MEET HEIDI VALKENBURG: ACTOR, MOVEMENT ARTIST & CERAMIC SCULPTOR

Hi Heidi, it's a pleasure to have you share your story with our readers. Let's start at the beginning – how did your journey as an artist begin?

Thank you for having me! I was a pretty vivacious and energetic child with an unusual amount of self-confidence. My journey in entertainment started at age ten when I filmed my first TV show in Australia called "Book Bugs" on ABC. The show adapted children's books and brought them to life. Brooke Satchwell played my older sister, and I even had to learn some basic trombone for the role! From there, the ball just kept rolling.

Many of our readers may know you from Australian television. Can you tell us about that chapter of your career?

If you're familiar with Australian entertainment, you probably know that having a stint on "Neighbours" is almost a rite of passage for Australian actors. I played a mean girl named Jessica Wallace on the show. It was quite an experience – being recognized on the street wasn't always pleasant. I remember walking in Melbourne when some kids yelled, "It's that B*** from Neighbours!" and threw a pastry at me!

But being on that set was invaluable – like a high school for actors. We were a huge bunch of young adults getting into constant trouble, but we were also learning our craft. The pace is super quick, which taught me an efficiency that has helped me on many jobs since then.

Your path hasn't been without challenges. How have those experiences shaped your approach to your craft?

One of the biggest challenges was recovering from long COVID. It took a significant amount of time for my energy levels to reach even basic functionality. During that period, I really wanted to explore what my body could do after such a debilitating stint with minimal mobility.

The silver lining of that scary experience is that I tapped into movement exploration in a deeper way once I recovered. That exploration has become an integral part of my work now. It pushed me toward the immersive dance and theater world in New York City, which has been incredibly fulfilling.

I've also had some amusing challenges throughout my career. Since breaking my nose at fourteen, I've been prone to spontaneous nosebleeds. I've had two nosebleeds on set – one during a make-out scene and another during an emotional breakdown moment. Hearing "Cut – Heidi, you're bleeding" and seeing the horror on a co-star's face as they slowly back away is always a dull fear living in the back of my mind!

What projects are you currently working on that excite you?

After focusing heavily on movement and dance theater, I'm ready to explore off-Broadway work in New York that's less dance-focused. I'm excited to jump into a meaty play and use my voice again in different ways.

I'm also working on combining my performing arts background with my visual art practice. I'm currently in love with ceramic sculpture and am putting together a gallery show that combines performance with my works. My art practice bleeds into my acting work and vice versa, creating this wonderful synergy between disciplines.

LA has such a vibrant arts scene. How does it compare to your experiences in other cities?

New York's immersive theater scene has been my recent focus, but I've worked across different artistic communities in Australia and the U.S. Each has its own energy and approach. What I appreciate about creative communities like LA's is the opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration. As someone who works across multiple art forms, I find those connections incredibly valuable.

You've worked with some notable names in the industry. Any memorable moments?

One of my favorite stories involves Peter Dinklage. We were working together on a film in Australia, and my character had to wear an engagement ring. During lunch break, I was scraping food scraps into the trash when the prop ring fell in. As I was digging through the garbage, Peter appeared and asked what I was doing. When I explained my "engagement ring" was in the trash, he panicked and practically dove into the trash can himself to help me recover it! I didn't have the heart to tell him it was only a prop once we fished it out.

Working with Larry Moss in a master class at 16th Street Actors Studio was also a transformative experience – nothing short of spiritual for me. He's worked with so many beloved actors including Hilary Swank, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jim Carrey. His book "The Intent to Live" completely changed my approach, and witnessing him work with actors is my kind of heaven. He has this intuitive ability to read people and bring out their best performances. Part of me thinks he might be psychic!

What advice would you give to other artists in LA, especially those just starting their journey?

Make sure you can afford therapy – both somatic and talk varieties. That might sound flippant, but I'm completely serious. Choosing to be an artist when you haven't been born into wealth can be truly grueling and soul-crushing at times. It's crucial to take care of your body and mind, staying grounded with coping mechanisms always within reach.

Also, learn to say no to projects that don't align with your values or feel soul-enriching. It took me years to develop that confidence, but now I understand that being patient means the right work will eventually cross your path. There's no point putting energy into projects that don't stir your soul.

And remember that life is long – we're forever learning and evolving as artists and humans. It's never too late to do anything, and taking breaks isn't just okay, it's imperative for artistic and personal growth.

How would your friends and peers describe you?

Probably "mildly unstable but fun to be around." [Laughs]

What's next for you? Where do you see your creative journey heading?

I'm excited to continue exploring the intersection of my different artistic practices. While I've been focused on movement and dance theater, I'm looking forward to getting back to text-based work and using my voice in different ways. I'm also continuing to develop my ceramic practice and looking forward to that gallery show combining performance and visual art.

I believe we're constantly evolving as artists, and I'm open to wherever this journey takes me next. I'd like to think my "big break" hasn't happened yet – there's so much more I want to create and explore.

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