CULTURE | Cultrure Corner
Andrea Moor – actor, director
Home town? I was born in Melbourne, grew up in Brisbane, but spent most of my life in Sydney. I’ve lived in Brisbane now for 11 years. I actually feel totally at home in all three cities. When I go to Sydney or Melbourne I keep wanting that ‘I’m somewhere different’ feeling. But it’s like being in the next suburb, they’re so familiar. How did you get started in acting? I had my first big break in a David Hare play that he also directed. Sydney Theatre Company produced it for the Adelaide Festival. This was the first time I actually believed I could have a career as an actor. That made me audition for NIDA and the rest is history as they say. What are you currently working on? I’m currently directing Quartet for the Queensland Theatre Company and soon I start rehearsals on Switzerland in which I’m acting. So I’ve got lots of actor preparation to get stuck into! Can’t wait!! Your favourite QLD destination? It’s a toss-up between Straddie and Noosa. Not the glitzy bit of Noosa but the National Park, which is simply superb! Who inspires you? My daughter inspires me every day. I’m actually staggered that she turned out so well with the crazy lifestyle we’ve dragged her through. She is so insightful and generous and so supportive when I’m in the crazy stress of opening a show. She is my inspiration! What would you do if you weren’t acting/directing? Well I teach as well and I’m about to take on a very exciting new job as Senior Lecturer in Acting at QUT. I love teaching actors and I believe it’s so important to be taught by a practitioner who knows just how damn difficult it is! Tell us about your journey to get where you are today? How much time have you got? Well I had some very lucky breaks when I graduated from NIDA and worked with some amazing actors and directors, mostly with the Sydney Theatre Company, but also on film. I also worked in television where I not only acted, but was performance coach on many series and films. This led me to directing, and teaching has always been in there. I’ve taught all over the country and overseas. Directing is my latest creative challenge and I have Wesley Enoch and Michael Gow to thank for trusting so many QTC productions to me. May it continue! It’s been a hard slog for women in this country. Men have a natural arrogance that tells them they can do anything. I think women tend to be more self-reflective and sometimes that doesn’t equate with ambition. I don’t handle that arrogance very well when I encounter it. As a director I try to be supportive of everyone in my team and achieve excellence that way. I don’t believe good art comes from tension. But boy, do I get tense! The trick is not to let anyone else see it. 62 PROVOKE.COM.AU
See Andrea onstage in the play Switzerland from 21 May - 26 June at Billie Brown Studio, The Greenhouse. Tickets from queenslandtheatre.com.au
“It’s been a hard slog for women in this country. Men have a natural arrogance that tells them they can do anything. I think women tend to be more self-reflective and sometimes that doesn’t equate with ambition.” What advice would give to anyone with aspirations to act/direct professionally? Do it! Get the best training from the best people. Don’t waste your time studying or working with mediocre people. Find the very best and learn all you can. Be prepared to work your butt off. It takes great courage and great resilience, especially for women. But the rewards are wonderful. What is your most memorable onstage moment so far? As a director it would have to be the opening night of Venus in Fur that I directed for QTC. As the last light went down the audience spontaneously leapt to their feet and cheered deliriously. It was exhilarating! And as an actor it would be performing the role of Martha in QTC’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? What a role! And my George was the gorgeous Andrew Macfarlane who I am currently directing. I could’ve played that role for a year! The best advice you’ve ever received is… Wesley Enoch was a great believer in me and I work best when someone believes in me. He encouraged me to think big! He saw me in positions that I couldn’t see myself. His advice was to see myself doing the thing I wanted to do and sure enough here I am! I’ve had several amazing mentors like Wesley and I hope I can do the same for others.