Grace Swadling
Actor
Grace Swadling is a Brisbane-based actor, writer and graduate of the Actors Centre Australia (2020) with musical theatre training and producer experience. She is also in the process of developing her own theatre-based work and is a proud member of MEAA. Grace is excited to be making her Ad Astra debut in “Six Characters in Search of an Author.”
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Grace Swadling is a Brisbane-based actor, writer and graduate of the Actors Centre Australia (2020) with musical theatre training and producer experience. During her time at the ACA, she had the opportunity to perform in a variety of roles such as Liz Morley in Our Country’s Good (dir. Adam Cook), Clytemnestra in The Oresteia (dir. Gale Edwards) and Meg in CRIMES OF THE HEART (dir. Francesca Savige. Grace’s other theatre credits include Katurian in The Pillowman, Isabella in Measure for Measure (NUTS), Mrs Elton in Emma and Pearl in The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (Genesian Theatre), Estelle Rigault in No Exit (Stagefright Productions) and Vera/Ruby in the 2024 Sydney Fringe Festival in Ice Cream with Hot Fudge (Dede and the Dramatics). Grace’s television and film credits include the short films ‘Exposure’ and ‘Kelly’ (NIDA) and the ‘The Job I Took’ music video with Sophisticated Dingo (Triple J). Grace will also be featured in ‘MoneySmart’s’ upcoming 2026 campaign. Grace is in the process of developing her own theatre-based work and is a proud member of MEAA.
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The ensemble members tasked with inhabiting the rehearsal room bring a responsiveness that is integral to the work’s impact, which is no easy feat given that they are mostly tasked with observation and reaction more than action.
Meredith Walker - Blue Curtains | Read More
The wider acting troupe, including Jules Berry, Nathan Turner, Frankie Kershaw, Yianni Sines, Carmen O’Connell, Stella Peterson, Alex Flew, Cherie McCaffery, Brock O’Rourke, Grace Swadling, and Liam Olsen, create the necessary contrast between theatrical artifice and lived drama. Their disbelief, ridicule, and gradual absorption into the story help frame the central conflict of the play. The actors within the play watch, judge, imitate, and attempt to reproduce what the Characters insist can never truly be reproduced.
Stage Buzz Brisbane | Read More
"Grace Swadling was a standout in the role of Estelle. Swadling was totally committed to her character and performed with gusto...the intention of her words was cutting. Her performance towed the line of melodramatic at times, but Swadling managed to retain the authenticity of her character. A dynamic performer and memorable performance as Estelle…”
Yasmin Elahi - Theatre Travels | Read Full Review
“In a standout, passionate performance, Grace Swadling understood the complexities of her character, convincingly portraying the dual nature of Estelle – switching from seemingly shallow, flirtatious and childlike into a more sensual darker Estelle and back again with ease. The characters' confession was believable and engaging despite the unpleasantness of the material due to Swadling’s talents as a storyteller.”
Sandra Harman - Bravo Brisbane | Read Full Review
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Upcoming Ad Astra Productions
Past Ad Astra Productions
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THEATRE CREDITS
2025 - ‘Moneysmart’ (Website Campaign), Photoplay Photography - Hero
2024 - Ice Cream with Hot Fudge (Theatre), Sydney Fringe Festival, Actor - Vera/Ruby
2023 - No Exit (Theatre), Stagefright Productions, Actor - Estelle Rigault
2022 - Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (Theatre), Genesian Theatre, Actor - Pearl
2022 - The Job I Took (Music Video), Triple J, Actor - Funeral Guest
2021 - Exposure (Short Film), Actor - Church Support Group
2020 - Kelly (Short Film), NIDA, Actor - Bartender
2020 - Crimes of the Heart (Theatre), ACA, Actor - Meg
2019 - Private Lives (Theatre), NIDA, Actor - Amanda
2017 - Emma (Theatre), Genesian Theatre, Actor - Mrs Elton
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2022 - Casting Director Workshop, The Hollywood Initiative, Daisy Hicks
2020 - Actor Centre Australia, Advanced Diploma of Performing Arts (Stage and Screen)
2017 - University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Arts (Major in Theatre and Performance Studies)
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2023 - Nominee for 'Best Production (NO EXIT) Theatre Haus Awards
2022 - Nominee for 'Best Performer' (SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL) - Broadway World Australia Regional Awards
2015 - Cate Blanchett Prize [for Excellence in Theatre and Performance Studies] UNSW
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