Theatre Arts to the Screen: The Inspiring Career of Therese Mavros
From the drama classroom at Santa Maria College to the silver screens of Melbourne, Class of 1986 alumnus Therese Mavros’ career has been a tapestry of diverse roles and unforgettable experiences. Her journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Join us as we explore the remarkable path she has followed, marked by creativity, travel, and an unwavering commitment to the arts.
From Santa Maria to Now
After leaving Santa Maria College, Therese studied a Bachelor of Arts at Curtin University, majoring in Theatre Arts and Creative Writing. She loved it and still maintains close relationships with the friends she made during that time, affectionately calling themselves ‘La Famille.’ “We have definitely been like family for each other through many of life’s ups and downs,” she recalls.
Therese worked as a theatre-in-education performer and travelled across the USA and Europe at 21 before returning to complete her Diploma of Education in English teaching. Despite initial setbacks with a lack of country placements, her prior degree in Theatre Arts led to a full-time role as Head of Drama at John Forrest Senior High School. “It was a fantastic class of senior drama students when I was there, and I’m proud to have helped foster the creativity for the now successful Adriano Cappelletta,” she notes.
After teaching, Therese expanded into a role as Program Manager for the now defunct Film and Television Institute in Fremantle (FTI), where she developed her skills in the digital world and programming. She also worked with Barking Gecko, Monkey Baa, and corporate role plays, all while maintaining her love for creative writing.
Therese eventually moved to Melbourne to pursue a career as a screen actress. Through her connection with Amanda Higgs (1983), a fellow Santa Maria alumna, Therese secured a role as a featured extra on the show ‘Secret Life of Us’, which provided valuable on-set experience. “Amanda made sure I was given screen time up the front, and I soaked it all up – learning how actors ‘hit their mark,’ responded to each take, understood where the camera was in each shot…all of it thrilled me,” she shared.
A Passion for Acting and Early Experiences
Therese began her career as a theatre actor in WA, participating in various productions until work commitments took precedence. She moved to Melbourne, where she secured roles in festivals and events, and taught acting at NIDA Studios Melbourne. Her time on ‘Secret Life of Us’ helped her gain a reputable acting agent, leading to small speaking roles in ‘Neighbours’, ‘Blue Heelers’, ‘Stingers’, ‘Rush’, and several TV commercial campaigns, marking the official start of her acting career.
The ‘Raconteur’ and Accent Flair
Therese is known for her love of accents, often using them as a fun party trick. “I’d dearly love to be cast in a role in the UK or USA! I have some favourite accents I love to do,” she admits. She inherited her storytelling flair from her mother and is preparing a story for the Perth event Barefaced Stories. The death of her mother in 2013 influenced her writing, adding a new tone that touches on allegory. “It’s a type of writing with a spiritual focus that has always been alluring to me. I am currently writing a novel in this style, and hopefully one day soon I’ll be publishing that and having it made into a successful film,” she shares.
Diverse Career and Standout Performances
Therese’s diverse career includes touring as company manager with the Great Moscow Circus across South Africa, NZ with the St Petersburg Ballet, Madrid with Briefs; a boylesque cabaret show, and being the operations manager for Australia’s biggest Greek Festival in Melbourne. A notable experience was her role in an experimental theatre piece in Lisbon, “Un Obra Util,” with Argentinian director Gerardo Naumann.
One of her most profound experiences was walking The Camino de Santiago across Spain. Settling in Finisterre afterwards, she created a small massage and Reiki business for pilgrims. “Spending each day listening to the stories of each pilgrim that finished the Camino, why they were walking and what they had learnt about themselves or life, the struggles they had felt unravel within them as they took each step. I have kept my comments book, which was by the massage bed, and each client was invited to leave a thought if they felt inclined. It’s such a gift to flick through, even though I don’t understand all the languages it is written in,” she reflects.
Runt
Therese is excited to be part of the upcoming film “Runt,” based on a story by Craig Silvey and directed by her friend John Sheedy. The film will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival, with a WA premiere at Cinefest in Busselton on 6 September. Therese plays Penny, one of the dog agility course coordinators. “The characters are large, hilarious, and deeply real and warm. The whole film explodes in colour, and I had a lot of fun playing Penny. Hopefully, you will enjoy the comedy that Doreen and I get up to!” she says.
Memories of Santa Maria College
Therese has many fond memories of her time at Santa Maria College. “As a year group, we were all so close and remain so today. Some of my favourite memories are the times spent in the drama room with Hal Davies. Gosh, he had such a profound impact on my life, and I know many other students, too. His absolute dedication to the craft was infectious. I’m sure it’s why I gravitated to drama teaching later in my life,” she explains. She still recalls the lessons and skills he imparted, which helped her inhabit characters deeply, as seen in her portrayal of Andromache in ‘Trojan Women’. “I must admit I feel pretty proud to see some of our cast photos are still up on those drama room foyer walls when I go into Santa Maria,” she adds.
Hobbies and Interests
Therese is passionate about communication, empathy, and connection, believing that these elements are essential for a peaceful and meaningful life. She has been studying psychodrama for seven years and engages in various workshops and courses, including Gestalt systemic constellations, quantum physics, meditation, and Reiki. Her focus is on fostering harmonious relationships through embodied communication.
Throughout her career, the relationships Therese has formed have been a great source of achievement. When Covid hit Melbourne, she pivoted her career from live events and performing to support others. She began a Diploma of Counselling and trained as a suicide prevention volunteer at Lifeline, finding the experience both terrifying and rewarding. “It’s incredible training, and I think the whole world needs to do it to understand empathic listening and what emotional validation and support really is. Less is more. Love and kindness are everything,” she emphasises.
From her foundational days at Santa Maria College to her flourishing career in the arts, Therese’s journey is inspirational. Her story underscores the importance of following one’s passion, embracing new opportunities, and continually learning and growing. As she steps into her latest role in the upcoming film “Runt,” we celebrate her achievements and look forward to the many more chapters she will undoubtedly add to her impressive career.
- Acting, Creativity, drama, Featured, Film Industry, Therese Mavros
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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