Who is Andrew Blackman?
Actor, and Artistic Director of Complete Works Theatre Company.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
More action, less dreaming. If I had my time again I would back my younger self more, listen more acutely to my instincts, be less impulsive, and limit making the same mistakes twice.
Who inspires you and why?
Caroline Williams; my wife, business partner, and mother of my children. Without her love, encouragement and collaboration I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my life as a performer, or create a theatre company that is not reliant on the public purse for its survival. That’s something I’m particularly proud of.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Investing in the future will take a little lateral thinking and risk. If I could I’d subsidise a return airfare for every Australian high school graduate to spend his or her gap year overseas. In Medea, Euripides addresses one of the dilemmas of his society saying “ … no one loves his neighbour more than himself.” If our young people have the opportunity to experience different cultures, alternative ways of living and thinking, I believe there would be potential for great benefits to the world both economically, and spiritually.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Corny Point, South Australia, in the summer. Family, fishing off the blue line, BBQ, beer, and body surfing at Berry Bay.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
My home suburb of Fitzroy. It’s constantly changing, and always cool.
What are you currently reading?
Wrong Way Round by Lorna Hendry, and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
What are you currently listening to?
Gregory Porter. I’m also revisiting The Great Concert of Charles Mingus (Paris 1964), and Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones.
Happiness is?
Getting a new show up and out on the road. Seeing an audience moved, entertained and then thinking more deeply about what they’ve just experienced is a source of tremendous satisfaction.
What does the future hold for you?
Entering a new seven year cycle is always and exciting time…
A graduate of NIDA, Andrew Blackman is an actor and Artistic Director of Complete Works Theatre Company, Victoria’s premier producer of classic and contemporary theatre touring to secondary schools. In its 15th season CWTC will tour Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Poetry Plus – Australian Poetry and Storytelling, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and a new major production of Medea by Euripides.
Andrew’s theatre credits have included: Walking With Dinosaurs – the Arena Spectacular, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shadow Passion, Aunt’s Story, The Treadmill, The Taming of the Shrew, Big Hair In America, and Macbeth. Television credits have included: House Husbands, The Dr Blake Mysteries, Underbelly: Squizzy, Wentworth, Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries, Winners & Losers, Satisfaction and Rush.
Andrew will be directing Medea for Complete Works Theatre Company at the Union House Theatre, University of Melbourne: 28 – 31 July 2015. For more information, visit: www.completeworks.com.au for details.
Image: Andrew Blackman