Since graduating from NIDA in 2001, Heidi Arena has gained a reputation as one of Australia’s leading chameleon actresses, appearing in a variety of regular roles in successful TV dramas and award-winning comedies.
Heidi is most well known for her portrayal of Dawn in the ABC’s award-winning comic series The Librarians (Series 1-3), an ensemble member in Working Dog’s Thank God You’re Here (Network Ten, Series 1-4). Heidi received rave reviews for her portrayal of Audrey Gordon in Working Dog’s book and television series Audrey’s Kitchen (ABC, Series 1 & 2) and Mrs. Gonsha in Gristmill/ABC’s hugely successful Little Lunch TV series.
Previous Experience
Television:Heidi’s other TV credits include series regular on the award-winning Nowhere Boys (Series 1-2), Fat Tony & Co., Upper Middle Bogan, It’s A Date, Offspring, Last Man Standing, Worst Year Of My Life- Again, Sleuth 101, City Homicide, Little Oberon, Blue Heelers and The Secret Life Of Us.
In 2019, Heidi starred in Part Time Private Eyes which she co-created, co-wrote and co-produced alongside Nicola Parry which featured as part of Network TEN’s 2019 Pilot Week initiative.
Film:Heidi’s film credits include The Spirit of the Game for US release, EMO The Musical, Now Add Honey, Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows and short films Spider Walk, Smoking Will Kill You and Human Lie Detector.
Theatre: On stage, Heidi has appeared in the sell-out season of MTC’s The Drowsy Chaperone, award-winning play August Osage County with Robyn Nevin and Jane Menelaus and the MTC’s World Premiere American play The Other Place. Other theatre credits include All My Sons (Ensemble Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (Bell Shakespeare) and Eddie Perfect’s The Beast at the Sydney Opera House.