Meet Claire Duncan | Actor, Writer & Aerialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Claire Duncan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claire, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a creative career because it’s my true passion and what I envision doing for the rest of my life. The arts bring me unparalleled joy, far beyond what I could find in any 9-5 office job. One of the best things about working in this industry is getting to meet, connect and collaborate with amazing, like-minded people. I wouldn’t change that for the world. The ‘worst day’ in this career is better than the best day in a regular job.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am an actor, writer and aerialist, living fully immersed in the arts. I actually have a Bachelor and Honours Degree in History and Archaeology/Ancient Cultures which is what I was studying before I decided to pursue acting professionally. At first I struggled because there is certainly a culture in Australia that acting is not a ‘real’ career and then the fear and doubts set in about whether you are good enough. But I remember thinking- “well if I never try, I’m never going to know am I? What do I have to lose?” From that moment on, there was no turning back. I loved it too much to give up anyway. I trained and performed with the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Graduate Players program in 2018, I studied full time at Film & Television Studio International in 2019, I did the Advanced Actor’s Residency at NIDA in 2020 and I have trained at Brave Studios and with AAFTA extensively throughout the years.
My professional theater credits include working with The Australian Shakespeare Company on ‘Macbeth’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘The Comedy of Errors’ and starring as Abigail in ‘The Crucible’ in a sold out season at Melbourne’s famous Athenaeum Theater last year. Recently, I shot a short film/proof of concept in LA, a collaborative dark comedy set in the 1980s, which was a joy to create. You can find more about it on our Instagram: @queensofthedesert_. I also just wrapped filming Blind Freedom, a short film set in 1930s Australia, which was an unforgettable experience filmed in rural Victoria, Australia. I’m currently developing a feature-length project based on a short I wrote in LA, which aligns with my passion for writing dark historical drama.
I have a show coming up in the Melbourne Fringe Festival – ‘La Folie After Dark’ where I will be performing on Lyra/Aerial Hoop. I enjoy having a variety of creative outlets, from theater and screen to circus arts and writing.
A challenge has definitely been time management – and money, of course. I have a physical planner that I write out my plan for the week in; scheduling to ensure not only work is fit in but also going out to see shows and films with friends too! At times, I feel so sleep deprived and exhausted but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. I love my job, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Assuming they have never been to Hollywood before, I would probably take them on a studio tour because how cool is that!? Holding an oscar is so cool! I would make sure we catch something at a theater, maybe the Pantages, then we’d go on a movie-cinema crawl and go to a bunch of cinema’s around LA (From The Chinese Theatre to The New Beverly Cinema, etc) and I’d have them pick their favorite.
I’d for sure take them down Melrose Avenue to check out all the vintage shops! At some point we would have to make a stop (or several) at my favorite coffee shop- Horror Vibes Coffee in NoHo.
To wrap up we’d go to Good Times at Davey Waynes and No Vacancy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am deeply grateful to the many individuals who have supported, encouraged, and guided me throughout my journey. I would like to give a special shout out to Jessica Orcsik and my sister, Angela Duncan, whose unwavering support has been invaluable.
To my sister, Angela Duncan, a talented actor and writer herself, now based in London, I owe so much. It was her talent and passion that first inspired me to consider acting as a serious career rather than just a hobby. Despite the distance, she continues to be a constant source of encouragement, assisting me with auditions, providing feedback on my writing, and offering her steadfast support from across the globe.
I am equally indebted to Jessica Orcsik, an extraordinary director, producer, and my mentor in Los Angeles. She helped me believe in myself and first encouraged me to start writing and creating my own work. Her vast knowledge and generous support have been instrumental in my growth. In an industry centered on storytelling and collaboration, I know that I would not be where I am today without the contributions and support of each person I’ve had the privilege to work with along the way.

Instagram: @hauntedthisplaceis

Image Credits
Headshots: Alex Vaughan
Lyra Photography: Dance Flicks
‘The Crucible’ photography by Ben Fon
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photography by Ben Fon
‘Blind Freedom’ BTS by Olivia Dikranis