Skip to main content

Interview: Lucas Proudfoot

Jake's Art Adventures was lucky enough to sit down with Lucas Proudfoot of Proudfoot Productions to talk about their upcoming production, Proudfoot & Friends playing at QPAC for a limited time 8-11 March 2024!

What sparked your interest in performing? 

It was a combination of seeing my family sing and play guitar growing up, along with being part of a cultural dance group at school. These experiences really helped build my confidence as a performer. The feeling after a show was amazing. It’s been something I’ve strongly connected with ever since I was a young lad.

What was the development process for Proudfoot & Friends?

Having performed around 1500+ shows over the last decade in schools and kindies across Australia, I’ve been able to test and refine my material on a regular basis. The 'seven years and under' audiences are very honest, so having this face-to-face sounding board has helped shape the Proudfoot & Friends story world.

What has been the most rewarding parts of creating this show? 

Sharing the show with my family and friends, along with my community. There’s also a phenomenal team behind the scenes that has brought this story world to life. Sharing the ride with them has been amazing. 

What is it like performing for children rather than adults?

It’s amazing! Seeing their smiling faces is great. But most importantly, you need to match their energy and know when to push and when to pull back. It’s a balancing act from start to finish as they like to interject at the most random times. Keyword… ‘random’! I encourage new performers into this space, to embrace the random 😊

Can you tell us a little about performing with puppetry and digital elements in the show?

This is truly a unique offering because the animated characters who appear on-screen can interact with not only myself but the audience as well. This is all via digital puppeteering technology which is controlled in ‘real-time’ via a handheld ‘game controller’ backstage. Our Technical Director is a master with this, having some 300+ cues to deliver throughout each performance. Timing for myself is the main factor here, but we’ve created a format that allows for natural spontaneity between the characters and me.

First Nations stories are integral to Australia's arts landscape; how does it feel sharing your story about caring for country to the next generation of Australia?

Caring for Country relates to all of us as a nation. Being proud of where you come from and looking after the place you call home is very important. Simple things like making sure you leave the beach or park the way you left it and respecting the flora and fauna that also live alongside us. Proudfoot & Friends shares these subtle themes through music, story, song and dance.

 Proudfoot & Friends performs at QPAC's Cremorne Theatre from Friday 8 March to Sunday 10 March, tickets can be purchased at qpac.com.au

Watch out for our review next month!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Closer // La Boite

 Written by Jake Goodall Get ready for desire, betrayal, love and sex as Closer takes the stage at Brisbane's La Boite Theatre. 24 years since its original La Boite production, Closer returns to the La Boite stage under the skillful direction of Courtney Stewart who happens to also be the theatre's Artistic Director. This production is penned to rival your morals and set your heart ablaze throughout the entire production.  The four lives of Alice, Anna, Dan and Larry intertwine over the course of four and a half years in this densely plotted look at modern love and betrayal. Dan, an obituary writer, meets Alice, a stripper, after an accident in the street. Eighteen months later, they are a couple, and Dan has written a novel inspired by Alice. While posing for his book jacket cover, Dan meets Anna, a photographer. He pursues her, but she rejects his advances despite their mutual attraction. Larry, a dermatologist, meets Dan in an internet chat room. Dan, obsessing over ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Equus - X Collective

    Written by Gabriel Besa ‘Equus’ from The X Collective was a superb showcasing of drama and all things theatre. From the exquisitely put together lighting to the character portrayal of each of the actors, The X Collective knows how to put on a show.    ‘Equus’ is a play written by Peter Shaffer in 1973, where he was inspired after he heard a seventeen-year-old boy blind six horses in a small town in northern England. It then went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play. The play switches from past and present as it acts out previous events that lead up to Alan Strang’s current state. Through the psychiatric expertise of Martin Dysart, we see the importance each character had played against Alan Strang’s life.   The X Collective had meticulously placed this production in the Holy Trinity Hall as it provides a state of eeriness and mystery for the audience. Since the venue strays from the average theatre, portable lighting and set desi...
Post a Comment
Read more

'Hedonism’s Second Album' // Left of Right

  Welcome to the recording studio for “Hedonism’s Second Album,” a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by a rock band. Produced by the independent theater company, Left of Right, this production delves into the inner workings of a fractured rock band. Hosted at the Scouts Queensland’s Wonargo Cultural Centre, an unexpected but fitting venue choice, this performance offers a unique perspective on the band’s journey. Following years of performing in pubs and as opening acts, Hedonism, the rock band, has achieved fame with the release of their debut album. However, they now encounter a hurdle in the form of their second album’s creation. Initially premiered in 2014 at The Loft as part of La Boite’s Indie Season and written by David Burton and Claire Christian, “Hedonism’s Second Album” undoubtedly reflects the zeitgeist of its era. The play does not shy away from depicting issues such as misogyny, violence, selfishness, homophobia, and casual racism. While these them...
Post a Comment
Read more