Alicia Banit (born 5 September 1990) is an Australian actress and dancer best known for her role as Kat in the ABC television series Dance Academy. She was also part of the main cast in We Were Tomorrow and had a recurring role in Playing for Keeps.

Early life

Banit grew up in Melbourne and started dancing at the age of four, undertaking lessons in tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop at T-Jam Dance School. This led to a scholarship with Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) at the age of 12, where she learnt further dance styles including contemporary, character and acrobatics. She completed her schooling at St Helena Secondary College.

Career

Banit first acting appearance was in the 1998 Australian film Dead Letter Office at the age of six, playing a minor role as the younger version of the main character, Alice. Comedy skits on shows called In Melbourne Tonight and Rove followed, before she took a hiatus from acting to focus on dance. At the age of 16, she resumed acting, playing a two episode guest role in the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours as Madison Sullivan (2006), before returning to the soap in 2008 for another two episode role – this time portraying Sharni Hillman.

From 2007 to 2009 Banit had two guest roles on the Australian version of the Disney Channel series As The Bell Rings, playing Amber. In 2007, she was cast as Kaitlyn in Chris Lilley's television series Summer Heights High, for the duration of the first season. In 2008, Banit appeared in Rush as Gemma Rose Parker acting alongside former Neighbours actress Eliza Taylor-Cotter. In 2009, she played Leah in season one of the Australian drama series Tangle. Later that year, she was cast as one of the main characters, Katrina Karamakov in the ABC television series Dance Academy.

From 23 to 27 August 2010, Banit was co-host on the ABC3 wrapper program Studio 3, alongside Kayne Tremills and Amberly Lobo.

Personal life

Banit revealed via her Instagram account the birth of her first child, Isla Joy, born on October 10, 2022.

She has Macedonian heritage.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Dead Letter OfficeYoung AliceFeature film
2017Dance Academy: The ComebackKatrina KaramakovFeature film
2020mArkSarahShort film
2021The Quirky Best FriendSamShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995Halifax f.p.Young JaneTV series, 1 episode
2006NeighboursMadison SullivanTV series, 2 episodes
2007–2011As the Bell RingsAmber (main cast)TV series
2007Summer Heights HighKaitlynTV series, 8 episodes
2007Pass the PlateHerselfTV short form series, episode: "Mango"
2008NeighboursSharni HillmanTV series, 4 episodes
2008RushGemma Rose ParkerTV series, season 1, 1 episode
2009TangleLeahTV series, season 1, 6 episodes
2010–2013Dance AcademyKatrina Karamakov (main cast)TV series, 65 episodes
2010Studio 3HerselfTV series, 5 episodes
2017–2018SuperwogThe Neighbour, HollyTV series, 3 episodes: Pilot; Episode 4: "The Formal"; Episode 6: "The Zombie Apocalypse"
2018We Were TomorrowSiena Woodlands (main cast)TV series, 6 episodes
2018Playing for KeepsKarlie Lum (recurring role)TV series
2018Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to YouChloe Rose LattanziTV miniseries
2019Ms Fisher's Modern Murder MysteriesRitaTV series, season 1, 1 episode
2022Summer LoveEllaTV series, episode 7
2023Crazy Fun ParkAshaTV series, 1 episode

External links