Who is Joshua Hinton
I am a Sydney born theatre maker and actor, but for the majority of my life I’ve called Wollongong home. For the past few years I’ve been performing my show A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen on and off in venues around Australia and have been lucky enough to take the show to New Zealand as well. When I’m not acting, I’m teaching Speech and Drama at the Wollongong Conservatorium, and in my free time, I play basketball, do the NYT crossword, and play video games.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I think this question pops into my head often in my day to day life. I really enjoy teaching, and I’m happy that I still get to do it in some capacity now. But if I had to do things differently I think studying teaching at university and becoming a full time teacher would be a lot of fun!
Who inspires you and why?
I grew up playing a lot of AFL, so Adam Goodes was someone I really looked up to growing up. I always loved theatre and the arts growing up, and my grandfather Phillip Hinton was an actor. It was always very inspiring to hear him talk about theatre, or to watch things that he was in.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think making a difference in the world is really about knowing your skills and utilising them for Positivity. In my show, I talk about my search for cultural identity and this feeling of being unsure of who I am. I tell the audience about these experiences in my life in the hope that they understand that they are not alone, this journey of understanding of who you are is universal.
One of my favourite things about the show is being able to talk to people in the foyer post show. I’ve had so many conversations with strangers about their lives and the similarities that they share with me and my family, it really feels like a community. Which is my way of making a difference.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I really enjoy going to the Czech Republic. After high school, I spent a year volunteering at a school in Hluboká nad Vltavou – a small town about two hours out of Prague. I made so many incredible friends and have wonderful memories of my time there. I’ve been back a few times since, and each visit is always so much fun.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
It depends on the time of the year they come. In the summer I think the beaches would be my go to. Wollongong has this long beautiful stretch of beaches that goes along its entire coastline. In the winter I think I would take them to dinner and a show. Wollongong has some incredible local restaurants and Merrigong Theatre Company always has something great on at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
What are you currently reading?
I don’t actually have a current book at the moment, so any suggestions would be great! I tend to listen to a lot of podcasts instead. My favourite for a long time has been This American Life – it explores so many different topics and gives a great glimpse into different peoples lives, I would definitely recommend it.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m really into Lizzy McAlpine’s music at the moment! I’ve been listening to her last album Older (and wiser) a lot and she’s just released a new album which is great!
Happiness is?
Watching the Sydney Swans win the Grand final. Being able to do what you love and be proud of what you do. Eating comfort food while watching your favourite tv show. Being surrounded by loved ones.
What does the future hold for you?
I’m performing my show A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen at the Sydney Opera House from the 14 – 17 October! Other than that, it’s making more theatre that is meaningful to me and spending more time with friends and family.
Joshua is the Writer of, and Performer in A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen (or How to Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry), which will be presented in the Studio – Sydney Opera House from 14 – 17 October 2026. For more information, visit: www.sydneyoperahouse.com for details.
Image: Joshua Hinton (supplied)