Welcome to SAH's Interview with the Artist series, where we spotlight the journeys of exceptional creators. Today, we step into the world of Australian actress Julia Claire, a rising star whose passion for acting has led her from Melbourne to Manhattan, captivating audiences with her outstanding performances and emotional depth on screen. Join us as we unravel the artistic essence of Julia's craft and explore the artistry that defines her burgeoning career in TV and film.

Julia Claire. Image courtesy of the artist.

SAH: Your journey from Melbourne to New York is quite inspiring. How has this transition influenced your approach to acting and the arts in general?

JC: Honestly, the journey was quite difficult and really challenged me to reflect on who I was down to my core. I encountered numerous situations that taught me invaluable lessons, which really changed my perspective and how I react to life. I think it taught me the relentless determination to go after what I want, no matter how challenging, and honestly that’s what the performing arts is, one big challenge. The introspection I was forced to do has made my approach to character development more empathetic and comprehensive, which allows me to embody the characters more fully and authentically.

SAH: In the world of acting, authenticity is often praised. How do you maintain your authenticity as an artist while embodying various characters?

JC: Dialling into who you are as a person, your innate traits, subtle fidgets, and involuntary reactions in emotional moments, can significantly enhance the authenticity you bring to a character. As an individual, I try to recognize how I respond to various situations, as this allows me to craft a character's reactions in a manner that's true to their essence, yet authentic. I strongly believe in infusing each role I undertake with a piece of myself, as it is that very integration that lends a unique depth and realism to my portrayals.

Julia Claire winning the 2015 Open Theatreical Cup, Darebin Arts Centre.

Julia Claire graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

SAH: The ability to connect with the shared human experience through acting is a powerful gift. Can you share a moment from your career where this connection felt especially profound for you as an artist?

JC: It was in one of the most recent projects I’ve participated in, but the experience of unrequited love. My character was doing everything she could to try and win someone over, had them still not choose her, and decided to help them protect their new love anyway. This was such a beautiful moment for me to understand the love that she has for him, that even if she wasn’t loved in return, she would still do everything she could for him.

SAH: Can you share a specific role or project where you felt particularly connected to the character you portrayed?

JC: One time I felt extremely connected to a character was in training at AMDA. We were having a masterclass with the head of the Musical Theatre department and my performance to ‘She Used To Be Mine’ from Waitress was selected to be worked on. I already had empathy for the character of Jenna, but the way the teacher workshopped this character with me in a more method-acting way, gave such a devastation to my portrayal of her because it was so deeply rooted in my history and own past that I had struggled with, so I will always have a deep connection to that character.

SAH: Transitioning from dance to acting showcases your adaptability. How do you navigate between different forms of artistry, and do you find any similarities in the creative process?

JC: I think experiencing all different forms of creativity from such a young age made the transition quite smooth, as I was always doing a million things as a kid. I was constantly juggling my schedule and swapping between different mindsets depending on what I was doing, which really cultivated my adaptability from a young age. I feel as though there is a big difference in the creative process between acting and dancing, due to the nature of each discipline. Likewise, I almost feel as though I am tapping into different parts of my brain when I jump between acting, dancing, songwriting, any of it, however the end result usually feels the same, which for me is a cathartic release.

Julia Claire and her recent modelling experience.

SAH: Graduating from AMDA with honours and landing roles in TV, Film, and commercials is a remarkable feat. What advice would you give to aspiring actors looking to break into the industry?

JC: I think one piece of advice would be to bet on yourself and put in the hard work, because no one else is going to do it for you.
You have to learn to be your own advocate, which was a tough lesson for me to learn as I like to just keep the peace and go with the flow.

SAH: Working on projects like "Con Job" and "My Vampire Brother" demonstrates your versatility. How do you prepare for roles that require emotional depth and intricate detail in your performances?

JC: The role of ‘Sarah’ in Con Job and the role of ‘Kate’ in My Vampire Brother were polar opposite characters, so it was a really fun challenge to switch between the two of them. For roles that require emotional depth, the role of ‘Kate’ for instance, I firstly make sure I really understand who they are and what experiences make them react in the ways that they do, whether all of this information is given to me or not, you sort of fill in the blanks. For roles that require intricate detail, the role of ‘Sarah’, I like to make sure I clearly understand the character’s motives and what makes them tick, especially when the character is hiding their true self from the world.

SAH: Your background in Communications Design is intriguing. How does your knowledge in design influence your approach to interpreting scripts and portraying characters on screen?

JC: Just like in design, when you are analysing a script, not everything is obvious or right in front of you. The first time you look at a script or a design, you notice some surface-level meanings. The second time you revisit it, you can make some deeper connections that may not have necessarily been as obvious. The more and more you dissect it the more you can uncover, and I think having a background in design, and knowing there is always more to a piece than what first meets the eye, is such an important lesson that I was able to carry over.

Julia Claire on Brooklyn Bridge.

SAH: Your upcoming projects sound exciting. Can you provide a glimpse into what viewers can expect from your future performances?

JC: Most definitely! I think that the viewers can definitely expect some really serious tones in my upcoming work, as the narratives I was helping to portray were definitely on the heavier side, however also some more comedy light-hearted characters, especially when it comes to Con Job.

SAH: Reflecting on your artistic journey so far, what are some key lessons you've learned about yourself as an artist, and how do you envision your career evolving in the coming years?

JC: One lesson that has really stuck with me, that I actually learnt from my favourite teacher in college, was when you are diving deep into an emotional scene and using instances from your life to trigger real emotion, you need to make sure you are only touching on experiences that you have fully healed from. Touching on emotional experiences that are still a sore spot for you can launch you into a difficult place that can be hard to bounce back from. Also making sure that you have a routine to break you out of emotional scenes is really important to return you back to your normal life.

I am really excited to see where my career takes me and what opportunities lie ahead. Hopefully a lot more amazing roles in film and TV and an eventual progression back into musical theatre, but I will go wherever the wind takes me!

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