Since graduating from Actors Centre Australia in 2023, Sophie Highmore has built an exciting and multifaceted career across theatre, musical theatre, screen, choreography and arts education. From performing with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House to touring schools across the country with Bell Shakespeare’s The Players, Sophie has embraced every opportunity.
In this interview, Sophie reflects on her journey from Canberra dance student to working actor, shares insights from her professional experiences, discusses securing representation with Loxton Management, and reveals the lessons from ACA that continue to shape her career. Along the way, she offers valuable advice for aspiring performers and a reminder of the curiosity and collaboration required to build a life in the arts.
ACA: Congrats on performing with Opera Australia in Madama Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House. Tell us about that experience!
Sophie: It was a blast! Performing at the Sydney Opera House had been a dream venue of mine for as long as I can remember.
The audition process was essentially a fusion of viewpoints and animal work, so trust me when I say, don’t take those classes for granted! I was lucky enough to do the gig alongside one of my best friends from ACA, Pat Phillips. After the audition, we joked that if we got the gig, we’d have to post the classic “tough day at the office” Instagram story with the Opera House in the background. Well, we were cast – two of only five dancers. Did we manifest that? I like to think so.
It was incredible hearing such beautiful and emotional opera music every night, and taking a bow to a standing ovation in the Joan Sutherland Theatre… I mean, come onnn, a pinch-me moment every curtain call.
ACA: This year you’re touring with Bell Shakespeare’s The Players, along with three other ACA graduates. Why are theatre-in-education programs like this important, and what have you enjoyed most about performing for young audiences?
Sophie: The more places we travel to and the more students we perform for, the more I realise how impactful theatre-in-education can be. Some of these students have never seen live theatre before. It brings an exciting element to their learning and helps students engage with ideas in a creative and vibrant way. I’ve especially loved connecting with aspiring actors and performers – giving my two cents whilst still figuring it all out myself. (If anyone has any tips, I’m all ears!) I also love seeing young audiences connect with Shakespeare, even in the smallest way. I definitely didn’t connect with it at their age. If students are understanding and enjoying Shakespeare now, I can only imagine the lasting impact it will have on them later in life, just as it has had on me.
ACA: Any other career milestones since graduating from ACA that you’d like to share?
Sophie: So many firsts and great moments! I filmed my first commercial for a KFC campaign, performed at the Royal Botanic Gardens with the Australian Shakespeare Company, got involved in my first murder-mystery improv night at the Old Fitz, and had the opportunity to work on short films for Take48 Film Festival, Stinkwater Film Festival, and Hollywood Shorts Film Festival. Every project challenges me in different ways and reminds me how varied and exciting a career in the arts can be!
ACA: You’re with Loxton Management. Tell us about how you secured representation and what it’s like working with them.
Sophie: I was fortunate enough to be signed by Loxton Management following our graduation showcase. It’s been amazing having an agent that actively advocates for me and handles the behind-the-scenes logistics, especially when juggling multiple projects and conflicting schedules. I’m incredibly proud to be represented by Loxton.
ACA: You also have a dance background. Can you tell us about that and how it has helped your career?
Sophie: Dance was a huge part of my life growing up. It was classes every day after school, competitions most weekends, and exams and concerts throughout the year – every year.
I honestly give so much credit to my dance training for shaping my career as a performer. I originally planned to pursue musical theatre. Then I took one of Darren Gilshenan’s comedy classes during my year at NIDA and thought, “More of this.” I’ve since choreographed four musicals – Guys and Dolls, Urinetown, Dogfight (USYD), and Cinderella (SMS) – as well as numerous solo, duo, and troupe routines for dance concerts and competitions. Dance training has given me body awareness, coordination, resilience, and, most importantly, discipline. Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut to a triple pirouette – you just gotta drill that thing.
ACA: Did you always know you wanted to be an actor? Why did you pursue this career?
Sophie: I think I always knew I wanted to be a performer. My dance teacher actually got me my first acting agent when I was little. She also happens to be the mum of Rikki Chadwick from H2O: Just Add Water, so naturally I thought that was the coolest thing ever and was ready to dive right in. Though I’m still waiting for the mermaid powers to kick in…
I’ll always be a theatre kid at heart. Nothing beats taking a bow in front of a live audience. My love of dance and singing opened up a whole world of acting opportunities that I was eager to explore. During my studies, I also became fascinated by the voice and the incredible range of creative and professional opportunities that can come from voice work specifically.
ACA: Why did you choose to study at ACA?
Sophie: As COVID restrictions were easing, I was eager to get back to Sydney and reconnect with the industry. I had a year of training under my belt, but I knew there was still so much more to learn and discover. The ACA audition process was incredibly fun. There was such a warm and welcoming energy throughout the day! I knew it was a good sign.
I’d also heard about so many working actors who had trained at ACA, so it felt like a natural choice. I thought, If so many successful artists had come through those doors, they must be doing something right.
ACA: What lessons from your time at ACA do you still carry with you today?
Sophie: So many!! Stay curious, take notes, take risks, go deeper and remain open. My time at ACA really encouraged me to become a critical thinker and taught me that growth comes from staying curious.
Working on Three Sisters with Anthony Skuse was a game-changer. His attention to detail and thoughtfulness to his work will always stay with me. The “Burning the Money” exercise was also a pivotal learning experience. It demanded problem-solving, critical thinking, precision, and commitment. Jenny West sparked my love of Shakespeare and deepened my appreciation for all things voice, language, and poetry. Improv with Lyn Pierse changed my life, naturally. She taught me how to fail gloriously and, more importantly, how to get to the f******* point! I’ll never forget her spontaneous one-woman shows featuring twelve characters.
ACA: What advice would you give to someone considering acting training?
Sophie: Go for it! Drama school is the best – truly some of the best years of my life. You’ll learn so much about yourself and grow in ways you didn’t think were possible.
I think too many people enter drama school with the mindset of, “I’m here to be the best actor in the room.” But this industry is built on collaboration. You never know who you’ll be working with – or working for, for that matter. Acting training not only gives you the tools to become a great actor, but also a foundation for networking and collaboration that can lead to future creative opportunities and connections.
ACA: What recent performance, production, or piece of work has inspired you as an actor?
Sophie: Such a great question! I try to see as much theatre as possible. Recently, I saw My Brilliant Career at the Roslyn Packer Theatre and my goodness, did it move me. If it didn’t make me want to get back into singing lessons and playing piano… It was a beautiful story about an ambitious young woman who sacrifices romantic security to build a career on her own terms. So inspiring. Incredible soundtrack. Kala Gare was mesmerising.
I also recently saw Alfred Kouris and Harry Stacey Bake a Cake at the Old Fitz. It was wonderfully ridiculous, incredibly funny, and a reminder that theatre can truly be anything! They baked a cake live onstage, served it to the audience afterward, and filled the hour with songs, dancing, games, and comedy gold.
ACA: Anything else you’d like to share?
Sophie: I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity I’ve had since graduating!! And for all the people who’ve supported me along the way. This industry can be unpredictable, but it is so incredibly fun and full of extraordinary artists, collaborators, and experiences!
Thank you, Sophie. You can follow Sophie on Instagram –> @sophiehighmore
Born in Canberra, Sophie Highmore is now a Sydney-based actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. She holds a Diploma of Musical Theatre from NIDA and a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Stage and Screen) from Actors Centre Australia.
Sophie is currently touring with Bell Shakespeare’s learning ensemble, the Players, bringing Shakespeare to schools all across the country for 2026. Her recent theatre credits include Madame Butterfly (Opera Australia), Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies (ASC), Fighting, Ink (New Theatre), as well as Three Sisters, Twelfth Night, The Libertine, The Boys, and The Laramie Project (ACA).
Her musical theatre credits include Starstruck (NIDA), Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, and 42nd Street with Free-Rain Theatre Company. Her performance as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street earned her both a CAT Award and a Canberra Critics Circle Award.
As a choreographer, Sophie has worked on several productions for MUSE, including Dogfight, Urinetown, and Guys and Dolls, as well as Cinderella for SMS.
Sophie has been a proud member of MEAA since 2023.
