Pyper Herlihy Gold Coast Actor
July 9, 2022Who is your agent?
I am with Extra Edge Talent.
What’s the most interesting workshop you’ve attended?
The most interesting workshop I have attended was called Playmaking with Jason Klarwein. In a week, a group of young artists including myself collaboratively built and performed a 15-minute play from the ground up. What was done in so little time with the right level of focus still astounds me to this day. The workshop took place within Queensland Theatre’s residency program, and I would regard my time spent there as the main spark that ignited my drive and passion for my current career.
If you chose between doing a big film or a small film, which would you choose and why?
Big film sets never fail to engage my curiosity, they really leave me wide-eyed and awestruck- but there is something undeniably charming about a small film with a tight-knit cast and crew. Maybe it’s my foundations in theatre, but I can’t help but find a comfortable place in the dynamic of smaller sets.
What is your favourite type of role to play? Why?
I love being challenged with child or childlike characters. It is very easy to get caught up in ‘serious’ acting practice. Although I love such roles, some of the most challenging and exciting acting I have done is when I have taken a step back and let my inner child shine.
What was your headshot session like?
I cannot emphasise enough how much fun I had shooting with Sheona. Her skill, efficiency and capability when giving and receiving suggestions reflects in the quality of her work. The results are diverse, interesting and energetic!
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve been given?
“Follow the path of least resistance”. For me, taking this advice has consistently made space for growth and opportunities to come when the time is right.
If you could travel back in time to meet anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?
I would love to someday meet Greta Gerwig! I loved her work on Lady Bird and Little Women, the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation or work with her some day would be amazing.
What’s the most interesting role you’ve had?
As part of a street performance, another actor and myself dressed up as little Victorian boy paupers and interacted with attendees. We had to really play up our voices and physical language, it was a lot of fun. We played up our characters so well that multiple attendees dropped silver coins into our hats!
Do you work in TV, film, theatre or all three?
I am an actor for TV, film and theatre.
What do you like about acting the most?
Acting is where I find my centre balance. I like this artform because it reaches the core of my being, bringing me a sense of clarity and direction unlike anything else. The moment the performance starts until it closes, I am at my absolute best.
When did you start acting? What got you started?
I admired my older sisters who did Drama in high school, and I have a vivid memory of a primary school teacher encouraging me to take up the subject. Sure enough, I loved it and from there immersed myself in performance at every opportunity.
What is your strength as an actor?
My adaptability, physicality and decisiveness. I am very intuitive when taking directions and cues- I am very comprehensive in reading meaning and subtext and can adapt and change characterisation very quickly as a result. I am also a very physical actor, I am decisive and deliberate when I act out any scene.
What is your dream role? Why?
It’s not a specific role, but I have a vision of being the female lead in a parody action/adventure movie. I think a clever script that subverts the tropes of that genre would be extremely fun and exciting to play.
If you had a magic wand, what would you do next?
If I had a magic wand, there is little I would even think to change about my own life. With that power, I would find a logical and reasonable end to the climate crisis, global conflict and suffering. I can see there is as much kindness in most people as there is hatred and misunderstanding.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself?
I am friendly and more than happy to receive messages via my linked social media.
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