What do you do?
I’m an actress and an improviser in Canberra. I also work as a Captain Starlight at the Canberra Hospital by day and as a Duty Manager at the Street Theatre by night, when I’m not performing.
When did you get into it?
When I was about 5, my siblings and I would make up stories and performances for my family.
Since then I’ve been constantly involved in theatre although I started to make a proper go of it when I took a break from teaching. After four years as a high school teacher I had hit a wall. I felt incapable of teaching these young people to live their dreams when I hadn’t even given mine a go. Needless to say I never went back.
Who or what influences you as an artist?
Some of the great Australian improvisers; Patti Styles, Rama Nicholas, Cale Bain, Tim Redmond, Bec de Unamuno for their passion about creating beautiful pieces of theatre by constantly producing honest, committed and truthful play in improvisation. I can learn a lot from these improvisers.
Recently I trained with Ira Seidenstein in Brisvegas and was working through his physical method.
Also there are loads of Canberra actors and actresses that inspire me; Hanna Cormick, Cameron Thomas and Jordan Best just to name a few.
What’s your biggest achievement/proudest moment so far?
Committing to acting full time was a big achievement and I was proud that I had the guts to step out there away from the comfort of a regular 9-5 job.
Improvising on stage with my heroes have also been great moments. Once I was Jay Laga’aia’s love interest in a show. He’s a dream to improvise with because he makes you feel so safe on stage.
Also I was really chuffed with ImproACT’s recent show The Displaced.
What are your plans for the future?
To learn more and more and more. I have recently joined The Hive program with The Street Theatre as a Dramaturg. The training I am receiving from Peter Matheson is invaluable to my own work. So I hope to continue with this. I’m also keen to head over to the US and Canada to do some intensive Impro training with those guys.
What makes you laugh?
I giggle with my husband a lot. The everyday follies of my friends. The wild and wacky places that improvised theatre takes you. It’s never what you expect. Bloopers in a film.
What pisses you off?
When someone is unnecessarily unkind and mean but no one ever pulls them up on it. Sure they might be bigger and better than you but they can still be nice.
What’s your opinion of the local scene?
Through The Street Theatre I have seen a lot of local work and I have really enjoyed watching the development of the work. I think we’re telling good stories and getting the right assistance to create these. Certainly Impro is getting bigger and better as we embark on our 2nd Improvention in the lead up to 2013.
What are your upcoming projects?
Theatresports North vs South at The Street Theatre in May and June and then Improvention in July.
Contact info: chagarty3@yahoo.com.au
