Introducing our Emerging First Nations Producer!

Seb Lawrie isn’t exactly new to ActNow Theatre - he already has this year’s Pathway Program under his belt and is supporting our First Nations Residency. Seb’s trajectory from a participant and artist to someone paving the way for others has been inspiring to watch!

Get to know our Emerging First Nations Producer better as he sits down with Smriti, our Marketing and Development Manager, for a quick chat.

You’re no stranger to ActNow Theatre. Could you tell us about how you came to this role as the Emerging First Nations Producer for the company?

Initially I found out about you guys and your work through the Arts Pathways Program. At that time, the program was more focused on acting so admittedly, I'd seen the ads around for it for a couple years before deciding I should actually give it a try. That turned out to be one of the best choices I've made in the arts yet! One year out from my attendance and now I'm helping run the Arts Pathways Program. ActNow aren't kidding when they talk about providing pathways!

What are three things we should know about you?

1) Outside of my work at ActNow, I'm a filmmaker and screenwriter.
2) I'm a proud Kokotha/Mirning man.
3) I once convinced Sydney Airport security that I was a luchador after winning a wrestling mask from an eating competition.

Seb, we love your encyclopaedic knowledge of movies. Give us some recommendations? A film for each of these moods: happy, sad and thrilled the weekend is here.

Thanks! I was worried it was a bit much. For happy, one film that really put a smile on my face recently was Linda, Linda, Linda. A Korean exchange student joins a band of girls who start a rock band for their final end of school year festival before graduation. It's worth it for that final performance alone!

For sad, I mean if you just wanna feel absolutely miserable, I can't think of anything more purpose-built than All About Lily Chou-Chou. A gut wrenching film about adolescence, friendship and betrayal in the age of message boards, Björk stalkers and the Sony Handycam. Digital storytelling's never looked better.

Now, for the weekend, for my money, I'd want some fun. Some levity. I'm having trouble deciding between either House (aka Hausu) or Electric Dragon 80,000V. Both very silly, very fun movies that'll get you your money's worth in entertainment.

...I am now aware that all of these movies are Japanese.

What do you do when you’re not at ActNow?

When I'm not working here, I'm working on something else. I've got a few projects across various mediums on my plate right now I'm not prepared to let out into the wild just yet. Maybe now that I'm working in theatre, I should write a play...

What are you looking forward to the most about working with us?

I think the main thing for me is the opportunity to pay it forward for other emerging Aboriginal artists. I'm still emerging too though, but that's what also excites me about this job. I'm an artist above all, so this position as Emerging First Nations Producer has been providing me with the skill set I need to become self-sufficient in the arts.