Louise Siversen's Biography
Louise Siversen was born in Melbourne; Victoria, Australia on May 25th 1960 and has had roles in nearly every Australian drama series there is, but is no stranger to theatre and radio either.
As an "excruciatingly shy" child, she was sent to drama and dance classes by her parents to help her mix with other children more easily. It was there she first developed a taste for performing and went on to join St Martins Youth Theatre, appearing in many productions whilst still a child.
Louise then studied law for a while at university due to her Father's wishes, but decided to pursue acting after attending a careers day which changed her mind about her future. It was then Louise decided to definitely become an actress.
Prior to this, Louise also had a modelling career in the early 1980's and was trained in classical ballet and jazz dance.
She was still at drama school in Australia when she began work a few days a week on "Prisoner" in 1983. Finally she worked her way up from a non-speaking extra to a fully fledged character and top dog; Lou Kelly, who made a remarkable impact on the series and was one of the longest serving actresses on the show.
Louise married her husband Theo, a Persian carpet importer in 1983 and lives with him in her hometown. She has also studied drama and stage acting in New York with the Uta Hagen School.
Her previous theatre experience includes her one woman self devised piece called "Coming To My Senses" for Playbox, "Art and Soul" for The Melbourne Theatre Company which opened in November 2000, "Dark" , also for the MTC and numerous radio plays by up and coming Australian writers.
Louise has worked extensively for the Melbourne Theatre Company, La Mama in Melbourne and "Zootango" in Tasmania as well as training at The Australian College of Entertainers and The National Theatre Company.
She has appeared in numerous films, including David Swann's debut feature "Crackers", but has played minor roles in many others, including a church goer in the Meryl Streep film "A Cry in The Dark ", Zelia in the cult "Houseboat Horror" and also parts in "That eye, the sky" and "Lost".
Her roles in the current affairs series "Backberner" and drama "Janus" won her nominations for Silver Logie awards and she also appeared in the series "The Games ", which was a satirical look at the Olympic Games in Sydney.
Louise worked a lot for children's TV companies during the early 90's and is also the voice of numerous television and radio adverts, promoting everything from skin creams and insurance to garden paving and cars!
She is currently in the process of writing her first screen play and a TV series, directed a friend in a play for the Melbourne fringe festival in October 2003 and has now completed her successful 3 year run on the ABC show "Backberner" where she was praised for dishing the dirt on the week’s events (plus her ever changing hairstyles!)
When not acting, Louise teaches drama at the Victorian College of Arts, writes, enjoys reading, travelling, fashion, having a laugh with friends, good wines, being pampered and practising yoga.
She is also very into alternative therapies; massage, aromatherapy, kinesiology and is a qualified flower essence therapist.
In May 2004 she opened in "The Memory of Water" at the Melbourne Theatre Company which ran until July 10th 2004. Prior to this, she studied drama for a few months in New York with Uta Hagen again. 2004 has also seen Louise record parts in "The Secret Life of Us" and the film "Josh Jarman". In January 2005, Louise has landed a role in the ABC legal drama "MDA" playing hospital administrator "Meg Morrison". On top of this, she is kept busy with her teaching, corporate and voiceover work and also filmed the role of "Elsa" in the children's series "Wicked Science".
Now in her 22nd year of marriage with Theo, Louise's career goes from strength to strength in Australia, but she also hopes to work in England one day as she admires the industry here.
Her official website was launched in July 2000.
