Joseph Raboy is a Filipino-Australian Actor. His notable screen credits are ‘Matt Chan’ on NEIGHBOURS (Channel 10/Prime Video/10 Play) (dir. by Kate Kendall), AACTA Award Nominated Feature Film SUKA (Prime Video), and SAHELA (Executive Produced by Dev Patel) which premiered at the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival. His noteworthy theatre credits include the leading role of ‘Vergel Ejercito’ in ATE LOVIA (dir. Kenneth Moraleda at the Old Fitz Theatre), dual roles of ‘Lachie & Felix’ in RHOMBOID (KXT Theatre) and the leading role of Piere-Anthon at Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta’s production of the play, NOTHING. Upon invite, Joseph has also been a Jury Member/Judge for the Flickerfest Short Film Festival. Flickerfest is Australia’s premier The Academy (The Oscars) Qualifying, and BAFTA recognised Short Film Festival.
Read on to hear more about Joseph’s time at ACA, what’s happened since graduation, and advice for those hoping to study acting.
ACA: Which program did you do at ACA? When did you graduate?
Joseph: I studied the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Stage and Screen) Degree at ACA. I finished the course in December of 2021. I officially got my degree at the graduation ceremony on May 3, 2022, which just so happened to be on my birthday! An epically grand and memorable day, to say the least.
ACA: Why did you choose ACA over other acting schools?
Joseph: I chose ACA because it was recommended to me by a friend who did a short course there. She raved about how incredible the teachers were and everything she had learnt in a short amount of time. She suggested for me to audition for the full-time course, and I was lucky enough to get in.
ACA: Are you from Sydney originally? Where are you from? What were you doing before studying acting at ACA? What inspired you to study acting?
Joseph: I’m originally from Manila, Philippines. I moved to Australia on Friday the 13th of May, 2005. One might argue that it was unlucky, given the date… but I beg to differ. Before studying at ACA, I was studying acting and music in High School and performing in the leading role of ‘Audrey II’ in our High School Musical’s production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with two parents who have been nothing but supportive of my chosen career. They both inspired me to give this little dream of mine a go! They actually put me in acting classes, singing lessons and dance classes when I was still living in the Philippines, and I only fell in love with the arts even more as I grew.
ACA: How did your time at ACA shape your career and personal growth?
Joseph: The incredible teachers at ACA consist of working practitioners with years of experience in the industry. Their expertise ranges from, screen acting, directing, poetry, singing, dancing, stunt work, biomechanics, yoga, etc. These teachers not only helped me build a solid foundation in my craft, but ACA also set the domino effect for everything I’ve achieved in the industry so far.
ACA: What’s happened since you graduated? Can you share some career highlights or exciting projects?
Joseph: A career highlight for me would have to be winning the ‘Equity Neighbours Graduate Internship’ Program in 2022 from over 120 applicants from across Australia and New Zealand. I submitted an acting self tape and somehow made the Top 5, had a meeting with the casting director and producers, and found out not long after that I won. The Internship was just meant to be me experiencing all the behind-the-scenes work in the production department as well as shadowing the director… but Thea Mcleod, (President of the Casting Guild of Australia) told me that her and the Executive Producers loved my self tape so much that they wanted to write me into the show as a new character. Naturally, I was over the moon, cried tears of joy, accepted the job… and the rest is history.
ACA: Any advice for someone looking to study acting?
Joseph: My advice for someone looking to study acting would be to question yourself and remind yourself as to why you love acting. Because at the end of the day, it really comes down to that. Just like any Bachelors Degree, to obtain it and to reach the finish line… it requires focus, determination, and the thirst to learn and grow as a human and an artist.
ACA: What would you say to someone considering studying at ACA? How did ACA prepare you for the industry?
Joseph: ACA helped prepare me for the industry in many ways. Yet, a standout learning experience which has helped my career tremendously would have to be the Screen Acting/Camera classes. The teachers that teach those classes are all working actors who have years of experience in the screen industry. They provided the teaching tools that aided me to expand my acting arsenal. That’s what love about the ACA Bachelors Course. They provide extensive training for both Theatre and Screen.
ACA: Anything else you’d like to share?
Joseph: As Viola Davis said in her Oscars Acceptance Speech in 2017… Acting is an “art form that celebrates what it means to live a life.” As magical as that all sounds, training to be an actor is hard work, and it requires discipline and a true love for the craft. Same goes for what it takes to be an actor in out in the industry. However, the harder you work, the luckier you’ll get.
Thank you, Joseph!
