Caitlin Stasey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Caitlin Stasey | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | Caitlin Jean Stasey 1 May 1990 Frankston, Victoria |
Caitlin Jean Stasey is an Australian actress who is best known for her role as Rachel Kinski in Neighbours. Previously she played Francesca Thomas in The Sleepover Club.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Stasey has an Australian father and an English mother from Norwich. At the age of seven she spent almost a year living in Norwich, and her grandparents were still living in the city in 2008. [1]
In 2000, at the age of 10, she traveled the world as a member of the Australian Girls Choir, and took part in a re-recording of Peter Allen's 'I Still Call Australia Home', for a QANTAS commercial. Caitlin has two dogs, called Roxy and Mambo and a cat named Bindi.
[edit] Acting
Caitlin made a career breakthrough in September 2003 when she was cast in the children's TV series 'The Sleepover Club', based upon the popular book series by Rose Impey. The series chronicled the adventures of a group of pre-teen friends, one of whom was played by Eliza Taylor-Cotter, Caitlin's future Neighbours co-star. Caitlin took upon the role of Francesca 'Frankie' Thomas, the self-appointed leader of the club, whose bossiness could cause friction, but who stood by her friends when the occasion arose. The show was a big success and ran for twenty-six episodes.
[edit] Neighbours
After a year studying and attending auditions, she sufficiently impressed Neighbours casting director Jan Russ to be awarded the role of Rachel Kinski, middle child of the troubled Kinski clan. Caitlin won the part in April 2005, and her first episode was aired on the 18th August of that year. As Rachel, Caitlin has had a range of storylines ranging from parental bereavement to first love. Acting alongside Matthew Werkmeister (Zeke Kinski) and Dichen Lachman (Katya Kinski), Caitlin imbued Rachel with an initial naivety. However, as Rachel befriended her fellow Ramsay Street residents, she gradually came out of her shell, enough to fall in love with the popular character Stingray (Ben Nicholas).
Caitlin also made a brief return to the character of Frankie, in the second series of The Sleepover Club in 2006. She also appeared in the Channel 10 special Australia's Brainiest Neighbour, finishing second overall.
Caitlin was nominated for 'Fave TV Star' in the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards 2007, but lost out to Big Brother Australia 2004 contestant, Bree Amer.
On Monday 19 May 2008, Stasey sang a duet with fellow Neighbours cast member Dean Geyer (who plays Ty on the show). The song "Unforgettable" was performed at the Erinsborough High School Formal. Unforgettable has now been released on iTunes by popular demand.
On Friday the 19th September 2008, Stasey announced in an interview to the Herald Sun that she would be leaving Neighbours in the coming weeks, primarily so that she can concentrate on her end of year VCE exams. The producers have stated that her character will not be 'killed-off', allowing Stasey the chance to return to Neighbours next year, after her exams are over. The character Rachel Kinski will continue to be in scenes until early March 2009.
"I want to know that when I finish my exams and get my score, it is representative of my abilities," Stasey told the Herald Sun. "My exams start in November and I want to be able to give them my full concentration."
Stasey left school after landing the part of Rachel but continued to study on a distance education programme. She has not yet decided whether she will continue with her current arrangement or return to regular classes.
Speaking about the other benefits of leaving the programme, she added: "I can't wait to go out at night and catch up with my friends whenever I want to. It seems weird to think that I will have time to do all of that, but it is exciting as well."
In 2008 she is appearing in the Christmas pantomime Snow White at Norwich Theatre Royal, which started in the beginning of December and is due to finish 16 January 2009. Stasey is starring alongside Liza Goddard as Fairy Snowdrop, Richard Gauntlett as Nurse Nellie, Nick Aldis (TV's The Big O) as Igor, and David Hulston as The Prince. It also features an on-screen guest appearance from distant relative Stephen Fry who plays the magic mirror. She is one of the youngest leads that the Norwich Theatre Royal has hosted. Norwich is the city that boasts her favourite football team, known by fans as the "Canaries".
[edit] Music
In 2007 Stasey reportedly turned down a recording contract offered to her by Tom Nichols, who did the same for ex-Neighbours star Stephanie McIntosh. About it she said "acting is my main passion and I wanted to concentrate my efforts on that, although most actors have that triple threat of being able to sing, dance and act."[1]
In May 2008 her duet Unforgettable with Dean Geyer was released to the Australian iTunes store and peaked at number 40 on the ARIA Digital Tracks chart.
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Starring roles
- Neighbours - Rachel Kinski (2005-2009)
- The Sleepover Club - Francesca "Frankie" Thomas (2003, 2007)
[edit] Guest roles
- The New Sleepover Club - Francesca "Frankie" Thomas (2006)
- Australia's Brainiest - Herself in Australia's Brainiest Neighbour special (2006)
- Silver Tv Show as herself "Caitlin"(2007 and 2008) in a few parts.
- Cherry Bomb as Friend 1 (2004)
- The Strip as Cate (2008)
