Meet our 2024 Heath Ledger Scholarship Finalists.
CHARLES WU
(Doctor Doctor, Harrow)
Charles Wu is a Singaporean-born Chinese-Australian actor, musician and writer. He trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and features regularly for Australia’s premiere theatre companies. He is the lead singer/songwriter for Sydney band Earthquake Magnificent. He is currently co-writing his first film.
KARTANYA MAYNARD
(Heartbreak High, Deadloch)
Born and raised in Lutruwita/Tasmania, Kartanya Maynard is a proud Truwulway and Nunga woman who began her screen acting career in 2022 and has since been fortunate to work on a number of incredible projects; her next will be the 3rd and final season of Netflix’s Heartbreak High shooting later this year.
Kartanya is a deeply creative person at her core which leads her to working on a number of projects all at once such as finishing her first screenplay, writing songs and even crocheting until RSI makes her take a break!
TAJ ALDEEB
(Four Years Later, The Fall)
A multi-hyphenate of Syrian heritage, Taj is an actress, musician, radio presenter, and dancer. Having performed key roles in award-winning screen and stage productions, Taj also uses her storytelling talents in advocacy work, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and diverse experiences of migration.
EZEKIEL SIMAT
(The Artful Dodger, Beneath The Storm)
Sydney-based actor and creator Ezekiel Simat has worked across theatre, film and television and can currently be seen as Ned Monks opposite David Thewlis and Thomas Brodie-Sangster in The Artful Dodger (Disney+/HULU). He has constantly sought out private coaches to refine his craft, including longtime HLS supporter Lisa Robertson.
In his downtime, Ezekiel is a long-term fan of improv and standup comedy and has performed as a standup in multiple states of his native Australia. This is Ezekiel’s second time as an HLS finalist.
WILL MCDONALD
(Heartbreak High, Home and Away)
Will McDonald is best known for his portrayal of the street smart but vulnerable “Ca$h” in the Netflix Reboot of Heartbreak High as well as his role of “Jett James” in Home and Away. He stars in the limited series Thou Shall Not Steal for Stan, which just had its worldwide premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Passionate about film, fashion, theatre, and music, Will finds inspiration in the art of storytelling across all mediums.
ANDREA SOLONGE
(Time Bandits, Prosper)
Andrea is an Australian actress of Congolese, Nigerian heritage who received strong reviews for her work in the recurring role of Juno Adebayo in the Stan/ Roku megachurch drama series Prosper. Growing up influenced and inspired by the funk, soul and jazz era of the 60s, Andrea plays the tenor and alto saxophone, making it a delight to also star in a recurring role in Taika Waititi's Apple TV+ series Time Bandits.
Airline Partner
Hotel Partner
Supporting Partners
Media Partner
