Karla studied Aboriginal Theatre at WAAPA where she is Alumni and holds a BA in Contemporary Arts majoring in Performing Arts from Edith Cowan University. She was Perth’s NAIDOC Artist of the Year in 2009 and 2017 and holds a 2020 International ImagineNATIVE Award, WA Screen Award, WA Fringe Award, two WA Performing Arts Awards and a Deadly Award. Karla holds the 2021 Aboriginal Award for West Australian of the Year.

Karla’s producing, writing and directing credits include NITV and AFL sports entertainment show Yokayi Footy series 1, 2 and 3, short dramas Wirnitj and Tooly, documentary series Family Rules Series 1, 2 and 3 (NITV), The Return – Stuff The British Stole (ABC),  On Country Kitchen Series 1 an 2 (NITV), Virtual Whadjuk (VR project), Nyoongar Footy Magic  (NITV), Shame  (ABCME), Is Sharing Caring (ABC), Angela’s Rules (NITV), Magic Quandong (ABC) and other short documentary films.  To date Karla’s film credits are over 120 full lengths episodes on television.  She is also developing a drama series titled The Falling produced by IGeneration Studios and a feature film titled Moodja produced by Rush Films and is supported by Screen Australia.  Currently Karla is in post-production for ABC’s Our Story on Mechelle Turvey and is in pre-production, co-producing and co-directing a 6 episode series for NITV titled Our Medicine.

Karla also has an extensive background on radio, as an actress and playwright, as a Noongar cultural dancer and choreographer, singer and speaker, Master of Ceremonies, workshop facilitator for dance, Noongar language and performance and major event curator and original concepts with Wardarnji Festival for over 10 years, Deadly Funny Perth for the City of Fremantle plus NAIDOC, seasonal festivals and events across City of Perth with Bunuru Festival and weekly corroborees at Yagan Square and now the WA Museum.  Karla manages and performs with Noongar dance group Kwarbah Djookian singing in language for over 13 years performing at major events such as PIAF with The Giants, Boorna Waanginy, Siren Song and overseas representing her Noongar people multiple times.