On the Couch with Max Teakle

Max Teakle_photo by Pia JohnsonWho is Max Teakle?
Who? Oh him! Max Teakle is a very skinny but handsome boy in year 7 who loves acting, reading, jazz, blues, making films, sushi and The Simpsons. He plays the piano, violin, a little uke and sings.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Improuve my speliging

Who inspires you and why?
Oh a lot of people, but for music probably either Bob Malone because I love the way he writes and plays, he’s a modern blues pianist who really knows how to play or Oscar Peterson because he would practice up to 8 hours a day! Though for acting I can’t chose I’m the biggest Morgan Freeman fan but I do love Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, Ed Helms and many many, more.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make university free!

Favorite holiday destination and why?
Definitely the Garden of Unearthly Delights in the Adelaide Fringe Festival. My family and I have gone there every year for three years. My Dad performs there.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I would take them on my favourite Melbourne outing which involves a ride on PT (public transport), first stop the Gelo-bar then to the Op-Shop across the road that has lots of really cheap movies.

What are you currently reading?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

What are you currently listening to?
Jazz or Blues (Ray Charles to Miles Davis)

Happiness is?
No homework for the weekend.

What does the future hold for you?
Well, I want to go to university and get a law degree and then pursue my acting/directing career.

Max Teakle is 12 and has just started high school. He likes to host dinner parties, where current affairs are discussed and large volumes of wasabi are consumed. He was born in Darwin where his parents ran a music program with local Indigenous kids. He plays a vintage violin.

Max will be appearing in the ground-breaking conversation Children On Death at The Wheeler Centre on Thursday 12 June 2014. For more information, visit: www.wheelercentre.com/events/event/children-on-death for details.

Image: Max Teakle – photo by Pia Johnson