Ian michael

Photo: Julez Ferre Photo: Julez Ferre Ian Michael and Brendan Baxter Photo Robert Coppa Photo: Steven Rhall Sweat Photo: Lisa Schreiber Muttacar Sorry Business Photo: Jon Green Project Petey DNA Photo: Jules Fortune

Born in Darwin on 1 June 1989 and raised in the South West of Western Australia Ian was involved in many Eisteddfods and community performances from the age of 6 and from those experiences performing became a passion. Growing up and through High School he played competitive Hockey and AFL, but he was dedicated to a love of acting and performing which led to various parts in school productions.

After graduating at the age of 17 and taking a year off he decided to make passion into a career and was given an opportunity in Aboriginal Theatre at the WA Academy of Performing Arts being cast in various Australian plays such as "Blackrock" and "In Our Town". As a part of Aboriginal Theatre and the WA Screen Academy was cast as the lead role of 'Jaxon Wheelhouse' in the short film "Project Petey" by David Milroy which was released in July 2009 and has gone on to have success at the Dungog and Winnipeg film festivals. With the WA Youth Theatre Company in on the production of "Sweat", played the part of 'Styx', in December, "Sweat" opened and ran for 9 performances. Ian has appeared as an extra in short films and the feature film 'Needle'. This March he was talented enough to be a part of the Masterclass for the production of 'Porgy and Bess' with directors from New York. In the not too distant future he is hoping to gain entry into further training in Australia and looks to continue to work in the industry here and abroad.

In March 2011 saw Ian heading to Canberra to play the lead role in "Where are the Warriors", a film by Richard Jameson and Wirrim Films.  Richard had this to say about Ian -

'Ian was very professional and we totally enjoyed the experience of working with him. Most of my crew are professional film makers and all were very impressed by his work ethic. It was commented that we think we have just worked with a break through actor who will do very well in the near future'.

Film
2011 - February lead role of Tyson in "Where are the Warriors", a film by Richard Jameson and Wirrim Films.
2009 - December Needle 'Extra' Nexus 6 Films 
2008 - November Project Petey DNA 'Jaxon Wheelhouse' WA Screen Academy and WAAPA

Theatre
Sweat 'Styx' WA Youth Theatre Company December 2009
Muttacar, Sorry Business 'Jojo' Yirra Yakkin Theatre Company February-April 2009

Musical Theatre
Porgy and Bess (Masterclass) Chorus Jiriki Performing Arts
Artistic/Stage Director-Elizabeth Falk, New York
Music Director-Martin Piecuch, New York - March 2009

'Scenes from Bran Nue Dae' Chorus Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts May 2008

Director
Casting Doubts, Assistant Director, WAAPA, August 2010

Creative Development
Black Writers Lab - Ilbijerri directed by Rachael Maza, August 2011
Runaway Love 'Young Charlie' and Chorus Yirra Yakkin Theatre Company September 2009
Jandamarra 'Yillimurra' Bunuba Films July 2009

Skills Development
Certificate IV Aboriginal Theatre - WAAPA 2008
Thrills and Skills - Black Swan State Theatre Co 2009

Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
In Our Town 'David Millimurra' March 2008
Gunjies 'Steven Allunga' June 2008
Blackrock 'Scott Abbey' September 2008