Dancer-turned-actress Amanda Schull had just flown in from Australia, where she'd been on location for the new film, "Mao's Last Dancer."

Relaxing at her Nu'uanu family home before returning to her own apartment in Los Angeles, she gave details on the film shoot and her career, which has brought her from promising young Hawai'i dancer, most recently seen here in Ballet Hawaii's production of "Coppelia," to a stint at the San Francisco Ballet, briefly interrupted by a life-changing casting as the ingenue in the 2000 Hollywood film "Center Stage," more dance, and now, a decision to pursue film roles.

Gracefully lounging in a window seat with her dog Rupert, Schull, a 1996 Punahou grad, talked about her change of direction. She now refers to herself as an actress rather than dancer.

"About two years ago. I called my agent in L.A. and told him I was ready. He had been my agent ever since I appeared in the film 'Center Stage' eight years ago. He kept calling me for a year or two after that film, asking about various projects - but I wasn't ready. I tried to stop dancing, but my body rebelled. I had been dancing all my life," she said.

When she began suffering the effects of ballet's punishing requirements, including herniated discs, Schull ultimately made the decision to quit dancing. She says it was a difficult choice, but a necessary one that became more imminent with every passing year.

"I realized it was time," she said. "Ballet's a pretty finite career."

CHANGE OF PACE

Her latest role is based on the autobiographical book, also titled "Mao's Last Dancer." The film and book tell the story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin, whose defection to the United States in 1981 caused a flurry in both the dance world and that of international diplomacy.

Schull plays Li's first wife, a young American dancer he met at the Houston Ballet.

Li Cunxin now lives in Australia, where he became a successful businessman.The film is being made by an Australian production company, and filming was done there and in China.

Schull explained how she won the part: "I think the American casting director knew about me through my agent and manager. I read for her, but didn't hear back for a few weeks. Then I got called in to audition for a different role, one with more dancing. It was just before Christmas, so I chose to do the Sugar Plum Fairy from 'Nutcracker.' I huffed and puffed my way through it.

"Asked to choose another scene, I chose something very dramatic. After that, (the casting director) just videotaped me in conversation.

"It took nearly a month before I heard that I got the part. One day my agent called and asked if I wanted to go to Australia to make a movie. I finally realized I was hired."

EARLY INTEREST

Schull showed interest in stage work outside the realm of dance even back in her Hawai'i days. "I had done musicals at school, and local theaters like Diamond Head and Manoa Valley," she said.

"Now I have a wonderful drama coach. I take two classes a week and privates if I'm working on something special. In one class, we work on scene studies, while the other teaches us how to prepare for an audition."

She also continues to keep up with dance and physical training, with ballet classes and Pilates mat work, every day.

Schull is hoping this role will get her more opportunities to show her acting range.

"This is a straight acting role. There's only one scene in the film where I'm even in ballet clothes," she noted. "I would like to branch out and do a romantic comedy or a period piece."

More important to her is the quality of work.

"I've already turned down some auditions. I'm proud of the work I did on this film. I have a huge issue with respect. It's important to be intelligent with what you do with your life and to feel good about your choices."

As for plans to settle down, it's not her top priority right now. She's bringing some of the determination necessary to prevail in dance to pursuit of an acting career.

"I left ballet for a reason, and I feel committed to this new career," she said. "It's a very exhausting, insulting one.

"I think it was Stella Adler, the famous acting teacher, who said, 'To be an accomplished actor, you have to have the hide of a rhino and the soul of a rose.' My hide is definitely getting tougher."

Carol Egan is a freelance writer living in Hawai'i.