Lara is an award-winning actress after taking home Best Leading Actress for the short film, ‘Emergency’ at the 2024 Studio 66 Film night and in 2023 Red Sands Film Festival. And the Best New Talent award at the OzFlix International film awards, winning the award for her role as Fiona Day, the lead role in the independent mumblecore feature film, ‘Friends, Foes and Fireworks’ produced by Nexus Production Group.
This year, she filmed the lead role in 'Sunny's Mansion', a horror feature film hitting cinemas in 2025.
Lara has studied acting extensively, as well as spending two years in Vancouver, Canada where she appeared in Untold Stories of the ER (airing worldwide on the TLC channel) and a commercial for Yahoo (USA).
In Australia Lara has appeared in a number of AAMI TV commercials, live broadcasts, countless commercials, plus numerous short films and feature films. Recognised for her exceptional skills in character acting, Lara also has proven experience in dramatic and comedy roles with particular focus on empathetic, archetypal and mysterious characters.
Lara trained under Jeb Beach and Andrew McIlroy and Associates in Vancouver focusing on camera for both film and television. She has also studied extensively at Melbourne's most reputable theatre training school, Peter Sardi’s School of Acting, graduated from the one-year acting course at NIDA and attended private American Dialect tuition with Anna McCrossin-Owen.
Lara is a former professional classical ballerina with over 18 years of training and experience in dance styles of ballet, contemporary and jazz.
Lara is represented byJackson Ezard at Creations Talent.
Television:
2016 Untold Stories of the ER- Principal Role- Urgent Care Productions- Paul Ziller
Feature Films and Featurettes:
2023 Sunny’s Mansion - Lead Role - Lucky - Zayan Productions - Herman Perera 2018 A Night at the Paris Cat- Main Cast- Bec- Ignition Immersive- Darren Vukasinovic 2017 Friends, Foes & Fireworks- Lead Role - Fiona- Nexus Production Group- Sarah Jayne & Ivan Malekin
2013 Crestfallen- Supporting Role- Detective Maurice- Creative Frontier Production- David Ban
2010 Silentium- Main Cast- Delana- Andrew Mcpherson
2002 Darkness Falls - Picture Double- Emma Caulfield- Revolution Studios- Jonathan Liebesman
Short Films:
2024 Ensconced - Lead Role - Lara Deam and Spyridon Pictures 2024 That’s Right - Lead Role - Alan Claridge 2024 No Two Ways About it - Lead Role - Christopher Sferrazza and Spyridon Pictures 2024 Coming Home - Lead Role - Jamie Wilson 2022 The Dance: Life Improvised - Lead Role - Emma - Nexus Production Group- Sarah Jayne & Ivan Malekin 2021 Veneer - Lead Role - Sarah - OneHouse Productions - Benjamin Read 2020 The Art of Self Tape - Lead Role - Jenna - Damien Giglietta - 88to1 Productions 2020 Emergency (Post-Production) - Lead Role - Claire - Joel Quick 2019 Haiku - Supporting Role - Michelle - Team Discovery Channel - Visual Domain 2019 Apprev - Lead Role - Ilona- Damian Harris - Elfenshot films
2019 My Sunday, Ruined - Guest Role - Neighbours Wife - Patrick Whelan 2019 The Grand Scheme - Supporting Role - Nurse Eve - Matt Mirams 2018 Grace - Supporting Role - Rachel- Christopher Kay 2018 Junk Male - Main Cast- Robin - Max Gundy 2017 Waldwölfe - Main Cast - Claire - Peter Allen 2017 Crazyheads - Lead Role - Cinematographer- Alper Kasap 2016 Keep Me in Mind - Supporting Role- Julia - Mileta Rien 2016 Ersatz - Lead Role- Angela- Caitlin Tracey, Elliot Carmady
2016 Half - Supporting Role - Woman - Saara Lamberg
2016 Thief- Supporting Role- Senior Constable Jo Manning - David Park
2015 April 14th Lead- Andrea- JT West Films- Sean Foster and Jaiden Vu
2013 A Mother is Born- Supporting Role- Midwife- Deakin University-Jon Billsberry
2013 Breakdown- Lead Role- Sarah- Christian Heath & Gary Glenn
2011 Murder at Sleepy Meadows- Supporting Role- Jennifer- Dimi Brckov
2011 The Day Before Today- Supporting Role- Rebecca- Dimi Brckov
2011 Pointe- Supporting Role- Alison- VCA- Georgia Brough
2011 Slash- Lead Role- Tina- Hobbledehoy Productions- Caleb McKenney
2010 Tentaklees- Lead Role- Woman- Peter Allen
2010 Not Like the Movies- Lead- Katy- Swinburne University
2010 Prisoner 5596- Main Cast- Brianna- Australian Film Base
2010 Sleep On It- Main Cast- Beth- Kujoland Films
2010 Lifes No Joke- Lead Role- Sally- Homebaked Productions
2010 Under Control- Lead Role- Stacey- RMIT University
2009 Night Shift- Main Cast- Lucy- Monash University Graduation Film
TVC:
2024 Sportsbet - Influencer Featured Extra - Palomina - Matt Weston 2023 Koh - Lead - Michael Beveridge 2023 Maxxia and RevServ - Lead - Creativa - Dana Marie Newell 2023 Chemist Warehouse - Main Cast - Stratosphere - Jeff Johnson 2023 TAC Country Racing Victoria - Main Cast - Assemble Agency- Benjamin Jaensch 2023 The Victorian Caravan Camping and Touring Supershow - Lead - Sense 6 and DPR&co - David Finnegan 2022 Sportsbet - Punter Girlfriend - Palomina - Matt Weston 2020 B2C Furniture (Online TVC) Lead- Vidico - Evan Pirone 2019 Engineering Australia - Zebra Vision - Steve Haydon 2017 AAMI Girl AAMI - Ogilvy - LIVE Broadcast
2017 AAMI Girl AAMI - Ogilvy - Adam Stevens
2016 Eco Laundry- Host - Brett D'Souza
2015 Yahoo (USA) - Romantic Couple- Lemonade Films
2013 Amcor Brand Film - Fiance- ABT - Jennifer Kent
2013 PACT Group Video - Purple Monkey
2013 TAB- Hula Pub Mate- Finch- Sean Kruck
2013 Belgravia Formal Wear- Bridesmaid- Burning House- Brett D'Souza
2012 HONDA Civic- Dog Walker- The Sweet Shop- Jonathon & Josh Baker
2011 Hot Hits- Lead- MCM Media- Brett D'Souza
2010 King Furniture- Featured Extra- Loud Films- Jaimie Doolan
2009 Adriatic Furniture- Featured Extra- InPictures- Michael Warden
Corporate and Online Videos:
2022 Back to the Office - Lead - The Sensory - Jordan Bond 2021 Snowy River Caravans - Presenter - Lilydale Films 2019 Wine Seller - Vintage Cellars - Mustard Creative 2013 ANZ Branch transformation- Lead Role- Customer- Precinct- Gabrielle Bullard
2013 PACT- Supporting Role- Wife- PurpleMonky
2013 Target Video- Supporting Role- Reporter- CMS Australasia
2013 AMCOR Brand Video- Supporting Role- Italian Fiance- ABT- Jennifer Kent
2012 Coles Liquor Roadshow- Lead Role- CMS Australasia
2012 Coles Instruction Video- Lead Role- Host- CMS Australasia
2011 Typology Video- Supporting Role- Waitress- Big Dog Creative- John Dutton
2011 Peoplestreme- Lead Role- Isobelle- Peoplestreme
2011 White Pages OPP- Lead Role- Sara- ABT- Clem Stamation
2011 Australian Psychological Society- Lead Role- Sophie- CMS Australasia
Theatre:
2022 Fifi’s Fifth - Main Cast - Melbourne Fringe festival - Malith Wijayawardhana 2013 The Balinese Princess in Singapore- Main Cast- Actor/Dancer- EventiveOne Lela McGregor
2011 Cosi- Main Cast- Julie- Luciano Martucci- NIDA "The Actor"
2011 The Balinese Princess- Main Cast- Actor/Dancer- EventiveOne Lela McGregor
2010 In the Boom Boom Room- Lead Role- Peter Sardi School of Acting
2010 Barefoot in the Park- Lead Role- Peter Sardi School of Acting
2005 Oklahoma- Actor/Dancer/Choreographer- Warragul Theatre Company
Web-Series:
2022 Counter Girls - Guest Role - Robot ArmyProductions - Ryan Chamley 2021 Galactic Circus - Lead Role - Gracie - Top Rock Productions - Taysha McFarland and Tristan Braines 2019 Tour Guides - supporting role - Sofia - Brayden Pavey and Arty Giamalidis
2019 Bitskits - Various Roles - Christopher Kay 2014 Only In The Movies- 'Pooch Amore'- Maria- Hobbledehoy Productions- Caleb McKenney
2010 Life of the Other Half- Main Cast- Isabelle- Mister Sister Productions
Training/Education:
2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - Livestream with Daina Reid - Fayssal Bazzi 2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - Darren Gilshenan – Comedy Acting 2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - Self Taping with Les Chantery 2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - Tony Ayres In Conversation with Jessica Tovey 2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - In Conversation with Sam Neill 2020 MEAA Equity Foundation - Miranda Harcourt Livestream 2019 Lyndall Grant - Unarmed Combat and Knife - Fight the Good Fight Intensive by Captivate Action 2019 Nigel Poulton - Knife, Sabre and Unarmed Combat - Fight the Good Fight Intensive by Captivate Action 2019 NJ Price - Unarmed Combat and Defence - Fight the Good Fight Intensive by Captivate Action 2019 Scott Witt - Unarmed, Sabre, Sword and Staff - Fight the Good Fight Intensive by Captivate Action 2019 Advanced Acting class with Lyndelle Green - Brave Studios 2018 Text to Screen-test - Film & Television Studio International - Scott Major 2018 Action Theatre Workshop - Danielle Cresp 2017 Live TV Hosting- TV Broadcasting Workshop- Rachael Brand and Jimmy Giggle
2017 Puppetry Workshop - Dead Puppets Society
2017 Vocal Adventure Masterclass with Darren Percival
2017 Polyglot Workshop- Positively Transform a Space- Polyglot- David Pidd and Dan Goronszy
2017 Kids and Comedy Workshop- Jimmy James Eaton and Wyatt Nixon-Llyod
2017 Mid Atlantic Accent Private Lessons- Anna McCrossin-Owen
2017 TAFTA Screentest Workshop with Jane Norris
2017 MAA Screentest Workshop with Alison Telford
2017 TAFTA Screentest Workshop with Thea McLeod
2015 McIlroy & Associates- Core Camera with James Kot
2015 J.J.Ogilvy Casting Workshop, Vancouver, Canada
2015 Jeb Beach- Pilot Season Intensive, Vancouver, Canada
2014 Jeb Beach- Back to Booking Audition classes, Vancouver, Canada
2013 American Accent Private Lessons- Anna McCrossin-Owen
2013 Working the Scene with Rohan Jones- Screen Acting Classes
2012 TAFTA Ultimate Screentests #1 2012 Audited Ellen Burstyn Masterclass
2011 NIDA One Year Part-Time "The Actor" 2011 Audited Howard Fine Masterclass
2001-2002, 2009-2011 Peter Sardi School of Acting, Melbourne
2011 Harli Ames Scenework class, Melbourne
2010 Paul O'Brien Actors Nest, Melbourne
2010 Peter Sardi Acting for Camera, Melbourne 2010 MAA Screentest Workshops, Melbourne
2002-2008 RMIT University- Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Applied Science
2003 TAFTA Ultimate Screentest Course #1 2000 Dance World 301- Classical Ballet
"In all my dealings with Lara she has demonstrated exceptional professionalism. Lara is an enthusiastic collaborator who seeks to fully embody her character but she is also keen to take direction and fully commit to realising the director’s vision. I have no hesitation in recommending Lara to any agent, casting director or filmmaker as a committed and talented actor, and I look forward to working with her again in the future."
- Peter W. Allen DIRECTOR
"She has a fathomless imagination and the ability to tap into it, enabling her to bring her unique individualism to the characters she portrays. If her individualism is given free rein it reveals eccentricities that thoroughly engage and charm an audience."
- Rohan Jones PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR
"She shares a genuine passion for the craft of acting and has shown and continues to show tremendous growth in my classes. She has been able to harness her natural talent and fully realize her potential through her wholehearted commitment to class and her studies."
- Peter Sardi ACTOR/TEACHER
"She is always open to suggestion, eager to explore the scene in new ways and, most importantly, is always a delight on set. She really cares for each of the characters she creates and her love and passion for performance show through in everything that she does. I recommend her highly and without reservation."
- Caleb McKenney DIRECTOR/WRITER
"Lara has an energetic and friendly personality and takes every part of the process very seriously. She possesses more than the average myopic view of an actor. The reason why I think Lara is better than her competition, is that she is patient and has an understanding of the craft and does not own one ounce of ego. I must also take the time to add that Lara has so much love and appreciation when being on set and is genuinely excited to be there, her energy is contagious and all this encapsulates why she has such an extensive filmography. I will not do a film without her in either a writing or acting capacity... I love her enthusiasm."
- Matt Mirims DIRECTOR/WRITER
"Again Lara was able to improvise well, know when to keep it light and when to hone in on the drama of the situation as it unfolded before her. She prepared meticulously for this short film, paying attention at the initial discussion and embedding her character. I would recommenced Lara for representation… Having Lara on your books would be an asset to your clients who choose to book her. Ivan and I wouldn't hesitate to work with Lara again on any project and you shouldn't either."
- Sarah Jayne Portelli DIRECTOR/PRODUCER