Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rod Lara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rod, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have been an actor & mime artist for 26 years. Phew! How time flies!

I began my performing career in the arts of circus. Portraying various characters which were mostly silent.
The art of mime was my first basis into my craft. Learning the techniques of Le Coq & Philipe Gaulier. Creating an inner and outer world that is both invisible and believable. Soon finding that learning mime was the bare structure, There’s so much more to this.

Soon I found out that – in order to express oneself precisely in sometimes subtle situations (both physically and through facial expressions) – I had to train in Acting. Learning its various exercises and methods. I actually studies Acting & Film School at the Victoria college of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia.

Now I had gained 3 skills to compliment my performance – Acrobatics, mime and acting.

A mentor of mine mentioned that if I wanted to move well and openly onstage, lessons in dancing would be wise. Of course! Many don’t realize how close and intertwined mime and dance are. It’s like two skills walking hand in hand. Therefore, I decided to train in both classical and modern style of dance (pop & lock, breakdance, etc…) – Credit to schools such as Dance Factory & The Space.

Now, I have added an extra skill to my performing repertoire – Acrobatics, Mime, Acting AND Dance.

My style of mime characters has always delved into the comedic. Slapstick or physical comedy had taken part of my acts.

One day during my circus training, I had a revelation when we were learning a module on slapstick comedy. I approached my coach and blurted out, “how can I learn that level of slapstick comedy where I get airborne, slam into a wall and fall flat on the ground?”. My coach looked at me rather shocked and, in between mumbles, replied, “That’s more like stunt work…”

Well, I jumped straight at the chance to train in stunts (with then New Generation Stunts). The main objective was to enhance my physical comedy skills.

Yet another skill as a performer which I now amalgamate into one – Acrobatics, Mime, Acting, Dance AND Stunts.

Did I take short cuts? NO. Each of these skills took the upmost dedication and focus in order to do them well. It’s years and YEARS of practice. As the saying goes, “Hard work does pay off”.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As I mentioned previously, I am a mime artist.

How was i introduced to it? In a rather odd way…

It all started when I was 13 years old. I accidentally stumbled into Theater Studies in High School.

Being a naturally shy kid and, at that time, only in Australia for a mere two years (I was born in Chile), I was absolutely petrified of speaking in public in case I pronounced certain words incorrectly or began to stammer. Therefore, Whether subconsciously or not, I decided to perform every role without uttering a single word.

My Theater Studies teacher picked up on it and said that i should consider studying mime (My teacher was saying all of this while flailing her arms around). “What’s mime?” I responded.

She planted introduced me to The Silent Greats: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Jacques Tati, Marcel Marceau, etc…

The was the first time the Universe gave me a hint of what was to come.

A year after I graduated high school, a friend invited me to gymnastics. I was reluctant at first but after going a few times, I was hooked!

Thanks to connection in gymnastics, I began work in the arts of circus. The start of my professional career as a performer.

When deciding to go solo, that’s where I began having doubts on my decision on wanting to become a mime artist. Serious doubts! Australians did not understand this style of silent performance. So, I felt stuck, and it was hard at first.

I trialed my skills during my busking years. I listened to my gut feeling, knowing (somehow) to be on the right path.

Currently my niche performing style has landed me in major roles on TV & Film, as well as big theatre productions.

I stuck to my guns and made it work. That’s one of my lessons I now teach during my mime workshops to aspiring actors and performers.

My style of performance has not only been a niche but has become my branding. A rewarding one.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

From the various disciplines and skills I’ve acquired, I have learnt about discipline! Maintaining focus and try perfecting your craft (although one never stops learning).

Even if I was feeling hungry whilst learning a trick, I would set a goal: I wouldn’t eat UNTIL I got this trick. Even today, I’m still the same.

I am naturally driven and never sit on my laurels. While busking, I knew it was the steppingstone to something else. Just like my mentor always said, “Always reach for the stars”. Take baby steps up that ladder of success.

That mindset has allowed me to produce my own theater and film productions – The latter have been screened around the world and receiving multitude of awards which hang proudly at my home.

Now aiming for a feature film in my style of visual comedy. Stay tuned!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

During my early days of performing, Youtube and any streaming services were basically non-existent. I forced myself to to physically go to the cinemas, wait till it was on TV, borrow a book, VHS or DVD, etc… in order to get any information on my performance interest.

One had to physically send a DVD to potential clients or agents, as a way to sell your product or brand.

Now, there’s so much information online! Set up your brand on social media, showcase what you can do on Youtube or Tiktok. platforms that can be viewed worldwide!

JUST DO IT!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rodlara.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therodlara
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therodlara/
• Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rodlara
• Twitter: https://x.com/therodlara
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rodlara12
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therodlara Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/rodlara

Image Credits
Isabel Padilla Photography Paul Hammond Photography Phil Thomson Photography Living Imagery James Sablinskis Photography Keith Port Photography.