Last month Actors Centre Australia presented a special sold-out performance of LOST & FOUND, an entirely student-led initiative by the ACA Writers Group.
Read on for a full interview with Co-Directors Libby McAneney and Micaela Phillips, who share insights into this vibrant, student community at ACA.
Libby and Micaela delve into how this initiative supports their acting studies, fosters creativity, and strengthens connections across year levels.
ACA: What is Writers Group?
Libby: Writers Group is an extracurricular activity that runs fortnightly at Actors Centre Australia. We were founded in 2022 by Reuben Solomon, a 2023 ACA graduate, as a way for creatives to come together and share their writing. By no means do you need to be a writer to attend Writers Group, we are a group of enthusiastic artists who encourage each other to write what they want to write and get comfortable sharing their writing with others, so they can hear how it’s received and reflect on their own processes. Our number one and basically only rule of Writers Group? No self deprecation! This fosters a super supportive environment and generates endless opportunities. We share poetry, scene work, opinion pieces, and have even had the pleasure of hearing members’ novels and full length plays!
ACA: How does Writers Group complement your acting studies?
Micaela: They say when you are stuck in one area creatively, that using a different medium to be creative can help unlock something new. I can say I’ve experienced this first hand. Writer’s Group also allows you to hear others’ opinions and think in creative ways that may be new to you. We are all learning what it means to be human, and expressing that through our work- whether that be through writing or acting.
Libby: Writers Group keeps the creative juices flowing and not only encourages but fosters collaboration and strong interpersonal relationships. It has helped me and so many others find their voice, which is integral in navigating this industry and gaining a deeper understanding of the work you wish to engage in. It has also helped grasp the concept of “wearing many hats”, a notion we’ve heard from many tutors but are able to practice through being a part of this group! We’re not only Actors, but Writers and Creatives.
ACA: What’s it like working on an entirely student-led initiative?
Libby: Being in this room and a part of this group is incredibly inspiring. When I feel I’m in a creative slump or have hit a wall on a project, I know I just need to go to Writers Group and be immersed in the creative energy of others. It is also the only opportunity at Actors Centre Australia to collaborate across all three year groups, and be a part of a show that has all of the year groups represented. It is a joy to work and create with students from the years above and below, and to be a part of their time at ACA. The growth that occurs over the three years at this institution is evident and a privilege to be involved in.
Micaela: One really great thing about the three year groups coming together (and even people from the Foundation Program!) is that we can see things ahead of us in our training, and reflect on where we have been. Being a part of others’ creative journeys at ACA in turn strengthens your own.
ACA: Tell us about LOST & FOUND? How did you arrive at the concept?
Libby: LOST & FOUND presented itself to us over the course of our ACA Writer’s Group Meetings this year. Performed primarily through poetry, the piece brought to life the innate human experience of longing. Themes of grief and loss were explored in this vignette as a vehicle for the audience to sit amongst the clutter of life and forget themselves in the lost and found. A collection of pieces were put forward to the Directing team (including our amazing Associate Director Lauren Edwards!), and we then formed the show around them. Some pieces were spliced, mixed with another’s work, and new work was also created in response to our first read through of the show.
ACA: Could you share a favourite piece from the project?
Libby: My favourite piece from LOST & FOUND was ‘Life By Halves’ written by my co-director Micaela Phillips, which I had the pleasure of performing. Sharing this piece was a wonder for the audience and a privilege for me. It had an element of satisfaction as the Actor and for the audience, as the piece was repeated twice, firstly with words emitted, the second filling in the gaps and presenting the piece as whole.
Micaela: I loved being able to use voice layering in the show—a skill taught to us but the great Jennifer West, during our second year of training. It was such a special moment for me to be able to breakdown the poem ‘A Love Poem, Finally’, into vocal parts, and then spoken by the second and third year female-identifying and non-binary members of the group. It is such a lovely, delicate piece and I loved being trusted with it.
ACA: Any advice for people looking to get into poetry and performance?
Libby: Come to a Writers Group meeting! Pick up a pen! Open your notes app! Take off your headphones and be inspired by the drum of society around you and the images that are constantly present, everywhere you go! Be brave. Just start. And tell that tiny voice of doubt to be quiet while you take on the freedom of creativity.
Micaela: Poetry and performing is a form of self-expression. Fall in love with words. Use the tool to your advantage. Writer’s Group is a wonderfully supportive and encouraging group, and a low-stakes way to get into writing.
ACA: Where can we follow what’s next for you both?
Libby: My instagram handle is @lib_mac where you can watch the remainder of my training at Actors Centre Australia unfold and follow as I launch myself into the industry upon graduation in 2025.
Micaela: As I’m graduating this year, there’s no better place than to watch the cohort of 2024 in our Graduation Showcase! We’d love to see you there. Follow @actorscentre for all announcements.
Thank you so much to Micaela and Libby!
Promotional photography: Charlie Dakin.
