Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art

About Us

Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art (CADA) is the brainchild of James and Elizabeth Scott, two entrepreneurial, 30-something artistic types with a wide range of experience across theatre, radio, television, writing, research, marketing, and business between them. Lamenting the absence of a full-scale theatre school in the nation’s capital, the Scotts decided to fill that void by expanding James’s existing practice as an acting coach and speech communication trainer. In 2009 they established the Academy with a view to providing quality, affordable training in theatre and film arts to people of all ages in and around the Canberra region.

Currently CADA runs classes in a number of different venues, both north and south. CADA unites the talents of some of Canberra’s best and brightest practitioners through our weekly classes, workshop programs, and, from 2011, our Certificate III program.

Elizabeth Scott - Co-founder and Managing Director

Elizabeth Scott's role at CADA is diverse. As well as reviewing incoming scripts and teaching some children's classes, she is largely responsible for CADA's marketing and management.

Following the completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications at Macquarie University, Elizabeth began her working career as a freelance journalist. For a period of eight years, Elizabeth wrote for a range of publications including Filmink, Alive, Kitchens and Bathrooms Quarterly, and The Sydney Morning Herald. Since that time, she has worked in a variety of media and marketing roles, including as a news captioner at SBS TV in Sydney and ABC TV in Canberra, and Public Affairs Director of the NSW Council of Churches.

Between 2003-2008 she was National Director of Tears of the Oppressed, a Canberra-based human rights organisation. In this role she not only managed the charity, but also directed the organisation's human rights advocacy campaigns.

In 2009 Elizabeth completed a Master of Arts Practice (Scriptwriting) at Charles Sturt University. Elizabeth's full-length play, Lies, Love and Hitler, was shortlisted for the Seaborn Playwright's Award that same year. The play premieres in Canberra in 2010.

In 2010 Elizabeth will be part of The Hive playwrighting residency program with Canberra's Street Theatre.

Elizabeth has some experience in teaching children in a range of contexts, and is also a certified infant massage instructor (so can also be seen teaching parents and carers how to massage their babies!).

She is an experienced public speaker, having spent her school days in debating teams. Later she went on to exercise her skills in her human rights work and as a lay preacher. In 2009 she won two trophies in the Australian National Eisteddfod.

Elizabeth recently appeared as "Mrs Palmer" in a performance of Sense & Sensibility, an adaptation of the novel by Jodi McAlister, at the 2010 Jane Austen Festival in Canberra.

James Scott - Co-founder

and Head of Studies

James Scott is CADA’s Head of Studies. He is responsible for curriculum planning and development and teaches a number of classes for adults and children. He brings to the role over 20 years experience as an actor, director and broadcaster.

James’ interest in acting began in high school when he played the role of Mr Bumble in a production of Oliver for the Hornsby Youth Musical Society in Sydney. Since that time he has performed many theatrical roles in both amateur and professional productions, in Sydney and Canberra. These include classic and modern plays, such as Away, Waiting for Godot, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, A Tree in the Forest, A Phoenix Too Frequent, Miss Julie, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, The Sentimental Bloke, Dreams in an Empty City, The Crucible, Sense and Sensibility, and The Pink Panther Strikes Again. James has also played a number of short film roles.

In 1999 he completed a three-year Diploma of Performing Arts at the Actors College of Theatre and Television (ACTT) in Pitt St, Sydney.

Between 1992-2000, James was also a member of travelling comedy theatre duo, GROK. During these years, he performed before more than 270,000 people around Australia in schools, churches, festivals, youth nights and countless other events. A highly creative period, James wrote and co-wrote a number of plays including Missing You Already, The True Story of Martin Spigot, No Sects Please, We’re Anglicans and Long Live the King during this time.

James' dulcet tones flowed over the airwaves for three years (2006-2009) when he was breakfast radio host on Canberra’s Christian community station, 1Way FM (91.9 and 94.3 on the FM band).

In 2010 James is undertaking a Master of Arts Practice (Acting) with Charles Sturt University. His major work has a focus on the actor and poetry.

Other Staff

CYNTHIA HARRIS

Drama Teacher - Children & Young People

Cynthia was one of those ultra-shy children for whom drama would have been very beneficial! She did take part in the school choir and choral group - note the word “group”, so there were always at least a couple of other people singing along with her. Years of being a high school teacher (languages mainly) have given her a lot more confidence, and in her spare time she was involved in many musical shows, especially with the Argyle Society in Goulburn over a period of about fifteen years. These ranged from Gilbert and Sullivan and Offenbach operettas to variety shows, often along music hall lines. Cynthia was also responsible for writing short pieces for some of the variety shows.

As her husband was co-founder of the Ancient and Medieval Ancient Martial Arts Society, Cynthia became heavily involved in making accurate reconstructions of period costumes, and still loves to sew. She took part in many public shows with this group.

Her interest in drama led her to start teaching young students in Canberra nine years ago as part of a franchise, giving her many amazing moments and much experience. During this period she attended seminars and training sessions with other drama teachers. Student ages ranged from as young as five years up to those just about to leave school, and the immense benefits of drama were very obvious. Shy children soon discovered a new confidence, and extroverts could find a satisfying focus for their energy.

She has been working for CADA since 2009, and loves it. The students are so creative, and it’s also a real buzz to see them gaining and honing skills that will be useful in whatever field they choose to enter in the future.

Cynthia has also continued to indulge her lifelong interest in writing, and enjoys creating her own material for drama. She has had articles, short stories and an e-book published.

GENEVIEVE KENNEALLY

Drama Teacher - Children & Young People

Genevieve Kenneally is one of CADA’s Speech and Drama Teachers for Children and Young People. She has a history in dance, music and drama. Recently Genevieve graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and English from the ANU and is currently completing a Masters in Psychotherapy. She has played Shakespearian roles (including Ariel from The Tempest, Helena from Midsummer's Night Dream). She has choreographed and acted in several university plays, which were written, directed and produced by students. These include League: The Musical, The Bruce Brother, and the ANU Law Revues 2008, 2009 and 2010. She has recently had a 10 minute play accepted into Short + Sweet Canberra, in which she is also directing.

In 2010 she played 'Lucy Steele' in an adaptation of Sense and Sensibility for the Jane Austen Festival in Canberra.

Genevieve teaches a number of CADA's after-school drama classes, coordinates CADA’s school holiday programs, and teaches speech and drama in school hours at Holy Trinity Primary School in Curtin. She is passionate about providing a space for individuals to explore, express or unlock their creativity, and especially enjoys watching children grow in confidence.

LACHLAN RUFFY

Drama Teacher - Children & Young People

Lachlan Ruffy has been performing since an early age. He was a member of the Canberra Boys Choir for eight years, and starred in his first musical in 2003, at the age of twelve. Lachlan has undertaken many different acting courses and had a lead role in over 14 productions in Canberra. He completed six years of drama at St Francis Xavier College, has completed several NIDA short courses, and is currently undertaking his Bachelor of Arts in Drama at the Australian National University.

Some career highlights for Lachlan have been the role of Fagin in Oliver”, being shortlisted for the role of Peter Parker in the New York City (Broadway) production of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, and writing his own musical version of The Three Musketeers, which earned him a Canberra Area Theatre Award nomination for Best Original Work.

Lachlan’s aim is to create a fun, supportive, energetic atmosphere in class, so that his students can feel comfortable to explore and improve their theatrical abilities. His favourite things to teach are Shakespeare and comedy, which are highly complementary. He is ecstatic to be teaching with the Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art.

LEANNE THOMPSON

Drama Teacher - Children & Young People

Leanne is a four-year trained drama teacher with a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Drama. She was first bitten by the performing arts bug in high school and has pursued drama in many weird and wonderful ways ever since.

Leanne has taught primary and high school students across three states in mainstream and special education settings. She has worked in theatre companies as a performer, educator and administrator and has helped deliver professional development to teachers. Over the last decade she has used her knowledge of theatre to inspire her public sector work particularly speech writing and facilitation/presentation roles.

Leanne has directed various plays and pieces over the years including The White Door, Daughters of Heaven and Dags and has performed in a number of well known productions such as The Taming of the Shrew, Scalapino, and Alice in Wonderland. She also has a few screen credits to her name.

Leanne’s interest in storytelling, cross-cultural performance and experimental theatre has taken her to some unusual roles, stages and settings. Her curiosity and sense of adventure continues to drive her interest in theatre arts and drama teaching. Leanne is thrilled to be working with the Canberra Academy of Dramatic Art.

Fiona Edwards - Adult Acting Tutor