On the Couch with Jarred Dewey

Circus-Arts-Incubator-Fellow-Jarred-DeweyWho is Jarred Dewey?
Jarred Dewey is a circus performer hailing from the notorious northern suburbs of Adelaide. He graduated from the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in 2010 and has since worked extensively with Brisbane based contemporary circus company CIRCA as a full-time ensemble acrobat. During his time with CIRCA he has devised, toured and performed in 13 different productions (including OPUS, Wunderkammer, PEEPSHOW, and more) in over 30 countries worldwide. Jarred has also been featured in the 2016 London season of La Soirée in Leicester Square, featured in numerous productions by YUMMY, co-divised and performed in his own Green Room Award winning show Party Ghost, and was an original cast member of the Circus Oz production Model Citizens directed by Rob Tannion.

What would you do differently from what you do now?
If I wasn’t a circus performer, I’d be a costume designer. I can’t imagine a life without being connected to the performing arts. I’m currently undertaking a Diploma of Costume Design at Melbourne Polytechnic and absolutely love it.

Who inspires you and why? 
I’m inspired by all thing queer, kitsch, camp and subversive. I love the films of John Waters, the sheer meticulous brilliance of designers like Viktor and Rolf, Schiaparelli and Iris Van Herpen.  And of course, my own circus community.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would want people to see that queer rights are human rights and that queer people around the world deserve respect.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
I have a special love for Berlin because of its vibrant energy and hope one day to get back there.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Because I’m such a sewing nerd, I would take unsuspecting victims to ‘Jimmy Buttons’ the haberdashery store in Collingwood. It’s a total treasure trove of eclectic trinkets and trimmings run by Jimmy himself – who is wildly eccentric. It’s truely a cultural experience.

What are you currently reading?
As part of my fellowship, I’m researching a lot of academic texts concerning the topic of Camp – so currently 50 pages into The Politics and Poetics of Camp edited by Moe Meyer… but I’m partial to anything by Chuck Palahniuk.

What are you currently listening to?
I’m currently experiencing a total Kate Bush renaissance. Obsessed with the album Hounds of Love.

Happiness is?
Happiness is patting my cat Milo.

What does the future hold for you?
Because of this amazing opportunity from Circus Oz, the future looks brighter! Hopefully I can continue my artistic practice and develop my ideas. I say the future holds exciting collaborations and theatrical experiments that will hopefully lead into an amazing show.


Jarred is a recent recipient of a Circus Arts Incubator Fellowship at Circus Oz – who are sharing their world-class circus centre and resources to provide an environment that is primed to support artists’ practice and strengthening and fostering creative community. For more information, visit: www.experiment2021.circusoz.com.au for details.

Image: Jarred Dewey (supplied)