Steph Power is a WAAPA Alumni Acting Graduate with a degree in Performance Directing (WAAPA), a Grad.Dip in Psychotherapy (Murdoch University), and a Masters in Counseling (Monash University). Steph is an experienced Acting Coach and registered Industry Therapist who delivers comprehensive on-set welfare services, she is a Member of the MEAA Equity Wellness Committee and Founder of the first Intimacy Coordinators Australia online resource. Steph deeply understands screen acting and filmmaking having studied Screen Acting at The London Actors Centre and having worked behind the scenes for Polygram Films London (Script), BBC’s Channel Four, Barron Films (2nd AD), WAAPA (B.Directing) and within her company Enigma Films. In 2020 Steph has worked on sets and educated in actor welfare for MTC, WAAPA, JMC Film Academy, Komixx Entertainment’s Itch 2 TV Series, WIFT Australia, Equity Wellness and was a welfare contributor to Screen Australia’s Covid Safe Set Guidelines. In 2021 Steph has coached actors on Performance Welfare at the National Theatre Drama School and been an Intimacy Coordinator on several projects including coming-of-age film Prawn, the feature film Petrol for Arenamedia, and is currently attached as the Intimacy Coordinator to TV series 5 Bedrooms for Hoodlum Entertainment/Channel 10. For more please go to LinkedIn Steph Power or Social Media platforms.
How did I get into actor and on-set welfare?
“Having worked as an actress for several years I saw many circumstances where areas of trust, understanding and performance vulnerability were impacted and derailed an actor’s wellbeing. In 2015 during psychology training I began developing how I could integrate wellness strategies within acting craft and performance settings. In 2017 as I completed my Masters in Psychotherapies and Counselling, a movement called #metoo occurred. Having just launched my Steph Power website for performer care, I immediately developed services for on-set welfare of actors and in 2017 established the very first ‘Intimacy Coordinators Australia’ industry Facebook resource to educate and assist producers on this new role of performance risk aversion. In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic further increased welfare needs of actors and crews and I introduced Covid Set Welfare services to provide support to the impacts of the pandemic on productions. During our 2020 long Melbourne lockdown I delivered online education workshops for actors and filmmakers, supported performers through industry counselling, and wrote comprehensive Covid Set Safety & Welfare guidelines for producers planning that informed the Australian Safe Set Guidelines. In 2021 Intimacy Coordinating and On-Set Welfare dominates my work sphere due to increased productions going back on set. My work will continue to adapt to what is an ever changing industry to ensure safe, respectful environments that support great performances.” STEPH POWER