PAC Advanced Studio (PACAS) 2026

MID YEAR ENTRY APPLICATIONS OPEN MAY 1 – APPLICATIONS CLOSE MAY 31.
Perth Actors Collective (PAC)has been training WA actors and filmmakers since 1993. We recognise that there is an increasing need for screen-ready actors in Perth with the Perth Film Studio likely to require a greater number of actors who are screen-ready and competitive on a national level. PAC launched in 2021 the PAC Advanced Studio in Perth and it has grown in popularity due to its unique collaborative and supportive coaching for actors and filmmakers. The Studio nurtures and extends their craft skills by practising these on a regular basis in a year-long program of fortnightly workshops. Our studio helps skilled creatives come together to inspire and collaborate with a like-minded ‘tribe’. Actors and filmmakers are coached by a team of award-winning WA industry professionals.

Structure:

Acting sessions are the heartbeat of this studio. Commencing Monday February 2 PACAS will hold 22 fortnightly evening sessions (avoiding public holidays) on Monday evenings throughout 2026. These sessions provide a space for members to receive constructive coaching on characters or scenes of member’s choosing. Actors rehearse together in their own time and when their scene is ready, it’s brought into session where two coaches provide feedback and workshopping suggestions, manage feedback from the other members present and offer guidance for further exploration. Our coaches are award winning experienced professionals in theatre, film and television. Coaches for 2026 include Annie Murtagh-Monks (acting coach/casting director/intimacy coordinator), Ben Young (film & TV director/writer), Caroline Brazier (actor/acting coach), Renee Webster (film & TV director/writer); Dr Michael McCall (director/actor/lecturer); Dr Andrew Lewis (director/actor); Maziar Lahooti (film director/writer) and Amy Mathews (actor/coach). Regularly before sessions moderators will also teach various necessary craft skills for actors and directors. We offer filming of scenes during at least one third (7) of the 22 sessions to enable honing of screen acting and directing skills in members. Leading industry guests are invited to attend and share invaluable insights.
Members can choose their own material – classical, contemporary, adaptation, scene from film, television or play script, monologue or stand-up comedy routine. Members can also write their own material. Actors are free to choose their own scenes and scene partners. However, at times they may be given suggestions of suitable material from a coach which could extend their skills further.
At each fortnightly session held at Backlot Studio 10 actors will perform (i.e., total of 5 scenes). Full Members elect to choose which sessions they wish to perform at. Sessions can be booked in advance to fit in with work or life commitments. Guidance and coaching are given jointly by two coaches at each session and the work is commented on by members present at the session. Filmmaker members of the Studio can choose to direct one of the scenes at sessions and receive feedback. Full Members do not have to perform or even attend every session but are able to attend whenever their work schedule permits. This Studio is advanced and at a higher level than other PAC courses so the feedback from coaches will be totally honest, constructive and designed to stretch actors. Those who crave this should apply for Full Membership. Entry is competitive as there are strictly limited places. Selection of Full Members is by our panel of industry professionals who are coaches in PACAS.

Associate Members are invited to attend all 22 (or 11 if half yearly) sessions to watch and observe the workshopping for a low membership fee. Associate members comprise actors, filmmakers and writers who have previous experience or training. Associate actor members can volunteer to be reserves and will have the chance to perform and receive feedback and coaching when Full Members become unavailable due to work or illness. Volunteers are guaranteed to perform the scene they prepared. Associate Member directors can choose to direct a scene at sessions and receive feedback and coaching.

Membership Eligibility:
All members of PACAS (both Full & Associate) will be invited to become members after passing successfully through a selection process requiring submission of a CV and showreel or self-tape. Membership in the studio is offered on an annual or half yearly basis and is subject to annual application and renewal. To ensure the level of excellence of the Studio, eligibility for membership is selective and strictly based on the skill level of the actor or filmmaker as selected by the Coaching Panel.

Invitations to join the Studio mid year in 2026 as a Full or Associate Member will be offered to the most skilled actors and filmmakers who have applied by the application deadline for Mid-Year Entry of 5pm Sunday May 31, 2026. Note a $50 deposit is required to accept an offer of membership with membership fees for this entry due in full by June 20. There will be 11 sessions held from July-December plus an End of Year Party with award ceremony in December. NOTE THERE ARE STRICTLY LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE.

There are three types of Membership: *directors or writers must also have training/industry experience and provide CV and/or showreel when applying.

Associate Membership Half Year: entitles an actor, director* or writer* to attend any or all 11 fortnightly sessions & networking in the first half of the year who can give feedback/ direct*/ act & perform as reserve. Cost $450 (plus GST)

NB: Membership Fee to the Studio provides professional development and is therefore claimable as a tax deduction for professional actors & filmmakers.
Networking
In addition, all members of PACAS are invited to attend free private networking to be held prior to each session throughout the year with visiting or local leading industry professionals.
Dates of Sessions 2026
22 Mondays commencing at 6:30pm (networking from 6pm): (note some avoidance of public holidays)
Feb 02 & 16, March 02, 16 & 30; April 13 & 27; May 11 & 25; June 15 & 29;
MID YEAR ENTRY: July 13 & 27; August 10 & 24; Sept 07 & 21; October 05 & 19; November 02 & 16 & 30.
and End of Year Party: December 07.

How to Apply for Membership of PAC Advanced Studio:
Send your application ASAP and not later than 5pm Sunday May 31 to courses@perthactorscentre.com.au and include your CV OR link to your Showcast/CN/or IMDB page AND include a link to your showreel (state if showreel is on casting platform). If you don’t have a current showreel you can send links to 2 self-tapes.

Please don’t forget to include the following:
Your name……………………………………. Age…………………………
Email address………………………………………………………………….
Mobile number……………………………………………………………….
Are you are applying for: full membership……… associate membership ……. or either?……….
Half year or full year?………… Do you have an agent? If so, which?………………………………….
Are you applying as an actor …….. director…… writer……..
Have you included link to: CV…… IMDB/other page…… Showreel …….or Self-tapes……
Note: If you know of an advanced actor or filmmaker who would benefit and possesses the required skill level for our studio feel free to share this with them. For further information email courses@perthactorscentre.com.au