Chantal Elyse
Chantal Elyse
Actor
No stranger to the stage or screen, Chantal Elyse is a passionate Sydney-based Actress and vocalist auditioning for professional Film, TV, musical and theatre productions, both locally and internationally.
Biography
Growing up on the Gold Coast and performing from a young age, Chantal’s love of the arts started in Music and has progressed through to the film and theatre world.
After receiving the full music scholarship to prestigious private school Somerset College, Chantal’s passion for the arts flourished, where she went on to star in musical productions such as ‘Cats’ as Grizabella and ‘7 Brides for 7 Brothers’ as Milly Braden. She then went on to complete her Associate Diploma with the Trinity College London (ATCL) in Speech and Drama studies. After graduating, Chantal studied acting full time across various acting institutions including the New York Film Academy Australia where she obtained her Diploma of Screen & Media (Acting)and the Warehouse Workshop Intense Acting Course, training with well-known, award-winning casting director Tom McSweeney. Since then, she has continued to train under the tutelage of various casting directors and industry professionals including Greg Apps, David Newman, Anthony Brandon Wong (The Matrix) Thea McLeod (Neighbours), Brad McMurray (Neighbours) Peter Kent (Unbroken), Ben Parkinson (Ben Parkinson Casting), Leigh Pickford (Maura Fay Casting) and Stevie Ray (McGregor Casting).
In 2014, after working on her first professional short film, Chantal was awarded 'Best Actress' at the Australian Screen Industry Network Awards for her small role in the post-WW2 short film 'Betty Boo.' Chantal also won 'Lead Actress in a Short' at the Indie Fest USA International Film Festival for her role in the short film '[Insert Words Here]. In 2018, Chantal went on to receive her 2nd 'Best Actress' award at the Australian Screen Industry Network Awards for her role in the award-winning 8-part web series 'Growing Pains'.
After moving to Brisbane (during the pandemic!) to further pursue her acting work, Chantal soon found herself on the Ad Astra stage performing in ‘Spike Heels’ as Lydia under the direction of ‘Matilda Award-Winner’ Pierce Gordon. Chantal has also been involved in an array of independent short films, feature films, television commercials and web series over the years. Most recently, she starred alongside well-known Australian singer/songwriter Pete Murray in the uplifting dramedy ‘Blue Horizon’ written and directed by ‘Gold Coast Screen Professional of the year’ recipient Josh Hale (550 Studios PTY.) 2022 then saw Chantal’s professional stage debut at PIP Theatre in the QLD premier of well-known and confronting Australian drama 'The Boys' by Gordon Graham, in the role of ‘Jackie’ .
Now residing in Sydney, Australia, Chantal continues to build her professional experience and portfolio. Chantal is a focused, flexible, intuitive and passionate actress who loves bringing Australian stories to the stage.
Ad Astra Plays
Upcoming Plays
Past Plays
Other Plays/Films/Musicals
2022 - ‘The Boys’ (Play) Actor - Jackie
2022 - Blue Horizon (Feature Film) Actor - Theresa Reynolds
2021 - Brisbane: The Movie (Feature film), Actor - Pepper
2021 - Self-Helpless (Short Film) Actor - Mia
2020 - The Lost One (Feature Film), Actor - Liz Baker
2019 - Don’t Dress for Dinner (Play), Actor - Jacqueline
2019 - I Bumped Into a Gangster (Short Film), Actor - Kelly
2018 - Growing Pains (Web Series), Actor - Det. Danielle Van Dyke
2018 - Crisis Point (Film), Actor - Alex Price
2017 - Digital Athletes: The Road to Seat League (Film), Actor - Dr. Elizabeth Loomis
2015 - San Andreas (Film - New Line Cinema/Village Roadshow), Actor - Civilian
2015 - Betty Boo (Short Film), Actor - Rita
2015 - {Insert words here} (short film), Actor - Tracy Castle
2014 - These Ties That Bind (Short film), Actor - Terry
2014 - Under the Overpass (short film), Actor - Jodie
2013 - 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Musical), Actor - Milly Braden
2012 - Cats (Musical) Actor/Singer – Grizabella
Training
2022 - TAFTA Online, Maura Fay Casting, Audition technique - Leigh Pickford
2021 - Creating Artists, Audition Technique, Joel Pierce
2021 - TAFTA Online, McGregor Casting Selftaping masterclass - Stevie Ray
2020 - The fACTory Acting Studio, Online UK Accent Training - Helen Howard
2018 - 16th St & the fACTory Acting Studio, Larry Moss Masterclass - Larry Moss
2018 - Warehouse Workshop Acting Studio, Advanced US Accent - Gabrielle Rogers
2018 - AP8 Action Pact Stunt Academy, Stunt Training & Skills - Philippe Desseck
2017 - Ben Parkinson Casting - Commercials workshop - Ben Parkinson
2016 - Warehouse Workshop Studio, 8-Week Advanced Audition - Tom McSweeney
2014 - Standard US Accent training - Peter Kent
2015 - Warehouse Workshop Studio, 20 Week Intense Internship, Tom McSweeney
2014 - New York Film Academy, Diploma of Speech & Drama Media (Acting)
2013 - Trinity College London, Associate Diploma of Speech & Drama (ATCL)
Representation
TBA
Reviews
Chantal Elyse and Adam Dakin fill in the gaps of the show, a pair of essential actors that bring life to Australia in the 60’s or the present as whatever role currently needs filling. These actors’ performance as the childhood friends of Hemming in particular show how they’re quickly able to form an emotional bond with the audience with only a handful of scenes.
Michael Di Guglielmo - Stage Door Podcast | Read Review Here
“Michelle Carey’s production is first class and engages the audience from the get go.”
David Kary | Sydney Arts Guide | Read Review Here
“Led by Director Michelle Carey there’s a lot going on in this intense production. Toy Symphony explores bullying, substance abuse, death and grief. At times this play is uncomfortable to watch but it’s also a compelling look at creativity and human response.”
Natasha Ciesielski | Sydney Scoop | Read Review Here
“Lively direction by Michelle Carey keeps us invested in the storytelling”
Suzy Wrong - Suzy Go See | Read Review Here
“It is fitting that the first production in the space is from one of the giants of Australian playwriting. Michael Gow’s “Toy Symphony” reminds us that we should embrace creativity and difference with compassion and patience. And that there can be a little bit of magic in everyone!”
Kate Gaul - Theatre Travels | Read Review Here
Chantal Elyse swiftly and sharply defines Jackie as the upwardly-mobile fly in the Flora: she dares Glenn away from the family orbit, and is the first to suggest the reality of what has happened overnight. It’s a strong performance.
Beth Keehn - Stage Whispers | Read Interview
As Jackie, Chantal Elyse has the unenviable task of playing the girlfriend that is the outsider, the one who has not yet been totally accepted as part of this family. This is partly Jackie’s fault as she places her status above the others in order to better herself and her boyfriend Glenn. Jackie loves Glenn but is she willing to stand behind him 100%? This indecision and self-preservation makes for an interesting character mix and Elyse manages to successfully give us a Jackie that although at times is quite unsympathetic, is still very relatable.
Sandra Harman - Theatre Travels | Read Interview
Elyse appropriately emboldens Glenn’s girlfriend Jackie in her frequent clashes with family members who resent her and her efforts to improve her life with Glenn. She gives us a determined glimmer of hope in her often speak of the most sense in face of ostracism from the especially blindly-faithful Michelle.
Meredith Walker - Blue Curtains | Read Interview
A great deal of Houghton’s snide quips were directed at Elyse’s Jackie, who took these on the chin without shame. Elyse brought a proud presence to the stage and it was heartbreaking to see her sense of pride slowly chip away as the show progressed. Contrasting Elyse’s strong presence, Rashid’s portrayal of Nola was small and timid.
Annabel Gilbert - Theatre Haus Read Interview
Awards
2018 - 'Best Actress' - Australian Screen Industry Network Awards - 'Growing Pains' web series
2018 - 'Best Supporting Actress in a Pilot' nominee - Indie Gathering International Film Festival Ohio, USA
2015 - 'Best Actress' - Australian Screen Industry Network Awards - 'Betty Boo'
2014 - 'Lead Actress in a Short' - Indie Fest USA International Film Festival - '[Insert Words Here]'