CQU drama students have been getting tips this week from Australian stage and screen regular Dene Kermond, during his visit to Rockhampton for intensive classes.
 
Dene has been working with students enrolled in the Bachelor of Performing Arts degree before returning in May/June for more intensive classes leading to public showcase performances.

Dene Kermond takes chargeWith over a decade as a professional juvenile performer and another as an adult, Dene's credits are numerous and extensive.
 
Theatre includes 'Gavroche' in Les Miserable (Cameron McIntosh), 'Louis' in The King & I (G.F.O, Adelaide/Sydney), 'Bert' in All My Sons (Sydney Theatre Co.), and as Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Theatre Nepean).

A true all-rounder, he is a regular at corporate functions with his shows Waiters on Tap (a comic hoax with a tap show), Dumb Waiters (Incompetant waiters make for slapstick service) and as a jazz singer. Yet, Dene is best known for his acting, teaching and directing.
 
In television Dene has been a guest on every major drama from Police Rescue, A Country Practice, Home & Away, Headland and an acclaimed performance in GP. His commercials include the recent ANZ ‘Security' and Carlton Draught Campaigns.
 
Australian films such as Young Einstein, Come in Spinner, The Distant Home and Dirty Deeds have taken him to cinemas and film festivals around the world including Cannes for his most recognised role as 'Malcolm Heslop' in Muriel's Wedding.

Putting the students through activitiesHis directing credits include, Scenes From An Execution (K Street Productions), Cordial Diplomacy: The Red Menace (Five Foot Films), The Puzzle - a Musical (Logosdor/B.G.E.O.) and Lamb Anyone? (City of Sydney/Wesley Mission).
 
Recently, Dene has established a slapstick actors company embarking on establishing a repertoire that will assist in training actors in the art of slapstick whilst creating new work for film, television and stage.
 
Their first project, After Eight, a short film that features Dene and includes his brother Wayne Scott Kermond (Singing In The Rain, Candy Man), Drew Forsythe (STC Revue), Zoe Ventura (Kick - SBS) and the Umbilical Bros is set to tour festivals from April of this year.

Dene meets some of the students (from left) Tegan Timson, Briana Ives, Ashleigh Rowe and Jacinda Cosstick

Dene with students who've come from the Bundaberg region, from left, Aleesha Darr and Caitlin McGovern
Dene with students from the Cawarral and Yeppoon areas, L-R Anna Russell; Michael Donnellan; Jordana Widt
Briana Ives takes part in the activities
Tegan Timson (front) joins the class for drama exercises