On the Couch with Emily Tomlins

Emily Tomlins oncWho is Emily Tomlins?
A theatre maker, actor and teaching artist.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Take a holiday every now and then.

Who inspires you and why?
Anyone who is brave enough to stand up for the injustices they see in the world any way they can.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I can’t save lives by operating on people so I guess I have to stick with what I do. I try to talk about things that matter, stand up for people less fortunate than myself and not move through the world with blinkers on. I want to create work that helps start a fire inside people or gives them a moment of release.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Because I rarely take holidays – I’m not sure. But last time I went anywhere it was New York and I loved it.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Independent theatre because Melbourne’s scene is rich and exciting.

What are you currently reading?
Kindness by Bridget Mackey – over and over so I can do it justice. Also Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay.

What are you currently listening to?
A second hand album of french songs including Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose.

Happiness is?
A smile, holding hands, a big hug, a warm cat and connecting with people on stage.

What does the future hold for you?
As much as possible I hope. I want to continue making work with my company Elbow Room, and with others. I want to tell stories and give a voice to things that matter.

Emily is a co-founder of Elbow Room. Her theatre credits include We Get This, The Motion of Light in Water, Now More Than Ever, Fewer Emergencies, As We Mean To Go On, Rule of Three, After All This, A Tiny Chorus and There.

Other theatre credits include: Cyrano de Bergerac (Sydney Theatre Company), Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness (Sydney Theatre Company/ La Boite), Hamlet (South Australian State Theatre Company/ Queensland Theatre Company), Constance Drinkwater and the Last Days of Somerset, Puss in Boots, The Woman Before, Far Away, (Queensland Theatre Company), Actors at Work (Bell Shakespeare), Julius Caesar, Operator, Creche & Burn, Urban Dingoes (La Boite Theatre), Tangle, We Built This City (Polyglot Theatre – US Tour), Trailblazer, Drawbridge, Ants, Separation Street (Polyglot), M+M (Daniel Schlusser Ensemble), Arden V Arden (The Hayloft Project) and The Plague Dances (Four Larks/Malthouse). Film and TV credits include: Winners and Losers, Dr Blake Mysteries, The Underdog’s Tale and the award winning Dumpy Goes to the Big Smoke.

Emily was the recipient of the 2005 MEAA/ Matilda Award for Best Emerging Artist and was part of the Queensland Theatre Company’s Emerging Artist Ensemble in 2006. As Performer and Collaborator she received the Melbourne Fringe Festival Adelaide Fringe Touring Award for There (2008), Melbourne Fringe Festival People’s Choice Award for A Tiny Chorus (2010), Melbourne Fringe Festival Best Performance and Greenroom Independent Theatre Best Ensemble for After All This (2011). Emily was nominated for a Greenroom Award for Best Female Actor for her body of work (2013).

Emily will be appearing in the World Premiere of Bridget Mackey’s Kindness at Theatre Works: 31 July – 9 August 2015. For more information, visit: www.theatreworks.org.au for details.

Image: Emily Tomlins