From Head Girl to the Stage and Screen – ‘Ana is Following Her Passion
Since leaving Santa Maria in 2016, ‘Ana has built an exciting and varied career in the performing arts, one that has taken her from WAAPA to Sydney, across Australia for film and television work, and onto major stages.
After graduating, she studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, completing both a Diploma of Acting and a Bachelor of Arts in Acting. It was an intense few years, but also deeply rewarding. Just before graduating, she landed a role in the Stan series Bump, which led to a move to Sydney, where she has been based ever since.
A Growing Career in Performance and Film
Since then, ‘Ana’s career has continued to grow in exciting and unexpected ways. She has travelled to Fiji and around Australia for screen projects, performed at the Sydney Opera House alongside Michael Sheen, and narrated the audiobook of the first mainstream Tongan-Australian novel, Dirt Poor Islanders, a project that held particular personal meaning.
Like many creative careers, acting has come with its ebbs and flows. Alongside performing, ‘Ana has also stepped into producing and filmmaking, recently celebrating the premiere of ‘Ana’s debut short film ‘Grey as writer and director at Flickerfest.
The Influence of Santa Maria
Looking back, ‘Ana can clearly see how her time at Santa Maria helped shape the path she would take.
Taking part in College productions gave ‘Ana the confidence to pursue drama school auditions, while the public speaking and leadership responsibilities that came with being Head Girl helped ‘Ana learn to trust her voice.
Those experiences taught ‘Ana to speak up, take up space and believe in herself. One lesson, in particular, has stayed with ‘Ana. When ‘Ana was trying to work out whether she could balance both being Head Girl and being involved in the Senior Year production, her older brother told ‘Ana, “It’s not about whether you can, it’s about whether you will.” It is a mindset ‘Ana has carried with her ever since.
Discovering a Love for Theatre
‘Ana’s love of theatre began much earlier, at just nine years old, when ‘Ana performed in a primary school production of Fiddler on the Roof. But it was during the WAAPA audition process that ‘Ana realised how strongly ‘Ana wanted to pursue acting as a career. The experience made ‘Ana feel alive and confirmed that this was the path ‘Ana wanted to follow.
When ‘Ana reflects on her school years, it is the Year 12 play that still stands out. The thrill of hearing a live audience laugh and gasp each night left a lasting impression. ‘Ana also speaks with deep gratitude about Amanda Huxtable, Santa Maria’s Head of Dance and Drama at the time, whose honesty, care and encouragement helped shape ‘Ana’s confidence as a young performer.
Life in Sydney’s Creative Community
Now living in Sydney, ‘Ana says being surrounded by actors, filmmakers and theatre-makers has been both personally and professionally inspiring. The city’s creative energy, and the courage of the artists within it, continues to challenge and motivate ‘Ana.
What remains at the heart of ‘Ana’s work is storytelling that connects with people. ‘Ana is drawn to complex, emotionally rich material and hopes audiences leave a performance feeling seen, moved and more open-hearted.
Advice for Future Performers
For Santa Maria students who are dreaming of a future in the performing arts, ‘Ana’s advice is simple: go for it.
Do it because you love the work, not because you are chasing fame or recognition. Trust that your path does not need to look like anyone else’s. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you. Lift others up, too. And above all, be kind.
It is grounded, generous advice from someone who has followed her passion with courage, and who continues to build a creative life on her own terms.
Coming Home
Audiences will soon have the chance to see ‘Ana back on stage in Perth, performing in Kendall Feaver’s The Almighty Sometimes from 19 June to 5 July at the Subiaco Arts Centre.
We thank ‘Ana for generously sharing her story with the Santa Maria community. Her journey is a wonderful reminder of the power of the performing arts, and comes at an exciting time for the College as we look ahead to the opening of our new Cultural Centre next term, a space that will inspire future generations of Santa Maria students to explore their creativity and share their voices with the world.
- Alumni Spotlight, Drama and Theatre, Featured, Film and Television, Head Girl, Performing Arts Alumni, Santa Maria College alumni, Santa Maria Community, Sydney Actor, WAAPA Graduate
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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