Who is Danny Ball?
A recent NIDA graduate, about to perform his first main stage show in Bell Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Nothing. If I wanted to do something different, I’d do it. And there are times when I definitely considered it – but acting is in my blood and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else right now.
Who inspires you and why?
People who are driven by a kindness to themselves and the people around them. Social media and its counterparts are causing debilitating issues of self-worth and depression in my generation. I am inspired at the moment by my peers who can avoid instant gratification and find a genuine confidence in themselves and a generosity to the people around them.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I did The Players tour for Bell Shakespeare last year, which included performing Shakespeare to low-SES students in rural areas. It was one of the highlights of my life and for the first time I felt I was making a difference to people’s lives through performance. I hope I have the opportunity to do more in the future.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Berlin. Beer, art, theatre, history, bars, weird shit.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
My favourite place is Sydney is La Perouse. Best beaches I reckon. And if you’re coming from Melbourne (where I grew up) … you’re in need of a good beach.
What are you currently reading?
Nothing. I finished Sapiens about a month ago. And prior to that, The Shortest History of Germany. I’m watching more TV during my downtime at the moment: The Handmaid’s Tale, Chernobyl and Big Little Lies.
What are you currently listening to?
Todrick Hall’s new banger and my usuals: Robyn, Pnau and 90s club hits (not sorry).
Happiness is?
Being in the moment.
What does the future hold for you?
Who knows? I’m always open to being dealt new cards and seeing what the universe has in mind. I think of past, present and future as being out of my hands in a way, and my job is to thread everything together and create my own narrative that makes sense for my life.
Danny stars in Bell Shakespeare’s production of Much Ado About Nothing – which plays at the Orange Civic Theatre (12 & 13 July), before embarking on a national tour across Australia including Arts Centre Melbourne (17 -27 July); State Theatre Centre of WA (7 – 10 August); Home of the Arts, Gold Coast (4 – 5 September); Canberra Theatre Centre (11 – 19 October); and Sydney Opera House (22 October – 24 November). For more information, including all performance venues and dates, visit: www.bellshakespeare.com.au for details.
Image: Danny Ball