04 October 2024
A former Mount Lawley Senior High School performing arts student has landed a role in a major Hollywood movie starring multi award-winning actor Mark Wahlberg.
Actor Orla Saphron spent two days on a Sydney film set playing a college student in Wahlberg’s upcoming crime thriller, Play Dirty. While filming, Saphron also had another career highlight working closely with director Shane Black best known for Lethal Weapon.
Former Mount Lawley Senior High School student Orla Saphron went through the school's specialist arts program.
The 26-year-old attended Mount Lawley Senior High School where she took part in the specialist visual and performing arts program.
Saphron said the unique three-year course at the school gave her the confidence to explore performing arts.
“In primary school I was the shy girl who read a lot of books and loved drawing, but when I started the specialist visual and performing arts program I fell in love with performing and realised it was something I could actually pursue as a career,” she said.
“It gave me so many of the skills and knowledge I need for this career, from camera angles to theatre terminology, to exploring the wide range of acting techniques and learning how to utilise them to best work for me in different roles.”
Mount Lawley Senior High School principal Lesley Street said the school’s highly regarded program provided immersion and extension in the arts, with a focus on industry connections.
“Throughout her time in the specialist visual and performing arts program, Orla exhibited a passion and dedication to the performing arts, actively participating in multiple school productions and developing her love for acting,” Ms Street said.
“This highly competitive program admits only 32 students from a large pool of auditioning candidates across disciplines such as visual art, media, drama, and music.
“Throughout their three years in the program, students engage with various industry professionals, including visual artists, technicians, actors, dancers, directors, musicians, and filmmakers.
“This collaboration and the support of like-minded peers help students develop crucial skills such as teamwork, professionalism, and critical thinking, preparing them for success in any future path they choose.”
Program coordinator Moya Thomas said she was delighted to hear of Saphron’s success.
“It’s always wonderful when good things happen to good people, and she was a delightful, kind, committed, and generous student and peer. I wish her all the best for the future,” she said.
Saphron hopes by landing this gig she can inspire current students in the program to pursue their dreams.
“This is a tough industry but if it's your passion and your dream, then you will be successful no matter what. And when I say success, I don't mean winning an Oscar. I mean living a fulfilling and exciting life doing what you love doing,” she said.
“Pursue your dreams, no matter how hard or impossible they may seem, because eventually you will realise, you're already living your dream just by continuing to do what you love.
“As I say to everyone who is pursuing this career, it is all about the long game and enjoying the journey.
“Stay ambitious, motivated, passionate and just keep persevering, improving your skills and surrounding yourself with likeminded people.
“And make sure you're still having fun. There will be many ups and downs in this industry so as long as you have other outlets and hobbies to keep you fulfilled and satisfied, then you will be just fine.”
Saphron is one of many graduates of the program to pursue a career in the arts. Other success stories include Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things, The Power Rangers), Asher Yasbincek (Heartbreak High), Shannon Berry (The Wilds) and Austen Wilmot (The Surfer) who recently walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival with Nicolas Cage.