Who is Kamarra Bell-Wykes?
I am a playwright, director, dramaturge, devisor, facilitator, performer, creative producer, program curator, community developer and education consultant – or just plain theatre-maker for short. I’ve been making work for nearly 20 years and recently joined forces with Carly Sheppard as Co-Artistic Director of A DAYLIGHT CONNECTION; a motley crew of independent theatre makers dedicated to smashing performance binaries. A DAYLIGHT CONNECTION are thrilled to be presenting a double bill of CHASE and Whose Gonna Love ‘Em? I am that i AM at the Malthouse in November; guaranteed to be a wild and transformative experience that will make you laugh and cry, probably both at the same time.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Not much! Very lucky to be making art full time with people that I love and respect. Its been a long road with lots of detours but feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be at this point in time. Maybe wouldn’t have so many tattoos.
Who inspires you and why?
Everyone marching to the beat of their own drum and dancing with their feet in the fire. Artistically Jim Morrison and MF DOOM have always been my largest aspirations and inspirations. Personally, if I end up half the woman my mother was, I’ll be pretty incredible.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Depends if I have super magical powers… but based on my current skill set I think I’m doing it. Interrogating and reflecting the world back to itself through tenacious transformational art. It saved my life.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Thailand. Beautiful people, weather, cocktails and massages. God I sound like such a Western trope.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
One of my shows lol! No, one of Melbourne’s iconic pubs like the Retreat or the Hot Springs. Or my cuzzies beach house at Phillip Island.
What are you currently reading?
The Promise by Tony Birch.
What are you currently listening to?
Lots of Hip Hop, Black Milk and Black Thought, are top of the list.
Happiness is?
A moment by moment practice.
What does the future hold for you?
Making more theatre, maybe some screen stuff, walking my dogs (twice a day for the next 14 years), finding a house mate to fill my soon to be empty nest!
Kamarra is the writer & director of Whose Gonna Love ‘Em? I am that i AM and the director & co-devisor of CHASE – a double-bill presentation at the Malthouse Theatre from 22 November – 3 December 2023.
Image: Kamarra Bell-Wykes (supplied)