What’s been the happiest time in your life?
It’s right now. I’m in a position where I’m excited to go to work. And I’m living in a fantastic household at the moment so I’m equally happy to be there. Maybe I could be happier, but the moments of happiness I have right now are rich and precious. I wouldn’t swap them for anything.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
When I was a teenager, I performed a monologue at a tribute concert of some kind in Bundaberg, which involved wearing a huge foam rubber crocodile suit. I could barely see. The piece went flawlessly but I couldn’t see to find my way off stage. I was stuck in this crocodile suit, fumbling around at the curtains, trying to get out. The audience roared with laughter. I think I actually called out for my mother!

Who would feature in your dream cast?
Pamela Rabe. Paul Capsis. Cate Blanchett. Ursula Yovich. Deborah Mailman. Eugene Gilfedder. Nigel Kellaway. Meme Thorne. Ian McKellen. Daniel Radcliffe. Tilda Swinton. Helen Mirren. Catherine Tate. Matt Smith. Marina Abramovic. Lindsay Kemp. Kate Bush. Antony Hegarty. Lady Gaga. Amy Winehouse. Not quite sure what show that would be … But if those people were on stage together, I don’t think I’d care.

CALIGULA is about to launch at the Judith Wright Centre in July, what can audiences expect from the production?
CALIGULA isn’t a typical play and it isn’t a historical, documentary-style recounting of Caligula’s life. It’s performance inspired by the life and reputation of Caligula. There’s text, poetry, dance and song. It’s sometimes revolting, always beautiful. Something unexpected.

We’ve heard whispers of French poetry collections, The Smiths’ back-catalogue and internet guides on group sex etiquette all popping up in the production … Please explain?
We’re always fairly eclectic with regards to the lenses we use to explore our subjects. Songs. Literary texts. Pop culture. Academic investigations. And with Caligula, the ancient historical sources aren’t entirely reliable. So admitting we couldn’t truly know the historical subject, the man himself, we sought ways to enter the various things for which he was notorious. A lot of our starting points for CALIGULA deal with pushing life and experience to the extreme.

CALIGULA was supported by JWC’s Fresh Ground program, what can you tell us about that?
The Fresh Ground program is a fantastic initiative offered by the Judith Wright Centre where independent artists receive support while retaining much of their artistic control. It’s one of the best support programs for independent artists in Brisbane. We’re so, so grateful for the support we’ve received through Fresh Ground and I don’t think we’d be where we are as a company today without that support.

You’re associate artistic director of The Danger Ensemble. What do you love most about your job?
The Danger Ensemble works with a lot of artists at the very start of their careers. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a young artist develop, grow in vision and confidence and begin to produce their own work. But also being able to work with artistic director Steven Mitchell Wright. We first worked together, professionally, in 2003. And we’ve always shared a strong bond. It’s such a privilege and joy to continue working with him and to be creating our own work. He’s one of the most amazing theatre artists I’ve ever met and every project is an adventure. It’s exciting, it’s terrifying, it’s fulfilling. Who could ask for more?

What’s the most challenging aspect?
I’ve always been a dreamer, even as an adult. My natural state is daydreaming, with bursts of pragmatism. So I guess the most challenging aspect for me lies in the logistical, pragmatic aspects of helping to run a company.

The ensemble’s work has been described as bold, beautiful, infuriating and visceral … Which has been your favourite compliment or criticism so far?
My personal favourite was when an audience member last year compared the impact of our work, Sons of Sin, to the impact he had experienced from Lindsay Kemp’s performance, Flowers. I’m a huge fan of Kemp’s work. To me, that was the hugest compliment a work in which I was involved could ever receive. I was so touched by it I cried.

You’ve won awards and earned plenty of praise, but what do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
At a personal level, I think it’s simply being able to continue working in a field I love. I lived away from Brisbane for about a decade and I didn’t do a lot of performance work during that time. In this field, that’s a long time. My life has also been turned inside out a few times over the last couple of years. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to return to Brisbane and be able to work in such a supportive environment, both with The Danger Ensemble and the mainstream companies. I’ve been given some incredible opportunities, like working with Michael Attenborough on the Queensland Theatre Company’s production of Macbeth earlier this year.

What influences and inspires your work?
Literature. Philosophy. Pop music. High-fashion photo shoots. Bad television. Good film. Music videos. YouTube sensations. Internet memes.

What do you believe is worth fighting for?
Love.

When was the last time something took your breath away?
I recently saw a show directed by Daniel Evans with the second-year students at Griffith University, Superfamousnobodies. An absolutely brilliant piece of theatre, one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. It literally took my breath away.

What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
My car. My stereo and iPod. A road that leads somewhere unexpected.

Which other local creative folk have you got your eye on?
Ah! There’s so many. We really live in a creatively rich city. A lot of the ones who spring to mind immediately are in CALIGULA or have worked with The Danger Ensemble. Artists like Lucinda Shaw and her band, Silver Sircus. Nerida Matthaei, Cienda McNamara, Stephen Quinn, Thomas Hutchins, Lucy-Ann Langkilde and Caroline Dunphy – they’re all local performers I admire greatly. I love the work of Daniel Evans and The Good Room – I’m very excited to see their show at QTC later this year. Any work associated with Dave Sleswick and his company, Motherboard Productions, also sits on my list to keep an eye on. I also love the work of local photographers like Morgan Roberts, Dylan Evans and Sean Young. I wish I had more of a sense of the visual arts scene in Brisbane … Something I must address for myself in the near future.

What’s your life motto?
Your rules do not apply …

What’s your personal definition of ‘success’?
Open eyes. Open mind. Open heart. And the ability to laugh.

What are your words of wisdom?
Seek to understand. Be kind. Love madly, not wisely. Chase your dreams. Make your own rules.

Only a Brisbane local would know … the Avalon Theatre on Sir Fred Schonell Drive, St Lucia, is no longer in use but is slowly being left to rot. It’s such a shame.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk-up … Cafe Auchenflower, Auchenflower.
Relax … Mt Coot-tha Lookout or the City Botanic Gardens.
Indulge … Depot, West End.
Catch-up … At Sixes and Sevens, New Farm.
Be inspired … Archives Fine Books, Brisbane City.