On the Couch with Jayde Kirchert

Jayde Kirchert oncWho is Jayde Kirchert?
A very philosophical person who loves to write, think, solve problems and contemplate the human body (and the experience of having one).

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Perhaps if I never encountered performing arts I would have entered the medical profession. Anyone who knows me knows I’m fascinated by the inside of the body. I love brains in particular, so let’s say a neurosurgeon.

Who inspires you and why?
It’s hard to choose one. I’m surrounded by many talented and clever people and they all inspire me to be a better person and to work harder. People who are committed to making the world safe for human difference are at the top of the list.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I try to live my life in a way that makes some ‘difference’ in the world. As someone who has studied anthropology and has had a lifelong love of all things theatrical, I attempt to bring aspects of theatre and anthropology together when I work creatively. I believe both have a lot to offer the world in making it a place where difference isn’t feared and our human problems can be explored and better understood. I also think trying to both maintain and inspire a sense of curiosity is important in making a positive difference in the world.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Berlin. I love its arts scene – there is so much going on. Some of my most exciting thoughts and ideas have come about from visiting there.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Fitzroy for some dinner, drinks and dancing!

What are you currently reading?
The Sick Rose – disease and the art of medical illustration (by Richard Barnett), IQ84 (by Haruki Murakami) and Signs Taken For Wonders (by Franco Moretti).

What are you currently listening to?
Alpine. Also Suzanne Kraft’s retro disco sounding songs!

Happiness is?
A really good cuddle.

What does the future hold for you?
I was going to say “I hope…” but perhaps that’s enough, because no one knows, really. Hope. Maybe my horoscope has a better answer.

Jayde Kirchert trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, completing a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2011. At VCA she performed as Julie in excerpts from Carousel, Alaura/Carla in City of Angels (both directed by Gary Young). Upon graduating she toured with GFO’s Australian production of Annie as a Boylan Sister and in the adult ensemble.

In 2013 she directed and produced Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night for the theatre company she founded and was also Assistant Director to Nancye Hayes OAM for VCA’s production of Summer Rain. In 2014 she wrote, co-produced and directed Nude – a new cabaret featuring the songs and stories of Marilyn Monroe, which premiered at the 2014 Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

In January this year she directed and co-produced the sold out season of The Importance of Being Earnest at Como House. She was recently Assistant Director for The Living Museum of Erotic Women and directed a reading of Andrew Byrne’s new musical Holding Room. She is also featured in a variety of video art projects which have had screenings internationally.

Jayde recently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Anthropology, in which she undertook a research thesis on the relationship between one’s perception of the materials within and beyond one’s body and how that relates to the performance of one’s self in the world. Her research interests include the body, religion, performance, materiality and biomedicine.

Jayde is currently directing the return season of Nude at The Alex Theatre, St. Kilda: 13 – 22 August 2015. For more information, visit: www.citizentheatre.com.au for details.

Image: Jayde Kirchert