CURRICULUM   VITAE 

 

 

ROD  ANSELL

 

1 Mitchell St, Tighes Hill,

NSW, 2297

Ph  (02) 49 623 983  

                                       email: rodansell@bigpond.com           

 

                        gina stoj management    Ph: 0407 291377

             

Actors Equity\MEAA since 1981 - No. 2046867

 

 

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CAREER  OBJECTIVES

 

To maintain a long, fruitful and varied career in performing arts.

 

To continue to grow in all aspects of my work.

 

To work with and learn from a range of the most talented and interesting people available.

 

To contribute to the community by presenting the best in performance.

 

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PROFESSIONAL THEATRE EXPERIENCE

 

1981 - 2007                                         DIRECTOR   

 

*        ROMEO & JULIET by William Shakespeare

Reamus Youth Theatre, Maitland

*        RICHARD 111 by William Shakespeare

          Flying Teapot Theatre

*        THE MAIDS by Jean Genet

                   Flying Teapot Theatre     

          *        COSI by Louis Nowra

                   Maitland Repertory Society

*        A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

                   by William Shakespeare

Reamus Youth Theatre, Maitland

*        MACBETH by William Shakespeare

                   Reamus Youth Theatre, Maitland

*        AN IDEAL HUSBAND by Oscar Wilde 

                   Newcastle Repertory Theatre

          *        A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

                   by William Shakespeare

                             North West Theatre Co – Roxy Theatre, Bingara

                             *        VOLPONE The Fox by Ben Jonson

Newcastle Repertory Theatre

*        RICHARD 111 by William Shakespeare

                                      Reamus Youth Theatre, Maitland

                             *        WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

                                      by Raymond Briggs

                                      Dance & Performing Arts Academy Hamilton

                             *        ROMEO & JULIET by William Shakespeare

                                      Young People’s Theatre

                                      *        NORMIE & TUAN - by Alex Buzo

                                      Flying Teapot Theatre (with Barney Langford)

                             *        DOB! DOB! DOB! - by Rod Ansell

                                       Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        CHESTER & SYLVESTER - by Rod Ansell

                                      Footlice\Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        ROOTED - by Alex Buzo

                                       Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        THE MAIDS - by Jean Genet

                                      Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        DIARY OF A MADMAN - by Nikolai Gogol

                                       Hunter Valley Theatre Co.\ Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        GOTHICK -by Rod  Ansell

                                      Flying Teapot Theatre

                             *        SALOME - by Oscar Wilde

                                      Flying Teapot Theatre                     

                *    HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME, KILL ME  - by Rod Ansell

                                      Murray River Performing Group

                             *        THE MAGIC SPELL - by Brian Joyce

                                      Freewheels Theatre In Education

                             *        CABARET DU MORT - by Rod Ansell

                                      Independent Production

                   *    WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS ANYWAY? - by Rod Ansell

                                      Independent Cabaret Production

                             *        CHESTER AND SYLVESTER - by Rod Ansell

                                      Independent Production

                             *        POETRY AS THEATRE\POETRY AS CABARET

                                      Labyrinth Theatre  

                             *        THE GOOD OLD AUSSIE BBQ -by Sandra Young

                                       Labyrinth Theatre  

                             *        BUNNY AND RAT - by Rod Ansell                                                        Labyrinth Theatre  


 

PERFORMER - THEATRE  1981 – 2006

 

2006          HUMAN RESOURCES by Carl Caulfield

                   Civic Playhouse   Stray Dogs Theatre                   (Wil)

                   LOUDSPEAKERS – HSC Poetry for schools

                   Synergy 3 Productions                              (Various roles)

DIRTY DICK’s

                   Touring Theatre Restaurant                       (King Arthur)

2005          AWAY by Michael Gow

                   Uni of N’cle Theatre Synergy 3 Productions               (Harry)

                   SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES by Carl Caulfield

                   Civic Playhouse   Stray Dogs Theatre                   (Liam)

                   SPEED CITY/FULL THROTTLE adapted by Stefo Nantsou

                   Honeysuckle Precinct  Hammer & Tongs     (Various roles)

SUBTERRANEAN UNI BLUES by Carl Caulfield

                   Civic Playhouse Stray Dogs Theatre                     (Norm)

2004          SVETLANA IN SLINGBACKS by Valentina Levkowicz

                   Uni of Newcastle Theatre    Uni Drama Dept        (Boris)

2003          THE SHERIFF’S REVENGE by Mark Gauntlett

                   Jesmond Park                                                      (Sheriff)

2002          A MAN’S BEST FRIEND by James Saunders

                   Uni of Newcastle Drama Theatre                          (Iain)

                   CONFUSION OF TONGUES by Carl Caulfield

                   PAN Showroom (Sandor)        

                   ROBIN HOOD by Mark Gauntlett

                   Jesmond Park                                                      (Sheriff)

2001           HOUNDS ON ICE by Footlice Theatre

                   Civic Park Fountain, Newcastle            (Sherlock Holmes)

                   SUMMER of the 17th DOLL  by Ray Lawler    

                   Freewheels, Uni of Newcastle, Civic Theatre         (Barney)

1999           THESE FOOLISH THINGS by Carl Caulfield

                   for Civic Theatre Newcastle & Stray Dogs             (Tom)

                    NORMIE & TUAN by Alex Buzo

                   Flying Teapot Theatre              (Normie)     

1998           ABELARD & HELOISE (BETRAYED)

                   - by R. Fiddes & P. Kavanagh

                    Civic Theatre Newcastle \Opera Hunter     (Drogo)

                   DIARY OF A MADMAN - by Nikolai Gogol

                  Hunter Valley Theatre Co.\ Flying Teapot Theatre                                                                                     (Poprischin)

1997           A HARD NIGHT WITH THE JESTER

                   Dirty Dick's Productions                   (The Jester)

                   DIARY OF A MADMAN - by Nikolai Gogol

                   Hunter Valley Theatre Co.\ Flying Teapot Theatre                                                                                              (Poprischin)

                   TOWER OF SONG - by Carl Caulfield

                   Stray Dogs\Necastle Fringe Festival                     (Blind Lover)

                   ESSINGTON LEWIS: I AM WORK - John O'Donoghue

                             for  Hunter Valley Theatre Co.          (Various Roles)

 1996          XMAS AT THE OPERA HOUSE\ TREASURE ISLAND
                    for   Sydney Opera House Trust       (Long John Silver)

                             OLIVER!  by Lionel Bart

                             for  Opera Hunter                                       (Fagin)

                             S.A.O.  by John O'Donoghue

                             for  Freewheels Theatre                            (Archie) 

                             OLEANNA by David Mamet

                             for  Flying Teapot Theatre                           (John)

                            


 

PERFORMER - Theatre (Continued)

 

                        THE VENETIAN TWINS by Enright\Clark

                             for  Hunter Valley Theatre Co.    (Pancrazio) 

                             SUSANNAH'S PLACE by R Howard & B Burkefield

                             for  Footlice Theatre (Various Roles)

                             DICK WHITTINGTON & HIS CAT

                             by Elspeth Robertson

                for  Civic Theatre\Starstruck\Footlice Productions (Villain)

          

      1995              SALOME  - by Oscar Wilde  (Herod)

                             GOTHICK - by Rod Ansell   (Father Oblivion)

                             for  Flying Teapot Theatre

 

      1987-94    for Hunter Valley Theatre Co.

 

                   A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - by Shakespeare

                          (Oberon\Theseus)

                         MINE ALONE - by Christine Gregory

                           (Cliff)

                           BRILLIANT LIES - by David Williamson

                           (Gary)

                           MONEY AND FRIENDS - by David Williamson

                           (Stephen)

                           MACBETH - by Shakespeare

                           (Macduff)

                           TWELFTH NIGHT - by Shakespeare

                           (Feste)

                           THE QUEST FOR GRENDEL - Group Devised

                           (Minstrel)

                           KID STAKES - by Ray Lawler

                           (Dickie)

                           OTHER TIMES - by Ray Lawler

                           (Josef)

                           ARMS AND THE MAN - by G. B. Shaw

                           (Sergius)

                          ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR - by A. Ayckbourn

                          (Sidney)                                     
                          SHIVER ME TIMBERS - by A. McCauley and

                          BLAST ME BARNACLES - by A. McCauley

                          (Villainous Blind Man)

 

   All above  for   Hunter Valley Theatre Company Productions


 

PERFORMER - Theatre (continued)

 

          1994          GUILLOTIN ! - by Carl Caulfield

                          (Dr Guillotin)

                  for   Novocastrian Productions

 

         1992          DEBTS - by Stefo Nantsou

                          (Dog)

                   for  Zeal Theatre

 

         1991           IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE

                           Music Hall

                          (Various roles)   

                   for  Kings Theatre Restaurant                                                                                           

 

 

         1990           A STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION

                          - by Jack Hibberd

                          (Monk O'Neill) 

                   for   University of Newcastle Drama Dept.

 

 

         1987            MISSION  IMPROBABLE - by Richard Tulloch

                            ODD BODS - by Richard Tulloch

                            (Various roles) for   New England Theatre Company

 

         1987-88         CABARET DU MORT - by Rod Ansell 2 seasons

         1988   WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS ANYWAY? - by Rod Ansell

         1988               CHESTER AND SYLVESTER - by Rod Ansell

         1981-83           THE UNMENTIONABLES - by Rod Ansell

                     Independent Productions.

 

          1983-87        POETRY AS THEATRE  1982-88

                             THE GOOD OLD AUSSIE BBQ- by Sandra Young

                               BUNNY AND RAT - by Rod Ansell

                               BOB IS IN THE MUD - by Richard Tulloch

                               POETRY AS CABARET

                 for    Labyrinth Theatre In Education touring NSW schools

                                                   

 [


 

PERFORMER - FILM AND TELEVISION 

See showreel visit      Rod's Video Page

BLUE LIES (Dir: Gerald Lawson)

                        Feature Film                  (Private Detective)

                          

                        SUBURBAN MAYHEM (Dir: Paul Goldman)

                        Feature Film – Cannes Festival                  (Angry Neighbour)

 

COLUM-BUS STOP - DHL  TVC (International)

                        The Campaign Palace\ Film Graphics (Christopher Columbus)

                        (Dir: Graham Burfoot)     Global distribution

 

                    MARTHA’S NEW COAT  (Dir: Rachel Ward) 

Feature Film  - SBS Television                               (The Cop)

 

THE SHOOTOUT 2001,2002  Film Festival TVC

(Dir: Kristy Street)                             (The Gunfighter)

 

BLACK RIDER  (Winner 2002 Newcastle Film Festival)

            (Dir: Joe Mitchell)                                          (The King)

 

PRICK  (Dir: Andrew Slattery)                                (Title Role)

 

SPIRAL  (Dir: G Mc Girr)                                        ( The Traitor)

 

 THE MAIL    (Dir: Andrew Slattery)                       ( Death)

 

ART FOR PETE”S SAKE            

                                    POLICE RESCUE                          

                                    SWEET AND SOUR                                  

                                    THE LAST BASTION

                                    MISSING PERSONS S.I.B.

                                    PHARLAP

                                    KITTY AND THE BAGMAN

                                    CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU

                                    BODYLINE

 

             + MANY LOCAL TV & RADIO COMMERCIALS including…

                                    Retravision

                                    Maitland Heritage Holden

                                    Newcastle City Holden

Internet Awareness

Greater Building Scociety

 

 


PERFORMER - MUSIC

 

                       Worked professionally as singer, also playing

                            saxophone, harmonica, ukelele and guitar in

                            the following  rock, blues, latin and country bands :

                                      AGENTS OF PEACE

PABLO DIABLO

                                       TIGHES HILLBILLIES

                            IZAKITE
                                      
SEA OF HEARTBREAK

                             HOT ROD AND THE SKIDMARX

                            JUKE JOINT JUMPERS

                            SLIM JIM AND THE FATS BAND

                            THE POLECATS

                            FAT ELVIS AND THE LOVETONES

                             THE GALAHS

                            THE BOLL WEEVILS

COMPOSER

Composed music for these productions :

                                      ROBIN HOOD            

                   THE SHERIFF’S REVENGE

                             TWELFTH NIGHT

                             HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME, KILL ME

                            THE MAGIC SPELL

                            CABARET DU MORT

                            WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS, ANYWAY?

                             CHESTER AND SYLVESTER

                             BUNNY AND RAT

                            THE UNMENTIONABLES

                            SUSANNAH'S PLACE                        

WRITER 

plays produced

 

GOTHICK -Flying Teapot Theatre

DOB! DOB! DOB! - Flying Teapot Theatre

HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME, KILL ME - MRPG

SLEIGHBELLS IN THE SNOW - 

FELLOWSHIP - Not Another Theatre Company

CHESTER AND SYLVESTER &

BUNNY AND RAT - Labyrinth Theatre, Darwin TIE

CABARET DU MORT

WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS, ANYWAY?

THE UNMENTIONABLES - Independent Comedy Cabarets

 

 

EMPLOYMENT   EXPERIENCE

 

 

1981 - 2007                               PROFESSIONAL THEATRE WORKER

                                   *   Performer\ Actor\Singer  (Film, TV, Theatre)

                                    *   Writer  ( Australia Council Grant 1986)

                                    *   Director  (See Above)

                                    *   Tutor  (Voice, Acting)

                                    *   Musician  (See above)

 

2003-2007                     UNIVERSITY of NEWCASTLE Conservatorium/Drama Department

                                    Tutor:               DRAM 2700 Acting 1 and DRAM2710 Acting 2

 

                                    TAFE NSW, Moree Campus

                                    Tutor & Director: TAFE Bingara 7505P Small Theatre Production

                                    A Midsummer Night’s DreamRoxy Theatre, Bingara, 2003

 

                                    JAMES ROSS GROUP

                                    Voice Tutor:                 NIB Staff Development Programme 2004

 

1998-2002                                          Casting Consultant:     Ansell & Ansell Actors Agency

 

1982 - 1986                  *   Artistic Director\ Administrator

                                         Labyrinth Theatre

                                         Leadership, design, administrative, directing,

                                          marketing and on-stage roles for touring theatre                                      

                                         company working in schools, Festival of Sydney,

                                         Art Gallery of  NSW, cabaret venues etc.

 

1976 - 1981                   NSW PUBLIC SERVICE

                                    *   English and Drama Teacher, High School NSW

                                    *   Administrative Clerk, Dept. Public Works.

 


 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

                             *   ENGLISH, HISTORY AND EDUCATION

                        Newcastle College of  Advanced Education   Dip Teach.

 

                           *   FINE ARTS 1, ENGLISH 1 and PHILOSOPHY 1

                                  University of Sydney  

 

                             *   ACTING, VOICE, SPEECH, DANCE, MIME

                                  Ensemble Studios, Sydney

 

                             *   MIME

                                  Entr'acte  Theatre, Sydney

 

                             *   SINGING, SPEECH, VOICE       

                             A-1 Professional Music Studios, Jeannie Lewis,                               Jennifer Barnes, Francine Bell, Stephen Yalouris

                   

                             *   VOICE AND SPEECH

                                  Rowena Balos,  Elizabethan Theatre Trust

 

                             *   ADVANCED ACTING

                                  Drama Studio, Sydney

 

                             *   COMMUNITY RADIO

                                  2NUR-FM

 

                             *   CONTRACT & NEGOTIATION SKILLS

                                  Media, Arts & Entertainment Alliance

Actors Equity\MEAA since 1981 - No. 2046867

                                   

                              *    LOW BUDGET FILM MAKING

                                    Sydney Community College

 

PERSONAL DATA

                              *   D.O.B.             22-9-1955

                              *   Health            Excellent

                              *   Nationality    Australian

    *   Actors Equity\MEAA  No. 2046867


MEASUREMENTS  30-7-04

 

CHEST:     44 ins        112 cms

WAIST:     38-5 ins     98 cms

NECK:       16-5 ins     41 cms

HEAD:       23 ins        59 cms

SHOE:       10-11

 


rod ansell   1 mitchell st tighes hill nsw 2297  ph\fax 02 49 623983  

email: rodansell@bigpond.com

 

ROD ANSELL TEACHING 2003 - 2006

UNIVERSITY of NEWCASTLE

Conservatorium/Drama Department 2003-2006

 

Tutor:                            DRAM 2700 Acting 1 and

                                      DRAM2710 Acting 2

 

 

TAFE NSW, Moree Campus 2003

 

Tutor & Director:

TAFE Bingara 7505P Small Theatre Production – 2003

A Midsummer Night’s DreamRoxy Theatre, Bingara

 

 

JAMES ROSS GROUP

 

Voice Tutor:                  NIB Staff Development Programme 2004

 

 

Reamus Youth Theatre Maitland,

Tantrum Youth Theatre Newcastle

 

Voice Tutor:        Private Tutor & Local Youth Theatre Groups 2003-6

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Referees:

            Prof  Robert Constable, Dean, Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.

            Dr Carl Caulfield, Lecturer, Drama Dept, University of Newcastle.

            Paul Clements, Director, Reamus Youth Theatre, Maitland.

 

rod ansell   1 mitchell st tighes hill nsw 2297  ph 02 49 623983  

email: rodansell@bigpond.com


 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

 

RE:      ROD ANSELL:  ACTOR, DIRECTOR, MUSICIAN, PRODUCER

 

FROM:   FELICITY BIGGINS:  DIRECTOR, STRAY DOGS THEATRE  ph: 02 49 262248

 

Stray Dogs first production in Newcastle in 1993 was Carl Caulfield’s Guillotin! ,

a black comedy about the inventor of the guillotine, set during the French Revolution.   Having only just returned to live in Newcastle, we had no idea who could play the lead role. There was only one person, everyone told us, Rod Ansell.   Rod was already much in demand as a professional actor and musician, but graciously agreed, on the strength of the script and our qualifications and experience, to do the role.   We’ve worked very happily with him ever since.

 

Rod is a demanding, committed and passionate actor who raises the bar in every project he takes on.   He comes to rehearsals fully prepared and tackles each role with intelligence, humour and dedication to his craft.   He is a versatile actor, equally at home with dramatic and comic roles and he can sing, too, as well as play a variety of instruments.   He’d be the first to admit he’s not exactly Fred Astaire, but he’s willing to work hard if dancing is required and manages to get away with just about anything on stage.

 

His roles for Stray Dogs have included an embittered comedian coping with a relationship break-up (These Foolish Things), a tormented psychologist called Sandor Ferenczi who falls out with Freud over repressed memory (Confusion of  Tongues) and the aforementioned inventor of the guillotine complete with outrageous French accent (Guillotin!).

 

He has also performed in numerous productions for the Hunter Valley Theatre Company, making his mark in Shakespeare and Williamson.   He has appeared in many musicals, most notably as Fagin in Oliver! and even performed in a local opera, Abelard & Heloise.

 

Rod is also an adventurous and rigorous director.   He has enjoyed considerable success working with young people on ambitious productions of Shakespeare, most recently, to rave reviews, Richard 111.

 

His production of Romeo & Juliet for Young Peoples’ Theatre was critically acclaimed also.   He has won numerous awards for both his acting and directing,

most notably for a landmark production of The Maids at the Civic Playhouse,

by his own company, Flying Teapot.

 

His credits are too numerous to mention, but perhaps his greatest asset is his total commitment to regional theatre.   He has demonstrated his commitment to local playwrights by appearing in plays by Newcastle writers, Carl Caulfield and John O’Donoghue.   He has also worked with amateur companies, aiming at raising standards and mentoring young people and he has striven to keep professional theatre alive in Newcastle against great odds, even spearheading a campaign to get a new space in town.   He doesn’t suffer fools, but he never expects more from anyone than he’s prepared to give himself.

 

I recommend him unreservedly as an all-round man of the theatre.