Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Galea.
Madeleine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved mythology and magic, and when my eleventh birthday passed by and no Hogwarts letter arrived, I began to get suspicious. And then I began to get excited. Realising that movie magic was something that human hands could create was a revelation. And acting was the opportunity to step inside that world and bring it to life. I did every single school play I could, even going to other schools to get in on theirs as well. I didn’t have a way to descirbe it at that age, but I look back now and sense a deep hunger to understand the human experience, a voraciousness that has never left me. As soon as I could, I was off to the next adventure, going to drama school in New York City, where that passion began to be honed into a craft I could more accurately wield. I tried new things, continued my love of shakespeare, experienced big budget TV sets, indie films in the middle of nowhere, and then the call of home could be ignored no more, and I headed back to Australia’s shores. Once back in Melbourne, I wanted to know more about how thigns were made, not simply content to play in the wonderous worlds created on screen, but to actively be a part of their building. I began to produce, working freelance accross Independent film, short form narrative, and commercials. In 2025, after a few years of learning, trying new thigns, failing spectacularly and learning some more, I realised I wanted to put those producing skills to more selfish uses. Supported by a wonderful team of collaborators, I wrote, directed, produced, starred in, sourced the costumes, dressed the set, and baked cookies for my baby, a web series titled ‘Small Medium At Large’. In case you couldn’t tell, the budget was non-existant, and my forray into other roles was very much by necessity. Creating my spectacularly spooky world of comedic fun was a blast, not only to play the ridiculous role of The Medium, but bringing the odd ideas in your head to life felt like a special ode to eleven year old Maddy, who couldn’t quite understand why she wasn’t going to magic school.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Acting is most definitely NOT a smooth journey. There are new challenges around every corner, but I’ve come to really value resillience, and learned to stomach rejection. A particularly memorable bump in the road was the very first role I booked after graduating from drama school. I was ecstatic to get the call, I’d booked a supporting role in an indie feature shooting in Massachusetts. I packed my things, boarded a train, and arrived… in the middle of nowhere at a definitely haunted church basement. The director rushed up to me, letting me know that we really had to get a move on, our shooting schedule was being cut short because he had been told in a dream that the world was about to end. Oh, and would I mind if my payment was replaced by the secret to eternal life? I quietly wondered to myself what my bank teller would say when I tried to cash THAT cheque.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Maltese-Australian actor. I studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, before earning my SAG card working on the HBO Max reboot of ‘Gossip Girl’. After moving back to Australia, I have been a voice actor and Looping artist on NBC’s ‘La Brea’, Disyney’s ‘The Clearing’, and soon to be released feature film ‘Saccharine’, which featured in competition at The Berlin Film Festival and Sundance. I am also a passionate writer and producer, working accross short and long form narrative here in Australia, as well as commercial advertising and print media. I created the web series ‘Small Medium At Large’ which premiered earlier this year. I really love the opportunity to sink my teeth into my work, and I’m particularly excited about upcoming projects ‘The CEO’ directed by Michael Cusack (Smiling Friends, Koala Man, YOLO), Eva Otsing’s ‘Lovers’ which I star in alongside Ras-Samuel, and Tim Sharp’s ‘Jubilee’. The opportunity to also be involved as a producer on a project is something I relish in, having a sense of ownership over the work and getting to work closely alongside other collaborators to bring a story to life is something I find really special.
I’m definitely most proud of ‘Small Medium at Large’. As a long time lover of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and ‘Wellington Paranormal’, there was a big spooky whole in my heart when I’d finally finished both shows and the film, and a whole that seemed to only be fillable by making something of my own. It was an awesome feeling to sit in the sold-out ACMI cinema at our premiere, and hear people laughing at your jokes and quoting lines back to you. How cool is that!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Without a shadow of doubt my family deserves a huge shout out. Their support is constant and unwavering, supporting every win, and always showing up enthusiatically. From helping me tape auditions at all hours of the night, to letting me film in their homes, or recruite them as extras, they are truly the best. Team Galea woohoo!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madeleinegalea.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_maddsiah/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tech_nicaldifficulties
