Victorian Equity Graduate Day 2025

Host(s)

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  Luke Arnold

  Luke is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Luke’s international television credits include Long John Silver in Starz’s Treasure Island prequel, Black Sails, Salvation for Amazon / CBS, MacGyver and Rush Hour also for CBS and the Hasbro/Netflix animation series Stretch Armstrong & The Flex Fighters. In Australia, Luke was nominated for a Silver Logie: Most Outstanding Supporting Actor in SBS/NITV series True Colours. He has previously won the TV Week Logie for Most Outstanding Actor for his portrayal of Michael Hutchence in the critically acclaimed mini-series, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS. Most recently, he can be seen as the lead in Stan’s Scrublands (Seasons 1&2)/ Easy Tiger Productions and in the upcoming Disney+ series Nautilus as Captain William Millais; Last King of the Cross (Season 2)/ Paramount+, Helium, Network 10; and Four Years Later/ Easy Tiger Productions, SBS. Other Australian television credits include Netflix/ABC’s AACTA nominated series Glitch (Seasons 2 & 3), The End/ See-Saw Films, Preppers/ ABC, Panic at Rock Island/ Goalpost Picture, RUSH/ Network 10, City Homicide/ Seven Network Australia, Rescue: Special Ops/ Nine Network, Lowdown/ ABC, Winners and Losers/ Seven Network Australia. Luke’s growing list of international film credits include the Western biopic thriller Deadman Standing, Mary Pickford: Love Wild and the romantic comedy Half Magic, directed by Heather Graham. Luke’s other screen credits include lead roles in Broken Hill; starring opposite Academy Award Winner, Timothy Hutton, The Tunnel; which premiered at Screamfest in the US with worldwide release by Paramount/Transmission Films, and Murder in the Dark; directed by Dagen Merrill and written by Chris Wyatt (Napoleon Dynamite). Luke’s theatre credits include performances for the Melbourne Theatre Company, La Mama Theatre and The Shakespeare Globe Centre Australia. He most recently performed in MTC’s production of Shakespeare in Love. Luke is also an author, with three books in his Fetch Phillips series published around the world in multiple languages.
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  Ruva Ngwenya

  Ruva Ngwenya has been gracing Australian stages since her early years, firstly playing the Melbourne jazz bar circuit at the age of 16. Her professional musical theatre debut came in 2013 as Shenzi in The Lion King. On completion of The Lion King, a string of successful musicals followed, including We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, Ragtime and Moulin Rouge: The Musical, solidifying Ruva as one of musical theatre’s most soughtafter performers. Ruva Ngwenya starred as Tina in Tina Turner: The Musical which toured nationally between 2023 and 2025 and for which Ruva received extraordinary reviews. Ruva has an impressive list of accolades to her name, including winning the Sydney Theatre Awards Best Performance in a Leading Role in a Musical Award and being announced as the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards Rising Star. 2024 also sees Ruva nominated for the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards Best Performance in a leading role in a musical Other career highlights include leading the cast as the headline act in the pre-show entertainment for the NRL Grand Final for an estimated viewing audience of 3.25 million. This moment was matched by Ruva performing the National Anthem at the 2024 State of Origin decider. Ruva recreated the iconic 1995 moment where Tina Turner climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the infamous NRL commercial featuring her hit song “The Best.” On the eve of the first performance of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Theatre Royal Sydney Ruva made the same climb. Ruva’s intrinsic musical instincts pay homage to her Zimbabwean heritage and Ruva is a celebrated alumni of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) and has studied a Bachelor of Music Performance at Melbourne University’s Victorian College of the Arts. Ruva enjoys self-expression and art exploration through the release of her original music. The release of E.P. Humble Brag, a vibrant body of work encompassing pop, RnB and afrobeat influences, was released in 2018. Lead single S.W.E.A.T. was a featured work during the 2021 Australian Open channel 9 Broadcast. You can find Ruva’s music on all streaming platforms. An accomplished and versatile live performer, Ruva Ngwenya is sought out for corporate events, cabaret shows and private functions. With acting credits on Neighbours, Ruva has proven to be a triple threat with a strong presence and future in the Australian entertainment industry. She is breaking down barriers for performers of diverse backgrounds and showcasing a new and fresh take on what it means to entertain.
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  Wayne Hope

  Wayne Hope is an actor, writer, director and producer at Gristmill, the acclaimed Australian Production Company he founded with his wife, Robyn Butler. Wayne has appeared in iconic comedies, The Castle, The Micallef Program, and Very Small Business, which he also co-created and produced. Wayne co-created, wrote, produced and directed the award winning The Librarians and Upper Middle Bogan for ABC TV. One of Australia’s most prolific comedy directors, Wayne also directed and produced Gristmill's first feature film, Now Add Honey, after which he then directed Little Lunch, which he also co-created and produced, and which has gone on to enjoy extraordinary success, including winning the 2016 Prix Jeunesse, the Japan Prize for Best Primary Series and a nomination for an International Emmy Award in 2018. Wayne directed True Story for Hamish and Andy and both produced, co-wrote and starred in Gristmill’s AACTA nominated comedy series Back in Very Small Business for the ABC. Wayne also created and directed the AACTA nominated children’s series The Inbestigators for Netflix, and the AACTA award winning online comedy series Love in Lockdown in 2020. Wayne co-created and directed Summer Love, an eight part anthology series, for the ABC, and also stepped outside the Gristmill world to direct Colin From Accounts S2. Most recently, Wayne has co-created, written and directed Dear Life a drama series to be released on STAN.

• Nathan Lloyd

  Nathan Lloyd is a five-time winner of the Best Casting Award from the Casting Guild of Australia. With five nominations for the AACTA Best Casting Award, he has cemented his reputation as one of Australia’s preeminent casting directors. Across two decades, Nathan has brought together some of the industry’s most memorable ensemble casts. In 2025, his work was again recognised at the Equity Ensemble Awards, earning his third award for Best Ensemble in a Drama. His commitment to putting new and diverse talent on screen has facilitated critically-acclaimed performances and career-defining roles. Among them, Sarah Snook, Milly Alcock, Zoe Terakes, Keiynan Londale. Some of Nathan’s award-winning credits include; Werner Film Productions’ smash hit THE NEWSREADER, the critically acclaimed LOVE ME for Foxtel/Binge, starring Hugo Weaving, Bojana Novakovic and Shalom BruneFranklin; Aisha Dee’s return to Australian screens in the compelling SBS miniseries SAFE HOME, FAKE starring Asher Keddie and David Wenham and an Foxtel’s global phenomenon WENTWORTH, screened in over 220 territories. In a busy 2025, Nathan completed work on RUNNER starring Alan Ritchson, Leila George and Owen Wilson; BEAR COUNTRY featuring Russell Crowe and Teresa Palmer and PLAY DEAD starring Noah Jupe and Patrick Gibson, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Nathan has recently completed work on GOOLAGONG (Werner Film Productions/ABC/BBC) starring Felix Mallard and Marton Csokas — introducing newcomer Lila McGuire in the titular role. Nathan has served on the Executive Committee of the Casting Guild of Australia, has been a member of the Casting Society of America since 2012 and holds a strong association with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

• Catherine Poulton

  Catherine Poulton has worked in representation since the mid 1990s. She cut her teeth as an Agent’s Assistant at Performers’ Management, a Melbourne agency representing performers across Theatre, Musical Theatre, Comedy, Film and Television. She had a foray into casting while working with Chameleon Casting, before relocating to the UK where she worked with the Jackie Palmer Agency and Stage School. It was at Jackie Palmer that she developed some of the UK’s now most recognisable actors, placing them in early career opportunities, including at the Royal National Theatre, the RSC and the Harry Potter film franchise. Upon her return to Australia, Catherine established Catherine Poulton Management (CPM) in 2002, which has since grown to be one of Australia’s most established talent agencies. Catherine has shepherded careers from their first professional booking through to Internationally acclaimed opportunities, with clients working across Film, TV, and Theatre, as well as in the Digital content space, literary work, and voice over. In 2023, Catherine also welcomed Cameron Hooper and Tania Patti on board as shareholders of the agency, and rebranded as CP Artist Management. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne. Early career work includes positions at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She is President of the Australian Drama Agents’ Association, is a Mental Health First Aider with the Arts Wellbeing Collective, and has been a member of Wage Inspectorate Victoria’s Child Employment Industry Working Party for more than two decades.
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  Paul Malek

  As a nationally recognised dancer, director, choreographer, and educator, Paul has over two decades of influence in Australia’s performing arts sector. His career includes leadership roles such as Artistic Director, Choreographer, Producer, Rehearsal Director & Dance Captain alongside his performance credits. Paul is the Founder of Transit Dance, Melbourne and previously the President of Australian Teachers of Dancing International, founding member of Dancers Australia as well as a board member of Ausdance Victoria. He has created and produced award-winning works, choreographed for national television programs like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance Australia, and directed major festivals and industry events. His work as a performer, choreographer, producer, educator, and advocate has shaped the Australian dance landscape, earning Paul a strong reputation across the nation for artistic excellence, innovation, and advocacy for the industry.
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  Clare Chihambakwe

  Most recently, Clare has appeared with Melbourne Theatre Company in the roles of Mrs Jones in Destiny; Angie in Is God Is (co-production with Sydney Theatre Company) and understudied and performed the role of Aseni in The Heartbreak Choir. Other stage credits include Tina, the Tina Turner Musical (TEG Dainty), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Michael Cassel Group); Gary Coleman in Avenue Q (Arts Asia Pacific); Ruby in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Live Theatre Productions); France in Eurobeat (Glynn Nicholas Group); Dirty Dancing (Jacobsen Entertainment); Sweet Charity and 42nd Street (The Production Company). Clare has trained and worked in New York appearing as Agnes in Goldilocks (ODTC). Television credits include Utopia (Season 5); Love Me (Season 2); Mustangs; Barracuda; Packed to the Rafters and Home and Away - in the ongoing role of Grace. Film credits include Late Night with the Devil; Better Man; Goddess; Happy Feet 2 and Knowing.
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  Max Brown

  Max Brown was a top 6 finalist for the 2022 Heath Ledger Scholarship. Max is best known for his roles of Nathan Wong in the HBOMax TV series The Tourist, opposite Jamie Dornan; and as Oscar Wolfe in the Starz detective series The Gloaming. Max’s leading TV credits include the roles of David Goldman in the award winning Glitch on ABC and Netflix, James Hoang in the SBS series Hungry Ghosts and Kevin Dang in Secret City for Netflix. Max’s additional TV credits include White Fever, Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, Series 2 of Love Me for Warner Bros, Slushy, Fisk, Retrograde, Bad Mothers, Home and Away, and Neighbours. His feature film credits include Bina Bhattacharya’s From All Sides, We're Not Here to F**k Spiders. Max’s recent theatre credits include Cybec Electric 2021 and Torch The Place, both for the Melbourne Theatre Company, as well as Nosferatu and Telethon Kid for Malthouse Theatre. Max will next be seen in season 3 of the acclaimed Network 10 / Paramount+ series NCIS Sydney
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  Marni Green

  Marni is a dancer working across Naarm/Melbourne, born in Wollongong, NSW. Marni has worked for artists and companies including Stephanie Lake Company, Lucy Guerin Inc, Antony Hamilton/Chunky Move, Israel Aloni and Lee Brummer. She is currently performing in Stephanie Lake Company’s Manifesto and The Chronicles, touring nationally and internationally and will be in development for Stephanie Lake’s newest major work Vista in December. Marni is also a Rehearsal Director for Colossus. Marni began her training at a young age as a ballet dancer. She trained at Queensland Ballet’s Senior Program before undertaking Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional Course (under the direction of Linda Gamblin), followed by Tr.IPP (Transit International Professional Pathway) under the direction of Israel Aloni.
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  Sonya Suares

  Sonya is an award-winning actor, director, producer and arts activist, specialising in bold, large-scale work. An honours graduate of Melbourne University and WAAPA alumna, she has led companies, campaigns and festivals for decades, including founding Australia's first and only Sondheim repertory company, Watch This. She works consistently on new Australian writing for screen and for stage, with leading organisations like Melbourne Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company, Polyglot Theatre, Lonely Company, Antipodes Theatre, The People and Hayes Theatre Co. The Lucky Country, which she co-created with composer/ lyricist Vidya Makan, just completed sold out seasons in Melbourne and Brisbane, with the original cast album nominated for an ARIA. Alongside her creative practice, Sonya is a tireless equity and inclusion advocate, championing artists of colour and marginalised communities in large and small ways. See www.sonyasuares.com
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  Egan Sun-Bin

  Egan is a storyteller and an Equity Organiser for the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance. He is a 2020 QUT Acting Graduate and since then, has worked as an actor, director, writer and teaching artist. Most recently, Egan directed the Award Winning Independent Production 'Scenes From A Yellow Peril' which was part of Queensland Theatre’s Door3 Program and had its mainstage premiere at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.