About Us

About the Founder - Marcus Hogan (MFA/BFA/BA)

The Conservatory's founder Mr Marcus Hogan, having originally trained as an actor at the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York and being awarded honours as a graduate at the Cornish Institute of Performing Arts completed his Masters Degree at Boston University's famous performing arts school in Directing Film & Theatre. At Cornish Mr Hogan received his BFA alongside such notable big screen stars as Brendan Fraser. While studying at Cornish, Mr Hogan was also ranked twice on the national Dean's List of America which notes and publishes annual details of America's top 5 percent of tertiary achievers. In all Mr Hogan spent nearly seven years in the United States training, working and learning in some of the most competitive arts institutions the world has to offer. He continues to coach, direct and produce professionally in Australia. Few private acting colleges in Australia can boast an executive overseer of such international quality to guide the development of your professional training.

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Chief Instructor - Roman Muric

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Assistant Chief Instructor - Sherri Smith

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Advanced Diploma - Historical Background

Amongst industry guests who accepted the invitation to help steer the development of our Advanced Diploma in Screen & Stage Acting were both Bill Hunter, an Australian acting icon (Strictly Ballroom, Muriel's Wedding etc) and Liddy Clark, herself a past prime time television star who was, at that time Queensland head of the Actors Union (M.E.A.A.) and is now an elected member of government. In their last committee meeting before the Advanced Diploma was accredited, both celebrities went on record to describe the A.Con program as the best of its kind they had seen developed anywhere in Australia. We thank them both heartily for this generous compliment and the very great support they lent steering the development of your program.

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What is the connection between the Nine Network's ‘Third Watch’ in New York and The Actors Conservatory in Brisbane?!

While living in Boston, Conservatory founder and Artistic Director Marcus Hogan helped train and also directed all three of the Third Watch stars pictured at left (including Kim Raver, the show's recent Emmy award winner) in various shows. Kim was in Mr Hogan's production of ‘The House of Bernada Alba’ and both Yvonne and Tony were in his production of ‘Les Liaisons Dangeruses’. Tony also appeared in Mr Hogan's production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and ‘As Is’. Of the three stars who he watched, helped train and worked with over three years during his stay in Boston, Mr Hogan says:

“They all have one major thing in common besides having trained in Boston and being directed by me, they were all very diligent, hard working actors who took rehearsal very seriously and would never let you down by showing up unprepared. Even Tony who was a major party animal and playboy offstage always put everything aside when a job was on and there was rehearsal, research and work to do. Yvonne however eventually tamed Tony's wicked ways when they linked up in New York involved with The Imua! Theatre Company – they are now married with their first child.”

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What is the link between The Imua! Theatre Company in New York and The Actors Conservatory in Brisbane?!

Copied below is The Imua! Theatre Company New York website's page of credits for ‘The Dumbwaiter’ from their inaugural 1995 season. Peek into the ‘Special Thanks’ section at the bottom and find the Conservatory's founder Marcus Hogan offered special thanks by the newly formed company. Why did Imua feel indebted to him for their first season? Almost all of Imua's original company members were students of Mr Hogan's at Boston University where he taught, studied and directed for 3 years. Marcus mounted a production of ‘The Dumbwaiter’ in Boston with the Imua artistic director Kaipo Schwab acting in the show along with other Imua first season participants. Mr Hogan also directed actors Beresford Bennett and Tony Glazer who starred in Imua's first season. Among the original Imua team who launched the cutting edge company, Mr Hogan also helped train and directed Dennis Rodriguez and Russell Jones as well as more recent Imua actors from their last two seasons, Yvonne Jung (Third Watch), Anthony Ruivivar (Third Watch), Johanna Cox and Adrienne Dreiss. Marcus also directed Kaipo, Tony and Dennis in their first film roles ‘Blood Money’ and ‘Errant Knights’. All these actors photos and bios can be found on the Imua site. Tony Glazer who co-wrote the comedy ‘SAFE’, mounted by Imua last season is in current touch with Marcus. They are discussing the prospect of a work link between the Conservatory and the New York Company. Tony, Kaipo and Dennis were best man and groomsmen at Marcus's wedding in Massachussetts ten years ago. The link is obviously more than a close one.

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