In Conversation with Ian White, Agent, Ian White Management and Janet Watson Kruse

Host(s)

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  Ian White

  Ian White trained at Melbourne University with a Bachelor Degree in Performing Arts (Drama, Music and Photography). He taught Drama at Paisley High School in Melbourne for several years until his passion for performing took him to Sydney in 1980 where his career as an actor began working in Theatre In Education with Toe Truck Theatre.After touring Australasia in JC Superstar, Ian’s performing career was highlighted when he was then cast in the original productions of both Cats and Les Misérables and then as Children’s Director for RUC’s production of Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which toured around Australia, New Zealand and Asia – where he worked with incredible Directors/ Choreographers like Trevor Nunn, Gillian Lynne, Anthony Van Laast and Gale Edwards. Ian has performed in all forms of the industry including Stage, Film, Television and Musical Theatre which led his passion for teaching and mentoring young performers.In 1990, Ian returned to Melbourne and established with his wife Leanne Showfit Studios (formerly known as Centrestage Performing Arts School) and has become one of the most prominent Performing Arts Schools in Australia having trained many professional performers for the Australian and Overseas industry – including for the West End and Broadway.Over the past 35 years, the school has flourished and expanded to incorporate IWM Next Gen agency (formerly Centrestage Agency) for children, Showfit, a full time musical theatre training program, and of course Ian White Management. More recently, Ian has focused his attentions more specifically on IWM and its growth within the local and overseas markets, strengthening ties in both the UK and USA and has become an Associate Agent with Collective Agents in UK. Ian is currently the Treasurer of the Australia Drama Agent’s Association.
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  Janet Watson Kruse

  Janet is a full-time working actor and writer.On TV she has appeared in SuperWog, Glitch, LoveMe2 and thirteen episodes ofNeighbours. Feature films include West of Sunshine, Camp Therapy (in post) and Love,Tea & Epiphany. She is the lead in Saara Lamberg’s recent feature COMA which recently screened to acclaim at the St Tropez Film Festival.Recent theatre includes Coriolanus, A Critical Marriage (lead) and Little Absences (lead). She wrote and produced the Ettie Project directed by Jane Woollard and the late Chris Thompson.Janet is in demand as a skilful Simulated and works in this challenging area of improvisation with intelligence and emotional truth She has done over 1300 workshops all over Australia.Janet also narrates audio books, and her alter-ego, ‘Miss Janet’, runs scary ghost tours in the dark at the Old Melbourne Gaol.Janet is passionate about justice, kindness and inclusion. She loves to train and learn – she is currently doing a Diploma of Auslan.Janet values community and has been a member of the MEAA since 2001. She is also a professional member and sometime juror for the AACTA awards. Janet is proud to be represented by Ian White Management.