ACTOR
MELBOURNE, Australia
173 cm 5’8”
Agent HMG Actors
+61 (0) 404 834 434
Little Drummer Girl, age 9.
ABOUT ME
I rekindled my passion for acting after three decades of running successful dance schools. It all started when I first stepped onstage as The Little Drummer Girl in my beloved local ballet school’s production of The Magic Toyshop.
I’ve always been driven towards performance. Before any formal training, I’d been creating tableaux for my family & friends, with the Hill’s Hoist as rigging for the curtains... thought I was Busby Berkeley.
Now, with over 30 years’ experience in dance performance (classical ballet, jazz, tap +), education, and stage production, I bring a treasure trove of professional skills to my film & theatrical projects.
THEATRE REVIEWS
“Janine McGrath: great…comes out in a French Maid’s outfit, and apropos of nothing, big red wig…absolutely necessary but so wonderful. If you can’t make a sensible choice make a ridiculous one. Think about what you would do if you had a whole heap of money in a country home. Would you employ a sexy clown to be your butler? “ Praise Dionysus (The Importance of Being Earnest 2025)
“A monologue, Snakes and Ladders, narrating the unsung endeavours of a carer was performed to perfection, by Janine McGrath.” Theatre Matters (Metropolis Monologues 2025)
“Janine McGrath’s upbeat delivery is well executed.” Stage Whispers (Metropolis Monologues 2025)
“One of the stand-outs was Janine McGrath's enchanting performance as Idylla in (Lourdes) Zamanillo's 'Memorials'…she inhabited this character entirely and imbued her with strength, empathy and multiple layers of integrity and character…outstanding contribution to Summer Reading.” Cracked Actors Theatre 2021.
Gallery
Headshots 1, 2 & 4 by Andrew Raszevski
“Janine was an absolute pleasure to work with. I was so thankful for her constant insight, encouragement and commitment. She brought so much to her character and was able to bring the story to life. Directing Janine was engaging and rewarding from rehearsals to shooting…
…I would highly recommended Janine for any acting role. She blew me away! Can't wait to work with you again.” Izrael Little, Director - Unmade.
YouTube.com@janinestylequeen
“Janine played a supporting role in my comedy short. She took direction very well and looked great on screen. Janine was also punctual, professional and a pleasure to have onset. I'd definitely recommend working with Janine.” Gregory Kelly, Director - Hellbender.
“Janine is amazing to work with and is very responsive. She is professional and patient. Recommend!” Roxanne Moussallem, Director - The Detectives
“I was able to work with Janine as an actor for a role in a web-series. She has a positive attitude backed up by a genuine disposition in her acting. She was a great addition to set and I really enjoyed working with her. Definitely recommend her.” Casey Long, Director - What’s Left.
“Janine was fantastic to work with. She went above and beyond what was expected and helped the crew out when we needed it. She made everyone feel welcome and her skills were incredible.” Dia Taylor, Director - Music Video.
Reels
Acting Show Reel
Comedy Reel
Sizzle Show Reel
Ballroom Waltz with Paul Daniel Fennell
Credits
For a complete list of credits download my CV
Recent Film, TV, Theatre & Corporate
2025
The Importance of Being Earnest The Motley Bauhaus
Written by Oscar Wilde, Produced & Directed by Darby Turnbull
Ensemble - Lane & Merriman
Young, Broke & Single Series Pilot
Showrunner Matthew Robertson, Directed by Alex Slater
Support- Ana Brunswick
Evenings With Janine (2nd season) RMITV - Channel 31 - 8 Episodes
Produced by Luciana Nicolaci & Jazmin Lissarague
Titular Lead- Janine Winters
ANU Project
Aspire Learning Resources
Leads - Shannon & Vanessa
ARC Capital
Jasper Pictures
Lead - Financial Consultant
Snakes & Ladders, Metropolis Monologues, Melbourne Writers’ Theatre
Written by Donna De Palma & Directed by Jennifer Munday
Lead - Mariana
Solace Short Film
Written & Directed by Kailas Prasannan
Support - Julia
Better Than Bingo Short Film
Written & Directed by Kasey Wooley
Support - Jill
2024
Drowning In Love Web Series - Recurring
Directed by Yurou (Selina) Zhang
Support - Susan @Kalos TV
Melbourne Writers’ Theatre/Gasworks Script Lab
Directed by Natasha Broadstock
Lead & supporting roles - 6 short plays
My Brilliant Apocalypse - The Return of Barry Brilliant - Melbourne Fringe Festival
Written & Directed by Adrian D’Aprano
Support - Jacinta Brilliant, Therapist, Doctor, French Reporter
Alone Short Film
Directed by Nisha Selvaraj & Lyndon Cantwell
Support - Karen (Group Grief Counsellor)
Thappo Feature Film
Directed by Faisal Hashmi
Support - Lady Fiona
Evenings With Janine RMITV - Channel 31 - 8 Episodes
Produced by Luciana Nicolaci & Jazmin Lissarague
Titular Lead- Janine Winters
Pane di Casa - A Taste of Home The Butterfly Club
Written & Directed by Carlotta Migliolo-Jones
Support - Sharon
My Moonlit Alpha Prince Web Series - 8 Episodes
Written by Max Archer, Directed by Yurou (Selina) Zhang
Recurring Cathwulf - 8 Episodes @minishorts_werewolf
Clinical Reasoning Project Training Film
Melbourne University Mobile Learning Unit
Alice - Stroke Survivor
TV Commercials
Lifestyle Communities
Directed by Edward Housden
Hero - Maria
Suzuki Swift
Directed by Jae Morrison
Featured - Parking Spot Snatcher
Wicked Sister
Directed by Colin Skyba
Featured - Judgy Secretary
Opening Night of
MADIBA
- with Producer Neil Croker
Opening Night, Madiba The Musical at The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Photo by Serge Thomann 2018
Languages & Accents
English - Natural Australian Accent
English - General American, Southern American, Standard UK, French
French Language (Intermediate)
Actor Training
The Dangerous Actor with Les Chantery 2025
The Actor’s Brand with George Konstand 2025
Casting Workshop with Will Pearce 2025
Casting Workshop with Micaeley Gibson 2024
Scene Study & Audition W’kshops with Jennifer Sarah Dean (Melbourne Shakespeare Company) 2024
Casting Workshops with Stevie Ray & Amy Mete 2023
Text to Screen Test with Scott Major & Steve Jaggi, February - March 2023
Creating Compelling Characters - The Audition Technique - Greg Apps, October - November 2022
Text to Screen-Test with Rosie Traynor & Nathan Lloyd, July - September 2022
ShowReel Intensive with Scott Major, Jordan Bond & Craig McMahon, May-June 2022
Impro Melbourne, Spontaneity, February-March 2022
Casting Workshops with Thea McLeod, Jo Briant, Maria Epthymiopoulos & Leigh Pickford 2022
StageMilk Acting Classes, July 2020 - ongoing
All American Accent Challenges with Katherine Beck (Ultimate Screen Actor) 2021
American Accent Masterclass, 6 weeks March-April 2021
Howard Fine Advanced Online Acting Course, November-December 2020
Playing the Bard; Shakespeare in Performance with Sally McLean, July-August 2020
Howard Fine 6 Week Essentials, June-July 2020
Howard Fine Audition Technique, May 2020
NIDA Screen Acting Essentials, 2020
Tertiary Education
Adv Dip Dance Teaching The Australian Ballet School, 1999
Grad Dip Ed Visual and Performing Arts, RMIT, 1992
Dip Ed (Primary), Major in English Lit., Coburg Teachers’ College, 1978
Additional
Classical Ballet, Jazz Dance, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballroom, Latin, Folkloric
Pilates, Gym, Zumba, Swimming
Austswim Certificate
Xerobics Certificate
Working With Children Check
Modelling Course - Suzan Johnston
Drawing, Painting, Costume Design, Sewing, Cooking, Knitting
English & French Literature, Myths & Legends
Dance, Choreography & Teaching
Assistant Choreographer
Madiba The Musical National & NZ Tour, 2018 & 2019
Starring Tim ‘Timomatic’ Omaji, Blake Erikson, Perci Moeketsi, Ruva Ngwenya & Barry Conrad
The Prestige Presents
Local Choreographer
Fast Love - A Tribute to George Michael National & NZ Tour, 2018 & 2019
The Prestige Presents
Choreographer
Cavalcade - Reins of Fire Arena Spectacular National Tour, 2005
Definitive Events
Dance Consultant
Riverdance National & NZ Tour, 1998
Organised & consulted for the Australian Riverdance auditions
Van Egmond Group
Choreographer
Southern Federation of Dance, 1987 - 2010
Performances, Syllabus Design, Training Videos
Sessional Lecturer in Dance & Drama
Victoria University, 2001 & 2002
President & Dance Examiner
Southern Federation of Dance (President 6 years), 1987 - 2007
Principal
Dancentre Bayside, 1996 - 2012
Principal
PointCookDance, 2009 - 2016
Primary School Teacher
Art Room Teacher, Classroom Teacher & Relief Teacher, 1979 - 1990
Victorian Department of Education
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
BIO
Yep, I’m a late bloomer. I came to acting after an extensive career in the dance world, wearing an assortment of theatrical hats. I spent most of the Covid lockdown pivoting careers with Film, TV and Theatre in my sights.
I was thrilled to be awarded Best Actress Award at Cracked Actors’ Theatre (CAT) Summer Readings 2023 after being a finalist for Best Actress in 2021 and Best Supporting Actress in 2022.
Flashback to the 1980’s, my first job was as a Primary School Teacher, where I was committed to integrating visual & performing arts into all areas of the curriculum, all the while juggling my outside dance commitments.
In 1987 I was approached to update the Jazz Dance levels for a well-known Australian dance society. Collaborating with a colleague, we created ten vanguard levels of Jazz Ballet. The Victorian board, excited by the outcome, founded a new dance association, and Southern Federation of Dance (SFD) was born, then subsequently offered nationally. During my time with SFD, I held the role of President for 6 years, as well as Choreographer, Dance Examiner, Adjudicator, MC at performances and competitions, Teacher Trainer, and Mentor.
Having already been a guest teacher and choreographer for various dance schools around Victoria, I opened a dance school in Elwood, which over sixteen years, scaled up to studios in Brighton, Hampton, Point Cook, and Torquay. Meanwhile, I developed a unique Preschooler Dance program; integrating movement with concepts of music, language, maths, and social skills.
In 2001 & 2002 I lectured in Dance & Drama at Victoria University in the School of Human Movement, Recreation & Performance.
A flair for choreography and dance direction has allowed me to work in theatre and arena shows including Riverdance, Cavalcade – Reins of Fire, Madiba The Musical, and Fast Love – a Tribute to George Michael.
I’ve always thrived on the creative processes of collaboration, brainstorming, researching, planning and performance. I’m ready, let’s go.
Contact
“The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.”