ABOUT ME
Gab Raz is a performer and teacher working across Australia and New Zealand. Her specialities are in improvisation, physical theatre, movement and devising, having formally trained with renouned institutes such as the John Bolton Theatre School and the VCA's Acting Studio. She is also a qualified and registered a secondary teacher specialising in Drama and Design, and believes strongly in creating conscientious, safe and joyous spaces for people to discover their creative potential.
Like many folks in the creative industries, Gab took a circuitous route within her career. Having a degree in Environments (Landscape Architecture) and experience working across event management, tourism and design, she brings a varied and wholistic outlook to theatre and teaching. People arrive at this practice with a multitude of skills and ambitions, and she loves working with others to find ways to channel their unique potential into whatever platform they are working in.
Her performance style can only be described as balls-to-the-wall. She brings colourful and fully-embodied characters to life on stage and is passionate about using theatre as a platform to say what the heart can't put into words. She brings her extensive training as a dancer, actor and improvisor to all her work to create connected, authentic and electric performances.
PERFORMING
The Big Hoo-Haa Melbourne | THUNDERDOME | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | 2024 | Ensemble
The Big Hoo-Haa Melbourne | Weekly show ensemble member | 2024 –
MAKING UP GRADES | New Zealand Improv Festival | 2023 | Producer/MC
July Juets | EURO VISIONARIES | 2023 | Cast member
The Big Hoo-Haa Pōneke | | 2022–2023 | Ensemble
Comedy Gold | COCKED AND LOADED | 2022 | Woman with No Name
Late Knight Knife Fight | Improv | 2021-2023 | Various
BEING PREY | New Zealand Fringe Festival | 2022 | Director/Performer
Soothplayers | COMPLETELY IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE | 2019 | Ensemble
The Improv Conspiracy | CREW NECK | 2018 | Ensemble
Melbourne University Shakespeare Company | "SHAKESPEARE" | 2017 | Woman #1
Union House Theatre | STILLNESS IN MOTION | 2016 | Ensemble/Dancer
The Hartwell Players | COMEDY OF ERRORS | 2014 | Balthazar
Koonung Secondary College | TWELFTH NIGHT | 2013 | Antonio
Koonung Secondary College | YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU | 2012 | Essie Carmichael
Koonung Secondary College | THE THREEPENNY OPERA | 2011 | Lucy Brown
Koonung Secondary College | OLIVER! | 2010 | Chorus
Indooroopilly State High School | SPACEBALLS: THE MUSICAL | 2009 | Chorus
Backbone Youth Arts | HOLIDAYZE | 2008 | Ensemble
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PRODUCING
MAKING UP GRADES | New Zealand Improv Festival | 2023 | Co-Producer/Director/MC
BEING PREY | New Zealand Fringe Festival | 2022 | Producer/Director/Performer
Going Down Swinging | LAUNCH #40 | 2019 | Co-Producer
Going Down Swinging | SPOKEN LIKE A CHAMPION | Melbourne Spoken Word and Poetry Festival | 2019 | Producer
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TRAINING
Extended courses
2022 | Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching | Massey University
July 2019 – Nov 2019 | John Bolton Theatre School | John Bolton and var.
2018 - 2019 | The Improv Conspiracy Levels 1 – 4 | var.
2018 | Victorian College of the Arts Acting Studio | var.
2012 – 2013 | VCE Drama Units 1 – 4 | Jessica Graham
2009 – 2010 | St Martin’s Youth Arts | David Peake
2005 – 2009 | Backbone Youth Arts | var.
Masterclasses and Intensives
2016, 2020, 2024 | Born in a Taxi Movement Improvisation | Nick Papas
Mar 2020 | From the Neutral Mask to the Red Nose (Clown and Mask) | Giovanni Fusseti
Jan 2020 | The Ecstasy of Mocking (Bouffon) | Giovanni Fusseti
Feb 2019 – Apr 2019 | Introduction to Bouffon 8 week course | Emily Goddard
Feb 2019 | ‘On Sledge and Horseback’ Development Laboratory | Susie Dee
July 2018 | Victorian College of the Arts: Improvisation | Paula Van Beek
Feb 2018 | The University of Melbourne: Devising | Dave Kelman
July 2010 | Screen Acting | NIDA