From Flinders Drama Centre to State Theatre Company

Flinders Drama Centre graduate Shardae Santos is bringing her talent to the stage in State Theatre Company South Australia's highly anticipated production of Commentary. 

The Bachelor of Performance (Acting) alumna is embracing the challenge of portraying two vastly different characters in a thought-provoking new work that promises to spark important conversations among audiences.

In Commentary, Shardae plays Gen and Frankie, two of six characters whose lives intersect with Nick, a filmmaker and film lecturer portrayed by acclaimed actor Gyton Grantley.

"Gen is a film student who is in a relationship with Nick, and Frankie is the daughter of Nick's long-lost friend Hamish," Shardae explains. "The two roles are deeply contrasting and challenge themes such as accountability, morality and justice."

For Shardae, the opportunity to inhabit such different personalities has been one of the production's most rewarding aspects.

"The writer of Commentary, Ash Flanders, has given us such a gift with these characters, and I think the show will start some very important and vital conversations," she says.

Building a Foundation Through Training

Reflecting on her journey, Shardae credits her Bachelor of Performance (Acting) at Flinders University as a significant influence on her development as an actor.

"My acting degree was a huge part of my development as an actor," she says. "It taught me how to tackle the process of theatre-making in a way that requires tenacity and dedication."

One particularly influential aspect of her training was movement studies with Dr Renato Musolino.

"The training I undertook in Movement was a pivotal experience for me, and I continue to reflect on and use those teachings constantly."

Coming from a background where the pathway into acting and the creative industries wasn't always clear, Shardae says Flinders Drama Centre opened doors she had never imagined possible.

"I grew up not really knowing where to start when it came to acting and the creative arts," she says. "Flinders Drama Centre opened a whole world of possibilities for me as someone with a huge dream but not much understanding of how to get there."

The lessons she learned during her degree continue to support her professional practice today, particularly when navigating complex productions.

"Because a show like this has so many different bells and whistles, it can be quite daunting to know where to even begin, but I'm able to reflect on my time at drama school and remind myself of all the knowledge I gained to guide me through the process." 

The Power of Community

Beyond the technical and artistic training, Shardae says one of the greatest benefits of studying at Flinders has been the lasting connections she formed along the way.

"We are really lucky to have such a beautiful community of actors, directors and creatives who have graduated from Flinders," she says. "Just by being a part of this community, I have been able to create long-lasting friendships with people who graduated years before I even started."

She believes the strength of the Flinders creative network is something truly special.

"There aren't many degrees where alumni are all so tightly connected, so we are very fortunate in that regard."

Throughout her studies, Shardae immersed herself in theatre and cultural experiences that helped shape her ambitions as a performer.

"I remember getting to see State Theatre Company productions while I was at Drama Centre and hoping that one day I could be so lucky to be up on that stage," she recalls.

Today, that aspiration has become reality.

"The degree allowed me to establish so many relationships with creatives and prepared me for an industry that is continuously evolving."

For Shardae Santos, Commentary is another exciting chapter in a career that continues to grow from the foundations built at Flinders Drama Centre.