When JK Kazzi steps onto the stage today, he does so with confidence, discipline, energy and a deep respect for the craft of storytelling. Now an emerging actor building his career across stage and screen in Australia, JK’s dramatic journey began years earlier at the British International School Ho Chi Minh City (BIS HCMC) — a place where his learning, opportunities and teachers were hugely influential in where he is now and where curiosity, creativity and courage were nurtured from an early age.
JK and his family relocated from Australia to Ho Chi Minh City in 2012 and he joined BIS HCMC in Year 10, along with his brother Josh in Year 9 and his sister Kiara in Year 5. He graduated in 2016 with a set of IGCSEs and his IB Diploma, spending four extremely formative years immersed in school life. During that time, he embraced opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, supported by his teachers, gradually discovering where his passions lay and how commitment and perseverance could shape a meaningful path forward.
Changing schools can be challenging for all children — particularly when moving from one very different country to another — but JK embraced the transition with positivity and an open mindset from the start.
Discovering Performance and Identity at BIS HCMC
A Space to Explore Self and Storytelling
Drama played a defining role in JK’s BIS journey. From studying Drama at IGCSE to choosing Higher Level Theatre as one of his IB Diploma subjects, the performing arts became a space where he explored who he was — and who he could become. Through rehearsals, performances and countless collaborative projects, he discovered the power of storytelling: not just as a creative craft but as a way of understanding people, perspectives and himself.
The stage became a place where his confidence grew steadily. It wasn’t effortless; it was built through discipline, reflection, teamwork and the belief others placed in him. Over time, performance became part of his identity — a medium for expressing, observing, analysing and connecting.
Teachers Who Shaped the Journey
His teachers were instrumental in this growth. Cat Molloy, now Director of Performing Arts, Bee Smith, Biology Teacher and Head of Year 13, and Claire Easter, JKs Form Tutor for much of his time at BIS and previous head of ICT, all played significant roles in shaping him — as a performer, academically and as a young adult. They remember JK with enormous fondness, admiration and pride.
Bee Smith remembers “JK was such a force of positivity at BIS and I can’t recall ever seeing him without a smile on his face – unless he was in role! He was exceptionally talented yet exceptionally humble and down to earth, always recognising and thanking those who supported him”.
Whilst Cat Molloy emotionally recalls "JK was one of those drama students who you feel privileged to have taught. Is was never just about how talented he was as a performer, but about how he approached the world of theatre. He was always working to develop his understanding and his skills, never content to rest on his success and talent but looking to move to the next step and the next challenge. He was also an amazing role model to the students around him through his positivity, his work ethic, and the fact that he cared about others and supporting them on their own theatrical journeys"
From BIS Stages to Complex Characters
JK embraced every opportunity to bring characters to life on the school stage. From a powerful performance as the Friar in Romeo and Juliet, to Blood Brothers and Chicago, he demonstrated versatility and the courage to take on complex characters.
As Cat recounts "JK performed many roles with us at BIS, both in large scale productions and in complex coursework pieces, there really are too many to mention them all. Some of those that I remember most clearly though are; his heartbreaking portrayal of Mickey in Blood brothers, his show stealing cameo in Chicago, his disturbing portrayal of corrupted power in one of his IBDP performances, and his 5 minute hilarious creation of a bag of money in his IGCSE devised explorations."
In June 2015, his portrayal of the Friar was described as one that:“balanced a fatherly affection for Romeo with a stern disapproval of his rashness.” A thoughtful portrayal that revealed his growing maturity as an actor.
Beyond the Curriculum: Dragonfly and Deeper Craft
JK’s development extended far beyond school productions. He also worked closely with Dragonfly Theatre Company — an organisation BIS HCMC has previously supported, and one deeply connected to Bee Smith through her longstanding passion for the performing arts. It was through this collaboration that JK continued to refine and broaden his craft, taking on increasingly challenging work. One of his most memorable roles during this time was in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, a production that demanded exceptional discipline and emotional intelligence.
Under the guidance of Ryan de Ste Croix, a key figure at Dragonfly and someone JK describes as “hugely influential” in shaping his understanding of character and text, he was pushed to explore nuance, timing and restraint — skills that would later define the maturity of his performances.
As Bee reflects on this period, she notes:
“I had the privilege of working with him during Dragonfly Theatre’s production of “Waiting for Godot” where he played Lucky – the slave dragged around on a rope by Pozzo. JK delivered Lucky’s 700 word non-sensical monologue with such perfect clarity and crescendo into madness that it left seasoned, professional actors and directors literally open-mouthed in awe.”
The Power of Sport: Strength, Balance and Resilience
Alongside his creative pursuits, JK was deeply involved in sports at BIS — a passion that remains central to his life today. Football and basketball saw him represent BIS HCMC at international competitions, giving him experiences that shaped his resilience, teamwork, discipline and mental strength.
Today, in Australia, he has added surfing into the mix — continuing to find balance, strength and joy in physical activity. These experiences have helped him perform under pressure, stay grounded, and build the stamina required for the demanding world of acting.
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Academic Curiosity: Integrating Theatre, Language and the IB Approach
Academically, JK gravitated towards subjects rooted in theatre, language, psychology, sports and storytelling — areas that blended naturally with his interests and later influenced both his university studies and acting practice.
He reflects on how deeply the IB shaped him:
Analysing and interpreting text — skills drawn from Theatre, English and Psychology — became crucial in his early acting training, especially in script analysis and character breakdown.
IB rigour and workload management prepared him exceptionally well for his first year at university, giving him the discipline, organisation and reflective habits needed to thrive.
Being a holistic learner (the IB Learner Profile in action) helped him approach acting with empathy, curiosity and open-mindedness.
These academic foundations enriched his understanding of human behaviour, motivation and narrative — insights that now underpin his performances and creative decision-making as an emerging actor.
Remaining Connected
Friendships and Relationships That Endure
JK has stayed closely connected with many of his friends and teachers from BIS HCMC, proving that the bonds formed here truly last long after graduation. His Class of 2016 is even planning a special reunion in Vietnam this year to mark a decade since they graduated — a celebration of friendship, shared memories and the life-changing experiences they had together.
One of the teachers who shaped his journey, Claire Easter, recently visited him in Sydney and had the joy of watching him perform live at the Sydney Opera House — a moment that beautifully reflects the long-standing relationships BIS students often maintain with their teachers. "Once a Form Tutor always a Form Tutor".
When we caught up with JK recently, his energy was infectious and his optimism impossible to miss. He spoke with passion about acting, sport, dreaming big and — most of all — the deep connections he built at BIS. His stories about life in Ho Chi Minh City and the teachers who guided him were filled with warmth and gratitude.
Reflecting on his move to BIS as a young student, JK shared:
“Moving to BIS was eye-opening for me. It made me more open-minded, taught me to be independent, and helped me connect with people from all over the world. It was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life.”
Listening to him speak with such fondness — especially about his teachers and his love for performing — was a powerful reminder of the impact a truly connected, caring school community can have.
Building the Journey Beyond School
After graduating from BIS HCMC, JK relocated to Sydney to study at the University of Sydney, completing a degree in Media and Communications, majoring in Marketing alongside Theatre and Performance. This combination reflected his growing understanding that creative careers require both artistic depth and professional awareness.
While studying, JK became increasingly involved in stage and screen work, developing his craft through independent theatre, short films and collaborative projects, learning firsthand the resilience required to pursue acting professionally.
Training at NIDA: Rigour, Growth and Ensemble
In 2021, JK was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) — one of Australia’s most prestigious and internationally respected performing arts institutions, renowned for producing global talents and consistently ranked among the world’s top drama schools.
Entry into NIDA is famously competitive. Each year, hundreds of applicants audition for around 20 places, with an average acceptance rate of less than 5%, making it one of the most selective acting programs in the world.
JK’s acceptance speaks volumes about his talent, discipline and potential as an emerging performer.
Once at NIDA, he immersed himself in intensive, full-time training across voice, movement, text, screen and ensemble performance. The programme challenged him physically, emotionally and creatively — shaping not only his technical craft but also his understanding of character, collaboration and artistic responsibility.
JK’s time at NIDA further strengthened the qualities he first developed at BIS HCMC: courage, openness, resilience and a deep respect for ensemble work. It became a place where he refined his identity as an artist — pushing boundaries, taking risks and learning from respected practitioners across Australia.
Stepping onto Professional Stages
JK is now building a successful strong and varied body of professional work across both stage and screen.
In 2024, he appeared on Australian television in Home and Away, portraying David “Dingo” Lewis across eight episodes during the show’s season. This marked his first step into mainstream screen work and introduced him to a national audience.
In 2025, JK reached a major theatrical milestone when he made his mainstage theatre debut in the title role of Henry 5 with Bell Shakespeare, performing at the Sydney Opera House from 1 March to 5 April 2025.
Critics praised his performance, noting the depth and intensity he brought to the role:
“JK Kazzi… does the two speeches justice with his vigorous, youthful reading.”
— ArtsHub Review [artshub.com.au]
“JK Kazzi brings the iconic Henry to life with a compelling portrayal of the original underdog… skilfully capturing his transformation from a wild, reckless youth to one of history’s greatest leaders.”
— The Scoop [thescoop.au]
“Inexperience audible in the timbre of his voice… kingship’s awesome reality is heavy on his shoulders and never hidden.”
— Stage Noise – Diana Simmonds [stagenoise.com]
These reviews highlight not just JK’s talent, but also the remarkable achievement of holding a title role in one of the country’s most respected theatre companies so early in his career.
Most recently, JK stepped into another deeply demanding theatre role, currently starring in Danny and The Deep Blue Sea — a visceral two-hander by John Patrick Shanley — at The Old Fitz Theatre in Sydney, running from 13 January to 7 February 2026.
The critical reception has been powerful, spotlighting the emotional rawness of his performance:
“Danny… simmering volcanically… the rhythms of their back-and-forth are hypnotic.”
— Stage Noise – Diana Simmonds [stagenoise.com]
“Delivered with profound sincerity and a lot of actor muscle… a terrific matching of actors; unafraid to go toe-to-toe in a physically and emotionally violent play.”
— Theatre Now Review [theatrenow.com.au]
“Danny is bitter, tense and violent… incredibly hard to play, and Kazzi does so with ease.”
— The Scoop (Danny and the Deep Blue Sea Review) [thescoop.au]
These reviews make clear just how far JK has come — from BIS stages to some of Sydney’s most challenging and respected theatrical productions. Each role reflects not only his range, but also the courage and emotional depth he brings to his craft.
Bee Smith is a very proud teacher and mentor indeed with a shared sense of passion for performing arts “It is an honour to see that JK has used and nurtured his talent, and I’m proud that BIS has been instrumental in his passion for the arts”.
JK’s Advice to Current Students
Reflecting on his journey from BIS HCMC to stages across Australia, JK shared heartfelt advice for current students — wisdom shaped by experience, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
1. Say yes to opportunities — even the unexpected ones.
JK believes that growth often comes from stepping into the unfamiliar.
“You don’t know where each ‘yes’ will lead you,” he says — whether it’s performing in a school production, joining a new club, trying a new sport, or entering a competition. Every experience opens a door.
2. Make connections — they will shape your life.
For JK, relationships formed at BIS have become some of the most meaningful and enduring in his life.
“The connections you make now can take you around the world,” he reflects. Friendships, teachers, mentors — they all become part of your story.
3. Do what you love — and keep doing it.
He encourages students to follow their passions wholeheartedly, whether in the arts, sport, science, or anything else that sparks excitement.
Joy in what you do, he believes, fuels resilience and purpose.
4. Learn a language — it opens doors you don’t expect.
JK speaks French, a skill he says has been invaluable both personally and professionally.
Learning another language broadens perspectives, deepens cultural understanding, and enhances communication — something he’s found incredibly useful as an actor working with diverse teams.
5. Stay active and look after yourself.
Sport has always been a grounding force in JK’s life — from football and basketball at BIS to surfing in Australia today.
He believes that staying active strengthens both body and mind:
“Your interests outside your work make you stronger. They balance you, challenge you, and help you perform at your best.”
6. Maintain your friendships from school — they last a lifetime.
Many of JK’s friendships are from his days at BIS and continue to support and inspire him across continents. They’re even planning a ten-year reunion of their graduating class of 2016 in Vietnam — a testament to the lasting power of BIS connections.
A Role Model for Today’s BIS Community
While JK graduated before some current staff joined BIS HCMC, his bonds to the school remains strong. Louise Bishop, Director of Admissions and Marketing, who recently connected with JK to shape this article, described the experience as both inspiring and affirming and full of energy.
“Although I never had the opportunity to meet JK during his time at BIS HCMC, I've had the pleasure of speaking with him recently. Listening to his journey, his memories of school and the way he spoke with such passion, positivity and infectious energy was genuinely inspiring. His enthusiasm and outlook make him a clear role model for our students today.”
This reflection highlights not only JK’s professional growth, but the enduring values that continue to connect him to the BIS community.
Looking Ahead
Now working professionally across stage and screen, JK continues to approach his craft with humility, discipline and curiosity. His journey from BIS HCMC to NIDA, the Sydney Opera House and beyond is a powerful reminder of the impact of a values-led education — one that supports individual passion while fostering resilience, independence and ambition.
For current BIS students, JK’s story offers reassurance that with commitment, courage and belief, creative ambitions can lead to meaningful and exciting pathways beyond school.
Cat Molloy shares the sentiments of all of us perfectly "I'm so proud of the person and actor that JK has become since leaving BIS, and feel very grateful to have been a part of his journey. He will always be remembered fondly by those of us who worked with him at BIS. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him, and I hope one day in the future I will be lucky enough to be part of an audience watching him live on stage".
We are proud to celebrate JK Kazzi’s journey, and we look forward to following the next chapters of his evolving career.
