| Lara Jean Marshall | |
| Birthname: | Lara Jean Marshall |
| Birth Date: | 1988 7, df=y |
| Birth Place: | London, England, UK |
| Occupation: | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years Active: | 1998–present |
Lara Jean Marshall (born 30 July 1988) is an English-born Australian actress, singer, and dancer. She is best known for her role as Lisa Atwood on the Australian television series "The Saddle Club" in the first two seasons.
Marshall earned her first stage role at the age of seven in a minor part as the lamb in a Kidz for Kidz production of Charlotte's Web and later sang and dancing in Babes in Toyland for the People's Playhouse. She was chosen as Young Eponine in Les Misérables for Cameron Mackintosh's 10th Anniversary presentation of the classic in Melbourne.[1]
Marshall grew up in Mount Eliza, Victoria, and attended Toorak College, graduating in 2006. In 2007, she completed at a foundation course in musical theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts[2] before attending the Sydney Theatre School in 2008.[3] Marshall then went on to train at the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne) from 2009 to 2011, earning a Bachelor of Dramatic Art degree. In 2012, she took short courses at Ward Acting Studio in Melbourne, and in 2013 she trained in New York City at Susan Batson's studio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.[2]
In 2000, Marshall was cast as Lisa Atwood No. 1 in The Saddle Club, a television series based on a series of books written by Bonnie Bryant.[4] First shown in 2001, the show was renewed for a second and third season, during which time it added various new characters and dilemmas for the girls to interact with and overcome.[5] During the show's sporadic run, Marshall released five albums with her co-stars, Sophie Bennett (Stevie Lake) and Keenan MacWilliam (Carole Hanson), under the name The Saddle Club, all of which made the Australian charts, with three earning "Gold" status. A number of singles were released under the same artist name.[6] The Saddle Club is still shown on Popgirl and Horse Racing TV. The Saddle Club was on Discovery Kids until the channel shut down and became The Hub. Season three of The Saddle Club launched in fall 2008 with a different cast, due to the fact that the original cast were now too old for their roles.[7]
Marshall and other cast members performed The Saddle Club Arena Show on horseback during the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2004 at the Sydney SuperDome[8] to crowds of over 7000 people.
Marshall has appeared in a variety of other projects, including The Doctor Blake Mysteries, alongside Craig McLachlan, Penny, with Steph Dunbar and Jason Agius, and We Were Tomorrow, with Tim Pocock and Alicia Banit.
| Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 2012 | Emilia | Emilia | Short film | |
| Midair | Sophie Mitchell | Short film | ||
| 2013 | Any Moment Now | Jill | Short film | |
| Penny | Linda | Short film | ||
| Television | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 2000 | Waiting at the Royal | Young Girl | TV movie | |
| 2001–2003 | The Saddle Club | Elizabeth "Lisa" Atwood No. 1 | Season 1 – season 2 | |
| 2013 | The Doctor Blake Mysteries | Violet Ashby | Guest role | |
| Stage | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 1998 | Les Misérables | Young Eponine | Melbourne only | |