On the Couch with Ryan A. Murphy

Ryan Murphy AAR On the CouchWho is Ryan A. Murphy?
A 26 year old actor, director, producer and filmmaker based in Melbourne. He’s been appointed Associate Artistic Director at the Little Theatre Company (LTC) in 2018. The LTC is the resident theatre company at the Alex Theatre St Kilda and supported by Vass Productions and Aleksandar Vass, to bring independent theatre with contemporary and modern stories to the southside, and blend new and established talent. I’m also writing things!

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would exercise more, drink less, write more, stress less, champion myself more, overthink less, trust myself more, hurt less, sing more and fart less…

Who inspires you and why?
This might come across a little sappy… but my collaborator in chief, Kaarin Fairfax inspires me. We have a person who grew up in this industry, her father was one of the leading theatre makers in the country and she reached some of the highest heights you can in this industry. She has more MTC, STC, Belvoir Street, film and television credits then many of us could dream of having. She has an AFI & ARIA nomination, a Green Room award and she’s worked with almost everyone you could name. Kaarin came back to acting after raising children and the industry she gave so much to asked her to start again. We lack respect for our industries heritage in this country and those who came before us and helped create the path we now walk down. She’s the most egoless person I know, even after everything she’s done and achieved… that’s inspiring!

Pardon the rant… Also… Caitlin Farrugia and Michael Jones at Blazing Arrow Media inspire me also. They just go out and do what they love (making films), for no other purpose but to make them and tell interesting stories.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
In many ways and on many issues, I think I can best serve people by following one simple rule… Shut up and listen.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Japan… the food and culture is incredible and the people are some of the nicest I’ve met.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Hmmm… I imagine they’d tick a lot of boxes off in terms of what to see in Melbs, the big touristy things that is. So I would take them to where I think the heart of Melbourne beats… The Brandon Hotel in Carlton North on steak night.

What are you currently reading?
Honestly… nothing other than Chemistry by Jacob Marx Rice.

What are you currently listening to?
I’m glued to true crime podcasts at the moment… The Teachers Pet is disturbingly brilliant. I recommend it to everyone and for all my NSW friends to write to their state members of parliament and put the pressure on them to act and deliver some justice in this case.

Happiness is?
Personal. For me it’s keeping the forward momentum and not feeling stuck. Enjoying social times and time to alone. Allowing yourself to be loved and fall in love. Being able to express yourself without judgement and knowing you always will and must continue to learn and change.

What does the future hold for you?
I’m never really sure… I have Chemistry and more plays planned for the LTC in the next year at the Alex Theatre, St Kilda. I’m in Summer and Smoke for Whitehorse Collective in October and am moving toward pre-production for my first online series.

Ryan will be directing Jacob Marx Rice’s Chemistry at the Alex Theatre, St Kilda from 29 August 2018. For more information, visit: www.alextheatrestk.com.au for details

Image: Ryan A. Murphy