Life & Work with Claire Dewar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Dewar.

Hi Claire, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Brisbane, Australia and moved to LA in 2021 during the pandemic. That year I completed my first year at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts online in nine months. My classes would start at 3am Australian time, and classes finished around 9:30 in the morning. During this time, I was running off very little sleep. I also had to organize trying to move countries in time for in-person classes in the second year. There were many challenges trying to get to LA, for example trying to fly to Sydney with lockdowns happening every week and closed internal borders to get a visa, applying for an exemption to leave Australia, and finding an airline that was flying to LA. With help from my family, I was able to push through and make it to LA at the end of August 2021 in time for 2nd-year classes.

I first started on stage dancing when I was three years old and danced competitively for 16 years doing ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theater. While dancing six days a week, I also picked up acting lessons when I was eight years old and started competing in Speech and Drama competitions as well as performing in plays with school, Brisbane Acting and Drama, and Queensland Theater. During my senior year of High School, I received my Diploma in Performance from Trinity College London.

I first fell in love with LA during a summer school at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2018. During that summer I knew that the Academy was where I wanted to study and I wanted to become an Actor. In 2019 I returned again to the summer school and did a tour of the school. I applied to the Academy in January 2020 during my senior year and due to COVID, I wasn’t able to audition in person, so I had to submit a self-tape. I successfully completed my 2-year course and graduated with an A.O.S Degree. Prior to graduation, I successfully auditioned for the Academy’s 3rd year Company. During my Company year, I performed in four plays. My time at the Academy has given me the confidence I need to make it in the industry.

Since leaving the Academy I have been working hard on student, short, independent, and feature films, as well as working behind the camera as a set dresser and PA and doing theater stage management.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The pandemic put many hurdles in the path to pursuing my dreams of acting in LA. I was determined to follow my dreams and persisted in working hard to get there, with the help of my friends and family. At 18, I had to move out of home and across the world on my own and get settled into my life at the Academy. Due to closed international borders, I wasn’t able to travel home for Christmas in 2021 and had to spend my first Christmas away from home alone, stuck in the College dorms.

Due to the recent writers and actors strike, there has not been as much work around; this has proved challenging. I have been on the picket lines in support of my fellow actors and writers. Despite the strikes, I have been lucky enough to do non-union work on student, short, independent, and feature films, as well as theater work.

Being away from home can be challenging not being around my childhood friends and family, but I’m very lucky and have made lifelong friends here. It’s hard missing out on so many things and not being there for them. My brother and his partner recently had a baby, and I am missing out on seeing her grow up, and my other brother and his wife are about to have a baby as well.

I know the road ahead will have more hurdles but as long as I stay persistent, work hard, and be happy I can overcome anything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Australian actress based in LA, working in film, television, and theater. During my Company year at the Academy, we performed the play “Reasons to be Happy” directed by Matt Neves and William Hart. I played the role of Carly, and during the rehearsal process, Matt and Will both believed in me and pushed me to be a better actor. I am most proud of this work, and my acting improved as a result. Shortly after finishing Company, I had the privilege to stage manage a new work called “Chekhov in Love” by Megan Ketch. This was my first taste of the industry after studying, and I learned so much from everyone about the industry, acting, and working behind the scenes of theater.

I always try to stay positive about life and not get affected by negativity. Persistence, patience, hard work, and determination has gotten me to where I am today, and I believe these are some of my strongest qualities.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have been lucky to have the support and mentorship of Will Hart, Megan Ketch, Jeremy O’Keefe, and my friends and family, who have always guided me, given advice, and supported me whenever I needed it. Being on set and talking to people has been another great way to meet new people and grow my network of support. I am also a member of Australians in Film, and they have great events for networking. My advice to other actors wanting to grow their network of people is to take every opportunity to be on set, attend events and be brave, and just talk to people. People in this industry want to help others and see them succeed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/clairedewar?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: IMDB: http://imdb.me/ClaireDewar Backstage: https://www.backstage.com/u/claire-dewar/

Image Credits
Matt Tente Headshots Vova Goroshnikov American Academy of Dramatic Arts