Grants, grit, and a whole lot of creativity—here’s how one Adelaide performer is balancing theatre and cutting-edge tech.
What do voiceovers, video games, and theatre have in common? For Brittany Gallasch, they’re all in a day’s work.
The Adelaide-based actor is building a career that blends traditional performance skills with cutting-edge tech – and she’s just getting started.
Acting meets tech: The future of performance
“I began as a traditional actor,” Brittany says. A graduate of Flinders University’s Drama Centre, she trained in theatre, film, and voice acting, learning to adapt her skills to different media.
It wasn’t until her final year that she stumbled upon the exciting world of motion capture.
“I wandered into the studio and thought, ‘What is this? This is amazing!’” she says. “It felt like the perfect way to bring all my skills together.”
Making moves (and monsters)
Motion capture – or mocap – involves performers wearing special suits dotted with sensors that track their movements, which are then applied to digital characters.
It’s the kind of tech that powers epic movies like Avatar and the lifelike animations in video games.
Since that first moment of discovery in the studio, Brittany has expanded her creative toolkit in incredible ways.
After finishing her Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama), she completed a Master of Virtual Production, where she mastered mocap acting, as well as tools like Unreal Engine to create and animate her own digital characters.
“Mocap is like piloting a character,” she says. “I’ve worked on everything from robots to fairies – it’s so freeing as a performer.”
Her hard work has paid off. In 2023, Brittany was awarded the Neil Curnow Award by the Helpmann Academy, which allowed her to train with motion capture leaders in London.
“That experience was amazing,” she says. “But it wasn’t just about the tech – I also focused on movement, storytelling, and finding ways to push myself creatively.”
A play with heart
While motion capture has been a big part of Brittany’s journey, her latest project is firmly grounded in theatre.
Supported by an Arts SA grant, Polar Opposites explores the emotional highs and lows of bipolar disorder and the impact of supporting someone with it, through a mix of text, movement, and music.
“I wanted to create something that combines my love of theatre, movement, and voiceover,” she says.
The play draws from personal experiences, including interviews with people living with bipolar disorder.
“It is deeply personal, but I’m fictionalising these experiences to create a safe distance for both me and my family.”
A game-changing grant
The state government grant has been a game-changer, giving Brittany the time and resources to focus fully on the project.
“Without the grant, I’d be juggling this with other work, and it just wouldn’t be the same,” she says.
“Being able to dedicate myself to this piece means I have time to breathe and really devote myself to the research and the creative process,” she says. “It makes all the difference.”
“It’s also meant I’ve been able to work with a psychologist so I’m not diving into something without self-care and support around me.”
Brittany is also working with a composer to craft a theatre production that’s both emotionally raw and visually striking.
“It’s about acceptance and resilience,” she says. “I want the audience to feel the highs and lows [of Bipolar] in a way that’s relatable and powerful – through music, as well as through movement and narrative.”
Paying it forward
Brittany’s love for motion capture hasn’t taken a backseat, though. She’s started running workshops in Adelaide, teaching other performers how to embrace the potential of the technology.
“I’ve seen the industry for motion capture in the UK, and I feel like Australia’s going to catch up, so I want to pass on some of the skills I’ve learned,” she says.
“There have been so many people here who’ve been saying, ‘I love what you’re doing. I see what you’re doing. I really want to learn’.”
“Plus, I’ve always just had this collaborative nature about me. I just love sharing and working with others.”
Her next big goal? Securing her own mocap suit.
“That would mean I could work from home, recording data for game developers or filmmakers, wherever they are around the world. That would be so cool, and the prices are definitely becoming more accessible.”
Why versatility is key
What sets Brittany apart is her ability to adapt and thrive in multiple creative spaces.
“If you can act, write, produce, and create, you don’t have to wait for someone else to give you an opportunity,” she says.
That versatility has allowed her to star in short films, experiment with motion capture, and create a deeply personal theatre piece – all in Adelaide.
“Adelaide is such a great place for artists to be supported by things like grants,” she says. “If you’re willing to make your own opportunities, you can definitely build a career here.”
Inspired? Apply for a grant.
Arts SA’s goal is to back the creative talent that makes our state shine.
Whether you’re a professional practicing artist or arts worker their funding programs are designed to help eligible creatives develop their craft, create amazing work, and connect with audiences.
From theatre to visual arts and everything in between, they’re here to support a range of creative practices.
But it’s not just about making great art – it’s also about fostering partnerships and collaborations that keep South Australia’s reputation as a cultural hub alive and thriving.
If you’re looking for the spark to take your next big creative idea to the next level, Arts SA’s grants program might just be the answer.
Find out about available Arts SA grants and eligibility criteria here.
