How I Got Here: Stage actor Andrea Close
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible, and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
This week we chat with Andrea Close. A familiar voice and face from more than two decades as a presenter on local ABC radio (and before that on WIN TV and Capital 10 News), Andrea is now best known for her work on the stage. As she prepares to star in the Street Theatre’s latest production Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) we sat down to speak with her about her fascinating career journey from one of Canberra’s best-known TV and radio presenters to one of our most beloved stage performers.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a flawed human being who tries each day to improve in some small way and occasionally succeeds. I’m a daughter, sister, friend, dog whisperer, nature lover, walker, gardener, friendly introvert, big sleeper, summer lover, actor, and public servant, amongst other things. I got here (in HerCanberra) to be an actor in Playback (A Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) at The Street Theatre.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
My previous career was in radio and television presentation and reporting, and I didn’t take up acting until my mid-30s, so no. As a kid, I wanted to be a rock star. Then I recorded myself singing. Suffice to say, I became a broadcaster instead.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I find freedom in performance. I’m much more comfortable and confident dealing with the human condition through a character than I am in my own skin. Once I realised that, I spent a year travelling to and from Sydney to gain performance skills at Actors Centre Australia (ACA). Then I just kept auditioning. My acting career has been primarily in theatre but I’m starting to get back into film and TV again after a long break. I was recently cast in my first ‘grandmother’ role in a national TV commercial. That was sobering!
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
I’ve never been in that position as an actor. I think it’s healthy not to hold on too tight to any outcome, though as it’s a tough industry with a lot of rejection. You also can’t expect to earn a living from it. You have to really love the work, the process, and the people.
What was your biggest break?
My first fully professional theatre role as Anna in Boston Marriage at The Street Theatre in 2006. You never forget your first time.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
As an actor? My tutor at ACA said at the end of my first week, ‘You’ll be great at this, but you need to learn how to relax’. And my favourite for life in general is ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
The upside? Being surrounded by incredibly clever, creative and fun people. There’s nothing more exhilarating than the collaboration that occurs in a creative space, and nothing that makes me feel more alive than performing. Acting lets you step inside different worlds, perspectives, and lives that can move, challenge, or entertain others in powerful ways. The downside? Inconsistency, instability, financial insecurity and the fact that actors can do everything right and still not get the gig for reasons that have nothing to do with ability. But that’s all part of the deal.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
To be honest, I don’t really follow much industry news, though I do follow artists and theatre companies on social media. And I keep an eye out for suitable training opportunities to learn new skills or improve on my current ones.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Grateful, at peace, healthy, content and hopefully still getting acting gigs. That’s one of the best things about acting – you can do it for as long as the mind and body hold out.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
That made me laugh out loud! I would never suggest anyone follow in my footsteps. It’s been a long and winding road.
What advice would you give your past self?
Trust your gut. Women are highly intuitive, but many of us don’t listen to our bodies nearly enough. Tune in, and be courageous, always.
You can catch Andrea in Playback (or, a Play About But Not Starring A Famous Politician) from Friday 22 until Sunday 31 May.
