Tess Dobre

Tess is a young actress, graduating from 16th Street Actors Studio’s Fulltime Program in 2012. She’s continued her training there to date, whilst working in film and television. During Tess’ training at the Street she thought she was nailing dramatic scenes, only to find that when she cried, people found it hilarious. She’s now discovered a love for comedy.

As a child, Tess’ parents wouldn’t let her have Barbie dolls for fear of endorsing anorexia and so it was all trucks and soldiers at playtime. This resulted in childhood years spent climbing trees dressed like a boy. Tess is still recovering. As a condolence prize for the bowlcut hairstyles and denim on denim outfits, it was in this tree-climbing phase that Tess’ imagination was born.

Born to landscape photographers, Tess grew up spending six months a year travelling Australia’s remote outback with her family, living out of a tent. At age 7, when Tess was cruising through the Simpson Desert in the back of the family 4WD, she remembers thinking, ‘how the heck is anyone ever going to discover me out here?’ Her family’s car then broke down during severe desert floods and they had to be rescued by plane. This is a true story – Tess was glad she survived to pursue her dreams.

Once the nomadic travelling stopped, Tess started a degree in Journalism and International Studies with a Diploma in French and then spent three years working fulltime on Network TEN’s Totally Wild, scriptwriting, presenting and producing segments on the road. TW gave her the privilege of interviewing people from all walks of life, taking on extreme sports and getting up close with amazing wildlife. Tough job – somebody had to do it. 

One evening whilst working back at the TEN offices, one of the news reporters came up and yelled at Tess to watch the live news sport’s playback at 6.24pm. Tess did not think such yelling was necessary, but on playback discovered that at 6.24pm the reporter’s piece to camera could not be heard because her man laugh from the above floor had drowned it out. Yolo! Tess loves to laugh.

Tess is also a rapper and enjoys spitting a tune. She can rhyme like an Aussie bloke (thanks to her confused gender tree climbing years) and à la feminine sass also. She’s currently developing a rap web series with a friend where she plays MC Tanner, an emcee who wears too much fake tan.

Tess is a firm believer that ‘the truth will set you free.’ By being placed in unforeseen improv circumstances that cancel out any censoring or pre-planning, improv is a perfect way to get to your truth. It is also very exciting to watch.

Tess loves being a part of the Improv Conspiracy – she finds the style of longform improv taught great fun and says it keeps you on your toes, forcing you to make quick decisions and work as a team. As well though, she’s fallen in love with the many beautiful improv human beings who share themselves and their hearts through the work.

Tess has also fallen in love with her family friend from Switzerland and now after improv nights, will be learning German.