Meet our Program Coordinator!

A head and shoulders headshot of Dani Lim against a green, leafy background. Dani is smiling. She has long black hair that flows down her body and is wearing a a thin gold chain with a small pendant and a striped blue and yellow off-shoulder top.

We’re so pleased to formally introduce our Program Coordinator, Danielle Lim!

Many of you may have already met Dani through her work at ActNow but we thought you might like to get to know her better so we sat her down and asked her some questions about herself, her love of performing and her work with us. Read on!

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am a Malaysian-Australian actor and I graduated from Flinders Drama Centre in 2021.  Growing up in Malaysia, I never really felt like I fit anywhere, and that was because there weren’t many opportunities in the arts. I loved singing, dancing and putting on skits for my family and their friends because it would make them happy. When I moved to Australia with my family in 2014, I took drama classes at school to make friends and build confidence, and I discovered immense joy in acting because it was a new way for me to connect with people. This form of art is liberating for me because it grants me an opportunity to escape from reality and express parts of myself through a character. My first acting role was Lady Macbeth in my Year 10 contemporary production of Macbeth, and I hope to one day reprise this role in a professional production. 

I was fortunate to be accepted into drama school straight after finishing high school. During my time there, I was involved in several productions, playing a wide range of characters. I have also been involved in the CAAP (Contemporary Asian Australian Performance) Artist Lab that was held during the OzAsia Festival in 2021 and 2022, and that experience enabled me to connect with other Asian-Australian artists here in Adelaide, which has been a milestone in my career as an emerging artist. 

I am looking forward to telling more Asian-Australian stories on stage as well as screen, to inspire more Asian-Australians to pursue a career in the arts. I have a few projects and developments lined up for next year, and I am so excited to get started!

You're no stranger to ActNow. From performing in our shows to organising us as our administrative assistant, you’ve done it all. What's your favourite thing about working with us?

As a new graduate, I was lucky enough for ActNow to be my first employer, recruiting me as an actor for their anti-racism show, Like Me, Like You, which is targeted for students in Year 1 to 4. I was really grateful to have this opportunity to tell cultural stories and make the character of Millie my own, and know that I am making a difference in the lives of the young kids who watch this show. 

I’ve been working in the hospitality industry since the age of 15 and my goal after graduating university was to secure a stable job in the arts industry even when I wasn’t performing. I find (weird) enjoyment in scheduling and organisation, hence how I landed my administrative job with ActNow, which is the perfect platform for me to develop and practice these skills. 

My favourite thing about ActNow is their generosity, and how they look after their communities. It feels amazing to work for a company that strives to champion minority voices and present performances that strive for social change. I really do owe my career, both in acting and in admin, to ActNow.

Being a young actor in Adelaide is a tricky thing. What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

After being a year out of drama school, I’ve learnt the importance of making and producing my own work. I think this scares a lot of emerging artists, but this can open up networking opportunities as well as future employment prospects with professional companies. It is important to develop resilience in this competitive industry, as well as take creative risks. Keep an eye out and start applying for grants and residency opportunities as early in your career as possible, as these will benefit professional development. I think everyone has something important to say and convey through their work, and I really admire those that are brave enough to take the first step to tell their stories.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

I am constantly inspired by the people that I work with at ActNow, especially the brave artists that share and tell their personal stories and experiences through our projects. I am also inspired by the community of Asian-Australian artists I met through the CAAP Artist Lab. They have become my second family, and I admire their determination and courage to express culture through their various art forms.

If you could bring only 3 things with you to a deserted island, what would you choose?

My Oodie, a good book, and my dog Mylo!