Stephen Madsen

Stephen Madsen
Born (1992-08-15) 15 August 1992 (age 32)
OccupationActor
Years active2014–present
Known for

Stephen Ross Madsen (born 15 August 1992) is an Australian actor.[1] He is best known for his role as Jason "J.D." Dean in the Australian production of Heathers: The Musical, and for originating the role of Alexander Shkuratov in the musical Muriel's Wedding.

Early life and education

Madsen is the son of Sally, a doctor, and Ross, growing up in Mona Vale, New South Wales. As a child he attended Mona Vale Primary School and, later, Manly Selective Campus.[1] Madsen graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2014.[2]

Career

Madsen made his Sydney theatre debut as Jason "J.D." Dean in the Australian premiere of Heathers: The Musical at the Hayes Theatre in 2015.[3] That same year, he portrayed Mark Cohen in Rent; also at the Hayes Theatre.[4]

In 2016, Madsen returned to the role of Jason Dean for a national tour of Heathers: The Musical at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Sydney Opera House.[5][6][7] He subsequently appeared in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.[8]

Madsen was cast in the world premiere of Muriel's Wedding at Sydney Theatre Company, originating the role of swimmer Alexander Shkuratov.[9] He features on the Original Cast Recording released by Sony Music Australia.[10]

He returned to the Hayes Theatre in 2018 as Patrick in the Australian premiere of The View Upstairs.[11] Later that year, he portrayed Alan in Darlinghurst Theatre Company's production of Torch Song Trilogy at The Eternity Playhouse.[12]

Madsen was due to perform in the first major Australian production of Sarah Kane's Cleansed in 2021 but the show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared as Carl in the rescheduled production in 2022.[13][14] Earlier that year, he played conniving frenchman Marcel Benoit in the Sydney Theatre Company production of White Pearl by Anchuli Felicia King at the newly-renovated Wharf Theatre.[15] He toured with the production to Canberra and Parramatta.[16][17]

He starred as the legendary warrior Achilles in Holding Achilles, an epic co-production between Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall, for its world premiere at Brisbane Festival in 2022 and a subsequent season for Sydney Festival in 2023.[18][19] He appeared in Sex Magick at Griffin Theatre Company in the same year.[20]

Personal life

Madsen lives in Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales.

Theatre credits

Year Production Role Venue
2015 Heathers: The Musical Jason "J.D." Dean Hayes Theatre
2015-16 Rent Mark Cohen Hayes Theatre
2016 Heathers: The Musical Jason "J.D." Dean QPAC Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse, Sydney Opera House Playhouse
2017 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Ruckly Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre
2017–18 Muriel's Wedding Alexander Shkuratov Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
2018 The View UpStairs Patrick Hayes Theatre
Torch Song Trilogy Alan Eternity Playhouse
2019 Muriel's Wedding Alexander Shkuratov National tour
2022 White Pearl Marcel Benoit Wharf Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
Cleansed Carl Old Fitzroy Theatre
Holding Achilles Achilles QPAC Playhouse
2023 Sex Magick Manmatha/Drayton/Gazza SBW Stables Theatre
Holding Achilles Achilles Carriageworks

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
2021 Marley, Someone Lola
2025 Scoby Kai

Television

Year Title Role
2019 Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries Duane Gordon
2019 Secret Bridesmaids' Business Brent Harcourt
2025 Spartacus: House of Ashur Creticus

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Production Result
2015 Sydney Theatre Awards Best Newcomer Heathers: The Musical Nominated
Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical Rent Nominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical Heathers: The Musical Nominated
2022 Sydney Theatre Awards Best Ensemble Cleansed Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Swain, Sarah (25 January 2018). "Actor Stephen Madsen is a hot property — and not just because of his physique". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Stephen Madsen". Sport for Jove. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  3. ^ Blake, Jason (23 July 2015). "Heathers the Musical review: Impressive, calculating and anything but coy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  4. ^ Blake, Jason (14 October 2015). "Rent review: Strong cast proves why dedicated fans hold bohemian musical dear". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Heathers The Musical for Brisbane". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  6. ^ Woodhead, Cameron (15 May 2016). "Heathers the Musical review: Broadway ballads and gut-busting big-notes betray film's dark edge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  7. ^ Hook, Chris (9 June 2016). "Original mean girls return with a few changes of cast in Opera House run of Heathers: The Musical". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  8. ^ Czornij, Kat (23 July 2017). "Stephen Madsen on the intricacies of Sport for Jove's upcoming production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Arts on the AU. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  9. ^ "News: Muriel's Wedding casting announcement". Sydney Theatre Company. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Muriel's Wedding Musical Records Cast Album". Playbill. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Cast announced for The View Upstairs". Theatrepeople. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  12. ^ Lancaster, Lynne (8 August 2018). "Review: Torch Song Trilogy at The Eternity Playhouse". ArtsHub Australia. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Cleansed". Red Line Productions. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  14. ^ Blake, Elissa (7 June 2022). "This extreme play makes people faint. How do the actors stay sane, night after night?". The Guardian. Scott Trust Limited. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  15. ^ "White Pearl". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  16. ^ Martin, Amy (23 April 2022). "Sydney Theatre Company's White Pearl set to open at Canberra Theatre Centre". The Canberra Times. Nine. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  17. ^ "White Pearl". Riverside Parramatta. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  18. ^ Lawrence, Elise (5 September 2022). "Holding Achilles (Dead Puppet Society, Legs On The Wall, QPAC & Brisbane Festival)". Limelight Magazine. Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Holding Achilles". Sydney Festival. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Sex Magick". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 5 November 2024.