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I’m of course Lauren Wood, your host here and this is where I chat with artists abroad about the pursuit of their creative careers. This week we are visiting one of my oldest and dearest friends the enchantingly lovable Margo Furness.

Margo now lives and works in Brisbane but has lived through some pretty interesting events whilst taking performance contracts in her early twenties in Japan.

When offered a contract before she’d even turned 18 or moved out of home this young performer was wide eyed and as enthusiastic as ever to prove to herself and her loved ones that she could cope with the challenges that working abroad might throw her way.

Little did she know what the universe had in store for her over those coming years and I’m extremely honoured that Margs has taken the time to talk to me on this episode about some deeply personal and life changing experiences that she has lived through.

Just so it’s known, today’s chat will be touching on the rather heavy topics of PTSD and exploring sexuality so please bare this in mind if you are someone that feels sensitive to content of this nature.

And with all that being said, and for the last time this season,

Without further ado, lets get to it.

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It was great to catch up with Libbi in this chat after not having seen her for a number of years since we last worked together back in Aus and after I’ve been very intrigued by the work she’s been doing in the states at a time in its history that has been extremely tumultuous. Although performance work in NY has been scarce for the past 12mths this girl has been thriving in an arts focussed role where she has begun to realise that her MT training has prepared her for more than just the onstage action.

I was keen to hear first-hand from a NY resident about what it’s been like living in the city during some hugely historic events including Trump’s presidency, the collapse of broad way and the Black lives matter movement.

I was also really thankful to have a very candid chat with somebody who also struggles with the audition process to highlight the absolute battle that it takes to get the damn performance work when it’s actually available.

It’s not something we discuss enough. The fact the we put ourselves through these rigorous and emotionally strenuous interview processes for our work and I hope this chat brings a little bit of comfort and perhaps hope to anyone who’s equally still trying to figure out auditions. It’s not easy folks. So let’s have a chat about it.

And without further ado, let’s get to it.

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On this week’s show I had the very easy pleasure of meeting and chatting with someone who has followed a somewhat similar path as myself and I say easy folks because, quite simply, I didn’t have to work out any time difference to chat with my guest today.

Mr Ben Chambers like me, hails from the other side of the world, originally from New Zealand but studied at the conservatorium of music in Brisbane and has trudged the well-worn path over here to London where he now lives and works as an artist.

It’s not the first we’ve heard of Ben’s name here on the show. He was mentioned by two of my previous guests earlier in the season, Chris Fung and Matthew Samer as he intertwined with both of their stories and today he’s here to tell us about his journey of navigating auditions, agents, touring work and the ever-important money job as we sometimes call it in other words, the job on the side of your performance career that helps you to maintain some semblance of stability between gigs.

It’s been a great source of comfort for me not just throughout this show but in my life in general over here in the UK to connect with artists who have made the same journey from Brisbane to London as I have and although we’ve heard a couple of these stories already and no doubt there will be plenty more to come I still find it really interesting to hear about how everybody’s experience is different and full of hurdles and triumphs that are completely unique to them and because of that there’s always something to learn from each individuals perspective on their experience.

Throughout my time with Ben I came to realise that he is an incredibly mindful and reflective young person and the roller coaster of emotions that he has experienced since moving over here in his early twenties is definitely shaping him up to be a formidable artist.

So without further ado, let’s get to it.

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Natalie Bochenskie is the Producer and artistic director of the act/react theatre company and is someone who has always been a huge supporter and mentor for me. In fact, she cast me in some of my first ever roles in theatre and is largely responsible for fuelling the fire for my personal career path. She herself has gone from strength to strength as a creative over the past decade and as well as telling us about her whirlwind experience of creating and touring her own work to the festival, she’s going to tell us her origin story of how her company came to be and, what I find incredibly inspiring how this hard working former journalist has managed to ditch her previous career to now be a full time creative.

Isn’t that the dream guys? And she’s done it all, from Brisbane in Australia.

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On this week’s show we are off to Japan. Specifically, to Universal studios Japan where my mate Casey Martin has been working as an entertainer. We sat down together to discuss everything that’s been happening on his end since we last worked together back at uni in Oz.

Casey has been back and forth to Japan a couple of times now, working with two different companies and hence has also experienced the weirdness of returning home after living a very intense but exciting life abroad and experiencing the feelings that can come from this.

But despite how hard he has to work, his management of injuries and the fear of being away from the Australian scene and loosing touch with networks back home, this beautiful human who I am lucky enough to call a friend remains positive and excited about the life he gets to lead. And I hope that his story provides a little bit of escapism for you just as he does for his audiences at work.

So settle in folks. I hope, like me you get a big stupid grin on your face whilst listening to this story of someone literally living out their dreams.

Enjoy the show!

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On today’s episode I got to chat with a pal who I met way back in Australia when we did a production of RENT together! I’ve always wanted to sit down with the beautiful Stephie Da Silva to hear her journey of how she managed to get all the way from Uruguay to Brisbane.

This conversation brings up some deeply personal and extremely important chat surrounding vocal health and the unnecessary stigma that artists face when experiencing and recovering from surgery!

We also confront the issue of diversity in casting in Australia and how perhaps, just a lack of knowledge and understanding has caused issues for the Brisbane scene in the past.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This is such an important conversation for many reasons – again the subject of mental health in the performance industry arose (funny how that keeps coming up), also the existential question we inevitably ask ourself as artists abroad. Am I moving towards something… or am I running away from something?

So settle in! And please forgive the the wifi gremlins that caused a little bit of audio distortion at times throughout the chat. It really is a great listen. 

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After venturing forth on this solo voyage of creating an interview series, I've felt the need for some banter about all the big thoughts swimming through my head post production. So we're here to talk about it!

My partner in silliness, Will Wood will be joining me for the occasional recap and reflection on recent episodes. And in this first instalment we will be discussing episodes 1-5. Featuring thoughts, questions and ponderings from my discussions with Hayley Maybury, Chris Fung, Matt Samer, and Aurelie Roque. Join us for a behind the scenes glimpse at what's going on in my brain and at what's involved with creating the show.  

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And on this week’s show, I have the great privilege of sharing a discussion I had with somebody who is not only a gorgeous and successful performer in her own right, but who is also a very dear, good friend of mine, and that is the beautiful Aurelie Roque.

Rae now lives and works in Brisbane as an actress, teacher and cabaret mastermind but originally hails from little ol’ Kansas city in the U S of A and during our chat we flashback to her early days of arriving in Brisbane and how the process of uprooting herself from one country to another was ripe with both physical and mental challenges that had to be addressed.

This chat is a prime example of how Rae and I operate when conversing as friends which is to say… with many a tangent and side thought to be explored. So perhaps expect a slightly less linear story but a back and forth between us that touches on some pretty big issues surrounding mental health within the performing arts.

Please understand that if you are somebody who is triggered by talk of depression, anxiety or body dysmorphia that this episode will feature moments of discussion on these topics, so please listen at your own discretion.

This episode really affected me, and continues to leave me thinking every time I’ve listened to it since, about some pretty big themes but most importantly about the value in seeking therapy and support when managing mental health. And the fact that no matter where you are in the world, as an artist struggling with these things, you are not alone.

So, thanks for tuning in. I hope you find the show as thought provoking as I have.

And without further ado, let’s get to it!

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The stories I get to play a part in sharing here on the pod leave me so inspired and are a constant reminder to me of just how unique and exciting our industry can be – and today’s episode is no exception. In fact today’s guest, the incredibly talented Musical director Matthew Samer has lead a career in Australia and now in the UK that any creative would aspire to.

Working his way up the ranks as an accompanist, assistant and associate Musical Director has taken Matt touring in productions around the UK as well as landing roles in highly acclaimed Fringe and West end shows. Sometimes even working in multiple big name performances at once.

His story is an absolute must listen for any aspiring musical directors out there.

And a fabulous example of how hard work and saying yes to things can lead you from one opportunity to the next.

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In this discussion with Chris Fung, we hear about his journey of moving to London after what some would say has already been a pretty interesting musical theatre career back in Australia. We discuss why he felt the need to move and how the topic of race in Australian casting weighs on decisions such as his. But also how sheer luck, or perhaps perceived luck has played a part in his career trajectory.

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My name is Lauren. I am performing artist and Aussie living abroad and whilst currently stuck at home in lockdown I figured now was as good a time as any to make something new. So I’ve decided to start a podcast! An interview series that discusses traveling for work in the performing arts.

In this episode we start from the very beginning. With me… and my Husband Will as we discuss our journey of moving from Brisbane Australia to the new world we find ourselves in, here in London!

We discuss navigating the visa process, struggling with work and finances and how living in London has made us, well if nothing else… a little more street smart. We also, inevitably spoke about how the corona virus has been affecting our lives over the past twelve months and how best to produce a podcast without spending a cent.

So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

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