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2013 USQ Faculty of Arts Alumnus of the Year

Aim for the stars and you will at least land on the trees but if you only aim for the trees, you may never get off the ground. The life of an actor is never as glamorous as it seems – pretty people, parties, fun, fame and fortune is not always the case. In reality, acting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, especially in the lead up to “making” it. As the winner of the 2013 USQ Faculty of Arts Alumnus of the Year, Russell Dykstra knows only too well. Many actors/bohemians fall by the way-side when the going gets tough but not our Russell! No matter how challenging, unstable and stressful the work can be, Russell never gave up on living the dream and so the dream never gave up on him.

Russell Dykstra is a successful and accomplished actor who has starred in many film, television and theatre productions. His most recent credits include, in Film: Oranges and Sunshine (Dan), View from Greehaven Drive (Tim), Hey, Hey it’s Esther Blueburger (Osmond Blueburger) and Romulus My Father (Mitru). Television Series credits: Rake (Series 1 and 2 – Barney), Wild Boys (Winston), Spirited (Adam), My Place (Mr Merry) and Theatre: The Addams Family (Fester), Baby Teeth (Gideon) and God of Carnage (Michael).

Russell has also received a range of awards for his acting prowess, including the Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Toy Symphony, an Australian Film Institute Award (AFI) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Soft Fruit as well as an AFI Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Romulus My Father.

Discover more about the inner workings of an actor’s brain by reading the full interview with Russell below.

 
2013 USQ Faculty of Arts and Outstanding Alumnus of the Year: 
Russell Dykstra as Uncle Fester in the Addams Family

  1. What did you dream of doing as a career when you were a child?
    I did not consider acting until I was 10 years old and involved in my first play with a local theatre company. A lady in our community had just graduated from the Victorian College of Art and wanted to do something for the community so she organised a play and offered me the role of Rat. I enjoyed the experience and thought it was fun and could make a career out of it. Therefore, it became my dream and now I am living it. Although it is a challenging occupation because of the insecurity of consistent work and stress, I would never give it up.

  2. What subjects did you study in high school? Were you academically driven, sporting, arts etc?
    In my day, Speech and Drama was not offered at school so I studied externally until my senior year when a new Principal who was very fond of theatre and culture started at my school. He offered me the opportunity to explore my creative bent by introducing talent nights and school musicals. I directed and acted in them all. After that, in year 12, I investigated what other possibilities were out there in terms of higher education.

  3. Why did you choose to study at USQ?
    I talked to a lot of actors who were gaining loads of work at the time and spoke highly of the Toowoomba course. Although I was invited to study at QUT at Kelvin Grove, I went with the USQ course because of its reputation. On reflection, I am so pleased that I made this choice as the move to Toowoomba helped me to mature and focus on my acting craft. I found myself so to speak. Also, because Toowoomba is fairly remote and I was removed from the alluring activities of a big city, all I did is study and work. It was a really intense time in my life living and breathing acting. I made some valuable friends at the time and because most of us were living away from home and working closely together, we became our own family. I still have some of these friends in my life today.

  4. What was the next step for you after graduation? Did you have a plan or fall into something?
    Initially after university, I was at a bit of a dead end. I was devastated because it seemed like everyone found an agent but me and that was a big thing at the time because no agent meant no job. I approached a really reputable agent in Brisbane at the time who did not take me on. Although surprised and disappointed, I didn’t let it bother me and tried to find another agent with limited success.
    My first big break was with the TN Theatre Company, a popular Brisbane based company. As a young actor, I was floored by their work and wanted to be part of it. TN was holding auditions for an apprenticeship for 6 new graduates and I wanted to be part of it so I called the company and let them know that I was enthusiastic and a huge fan of their work and would do anything it took to be part of it even sweep floors. The company was so impressed by my enthusiasm and that, combined with a successful audition landed me the gig. I worked for a year touring in cabaret, children’s shows and main stage work with the company. It was such a great year.
    I continued working professionally in Brisbane for 5 years and during that time was fortunate enough to work with Geoffrey Rush in the travelling tour company Grin and Tonic, performing to schools in Australia and in Paris. That work involved a lot of physical theatre and I realised that Paris and Physical Theatre was my immediate future. I applied to study at the Physical/Clown Theatre School, Ecole Philippe Gaulier, in Paris, established by French man, Philippe Gaulier. I gained a reference from Geoffrey Rush to add to my application. Philippe’s theatre style was similar in to the famous Jacques Lecoq who Philippe had studied under but Philippe’s school had a different approach. I was successful in my application so studied at his school in Paris and enjoyed every moment.  After Paris I continued on my journey for the pursuit of excellence and went to London, as that was where Theatre was happening. I enjoyed every moment of London but my time overseas studies eventually came to an end and I returned to Australia to work professionally again. I wrote and devised a one man show and the Australian Council Grant helped with the tour, which included a run at the Brisbane Festival. The Brisbane Festival continued to support the show which I then took to Sydney and Melbourne. While in Sydney, I auditioned for my first feature film role in Soft Fruit and was successful. This role resulted in an AFI Award for Best Lead Actor in that year.  Since then, I have never looked back.

  5. What do you consider is the key to success?
    Never give up, study the particular aspect of the craft you love and go where the work/scene is happening. Ask peers, go to shows and do what you love. I guess that you can call my one man show and first feature film role my “Cinderella moment”. I was found because I was doing what I wanted to do, what I believed in and what excited me. I was getting out there and being active in my pursuit for work and excellence. I delivered shows that were dynamic and exciting. I put myself in the shoes of others and did what they wanted and also what excited me.

  6. Why do you think you were nominated for an Alumnus of the Year Award?
    I think I was nominated because I am a genius, haha! No seriously because I have been and still am successful in my career and am acknowledged for my hard work that has resulted in such success.

  7. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
    I don’t want to sound cliché in this response but it would have to be my family. My parents are extraordinary people, they are so supportive and always have been. As a young person I had their blessing to pursue the career that I wanted to and they offered advice where required. Even though they knew that the career of an actor was a difficult option, they believed in me and wanted me to do the things I wanted to because life is too short. My parents lived by that motto too and it rubbed off. I am one of six children and still was strongly supported.

  8. What are your plans for the future career wise and personally?
    To be honest who knows? My job does not really allow me to have a set 5 year plan so to speak, I always end up in such diverse roles. I am now acting in a musical and this is the first big musical show I have done since University. Next it could be a film, TV show or who knows really. I do know one thing for sure and that is that I will continue doing work that I find inspiring and working in the field that I am already in. As long as I still get my jollies out of it, I will stay. I will be like Angela Lansbury and still acting when I am in the later stages of my life.