“I am a huge fan of taking my work seriously, and myself not at all.
After losing a loved one to suicide, I have become even more passionate about sprinkling as much love in my wake as possible — both for myself and others.
I deeply feel the brevity of life and want to use my work as a way of encouraging life to the full and acknowledging the fact that searing grief and resplendent joy can be (and often are) felt at the exact same time.
I love to tell stories that inspire empathy, hope, and silly goosery.
Life is way too short and precious – let’s laugh at frivolity, love our people as aggressively as possible, and live with audacious hope.”
— Madeleine Wighton
Madeleine is an actor / writer / filmmaker based on Gadigal and Wangal land in Sydney.
Madeleine is currently in post-production for her short film, Bernice which she wrote, directed and produced. She stars as Bernice alongside Tai Hara (Colin From Accounts, Home and Away, Hyde & Seek) and Ava Cannon (Bump). Madeleine co-directed with cinematographer, Tony Gardiner ACS (Home and Away, Neighbours, The PM’s Daughter S2, Heat).
Madeleine can be seen in Season 2 of The PM’s Daughter for ABC/Fremantle, playing the vibrant role of Meadow. In 2023, she played washed-up rockstar, Squid in the short film, Off Kilter. She played English convict, Martha, in the new play, Forgotten, at Riverside Theatre and Hobart’s Playhouse Theatre (dir. Maddie Diggins). She was a “standout” (Theatre Thoughts) as the overlooked Wing Defence, Allegra, in Nails Must Be Kept Short to sold out audiences at Factory Theatre.
Madeleine also produced and starred in the short film Life in Colour (working title) with writer/director Stephanie Troost (Birdeater) and DOP Roger Stonehouse (Birdeater).
In 2022, Madeleine played the role of Vikki in Superwog’s most recent web series (with over 2.2 million views) and Elaine Hodge in the mockumentary, The Detention Diaries; both very hilarious and fun stories. At the Seymour Centre, she played the loveable and comedic Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood with critically acclaimed production company, Little Triangle. She played Queen Duncan in Beth, a sparkly, camp, and bloody reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by Maddie Diggins. She competed in the Short+Sweet Festival finals, playing Elizabeth in Kindling, a witchy-gothic play. And she reprised her role of snooty North Shore Jan in The One Day of the Year, raising money for the Actors Benevolent Fund.
Despite lockdown, Madeleine managed to have some fun during 2021 appearing as Delilah in the short film The Infallible Art of Being. She played Jan in The One Day of the Year and Nancy in Kid Stakes, both wonderful Australian plays. She was shot out of a cannon and flew through the air in an Instant Scratch Its TVC directed by Toby Morris.
In 2020 Madeleine performed in Les Miserables at Riverside Theatre as the Cosette understudy and Innkeeper’s Wife. And then COVID cancelled a few gigs!
In 2019 Madeleine wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show A Life Half Lived: The Natalie Wood Story. She also appeared in KFC’s TVC “Cork” and was part of the group of women who created and performed Anything You Can Do, celebrating and supporting women in theatre.
In 2018 Madeleine performed the role of Sally in The Wild Party at The Seymour Centre with Little Triangle.
Madeleine also appeared in Ladies in Black, Australian feature film directed by Bruce Beresford.
Madeleine studies regularly with acting coach Les Chantery, and has received a BA (Music Theatre) with Distinction.
Madeleine is a proud member of Equity.