Who is Tyler De Nawi?
Tyler De Nawi is someone who would rather stay home on a Saturday night but ends up being the last to leave at every party. He speaks Arabic and Brazilian-Portuguese fluently and some Spanish. But his favourite languages are music and movies. Capoeira is his biggest love. It’s an art form that he believes takes years to fully understand and appreciate, and when it’s done right it can be a musical and improvisational rhythmic chess game of the body. Its practice has healing and grounding abilities that channels elements of yoga, fight, movement, dance, music and acrobatics all in the one, born out of the oppression of slaves and then turned into a beautiful art for all to practice and be free inside of. He also loves chocolate licorice bullets and maple doughnuts. But cheesecake is his kryptonite.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would spend more time reading and writing. I would also make Sunday BBQ a ritual at my place where all my family and friends are invited, everyone would come, and we would all sing and dance.
Who inspires you and why?
Fred Hollows. I mean to give people around the world their eyesight back, after being blind, is simply amazing. Jesus too… He gave people eyesight as well. “I don’t think we go blind, I think we are blind, blind but seeing, blind people who can see but do not see” – Jose Saramago in his book Blindness. Anyone who dedicates his or her life to creating a positive change in the world inspires me.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Never grow up! And never litter!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I haven’t found my favourite destination yet. This young boy still has a lot of travelling to do. But one of my favourites was Vanuatu’s cascade waterfall, because I love the jungle.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would take them to swim in a water hole or jump off a waterfall. We would talk about our dreams and life while we roam through the jungles of the southern highlands.
What are you currently reading?
The book sitting on my desk that I need to finish is Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg who wrote one of my favourite books on neuroscience, The Power of Habit, where he explains how and where habits reside in our brains, allowing us to understand them and then rebuild them to our advantage. He then extends his research into the next book to show us how to do it even better. I’m struggling with this.
What are you currently listening to?
It’s Sunday so I’m listening to Motown classics: Make It Funky – James Brown; You Like Me Don’t You – Jermaine Jackson; Reach Your Peak – Sister Sledge; and Close To You – Maxi Priest.
Happiness is?
Free maple doughnuts for all the kids in the world.
What does the future hold for you?
Star in many films, maybe direct a few films and documentaries, get married, have 7 babies, maybe adopt a couple, find my favourite holiday destination, publish a book and learn 3 more languages. Hopefully I can fit all that in before inevitable death.
Known for his roles in Here Come the Habibs and The Principal, Tyler can be seen in Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo, presented by Mad March Hare in association with Red Line Productions at the Old Fitz Theatre: 12 April – 6 May 2017. For more information, visit: www.redlineproductions.com.au for details.
Image: Tyler De Nawi