About the Founder - Marcus Hogan (MFA/BFA/BA)
The Conservatory's founder Mr Marcus Hogan, having originally trained as an actor at the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York and being awarded honours as a graduate at the Cornish Institute of Performing Arts completed his Masters Degree at Boston University's famous performing arts school in Directing Film & Theatre. At Cornish Mr Hogan received his BFA alongside such notable big screen stars as Brendan Fraser. While studying at Cornish, Mr Hogan was also ranked twice on the national Dean's List of America which notes and publishes annual details of America's top 5 percent of tertiary achievers. In all Mr Hogan spent nearly seven years in the United States training, working and learning in some of the most competitive arts institutions the world has to offer. He continues to coach, direct and produce professionally in Australia. Few private acting colleges in Australia can boast an executive overseer of such international quality to guide the development of your professional training.
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Leah Pellinkhoff - Assistant Director of Learning (Day)
Actors Conservatory graduate Leah Pellinkhof has been teaching at the actors Conservatory for over 10 years, She started her career in the entertainment industry as an actor appearing in various short & Feature films, TV Commercials and stage productions . Although she received much kudos as a performer, Leah decided to take a step out of the spot light to go behind the scenes and has worked with some of Australia's best talents including Geoffrey Rush (Oscar winner) Jesse Spencer (House), Judy Davis (My Brilliant Career) Andrew Lesnie (DOP Lord of the Rings) Leah can often be found sitting in the director's chair. Leah's directing experience has varied from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for the Queensland Shakespeare Festival and a sold out season 'Grease' to the hilarious short film 'Bridge over troubled water' and comedian Brett Matthews 'Playing with your Deck' for the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.
In more recent years Leah has taken to writing and directing her own original plays. Shows like the children's pantomime 'The Kooky Christmas Counterfeit' at Harvest Rain Theatre Company, as well as the Dell'Arte award winning play 'The Works of William Shakespeare (BY CHICKS)' for World Shakespeare 2006. Several of her original plays have been produced at front row theatre company including 'Tuckshop: The Musical', 'Shakespeare's Girly Bits', 'Hamilton Hall the musical' and the Matilda award nominated 'My Pet Human' which also scored her a Dell'Arte Award for favourite playwright. Leah has been teaching, directing, acting and scriptwriting for the past ten years both locally and interstate and is passionate about developing tomorrow's great talents.
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Sherri Smith - Assistant Director of Learning (Night)
Sherri is involved in the arts industry in varying roles from performance in theatre, film and television, voice-overs, singing, stage fight, dance and Shakespeare performance; to ‘behind the scenes’ work in directing, camera, editing and stage direction.
Her credits in the film industry include:- Without A Shadow; Salt Web Series; Time Trax II; Behind the Bar; Triathlon Documentary; Our Place; Aust. Cinematographers Society True Lies; Society of Aust Fight Directors Documentary. Her theatre credits include Animal Farm; Twelfth Night; Romeo & Juliet; Letters from River Street; Carbon Footprint Cabaret; The Little Mermaid; Mania.
Sherri has a keen interest in movement having trained heavily in dance, and to instructor level in stage combat seeing her choreograph and perform in both disciplines. Dance credits:- Golden Age of Jazz Gala; Jeans West & active wear labels; Mindplay. Stage fight credits (including weapon work):- Symphony in a Flat; Henry V; Macbeth; Unidentified Human Remains. She continues to be enthusiastic and inspired by the theatre and film mediums and the process of the acting craft.
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