In The Haus: Will Carseldine

From a hopeful professional baseball player to a rising star on the stage, Will Carseldine discovered his passion for acting in his final year of high school. After graduating from the BFA Acting Course at QUT in 2019, Carseldine’s career took off with a significant break as part of La Boîte Theatre’s Artist Company, marking the beginning of his professional journey in the arts. Now, Carseldine takes on a thrilling role in Shake & Stir’s production of Roald Dahl’s ‘James and the Giant Peach’ opening this week at QPAC, and he’s set to bring his dynamic talent and energy to the stage.

Join us with this special In The Haus feature, as Theatre Haus speaks with Carseldine about his journey into acting, which is flavoured with a love of fairy tales. Learn how these experiences have shaped his life as a performer and his storytelling onstage.

We’d love to know more about the beginning of your career – where and how did you get your start? 

I wanted to be a professional baseball player when I was a teenager, but it wasn’t until my final year of high school that I discovered a love for performing. Looking back, I always had that passion but I never thought it could be attainable. I assumed that all actors just fell into it and I had no idea that acting is something that a lot of people train for, work hard at and go to university for. The realisation that acting was something I could do collided with the realisation that baseball was no longer for me. I was fortunate enough to get into the BFA Acting Course at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and graduated in 2019 (perfect timing). I got my start in 2021 when I was chosen to be a part of La Boîte Theatre’s Artist Company and I got my first professional gig.

What or who were some of your early influences or inspirations that shaped your career?

I saw the National Theatre’s production of ‘Present Laughter’ in 2020. I think that had a huge impact on me. I had just graduated and it was right before everything shut down due to the pandemic. I was watching Andrew Scott as Gary Essendine and felt so alive and transfixed. In him, I saw an actor who was unafraid to make the biggest of choices and who gracefully walked the line of tragedy and comedy. He relished looking ridiculous, listened to his co-stars, and imbued such pathos into the role and totally earned it. That’s the kind of actor I want to be.

What are some of the most defining moments or milestones in your career so far?

I definitely think being a part of La Boite Theatre’s Artist Company, which I mentioned earlier. This was my start and I was blessed with the opportunity to perform in three main stage works (two new works and one Australian classic) and to meet some of the most talented performers and creatives that Brisbane has to offer. I know without a doubt that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for this opportunity.

I also think another defining moment was going on a national tour with Shake & Stir. To me, a tour is such a gift and you learn not only so much about your craft and the art form but also so much about yourself. It’s hard work too but going to communities where theatre isn’t as accessible, really puts things into perspective. It made me feel incredibly privileged that I get to do this for a job and proud to be an artist.

What is a quirky fact about you? 

I have a slight obsession with fairies and fairy tales. I always have and I’m not exactly sure where it came from. But, I’m convinced that if I was approached by a fairy and they wished to whisk me away into their land, they wouldn’t have a hard time convincing me!

What are you currently working on and how has that creative process been?

I am currently performing in Shake & Stir’s production of ‘James and the Giant Peach’ and it’s a lot of fun! I’ve worked with them a couple of times now and really enjoy the room they create. Rehearsals are where I probably have the most fun as well. The problem-solving, the choices and the development that takes place over those weeks are fuel for me and I love it. I can tell this production is going to be epic.

What’s in your rehearsal bag that you can’t go without? 

A vocal warm up is essential before every day of rehearsals for me. I prefer to do it at home so my colleagues don’t have to endure me making silly noises. I like carrying a notebook and whatever book I am currently reading. For me, I like to take time out of the room for my lunch break, sit outside and let my brain have a breather. A book usually does the job for that. Speaking of lunch, I love food and it’s super important to me to have a decent meal otherwise you won’t get much use out of me.

Do you have a reading, teaching/advice, institution or resource that changed your life/perspective, which you’d recommend to others?

There’s nothing that beats learning on the job. Amongst other creatives who have more experience and knowledge than you. I have found that the majority of experienced, senior actors genuinely enjoy sharing their wisdom of this profession to younger, less experienced actors. I think this passing of knowledge is so crucial, at least it has been for me. I understand that it largely only comes from getting work but I think trying to engage and seek out the artists you admire for any advice they have is something worth doing. Because in my experience, you can do all of the exercises, the classes or the school, which are all great, but the skill of an actor isn’t measured by what they do in a workshop, it’s what they do on a matinee during week three of a season to a paying audience.

What advice would you give to a young person today aspiring to walk in your shoes? 

Find hobbies and interests other than acting. Actors have a huge responsibility in representing human beings truthfully and it’s my opinion that you need to know how to be one. Having other things in my life that fulfil me other than work is so important as it opens me up to more life. If you surround yourself with work and this craft all day, every day, I think you close yourself off to what else the world has to offer you. And these human experiences do nothing but shape who you are and give you a clearer sense of yourself. Which, you can then bring to your craft and build confidence in yourself. Because we all like seeing actors who have confidence in themselves.

What are your future aspirations or projects that you’re excited about? Do you have a dream role?

I don’t know if I have any dream roles to be honest. I truly love this job and something I hold on to dearly is what a very established and knowledgable actor of this country said to me on break was, “It’s a privilege to play any role.” And I whole-heartedly agree. My dream is to be able to support myself in this profession and live a simple, mostly happy life surrounded by the people who I am lucky enough to call loved ones.

Theatre Haus is the ‘home of theatre’, where, what or who do you call home?

The island of Minjerribah. My family has a very special relationship to that magnificent island and the feeling I get when stepping onto it is unlike anything I experience. I am my most relaxed and happy self when I’m walking along those beaches and I hope I continue to visit there as often as I can.

See Will Carseldine onstage in Shake & Stir’s production of ‘James and the Giant Peach’, playing at QPAC from Saturday 30 March. The show will also tour to Canberra Theatre Centre, Sydney Opera House and Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA). Find tickets and show information here! 

Want to feature in our In The Haus series? Email [email protected].