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Ready to Role: Audition Mastery with ANdy McPhee


  • TAFTA 20 Haughton Road Oakleigh, VIC, 3166 Australia (map)

PRICE

$500 + GST (Payment Plans Available)

DAY

Saturday & Sunday

DATE

30th of August - 21st of September

TIME

See schedule below

You know how to act. You’ve done the classes. But this course?
This is about everything that happens before the scene even starts.

The audition itself is the simple part. What really matters is the emotional journey that leads up to it - what’s happening for the character before the first line is even spoken. Ready to Role is a 4-week intensive that dives deep into the internal, emotional, and psychological preparation most actors skip, but casting directors never miss. This training will help you uncover that journey and bring your truth to the moment. And if you’re serious about your craft, you’re going to have to give up things you might not want to - like your weekends.

Andy McPhee brings decades of experience, insight, and industry truth to this intensive and he’ll push you to work in ways you haven’t before. Following the huge success of his last Actors Bootcamp, described by participants as life-changing, Andy returns for a brand-new intensive focused on one of the most vital skills in the industry: The Audition.

ABOUT THE COURSE

This 4-week training is a deep-dive into the craft and mindset of auditioning. Whether you're submitting tapes or walking into the room, this course will help you:

  • Build a full emotional journey leading up to the moment the scene begins

  • Develop your character’s inner world with depth and clarity

  • Understand the emotional stakes before, during and after the scene

  • Let go of overthinking and develop habits that support confidence and long-term success

  • Strip things back to what really matters - presence, simplicity, and intention

  • Experience the freedom that comes from being fully prepared so you can bring your most authentic self to the audition.

Because when the prep is done right, the audition itself becomes the easy part.

MEET ANDY

Andy McPhee is an Australian actor with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he has appeared in numerous Australian and international films and television series, including Sons of Anarchy, Wolf Creek, Animal Kingdom, Saving Mr. Banks, and Pacific Rim: The Black.

Beyond his acting career, Andy is a dedicated acting coach who splits his time between Melbourne and Los Angeles, working and teaching in both cities and always staying creatively engaged in various projects. He is known for his commitment to nurturing talent and creating a supportive environment where actors can explore and express their authentic selves. His workshops emphasise emotional preparation, character development, and the importance of authenticity in performance.

Andy is also a proud father to actors Kodi Smit-McPhee and Sianoa Smit-McPhee, both of whom have established successful careers in the entertainment industry.

Andy began coaching his son Kodi from a young age, helping guide him toward his Academy Award-nominated role in The Power of the Dog. He also mentored Sydney Sweeney from the age of 12 for over five years, helping shape the thoughtful, grounded approach to character that defines her work today.

“My dad’s acting career had a domino effect on my career, I always try to honor the craft he taught me.” - Kodi Smit-McPhee/ The NewYork Times

“No one knows this but Kodi’s dad, Andy, was a mentor to me, and he was the one who started my process of acting,” Sweeney shared. “He taught me to separate myself from my characters.” Sweeney took this advice in stride and began her process of creating books for all of her characters"/ Showbiz Cheatsheet

Schedule

Week One

Saturday 30th August, 1pm - 5pm

Sunday 31st August, 11am - 3pm

Week Two

Saturday 6th September, 9am - 1pm

Sunday 7th September, 11am - 3pm

Week Three

Saturday 13th September, 9am - 1pm

Sunday 14th September, 11am - 3pm

Week Four

Saturday 20th September, 9am - 1pm

Sunday 21st September, 11am - 3pm

This is more than training. It’s your commitment to your career.

Ages: 16 +

Student Reviews:

“Every audition and day on set going forward is so much easier after Andy’s bootcamp - ‘cause he has already isolated and warmed up the appropriate creative muscles for you. Amazing stuff. Highly recommended for beginners who want to thrive in the deep end, working actors who want tailored challenges and every creative in between.” - Past Student


“Andy identifies the importance of the entire creative spectrum, through poetry, stories, music and imaginative expression. He deeply values the importance of the characters driving passion, allowing for creative freedom and human sincerity as we transport our script to screen.” - Past Student


“Andy does so much more than teach you acting techniques, he allows you to become the artist you are meant to be. He focuses on training your creative brain, and stopping habits that have been holding you back. The creative skills you gain allow you to build and understand characters and enter auditions with new found confidence. I cannot recommend him enough.” - Past Student


'“This course far exceeded my expectations! Andy is an incredible coach. His approach and a care in guiding and pushing us has helped me explore my skills as an actor in ways I’d never thought to. His technical advice has been invaluable but beyond all that, his wisdom, words of encouragement and industry insight will be a key takeaway for me. Throughout the course I feel like I have gained so much confidence in myself and the ability to explore creative choices, as well as a major shift in my mind set and approach to auditions and the industry as a whole. Thank you Andy and TAFTA!” - Past Student


“I thought the course was going to be just analysing scripts and a lot of talking about scripts and scene work. It’s EVEN BETTER. This is the best class I’ve ever attended, it’s so free to get as creative as you want. I love the homework and story writing. Learning the backstory of your character, who you really are was so helpful to me because I had an audition before this course started and I wish the audition was after I started these classes because I have learnt so much. The script writing and improv has been so helpful with building confidence in all of us to trust ourselves as actors!” - Past Student


"This course is a truly comprehensive and immersive introduction to the world of acting. From the start, we were guided through how to source scripts (with plenty of helpful website suggestions), how to break down a script and dive deep into character analysis—asking essential questions like, “Who are they?”, “What’s their background?”, and “What were they doing just before this scene?”

We explored creative prompts using images, poems, and short stories, and even got to work on voiceover scripts. One of the highlights for me was experimenting with costumes and outfits to bring different characters to life—something I hadn't considered before.

The course doesn’t just focus on performance, but also gives a realistic look at what it means to be a working actor. We learned about daily routines to stay on track, how to prioritise acting in our day-to-day lives, and where to find work through industry-specific websites.

Be prepared—this course is not for the faint-hearted! There’s a lot of homework and self-directed work, but it absolutely pays off. You’ll walk away with practical tools, increased confidence, and a much clearer understanding of what’s expected in auditions.

Andy is an incredibly passionate teacher who is generous with his time and knowledge, and genuinely invested in seeing each student succeed and find work in the industry. I highly recommend this course to anyone serious about pursuing acting." - Past Student

My confidence, creativity, and ability to lead with intuition have all increased as a result of my work with Andy.
- Past student

“Andy’s there for us around the clock. He creates a space where actors can explore, trust themselves, and discover what truly works for them.” - Past Student


UPCOMING SHORT COURSES

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August 29

Casting Workshop with Thea McLeod (mcleod Casting)