Stories from the Studio: Blake Selmes
This week we’re talking to Blake Selmes, Artisitc Director of the Lieder Theatre Company. Blake grew up performing in Shakespeare festivals at the Glen Street Theatre in Sydney (in association with Bell Shakespeare). He went on to be awarded the Contribution To Performing Arts recognition by Mater Maria in 2011. After University, Blake developed a program of performance fro the Moresby Arts Theatre in Papua New Guinea, producing and starring in seasons of Shakespeare, and directing adaptations of new works.
Blake has acted in over 25 main stage shows at the Lieder and has been involved in everything from lighting, costume design, set design and construction and graphic design. He’s also played an instrumental role in the Mighty Playwrights initiative, which has nurtured young talent.
Follow Blake on instagram @blakeselmes
Blake’s first offering of 2023, since taking on the position as Artistic Director of the Lieder Theatre Company, succeeding Chrisjohn Hancock, is the powerful dark comedy titled ‘Hir’ by Taylor Mac.
Somewhere in the suburbs, Isaac has returned from the wars to help take care of his ailing father, only to discover a household in revolt. The insurgent: his mum. Liberated from an oppressive marriage, with Isaac’s newly out transgender sibling as her ally, she’s on a crusade to dismantle the patriarchy. But in Taylor Mac’s sly, subversive comedy, annihilating the past doesn’t always free you from it. This subversive comedy leaves many of our so-called normative and progressive ideas about gender, families, the middle class and cleaning in hilarious and ultimately tragic disarray.
Hir opens Wednesday 12 April – 7:30pm with a special! – 2 tickets for $30 – Drinks and nibbles included!! GET YOUR TIX HERE!
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