Janine McGrath
 

ACTOR

 

+61 (0)416 223 797

MELBOURNE, Australia

173 cm 5’8”

AGENT Howell Elite Actors

guy@howellmgmt.com.au

+61 (0) 404 834 434

A monologue, Snakes and Ladders, narrating the unsung endeavours of a carer was performed to perfection by Janine McGrath. THEATRE MATTERS

Janine McGrath’s upbeat delivery is well executed. STAGE WHISPERS

One of the stand-outs was Janine McGrath's enchanting performance as Idylla in (Lourdes) Zamanillo's 'Memorials'…she inhabited this character entirely and imbued her with strength, empathy and multiple layers of integrity and character…outstanding contribution to Summer Reading 2021. CRACKED ACTORS THEATRE.

 

Little Drummer Girl, age 9.

I rekindled my passion for acting after three decades of running successful dance schools, but I first stepped onstage as The Little Drummer Girl in my local dance school’s production of The Magic Toyshop.

I’ve always been driven towards performance. Before any formal training, I’d been creating tableaux for my family & friends, with the Hill’s Hoist as rigging for the curtain. Thought I was Busby Berkeley.

With over 30 years experience in dance performance, education, and stage production, I bring a unique spattering of skills to my acting projects.

 

Reels

Acting Show Reel

Comedy Reel


Sizzle Show Reel

Ballroom Waltz with Paul Daniel Fennell



Credits

Film, TV, Media, Theatre

2025

Snakes & Ladders, Metropolis Monologues, Melbourne Writers’ Theatre
Written by Donna De Palma & Directed by Jennifer Munday
Lead - Mariana

Solace Short Film
Written & Directed by Kailas Prasannan
Support - Julia

Better Than Bingo Short Film
Written & Directed by Kasey Wooley
Support - Jill

2024

Drowning In Love Web Series - Recurring
Directed by Yurou (Selina) Zhang
Support - Susan @Kalos TV

Melbourne Writers’ Theatre/Gasworks Script Lab
Directed by Natasha Broadstock
Lead & supporting roles - 6 short plays

My Brilliant Apocalypse - The Return of Barry Brilliant - Melbourne Fringe Festival
Written & Directed by Adrian D’Aprano
Support - Jacinta Brilliant, Therapist, Doctor, French Reporter

Alone Short Film
Directed by Nisha Selvaraj & Lyndon Cantwell
Support - Karen (Group Grief Counsellor)

Thappo Feature Film
Directed by Faisal Hashmi
Support - Mrs Rich

Evenings With Janine RMITV - Channel 31 - 8 Episodes
Produced by Luciana Nicolaci & Jazmin Lissarague
Titular Lead- Janine Winters

Pane di Casa - A Taste of Home The Butterfly Club
Written & Directed by Carlotta Migliolo-Jones
Support - Sharon

My Moonlit Alpha Prince Web Series - 8 Episodes
Written by Max Archer, Directed by Yurou (Selina) Zhang
Recurring Cathwulf - 8 Episodes @minishorts_werewolf

Clinical Reasoning Project Training Film
Melbourne University Mobile Learning Unit
Alice - Stroke Survivor

2023

Pane di Casa One Act Play
Written by Carlotta Migliolo, Directed by Carlotta Migliolo & Katerina Zafiris
Support - Sharon (@ Peridot Theatre)

Breaking Point Short Film
Written & Directed by Lochlan Graham
Support - Shirley McAllister

How To Ask Someone Out Short Film
Written & Directed by Sib Sibthorpe
Support - Delilah Fleur

Faati Ne? Feature Film
Directed by Faisal Hashmi
Support - Jennifer

CCTV Nasty Feature Film
Written & Directed by Sascha-René Karner
Support - Homeless Woman

Til You Make It Web Series
Directed by Scott Major
Art Lover

Portrait of a Rebel Heart by Gerard Lewis Fitzgerald
Cracked Actors Theatre Summer Readings
Lead - Nell (aka Natasha Pavlova), Best Actress Award

Grimm & Grimmer Short Film
Written & Directed by Libby Cowley
Support - Judge Cynthia

Baby Short Film
Written by Llewellyn Michael Bates & Directed by James di Martino
Support - Agnes

2022

Queen Evil Feature Film
Written & Directed by Harry J. Wall
Support - Susan

Afterword Short Film
Support - Lynette Hargrave

Sex & Death Short Film
Directed by Amy Gibbs
Lead - Janice

Gemini Short Film
Written & Directed by Vallerie Rusli
Support Lead - Doctor

The Hook in the Ceiling Short Film
Written & Directed by Zafar Abbass
Lead - Lisa

Martha & Jerry Short Film
Directed by Pollyanna Carleth
Lead - Martha

Quality Care In Hospitals for People With Cognitive Disability Training Film
Produced by Maitree House for La Trobe University
Support Lead - Lynne

Mrs Bin by Hélène Dunlop
Cracked Actors Theatre Summer Readings
Support - Belinda Voulch, (Finalist “Best Supporting Actress”)

Crash Course Short Film
Written by Frank Hozi, Directed by John Kokkinias
Lead - Dr Minerva

Dance, Choreography & Teaching

Assistant Choreographer
Madiba The Musical National & NZ Tour, 2018 & 2019
Starring Tim ‘Timomatic’ Omaji, Blake Erikson, Perci Moeketsi, Ruva Ngwenya & Barry Conrad
The Prestige Presents

Local Choreographer
Fast Love - A Tribute to George Michael National & NZ Tour, 2018 & 2019
The Prestige Presents

Choreographer
Cavalcade - Reins of Fire Arena Spectacular National Tour, 2005
Definitive Events

Dance Consultant
Riverdance National & NZ Tour, 1998
Organised & consulted for the Australian Riverdance auditions
Van Egmond Group

Choreographer
Southern Federation of Dance, 1987 - 2010
Performances, Syllabus Design, Training Videos

Sessional Lecturer in Dance & Drama
Victoria University, 2001 & 2002

President & Dance Examiner
Southern Federation of Dance (President 6 years), 1987 - 2007

Principal
Dancentre Bayside, 1996 - 2012

Principal
PointCookDance, 2009 - 2016

Primary School Teacher
Art Room Teacher, Classroom Teacher & Relief Teacher, 1979 - 1990
Victorian Department of Education

Languages & Accents

English - Natural Australian Accent

English - General American Accent, Southern American Accent, Standard UK Accent, French Accent

French Language (Intermediate)

Madiba The Musical

Producer Neil Croker

Opening Night, Madiba The Musical at The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Photo: Serge Thomann 2018

2021

Hellbender Short Film, Flickerfest 2022 @hellbender.film
Written & Directed by Gregory Kelly - Creative Clones
Support - Panellist

Regional Family Violence Partnership Training Video
Directed by Dave Szostak
Support - Sandra Conway

Unmade Short Film VCA, MIFF 2022
Directed by Izrael Little
Support Lead - Alberta, 2021

Memorials by Lourdes Zamanillo
Cracked Actors Theatre Summer Readings
Lead - Idylla, 2021 (Finalist “Best Actress”)

2020

Melbourne University Training Video
Directed by Phil Shaw, Learning Environments
Support - Anne, Corporate Exec

Parrhersia: A Series of Conversations Web Series
Directed by Sean Hennessy
Support - Salena Lettera

Dance TV Awards Channel 31
Directed by Glenn Brittain
Panellist & Adjudicator

Hamlet Livestream Reading
Produced & Directed by Samuel Bailey, Sight & Sound Solutions
The Ghost & Player 1 (ensemble)

What’s Left Web Series
Directed by Casey Long
Support - Dr Newall, 2019

Actor Training

  • Casting Workshop with Micaeley Gibson 2024

  • Scene Study & Audition Workshops with Jennifer Sarah Dean (Melbourne Shakespeare Company) 2024

  • Casting Workshops with Stevie Ray & Amy Mete 2023

  • Text to Screen Test with Scott Major & Steve Jaggi, February - March 2023

  • Creating Compelling Characters - The Audition Technique - Greg Apps, October - November 2022

  • Text to Screen-Test with Rosie Traynor & Nathan Lloyd, July - September 2022

  • ShowReel Intensive with Scott Major, Jordan Bond & Craig McMahon, May-June 2022

  • Impro Melbourne, Spontaneity, February-March 2022

  • Casting Workshops with Thea McLeod, Jo Briant, Maria Epthymiopoulos & Leigh Pickford 2022

  • StageMilk Acting Classes, July 2020 - ongoing

  • All American Accent Challenges with Katherine Beck (Ultimate Screen Actor) 2021

  • American Accent Masterclass, 6 weeks March-April 2021

  • Howard Fine Advanced Online Acting Course, November-December 2020

  • Playing the Bard; Shakespeare in Performance with Sally McLean, July-August 2020

  • Howard Fine 6 Week Essentials, June-July 2020

  • Howard Fine Audition Technique, May 2020

  • NIDA Screen Acting Essentials, 2020

Tertiary Education

  • Adv Dip Dance Teaching The Australian Ballet School, 1999

  • Grad Dip Ed Visual and Performing Arts, RMIT, 1992

  • Dip Ed (Primary), Major in English Lit., Coburg Teachers’ College, 1978

Additional

  • Classical Ballet, Jazz Dance, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballroom, Latin, Folkloric

  • Pilates, Gym, Zumba, Swimming

  • French Language, Alliance Française

  • Austswim Certificate

  • Xerobics Certificate

  • Working With Children Check

  • Modelling Course - Suzan Johnston

  • Drawing, Painting, Costume Design, Sewing, Cooking, Knitting

  • Loves - English & French Literature, Myths & Legends

It always seems impossible until it’s done.
— Nelson Mandela

CV

Yep, I’m a late bloomer. I came to acting after an extensive career in the dance world, wearing an assortment of theatrical hats. I spent most of the Covid lockdown pivoting careers - doing online acting classes, studying hard, and sharpening the finer points of acting.

I was thrilled to be awarded Best Actress Award at Cracked Actors’ Theatre (CAT) Summer Readings 2023, after being a finalist for Best Actress in 2021, and Best Supporting Actress in 2022.

Flashback to the 1980’s, my first job was as a Primary School Teacher, committed to integrating visual & performing arts into all areas of the curriculum, all the while juggling dance and dance teaching commitments.

In 1987 I was approached to update the Jazz Dance levels for a well-known Australian dance society.  Collaborating with a colleague, we created ten new levels of Jazz Ballet.  The Victorian board was so impressed with the work that they founded a brand new dance association, and Southern Federation of Dance (SFD) was born and subsequently offered nationally.  During my time with SFD, I was President (6 years), Choreographer, Dance Examiner, Adjudicator, MC, Teacher Trainer, and Mentor.

Having already been a guest teacher and choreographer for various dance schools around Victoria, I opened a dance school in Elwood, which over sixteen years scaled up to three schools located in Brighton, Point Cook, and Torquay. Meanwhile, I developed a unique Preschooler Dance program; integrating movement, music, language, maths, and social concepts.

In 2001 & 2002 I lectured in Dance & Drama at Victoria University in the School of Human Movement, Recreation & Performance.

A flair for choreography and dance production has allowed me to work in theatre and arena shows including Riverdance, Cavalcade – Reins of Fire, Madiba The Musical, and Fast Love – a Tribute to George Michael.

I’ve always thrived on the creative processes of brainstorming ideas, researching, planning, and collaborating. I’m ready, let’s go.

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Contact

The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring