Acting Up. Honest Conversations With Working Actors.

Sophie Donkin
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  • PERFORMING ARTS

From drama school dreams to survival jobs, from self-doubt to breakthroughs, Acting Up dives into the messy, magical reality of life as a working actor in Australia. Join us for honest conversations with performers who are navigating the ups and downs of stage and screen. Auditions, agents, rejection, mental health, money, identity, resilience, and creativity. 🎙 Honest chats. 🎧 No script. 🎭 Just the truth about making art and making rent. 📧 actingupau@gmail.com

Episodes

  1. FEB 7

    Episode 6 From Accountant to Global Vertical Star with Daniel Jongma

    Three years ago, Daniel was an accountant. Today, he’s a leading name in the global vertical micro-drama industry, one of the fastest-growing areas in screen performance, now valued in the billions of dollars. In this episode of Acting Up, Daniel shares how he made the leap from spreadsheets to storytelling, landed his first vertical acting gig, and built a full-time, international career in micro-dramas filmed for the phone-first world. We talk money, momentum, creative risk, and why vertical storytelling is creating real, sustainable opportunities for actors right now. Daniel also explains how he’s helping other performers access this booming space through his agency, Acting Vertical, and what actors need to know if they want to break into micro-dramas themselves. If you’re curious about alternative acting paths, global opportunities, or building creative freedom outside the traditional system, this episode is essential listening. Connect with Daniel https://www.actingvertical.com.au https://www.instagram.com/actingvertical/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/danjongma

    1h 1m

  2. JAN 14

    Epsiode 5 "You do need to have blind delusion to be in this business" with Tricia Paoluccio & James Taylor

    From one line in a read-through to two years on Broadway... In Episode 5, I’m joined by my friend James (back from Episode 2) for a fabulous conversation with the brilliant Tricia Paoluccio, who was recently in Sydney starring as Dolly Parton in Here You Come Again. Tricia talks about co-creating the show with her husband, the incredible good fortune of securing a grant and permission to use Dolly Parton’s catalogue, and what it really means to create your own work; whether that’s paid, passion-led, or shared on social media. We chat about being good to work with, staying grounded, and why entitlement has no place in a sustainable creative career. She also shares an amazing story about being in a play read-through where she had just one line and how, without her knowing, she was being noticed by a director in the room. That moment led to two years of work on Broadway. Proof that you truly never know who’s watching. We also dive into life as a working actor in America, returning to a post-Covid New York that feels very different to the one she knew before, and Tricia’s visual art practice that exists alongside her performing career. Tricia is an absolute delight!

    59 min

  3. 11/27/2025

    Episode 4 Joy, Grit & Generosity with Emily & Sahil

    Welcome to Episode 4! This was my first ever Zoom interview, and I’m chatting with two Melbourne-based actors whose paths into the industry couldn’t be more different, yet whose generosity, craft, and passion align perfectly. Emily Joy was the first actor to reach out to me who wasn’t already in my immediate circle, and true to her name, she has brought nothing but joy and support to Acting Up. Emily runs Joy Studio, offering workshops, career coaching, acting coaching, audition coaching, lessons in mindfulness; everything a working actor needs to stay sharp, grounded and inspired. Her insights are warm, practical, and deeply encouraging. Sahil Saluja came to acting through a love of Bollywood while growing up in India, followed by an engineering degree in America, and now a thriving acting career in Melbourne. He has appeared on Australian network television, including the hit comedy FISK, along with Emily, and you can currently see him in All Her Fault alongside Sarah Snook. His journey is a brilliant reminder that no path into acting is linear and every twist adds fuel to the cause. In this conversation Emily and Sahil bring honesty, humour, and invaluable advice for actors at any stage of their careers. If you enjoy the episode, reach out to them! They’re the kind of artists who are here to help and pay it forward. ✨ Find Emily Joy & Joy Studio: @em_joyable @joystudioacting ✨ Find Sahil Saluja: @sahil___saluja

    1h 26m

  4. 10/18/2025

    Episode 3 "I Was Very Employable" with Todd McKenney

    It was a true honour to sit down with the one and only Todd McKenney for Episode 3! Todd opens up about his extraordinary career across stage, television, and film; from starring in Baz Luhrmann’s first film Strictly Ballroom, to performing in over 40 hit musicals and and becoming the loveable yet “honest” judge on Dancing With the Stars, entertaining millions every week. We chat about the magic and real grind of show business, why you should never say no to a gig (even a shopping centre one), and how building skills, curiosity, kindness and resilience can shape a lasting career in the arts. A candid, funny, and deeply inspiring chat for theatre fans and curious newcomers alike. We've got laughs, lessons, and backstage stories from one of the greats.

    1h 5m

  5. 09/09/2025

    Episode 2 Cruise Ships to Shakespeare with David & James

    In Episode 2 of Acting Up, I sit down with actor David and dancer James, who share their generous and candid insights into the highs and lows of life on stage. We talk big wins like touring, leading roles, and long contracts, as well as the tougher moments and why even the “shopping centre gigs” are worth celebrating. From cruise ships to Shakespeare, TikTok fame to ushering in theatres, this is a deep yet playful conversation about chasing dreams, embracing setbacks, and finding joy in every step of the journey. 🎙️ Honest chats. 🎧 No script. 🎭 Just the truth about making art and making rent.

    1h 58m

  6. 07/29/2025

    Episode 1 "Would I Have Seen You In Anything?" with Amy & Megan

    "Why don't you just go on Home & Away?" In the very first episode of Acting Up, Amy and Megan let us into the realities of being a working actor in Australia today. From juggling auditions, self-tapes, and casual jobs while trying to maintain a social life, to remembering the magic sparks that made them choose acting in the first place, we unpack the nitty-gritty hustle it takes to self-advocate, stand out in castings, and chase roles, all while growing their craft and staying sane. Listen in to this unfiltered discussion about the reality of life as a working actor. 🎙️ Honest chats. 🎧 No script. 🎭 Just the truth about making art and making rent.

    1 hr

  7. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Trailer Episode 1

    Here’s a quick taste of what’s to come on the first episode of Acting Up. Honest Conversations with Working Actors. Expect refreshingly real, funny, and fearless chats with people making art and making rent. Have questions you'd like Sophie to ask her guests, or would you like to be a guest yourself? DM @acting_up_podcast and please do follow Acting Up and spread the word of this new show!

    2 min

Trailer

About

From drama school dreams to survival jobs, from self-doubt to breakthroughs, Acting Up dives into the messy, magical reality of life as a working actor in Australia. Join us for honest conversations with performers who are navigating the ups and downs of stage and screen. Auditions, agents, rejection, mental health, money, identity, resilience, and creativity. 🎙 Honest chats. 🎧 No script. 🎭 Just the truth about making art and making rent. 📧 actingupau@gmail.com

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