When the stage lights come on and the crowds roar with laughter, Russell Holdaway is taken to another world.
And that’s exactly what he wants.
For him, acting on stage in a Synchronicity play is an outlet – a way of keeping his mind calm.
“It couldn’t be more different to what I do at work, and that’s the point,” he said.
His day job is to support patients through the Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) program, and he has the ultimate goal – with the help of further study – of working with people who show addictive behaviours.
Russell’s role means he can search the wards, looking for people he can help get home sooner.
It’s hearing their stories and forming a connection that he loves most.
“When you meet these patients, you get to hear their stories and you develop a relationship,” he said.
“I listen, which is a great skill to have in both work and my stage life, and I become an advocate for them getting their care at home sooner.
“You also get to help them understand their diagnosis and how to manage it. It’s great to see people realise they can receive their care from the comfort of their own home.”
While helping people is a passion he will always be drawn to, Russell’s line of work can take a toll on his mental health.
He uses the theatre stage as a way to switch off his work brain.
“I’ve been nursing for 25 years and spent time in places like the Werribee Emergency Department,” Russell said.
“And while I loved it, the pressure and fast-paced nature can be difficult at times. You also hear a lot of heart-wrenching stories and that can affect you at times.
“But when I go to rehearsals, I can focus on my character and be a different person. It’s like switching your brain off to everything that’s happening off-set.”
Since the beginning of his theatre career, Russell has had roles in a number of Syncronisity productions including Prometheus Bound, Vintage Death and most recently Home I’m Darling.
The running theme for his performances is comedies, ensuring everyone has a night of laughter.
“In nursing, you often don’t ever get to see the outcome for a patient, once they’re out of your care you never hear from them again,” Russell said.
“But in theatre, you get instant feedback in the laughter it brings people.”
Russell said there were some elements from his nursing he did like to use on stage.
“I did learn a lot about emotional regulation, you definitely need that when you’re trying to get into character,” he said.
“There’s also a lot of listening and pulling people and their situations apart to get to the crux of the issue they’re having, I now do that with roles I’m given.”
Russell's other outlet is writing with his second book in the "Breakout Road" series currently in the works.
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