By Matthew Sims
Growing up in Narre Warren and Berwick as a Muslim, local actor Oz Malik has urged aspiring actors to not give up on their dreams if fame does not arrive instantly or if they come up against obstacles.
He has recently ended a season as one of the leads in Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of London writer’s 2019 debut ‘I Wanna Be Yours’, including a special one-off performance at Bunjil Place on Tuesday 30 May.
Malik said it was special to perform at Bunjil Place, a community which helped shape his enthusiasm for acting.
“It’s a proud moment for me and hopefully a proud moment for our community, to headline a show in Australia’s oldest theatre company,” he said.
Discovering his passion for acting at the age of 17 in school productions, Malik said he had to balance his interest in acting with completing a Master of International Relations and was now a full-time actor.
“I unfortunately couldn’t continue with acting,” he said.
“I’ve kind of taken the long route.”
Malik has trained under the private tutelage of acting coach Natela Dzuliashvili, as well as at the National Theatre of Victoria, The Australian Film and Television Academy and Brave Studios.
His theare credits has included La Mama Theatre’s ‘Bukjeh’, Darebin Arts Centre’s ‘Ardna’ and Four Letter Word Theatre’s ‘Pass the Papadums, Katherine’.
Malik has since become a member of the Way Over There Collective, a collective of local artists, community developers and programmers in the South East prioritising black, brown and Indigenous people.
“There are safe spaces for local artists here in Casey,” he said.
“I think a lot of people in the South East have left the area because of a lack of opportunities.
“There’s something happening in the South East now.”
Malik has had roles across commercials, short films and television, including a lead role in the TikTok series #Matched.
He has also secured minor roles in Channel 9’s Shane Warne miniseries ‘Warnie’ and crime drama ‘Human Error’.
Malik said he was grateful for the support he received through Casey Council and Bunjil Place, including being part of the Arts Agitators collective.
“It opens the doorway to make it in Hollywood,” he said.
“I do feel like I’m a product of the South East.
“Any success of mine is a product of the community.”
Bunjil Place arts and cultural development acting manager Wayne Magee said Casey Council and Bunjil Place were involved with a number of local and touring artists.
“The performing arts are critical to a vibrant, healthy, and connected community,” he said.
“The City of Casey’s investment in arts and culture aims to boost key areas in which arts and culture benefits are felt: individual expression, cultural identity, community wellbeing and thriving creative industries.”
Mr Magee said the performing arts was a way to tell one’s individual and collective stories and explore one’s identity and connection to their past.
“Arts and culture help us understand what it means to be human,” he said.
“We are proud that we are able to make positive contributions to the already thriving performing arts culture that exists throughout Casey and the south-eastern region.”
For more information about Bunjil Place’s programs, visit www.bunjilplace.com.au/learn
