James Millar (Australian actor)

James Millar (born January 21, 1980 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian musical theatre performer, noted for his character acting, tenor singing voice, and his work as a cabaret and musical theatre writer. He is the author of the musical drama "The Hatpin" which premiered in Sydney on February 27th 2008.

WAAPA

James Millar studied at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2003. While studying in Perth, he was directed and tutored by a number of notable Australian performers such as David King, Tony Sheldon, Nick Enright, Roma Conway, Rhys Mconnochie, Adam Cook, John Milson and Nancye Hayes. Prior to graduating, he starred in the original recording and premiere performance of "Up" by Eddie Perfect, "Susannah", "Spurboard", "The Pajama Game", "Pacific Overtures" (The Reciter), "Perfectly Frank", "The Crucible", "Fiddler on the Roof" (as Tevye) and "The Wild Party" (as Sam).

While in Western Australia, he also appeared in "Morning Melodies" at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth, "Assassins" and "Piangere".

Film & Television

For television, Millar has played roles in "Home and Away", "Police Rescue", "A Country Practice", "The Leaving of Liverpool", "The Investigators", "Water Rats" and Neil Armfield's tele-film "Naked: Coral Island".

He will appear in the film "The Eternity Man" directed by Julien Temple in 2008.

Cabaret

Millar completed a degree in Writing at The University of Technology in Sydney, and has subsequently penned a number of original cabaret shows such as "Moments of Breathtaking Stupidity" which was performed in both Sydney and Melbourne in 2004, "The Story Goes On", "Poison Soprano", "Ten Things I Hate About Cabaret", "Impossible Blonde", and Amelia Cormack's "Love For Sale" which enjoyed four return seasons.

He was also the winner of the 2004 Premiere "Cabaret Showcase" in Sydney which resulted in the performance of his second cabaret show, "Other People’s Stories", followed by a December performance of "Shopping Centre Santa: A Cabaret".

Millar also performs in a vocal trio with fellow actors Ian Stenlake and Scott Irwin.

Musical Theatre

He previously appeared in "Oklahoma!" at the State Theatre in Melbourne, "The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" and later "Little Ragged Blossom". He played the principal role of Frederic Vern in the world premiere production of "Eureka" at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. Following this, he performed at the launch of the 150th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat and sang with Ian Stenlake, Michael Cormick, Simon Gleeson and Rachel Beck for the 2004 Variety Club Ball at Crown Casino in Melbourne. He later appeared in "Boyband The Musical" at the Seymour Centre in Sydney.

In 2007, James made his debut with , where he worked with composer Stephen Sondheim and starred in "Company".

BBC Radio Voice of Musical Theatre

In 2006 he was invited to Cardiff for BBC Radio 2's "Voice of Musical Theatre", one of only a select few international artists featured to perform each year.

The Hatpin

In 2006 and 2007, Millar wrote and developed the new Australian musical "The Hatpin" alongside composer Peter Rutherford, which opened at the Seymour Centre in Sydney on February 27th 2008 to critical acclaim. The production starred Peter Cousens, Caroline O'Connor, Barry Crocker, and Melle Stewart.

Awards

In 2006, Millar won the Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2006 for his performance of Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!" at The State Theatre in Melbourne.

External links

* [http://www.jamesmmillar.com/ James Millar Official Site]