Arts Stars on the Rise
The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) has long been a breeding ground for Australia's most creative talent - from Oscar-winner Adam Elliot to the multi-talented Julia Zemiro; playwright Hannie Rayson to fashion designer Martin Grant; not to mention giants of Australian art like Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Boyd and Fred Williams (graduates of the VCA's predecessor, the National Gallery of Victoria Art School).
These and other VCA alumni have shone on stages across Australia and internationally , but how are the more recent crop of graduates making their mark? And who are they?
Look out for these VCA-trained stars on the rise…
Thomas Jeppe, Visual Artist
Fresh out of College, 2011 VCA Master of Visual Art graduate Thomas Jeppe is already making his name in the international contemporary art world, having exhibited his work in cities from London to Los Angeles.
His work focuses on cultural exchange, with his sculptural and two-dimensional practice questioning: what is work and what is pleasure?
Next up, an exhibition and residency in Berlin, a solo exhibition in Hamburg and another at the Curro Y Poncho Gallery in Guadalajara, Mexico, for which he received an Arts Victoria Export and Touring grant.
To see his work closer to home, Thomas will also be holding exhibitions in Sydney and Perth and at Utopian Slumps gallery in Melbourne in 2012.
Adena Jacobs, Theatre Director
2011 was a big year for VCA Master of Theatre Practice (2008) graduate, Adena Jacobs. As the recipient of the 2011 Harold Mitchell Foundation Fellowship, she received $15,000 towards her professional development and a mentorship with Melbourne Festival Artistic Director Brett Sheehy in the areas of producing and artistic direction.
She was also appointed one of four Assistant Directors at the Melbourne Theatre Company where she worked on Bruce Norris' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Clybourne Park, assisting Director Peter Evans.
Adena's star continues to rise this year. Look out for her at Malthouse Theatre, where she's been appointed Female Director in Residence for 2012.
Anna O'Byrne, Musical Performer
Less than a fortnight after completing her Bachelor of Music Performance (Honours) in Classical Voice at the VCA in 2008 Anna O'Byrne was cast as the understudy for the role of Christine Daaé in the Australian and Asian seasons of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.
In 2011 she returned as Christine in the sequel Love Never Dies, which premiered in Melbourne and is currently touring Australia.
As well as playing one of musical theatre's most renowned roles, Anna starred alongside Eddie Perfect and Paul Capsis in Malthouse Theatre and Victorian Opera's co-production of The Threepenny Opera; has performed works by Mozart, Puccini and Bach for companies including Victorian Opera and Opera Australia; and has graced stages from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl to the The Famous Spiegeltent.
Ariel Kleiman, Film-maker
With a trophy cabinet that already houses prestigious awards from Cannes, Sundance and the Beijing Film Academy amongst others, Ariel Kleiman is a film-maker to watch.
His graduating film, Deeper Than Yesterday, an oceanic submarine tragedy which he wrote, directed and edited, has resonated with audiences from Bucharest to Brussels to Bermuda. It has won more than 15 awards, including two at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
As well as representing Australia at film festivals across the globe, Ariel has also been recognised at home with a 2010 QANTAS Spirit of Youth Award and an Australian Inside Film Award for Rising Talent.
Currently based in Melbourne, Ariel is now working on his debut feature film with independent UK film production company Warp Films - it's certainly one to look out for.
Still from Deeper than Yesterday by Ariel Kleiman