Tom Yaxley | A career on stage

Amidst the bustling cultural hub of Brisbane, Tom Yaxley, armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring actors. His thespian voyage has been punctuated by diverse roles, each contributing to a rich tapestry of experiences. As we catch up with Tom, he shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of his career, offering a glimpse into the soul of an actor whose love for the craft was nurtured in the corridors of QUT and continues to shine on the global stage.

Tell us about the most recent project you've been working on.

My most recent project was a local production of Every Brilliant Thing, a play in which one person tells their story of creating a list of every brilliant thing in the world for their mum, and the audience reads out the entries (and some become characters). Naturally this meant each night was completely different, filled with laughter, heartache and the unexpected.

Have you had a favourite role?

It’s difficult to pick as every role requires you to expand a different part of yourself. But if I had to drill it down, playing August Bell in Boy Swallows Universe was a rare experience and one of the most beautiful, complex humans to explore. It was an honour to be a part of that story and trusted with that role.

What are some of the emerging trends arising in theatre?

Contemporary theatre-making is very driven by actors giving suggestions on the floor and having a multitude of skills to offer – whether it’s physical, script-based, musical or otherwise.

Do you use any specific techniques to develop characters?

My time at QUT exposed me to a number of techniques such as Stanislavski, Laban, Linklater and Rodenburg. All of this has formed the foundation of my creative practice, but ultimately, I tend to use a bit of everything or what fits at the time for the project.

In a dynamic industry like acting, what strategies have you employed to navigate the ups and downs, auditions, and rejections? How do you stay motivated during challenging times?

Auditions are a wonderful thing as they give you a chance to work in front of people and for those two minutes the role is yours. Sometimes you can feel very low; it’s inevitable with the risk and rejection of this career. I’ve found the best motivation is to have a life outside of acting. Have people you can connect with outside of the industry and you will be reminded that there are bigger things in life.

How much did your involvement in community theatre contribute to your career trajectory?

Community theatre allowed me to be in front of a lot of audiences early on and be comfortable in this space and to experience the pure joy of theatre. Working professionally there is a different pressure, and it can be easy to forget why you embarked on this insane career in the first place. In those moments, it’s good to remember my roots in community theatre.

What aspects of your Bachelor of Fine Arts course were most beneficial in preparing you for working in the arts?

Having the chance to work with the technical students on shows was one of the greatest parts of QUT as you learnt what it meant to be part of a true ensemble and appreciate the amount of work it takes to put on a piece of theatre.

Any advice you would give to a young person thinking about embarking on a career in acting or drama?

Keep going. There will be peaks and troughs and if you end up doing other things connected to the industry for a time, don’t worry. You will always come back.

Tell us about your fondest memory from your time studying acting at QUT.

A lot of my memories are from my first year, hanging out in a room out the back near the bush and busway at Kelvin Grove (it’s all built now) and taking those first steps where everything seemed so large and small at the same time. A core moment that leaps out is Adjunct Associate Professor Dianne Eden on our first day saying, “Don’t ever forget the feeling you had when you found out you were in this course.”

Tom Yaxley

QUT degree – Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) (2016)

*Above headshot image: Sally Flegg Photography