Who is Jacob Boehme?
A multi-disciplinary theatre maker, descendant of the Narangga and Kaurna peoples of South Australia, with English, Irish and Finnish ancestry. The first-born son of Joan and Karl, soon-to-be husband of Stephen, first home buyer, cat-owner, trained dancer and choreographer with Masters degrees in both Puppetry and Playwriting from the Victorian College of the Arts.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would love to be able to shop more locally, grow more of my own produce and be able to buy domestic supplies from package/plastic free supermarkets like Gram in Sweden.
Who inspires you and why?
Anyone who has faced adversity and used the challenge to grow and change, who dusts themselves off and walks in and with truth.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’m currently working with a broad cross section of communities, artists, Elders from all over the globe, industry and sector leaders looking at sustainable development and Indigenous knowledge leading solutions
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Malta in early Summer when the heat is still bearable. My partner and I went there in 2017 to trace his family’s origins: the house where his Dad grew up, the church where his Grandparents married in Valletta. The people, the landscape, the Mediterranean are all stunning. It was ‘festa’ time: the most bizarre and exhilarating fusion of religion, house music, religious procession, food, fireworks and street parties. I’ve been nagging to go back ever since!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
A bush walk around the You Yangs is always a nice escape and a quick drive out of the city
What are you currently reading?
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin.
What are you currently listening to?
Madame X Madonna.
Happiness is?
Chocolate.
What does the future hold for you?
Marriage. I finally get to wed my wonderful partner Stephen. Developing a new festival through my Australia Council Fellowship and founding a national art collective of HIV+ Indigenous artists, connecting us to each other and the wider community.
Jacob presents his critically-acclaimed work, Blood on the Dance Floor at the Darwin Festival (13 – 15 August); Latrobe Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (17 August); Arts Centre Melbourne (20 & 21 August); Bunjil Place, Narre Warren (22 August); and Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra (24 August).
Image: Jacob Boehme – photo by Dorine Blaise (VCA)