Born and raised in Sydney’s southern suburbs – and with a recent portion of her working life in Newcastle too – Liz Vassilacos has both feet on the ground (if one foot in either camp!). And she’s in the middle of the busiest period of her professional life.
Having just wrapped filming in Newcastle on her first feature film “The Holy Scoundrel” and about to star in a production of “The Ides of March” (a modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar) at the Catapult Dance & Choreographic Hub, the popular comic actress has even managed to squeeze in an award-winning performance in “The Library” at last weekend’s Lake Macquarie One Act Play Festival.
And – as if that isn’t enough to keep her busy – her own short film “Leftovers” filmed in Kirrawee, which she wrote, produced (with Shire-based Bear and the Owl Productions) and starred in, on the international festival circuit and just picked up a ‘gong’ at the Italian Night of Short Comedy Festival in Milan.
It’s all gris to the mill for Liz, who is set to move back (at least part time) to her childhood locality of Miranda this month to maximise the busy workload her burgeoning acting career demands.
Liz first took to the stage at her local company Arts Theatre Cronulla where she featured in a broad range across comedic and dramatic roles. Since then, she studied under a number of tutors at The Australian Film & Television Academy and enjoyed a stint in Hollywood where she continued to hone her craft and met with local casting directors and filmmakers.
“I now know a thing or two about improv, stage combat, weapon handling and even motion/performance capture!” she says with a laugh.
Recent stage credits include the lead in David Williamson’s Dead White Males and The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, while on screen she has starred in supporting and feature roles in both short and feature films.
What’s next for Liz? Well, until The Holy Scoundrel is released later this year, there’s bound to be some more red-carpet premieres and awards presentations as Leftovers continues to gain plaudits both at home and internationally. And more stage and screen appearances – whether in the Hunter, or further south in Sydney.
“In this industry you have to work hard and grab the opportunities as they fly by,” Liz said. “It’s a crazy ride, but it helps to have both feet on the ground – wherever that is!”
The Ides of March plays 19 to 27 April at the Catapult Dance & Choreographic Hub, Newcastle: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1162172
