# Stephen Madsen

Stephen Ross Madsen (born 15 August 1992) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his role as Jason "J.D." Dean in the Australian production of Heathers: The Musical, and for originating the role of Alexander Shkuratov in the musical Muriel's Wedding.

## Early life and education

Madsen is the son of Sally, a doctor, and Ross, growing up in Mona Vale, New South Wales. As a child he attended Mona Vale Primary School and, later, Manly Selective Campus. Madsen graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2014.

## Career

Madsen made his Sydney theatre debut as Jason "J.D." Dean in the Australian premiere of Heathers: The Musical at the Hayes Theatre in 2015. That same year, he portrayed Mark Cohen in Rent; also at the Hayes Theatre.
In 2016, Madsen returned to the role of Jason Dean for a national tour of Heathers: The Musical at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the Sydney Opera House. He subsequently appeared in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.
Madsen was cast in the world premiere of Muriel's Wedding at Sydney Theatre Company, originating the role of swimmer Alexander Shkuratov. He features on the Original Cast Recording released by Sony Music Australia.
He returned to the Hayes Theatre in 2018 as Patrick in the Australian premiere of The View Upstairs. Later that year, he portrayed Alan in Darlinghurst Theatre Company's production of Torch Song Trilogy at The Eternity Playhouse.
Madsen was due to perform in the first major Australian production of Sarah Kane's Cleansed in 2021 but the show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared as Carl in the rescheduled production in 2022. Earlier that year, he played conniving frenchman Marcel Benoit in the Sydney Theatre Company production of White Pearl by Anchuli Felicia King at the newly-renovated Wharf Theatre. He toured with the production to Canberra and Parramatta.
He starred as the legendary warrior Achilles in Holding Achilles, an epic co-production between Dead Puppet Society and Legs on the Wall, for its world premiere at Brisbane Festival in 2022 and a subsequent season for Sydney Festival in 2023. He appeared in Sex Magick at Griffin Theatre Company in the same year.

## Personal life

Madsen lives in Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales.

## Theatre credits

| Year | Production | Role | Venue |
| 2015 | Heathers: The Musical | Jason "J.D." Dean | Hayes Theatre |
| 2015-16 | Rent | Mark Cohen | Hayes Theatre |
| 2016 | Heathers: The Musical | Jason "J.D." Dean | QPAC Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne Playhouse, Sydney Opera House Playhouse |
| 2017 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | Ruckly | Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre |
| 2017–18 | Muriel's Wedding | Alexander Shkuratov | Roslyn Packer Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company |
| 2018 | The View UpStairs | Patrick | Hayes Theatre |
| 2018 | Torch Song Trilogy | Alan | Eternity Playhouse |
| 2019 | Muriel's Wedding | Alexander Shkuratov | National tour |
| 2022 | White Pearl | Marcel Benoit | Wharf Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company |
| 2022 | Cleansed | Carl | Old Fitzroy Theatre |
| 2022 | Holding Achilles | Achilles | QPAC Playhouse |
| 2023 | Sex Magick | Manmatha/Drayton/Gazza | SBW Stables Theatre |
| 2023 | Holding Achilles | Achilles | Carriageworks |

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2021 | Marley, Someone | Lola |
| 2025 | Scoby | Kai |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2019 | Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries | Duane Gordon |
| 2019 | Secret Bridesmaids' Business | Brent Harcourt |
| 2025 | Spartacus: House of Ashur | Creticus |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Awards | Category | Production | Result |
| 2015 | Sydney Theatre Awards | Best Newcomer | Heathers: The Musical | Nominated |
| 2015 | Sydney Theatre Awards | Judith Johnson Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical | Rent | Nominated |
| 2015 | Sydney Theatre Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Heathers: The Musical | Nominated |
| 2022 | Sydney Theatre Awards | Best Ensemble | Cleansed | Nominated |