Studio Director
James Huang (Studio Director & Adults Teacher) has worked consistently as a professional actor for over three decades booking over 150 auditions in film, TV, commercials, voice over & print work. He is an award winning filmmaker who’s landed distribution deals with three feature films going to cinemas and streamers like Apple TV and Amazon Prime. He has produced, directed and edited for various networks and production companies from MTV to the media giant Ogilvy.
Originally from New York City, James began acting in 1994 at Rutgers University where he majored in Theatre and Cinema and began working professionally while at school. He honed his actor training for 16 straight years first in college, theatre companies, then professional screen acting classes in Los Angeles. Training includes The George Street Playhouse, Uta Hagen, the William Esper Studio, the Carter-Thor studio and several others. He got a 2nd degree from UCLA in Photography with high honors. He is also a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. After 21 years in Los Angeles, James relocated to AUS during the pandemic where he’s rebuilt The Hollywood Actor Lab in Melbourne and has been acting, filmmaking and teaching in Australia since 2021.
Verity Wood (Kids & Teens Teacher) is a Melbourne-born actor and model. She completed a BA in Acting and Minor in Dance at Federation University in 2016 and furthered her training with Fabio Motta in Clown and Fitzmaurice Voice, Balinese Mask with Budi Miller, and the Summer Training Intensive program at Shakespeare and Company (Lenox, Massachusetts, US). She performed with The BackYard Theatre Ensemble in Smith St, On a Bridge North From Here (2022, Midsumma festival), Hedda Gabler in Hedda, Nora, Julie and Me, (2022, Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Europe & Asia tour) Shadowfall (LaMama Theatre), and an international tour with Ophelia.Maybe.
Verity has consistently been training at The Hollywood Actor Lab, which helped her land the role of Iris in the mini-series Love at First Bite and sign with Campos Talent Agency. Verity has modelled in vintage fashion shows at well-known venues such as Como House and Villa Alba Museum in partnership with the National Trust and Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Isabella Valette (Improv Comedy Teacher) In addition to being one of Australia's top improvisers, was part of the Green Room award winning team her one-woman improvised cabaret show. Training in Musical Theatre in Andrew Lloyd Webber's drama school in London has performed in numerous festivals worldwide as an improviser and comedian including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Perth Fringeworld and Melbourne Fringe. She is a senior member of the acclaimed musical improvisation troupes Impromptunes since 2014 and The Big Hoo Haa since 2015. Winner of Best Solo Show at the Hobart “Fringe At The Edge of the World,’ and nomination for Best Cabaret at the Melbourne Fringe and nominated for two Green Room Awards, Outstanding Ensemble and winner of Outstanding Musical Direction.
Rarmian Newton (Teacher) is currently starring in the lead role of Frodo in the national tour of Lord Of The Rings musical on stage, is a professional triple threat actor on stage and screen. Known for the roles of Maashous Evers in the TV musical drama RISE (NBC), Peter Saubers in the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes (NBC) and Ethan Davies in Tell Me A Story (CBS). Rarmian started his career in theatre at the age of 10, touring Australia as young Peter Allen in Hugh Jackman’s The Boy From Oz. He won a Helpmann Award for his performance as the titular lead in Billy Elliot and toured Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA as the lead role of Hiccup in the live arena spectacular of How To Train Your Dragon. He then spent the next decade in the USA building and developing a career in film and television. Rarmian has worked with such notable actors as Hugh Jackman, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Holland, Antonio Banderas, Sir Ben Kinglsey, Rosie Perez, Aaron Eckhart, Joan Allen, Holland Taylor, Josh Radnor, Auli’i Cravalho, Lea Solonga and Kate Mulgrew. He has worked roles on most major American TV Networks during his time living and working in New York City and Hollywood, California.
Elisa Bullock (Kids & Teens Teacher) is a Melbourne native who has enjoyed performing long before she started her acting career as a competitor in All Star Cheerleading. She has been in numerous local theatre productions most recently starring in The Patient by Agatha Christie. She was nominated for a Comedy Lyrebird Award for her performance in A Knight to Remember. Elisa has been expanding her screen acting work with student films, music videos and shorts. Her actor training includes completing TAFTA’s full time program as well as training at NIDA, private coaching and The Hollywood Actor Lab. Elisa is also a prolific Bingo caller at the local RSL.