the Elmhurst Ballet School in association with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Isabella is a student of the Tanya Pearson Academy. Bella has attended many prestigious ballet summer schools, including the Royal Ballet at White Lodge, The Dutch National ballet, the English National Ballet and, the Australian Ballet School. Isabella has performed a season with the Australian Ballet Company performing at the Sydney Opera House in the production, The Nutcracker. Bella has also been a feature dancer in the movie The Red Shoes; Next Step with Juliet Doherty. Bella is currently a Bloch Young Artist for Australia and Europe. Bella loves teaching to the next generation of dancers and loves sharing her knowledge and skills to enhance their dancing dreams.
MITCHELL SLOAN
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
Jon Cohen (JD)
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
JD has been working in the film industry for over 20 years. He was a survivor of an English boarding school, which probably explains his sense of humour. With a degree in psychology, he brings that understanding to both working with people and his stories, creating strong and interesting characters. He has produced, directed, and sold half a dozen indie features in most genres, including Final Move (2013), Ravenswood (2017) and Introducing Jodea (2021), several TV Pilots, and a clutch of award-winning short films, as well as corporate and advert work.
NOAH MULLINS
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
At just 12-years-old, Noah performed alongside Todd McKenney in Songs and Stories of Peter Allen at the State Theatre in the role of Young Peter. Noah has had a passion for Musical Theatre since a very young age and has performed in more than 15 musical productions.
Theatre credits include the role of Munkustrap in CATS with Packemin Productions, Gavroche in Les Misérables with A.C.T San Diego and Evan Goldman in 13 the Musical with Birdie Productions. Other credits include lead Singer at Luna Park and NXTGEN member in Machismo an all male dance show. Noah has toured all around the world and performed in Paris, San Diego, LA, and New York City.
In 2019 Noah made his professional debut in a world tour of West Side Story in the lead role of Riff. The show played at the Sydney Opera House as well as touring Australia, New Zealand and Germany.
In 2020 Noah performed his first Cabaret show, a collection of songs and stories of his life as an expat kid living in Paris and San Diego and his love of theatre, the show debuted at Claire’s Kitchen on Oxford street, Darlinghurst. He also achieved the role of Cy/ Jamie Understudy in the West End Award Winning, AUS/NZ Tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie! 2020/2021.
Noah was thrilled to return to the stage in 2021, reprising his role in West Side Story and then to be cast in the original Australian cast of Alanna Morrissette’s Jagged Little Pill the Musical.
Noah was most recently seen as Jean-Michelin La Cage Aux Folles for the Sydney and Melbourne seasons and toured NSW starring in Banjo Patterson is can now be seen in the role of Mark for the Australian National Tour of RENT.
BRIDGET MCALLITSER
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
KATHY LU
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
COURTNEY BELL
GUEST INDUSTRY TEACHER
