Young South Australian actors are making an impression on the national and international stage
A pack of young South Australian actors are blazing a trail on the stage and screen. Meet 14 of them on the path to stardom.
Entertainment
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South Australia is home to many young actors who are well on the way to becoming the next Sarah Snook or Teresa Palmer.
Whether passionate about theatre, film or television, these young and upcoming stars are on the road to success.
Here are South Australia’s rising young actors.
Shantae Barnes-Cowan
Age: 19
Nineteen-year-old Shantae Barnes-Cowan is not short of passion and love for the art of acting.
Ms Barnes-Cowan first got involved in the field in 2017-18 when she auditioned for the Bridging the Gap advertisement.
“It all happened really quickly,” she said.
The young actor then went on to star in the television show Total Control in 2019 alongside Rachel Griffiths and Deborah Mailman.
“I love the roles I get,” Ms Barnes-Cowan said.
“I love that I can make it my own … I learn from every single role.”
More recently, the determined actor has starred in television show Firebite and 2022 film Sweet As.
“There’s something special about Sweet As,” she said.
“It was a very special role for me.”
The Australian drama, based on a true story, will be released in June.
Ms Barnes-Cowan said she wants to continue to “challenge” herself and “make more of a name” for herself, in Australia and overseas.
Cintya Dharmayanti
Age: 25
Cintya Dharmayanti didn’t get into acting until 2021 when a casting call popped up on her Facebook feed.
“They were looking for a Balinese woman to play a supporting role in a feature film, and even though I had virtually no experience in the acting industry at the time, I thought ‘why not try’,” she said.
“Long story short, after some auditions and call backs, I was extremely fortunate to get the role of Losi in Ticket to Paradise.”
The 25-year-old said she was starstruck when she found out who she’d be starring alongside.
“(I) was shocked, to say the least, when I realised I’d be acting alongside legendary actors like George Clooney and Julia Roberts,” she said.
“I’ve adored acting ever since.”
Ms Dharmayanti said a motivating factor to get involved in the industry was the fact that she didn’t see much diversity on screen.
“I didn’t see many faces on the big screen that looked like mine,” she said
“It was also really important to me to help nurture that diverse representation in film and television, and show younger generations from diverse backgrounds that there’s a place for them there too.”
James Smith
Age: 31
James Smith first got involved in acting at his high school and later went on to study at Flinders University’s drama school.
The 31-year-old has spent the past 10 years chasing the high of acting and pursuing his dream.
“I love the risk, I love the immediacy,” he said.
“I love the chase for true moments of flow.”
Mr Smith described theatre as a truly special moment between the audience and the actor.
“You really feel the audience’s heart beat with yours,” he said.
The talented actor has worked on small-scale theatre works as well as large-scale musical theatre which has led him to meet “all sorts of wonderful people”.
Mr Smith said he encourages all young actors to pursue their dreams and “chase the weird stuff”.
The actor’s passion is reflected in his 10 roles in the State Theatre Company and Flinders University’s production of Euphoria, which is currently on tour.
Kidaan Zelleke
Age: 25
Kidaan Zelleke is a regular State Theatre Company and Windmill Theatre actor.
More recently, the 25-year-old has starred in Australian film Talk to Me – a theatrical release by A24 Films.
Ms Zelleke has also had heavy involvement in Fringe advertising.
Tatiana Goode
Age: 20
Tatiana Goode, 20, is making waves on Australia’s big and small screens.
Ms Goode landed a lead role in ABC’s 2022 television show MaveriX and in 2020 starred as Hazel in Stan’s original film A Sunburnt Christmas.
More recently, she has starred in the films Emotion is Dead, Gnome and Nothing Gold Can Stay.
Nandini Rajagopa
Age: 18
Nandini Rajagopa said her passion for acting derives from her interest in Bollywood from a young age.
Ms Rajagopa finally followed her passions and started pursuing acting in 2019 after moving to Australia when she was three years old.
“My favourite thing (about acting) is that it helps you in different areas in life,” the now 18-year-old said.
“It’s a career path where you can dip your toe in different areas.”
Ms Rajagopa said she also strives to represent Indians in the acting world.
The passionate actor starred as a supporting lead in ABC Me’s hit show First Day and also played a part in RM Williams’ 100th anniversary commercial.
Ms Rajagopa said she will continue her acting career and hopes one day to be in a film.
“I would like to explore different genres of film,” she said.
Jett Gazley
Age: 17
Jett Gazley got involved in acting in 2021 when he landed the role of Bradley in the Netflix series Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance.
The ambitious actor said he was motivated to audition for the role because he had nothing to lose.
“With my only prior experience being on a stage performing music, I had very little understanding of what an audition process looked like, let alone actually working professionally on set as an actor,” he said.
“I was motivated to try something new and see where it would take me.”
Jett, 17, said he was able to connect with the character of Bradley “very easily”.
Joe Bird
Age: 15
Joe Bird has been making waves in Australia’s film and television industry since starting his acting career aged just 9.
In 2017, Joe starred in Australian film Rabbit and the short film Charlie’s Story.
More recently, the now 15-year-old has made his TV debut on Netflix’s Gymnastic’s Academy: A Second Chance and ABC’s First Day.
Joe’s versatility as an actor has seen him star alongside Miranda Otto and Sophie Wilde in the feature film Talk To Me.
The film, directed by YouTube stars Danny and Michael Philippou, made it’s international debut at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival and SXSW Film Festival.
The film will have it’s worldwide cinema release on July 27.
Zoë Min O’Callaghan
Age: 16
Zoë Min O’Callaghan has had an exciting career filled with a variety of jobs.
The 16-year-old made her Australian television debut in season two of ABC Me’s show First Day and was later cast in Taryn Brumfitt’s hit documentary Embrace Kids.
More recently, the up-and-coming star played a role in SBS comedy series A Beginner’s Guide to Grief.
Emily Morris
Age: 25
Emily Morris has had a love for acting since starting classes almost 15 years ago.
Ms Morris was 12 when she landed a leading role in the hit gymnastics film, A Second Chance.
Since then, the inspiring actor has had roles in the sequel and it’s Netflix series, Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance.
“I’ve always really loved it (acting), I’ve always had a passion,” Ms Morris said.
“The craft of acting is probably my favourite thing.”
Julia Vosnakis
Age: 25
Not only is Julia Vosnakis making an impression on the Australian stage, she is also showcasing her skills in film.
The 25-year-old sunk her teeth into the acting world after graduating from Flinders University Drama Centre with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours).
Ms Vosnakis then landed her first lead role, on stage, in Amphibian – a local Windmill Theatre production.
The impressive actor has recently stopped filming her first feature film – Bina Bhattacharya’s From All Sides.
Nic Darrigo
Age: 32
Nic Darrigo started acting when he was 19.
“I hated working my day job and it wasn’t until a friend told me: ‘Nic, you’re so funny, you should get into acting’,” he said.
“I thought why not give it a go and enrolled in a vocational acting course in Adelaide and instantly fell in love with it.”
Mr Darrigo said he is motivated by “the joy of making someone’s story come alive and moving the audience”.
“Growing up I watched a lot of films too which fuelled my passion for film,” he said.
The inspiring actor said his favourite role so far was working on The Royal Hotel alongside Julia Garner, Jess Henwick, Hugo Weaving and Toby Wallace.
“It was an unreal experience,” he said.
Mr Darrigo said he hopes to be making “as many films as possible” in 10 years time.
“Ideally a leading role in both indie and blockbuster films would be a dream,” he said.
“Like the second coming of Al Pacino!”
Indiana Crowther
Age: 21
Indiana Crowther has been in the spotlight from a young age.
Starting off with modelling and then a commercial, Mr Crowther finally found his way to acting.
“I just enjoy the craft of it,” he said.
The young actor is currently studying economics and law at The University of Adelaide while starring in student short films.
“It’s a lot of fun to play around with things I don’t usually do,” he said.
Zoe Burns
Age: 14
Determined and talented actor Zoe Burns is already making an impression in Australia’s arts and acting world.
The 14-year-old landed her first lead role playing feisty Scarlett in Netflix’s popular show – Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance.
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