Actress
Kiruna Stamell
26
Australian actress Kiruna Stamell, 26, has not let her dwarfism hold her back. She has worked with some of the coolest theatre companies in Europe.
"I played La Petite Princess in Baz Luhrmann’s film Moulin Rouge"
Hometown
Born to a Greek family in Sydney, Australia. I now live in Manchester.
Do you consider yourself to have any disabilities?
Yes. I have dwarfism.
What do you do?
Actress, currently on contract to Belgian company Victoria Theatre
What was your very first role in theatre?
I played Hug Tree Magore in a university play (Eh? Is this some weird Australian thing?)
What have you done in theatre?
Frieda in Graeae’s Whiter Than Snow at Birmingham Rep
Quarantine’s Grace at Contact Theatre, Manchester
Victoria Theatre’s For All The Wrong Reasons, Contact Theatre, Manchester
I also played La Petite Princess in Baz Luhrmann’s film Moulin Rouge.
Have you got qualifications?
In Australia I got a degree in media and communications, majoring in film, theatre and dance. Since then, I have done a summer course at LAMDA on Shakespeare and Jacobean Plays.
What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I did social work to pay for university
How did you make the move to working in theatre?
It happened at university and then I got a role in the film Moulin Rouge. This paid for my first trip to the UK. Then I got an Australian Arts Council grant to get more experience in England.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Actress/dancer
What do you do all day?
At the moment I am a working actor. When not a working actor I am a temping secretary.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Performing and learning new things
And the worst?
Job insecurity… knowing unemployment is around the corner
What’s your dream job in theatre?
To play Hermione in Midsummer Night’s Dream
Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Keep at it. If you can imagine doing another job or profession, do it. If not, be an actor!
