If you grew up in the 2010s, there’s a solid chance you spent your afternoons gripped by the high-stakes world of the National Academy of Dance. Honestly, Dance Academy wasn’t just a show about tutus and pointed toes; it was a brutal, beautiful look at ambition and the reality of what happens when your body is your business. For many of us, the actors of Dance Academy became the faces of our own teenage angst. We saw them sweat, fail, and—in that one episode nobody can talk about without crying—deal with unimaginable tragedy.
But what actually happens to a group of young performers after they leave a cult-hit Australian teen drama?
Most of them didn't just fade away into the background of Sydney's local theater scene. In fact, if you look at the credits of some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters or gritty Netflix dramas today, you’ll find the alumni of the Academy hiding in plain sight. They transitioned from the grueling physical demands of a dance-heavy set to the equally demanding world of global stardom.
Xenia Goodwin and the Legacy of Tara Webster
Xenia Goodwin was the heartbeat of the show. As Tara Webster, she was the "ordinary" girl from the farm who had to prove she belonged among the elite. It’s kinda wild to think that Goodwin was only 15 when she landed the role. She wasn't a seasoned actress; she was a dancer first. That authenticity is why the show worked. You weren't watching an actor pretend to struggle with a pirouette; you were watching a teenager actually doing the work.
After the series ended and the follow-up film, Dance Academy: The Movie, wrapped in 2017, Goodwin’s path took a different turn than some of her co-stars. She hasn't been chasing the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, she’s been quite open about the physical toll dance takes on a person. She faced a major setback with a near-fatal car accident in 2019 that resulted in a broken back. It was a terrifying moment for fans who had followed her journey since 2010. Thankfully, she recovered, and while she’s stepped back from the relentless pace of the industry, her portrayal of Tara remains a blueprint for how to play a "coming-of-age" lead without the usual cliches.
Jordan Rodrigues: From Sydney to the Global Stage
If you’re looking for the biggest breakout success among the actors of Dance Academy, you have to talk about Jordan Rodrigues. He played Christian Reed—the brooding bad boy with a troubled past and a penchant for contemporary dance.
Rodrigues moved to the United States and immediately started putting in the work. You might have seen him in The Fosters, where he played Mat Tan for several seasons. That was a huge jump. It’s not easy for Australian actors to shed the accent and land a recurring role on a major American network drama, but he made it look pretty effortless.
Then came the big stuff.
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He voiced Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat Legends series. He showed up in Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-nominated masterpiece. Seriously, go back and rewatch the "Davey" scenes in Lady Bird—that’s our Christian Reed. Most recently, he took a lead role in the National Treasure: Edge of History series on Disney+. Jordan is the prime example of how the discipline of a dance background translates into a professional acting career. He has this physical presence on screen that you only get from years of spatial awareness training.
The Quiet Rise of Keiynan Lonsdale
Keiynan Lonsdale joined the cast in Season 2 as Ollie Lloyd, a character who was ambitious, talented, and sometimes a bit of a jerk. But Lonsdale himself? He’s become a massive icon in the LGBTQ+ community and a genuine multi-hyphenate star.
- He entered the DC Universe as Wally West (Kid Flash) on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.
- He starred in the groundbreaking rom-com Love, Simon.
- He’s a successful recording artist, releasing albums that blend pop and soul.
Keiynan’s career is fascinating because he didn't stick to the "actor who can dance" label. He reinvented himself as a queer fashion icon and a musician. When you look at the actors of Dance Academy, his trajectory is perhaps the most eclectic. He used the show as a springboard into a world where he could be his most authentic self, far beyond the confines of a ballet studio.
Alicia Banit and the Reality of Life After Kat
Kat Karamakov was the character we all wanted to be—cool, rebellious, and the daughter of a superstar. Alicia Banit played her with a perfect mix of bravado and insecurity.
Post-Academy, Banit stayed very active in the Australian entertainment industry. She appeared in Playing for Keeps and has done a lot of work in hosting and reality TV. What’s cool about Alicia is that she stayed connected to the dance community. She didn't just hang up the shoes and forget where she started. She’s often seen supporting Australian dance initiatives and has remained incredibly close with her former castmates. If you follow her on social media, it’s like a constant 2012 nostalgia trip because the bond between these actors is actually real. They weren't just "work friends."
Dena Kaplan: Beyond Abigail Armstrong
Abigail was the "villain" we eventually grew to love. Dena Kaplan played the perfectionist so well that she probably got some unfair hate from fans who couldn't separate the actor from the character.
Kaplan’s career after the show has been a masterclass in versatility. She’s an incredible DJ—performing under the name "Dena Amy"—and has played sets at huge festivals like Coachella and Splendour in the Grass. It’s a total 180 from the rigid structure of Abigail’s ballet world, but it makes sense. The rhythm is still there; it’s just changed form. She’s also appeared in shows like Camp and the movie Honey 3: Dare to Dance.
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Thomas Lacey and the Ben Tickle Charm
Ben "Benster" Tickle was the guy everyone rooted for. Thomas Lacey brought a lot of heart to that role, especially during the storyline involving Ben’s leukemia diagnosis.
Lacey has stayed very active in the musical theater scene in Australia. He starred in the stage production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, directed by Baz Luhrmann. It was a role he was born for. While he hasn't made the "Hollywood move" in the same way Jordan Rodrigues did, he’s a staple of the Australian stage. There’s something to be said for staying true to the craft of live performance. The actors of Dance Academy were trained for the stage, and Lacey is one of the few who still calls the theater his primary home.
Dealing With the "Curse" of Teen TV
Transitioning from a teen show is notoriously hard. You get pigeonholed. People see you as a 16-year-old in a leotard forever. The cast of Dance Academy avoided this better than most. Why?
Probably because the show was so grounded in reality. It didn't have the soap opera gloss of 90210 or the supernatural elements of The Vampire Diaries. It was about the grind. That work ethic seems to have stuck with the cast. Whether it's Tim Pocock (Ethan Karamakov) moving into roles in X-Men Origins: Wolverine or Brooke Harman (Miss Raine) continuing her steady career in Australian television, the "Academy" seems to have been a literal training ground for professional longevity.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cast
A common misconception is that these actors were just "actors who learned a few moves."
That’s not true.
Most of the lead actors of Dance Academy were high-level dancers before they were ever cast. Production actually looked for performers who could handle the choreography because the show didn't want to rely on dance doubles for every shot. When you see Tara crying over a botched solo, those are Xenia’s feet. When you see Christian doing a backflip in a contemporary piece, that’s actually Jordan. This technical foundation is why the show has such a long tail on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. It feels real because it was.
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The Tragedy of Sammy Lieberman
We have to talk about Sammy. Even years later, the death of Sammy Lieberman (played by Tom Green) remains one of the most shocking moments in Australian television history.
Tom Green’s performance was nuanced and deeply moving. Since leaving the show, Green has moved behind the camera as much as he’s stayed in front of it. He’s a director and filmmaker now. He’s worked on short films and projects that lean into a more indie, artistic aesthetic. It’s a very "Sammy" move, honestly—finding a way to tell stories that matter rather than just chasing fame.
Why We Still Care in 2026
The enduring popularity of the Dance Academy cast comes down to the "lightning in a bottle" casting. You had a group of kids who were essentially growing up together in a high-pressure environment, mirroring the lives of their characters.
The industry has changed a lot since the show premiered. We have TikTok dancers and viral influencers now, but there’s still a hunger for the stories of people who spend ten years in a studio trying to master a single movement. The actors of Dance Academy represent that dedication.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're looking to follow the careers of these actors or perhaps start a similar journey yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Follow the Australian Film Scene: Many of these actors still pop up in productions by Screen Australia. Keep an eye on ABC (Australia) and Stan for new projects featuring the alumni.
- The "Dance-to-Acting" Pipeline is Real: If you're a performer, don't feel limited to one lane. As Jordan Rodrigues and Keiynan Lonsdale proved, the discipline of dance is a massive asset in action roles and musical theater.
- Watch the 2017 Movie: If you only ever watched the TV series, the film Dance Academy: The Movie provides a much-needed sense of closure for the characters, especially regarding Tara's ultimate career path.
- Check Out "Dena Amy" on Spotify: If you want to see how Dena Kaplan transformed her career, her music is a great place to start. It’s sophisticated electronic music that’s a far cry from the classical scores of the Academy.
The legacy of Dance Academy isn't just in the episodes we rewatch when we're feeling nostalgic. It’s in the way its cast has permeated the global entertainment industry, proving that a little show about a ballet school in Sydney could produce some of the most versatile talents of a generation.