We recently connected with Rod Lara and have shared our conversation below.
Rod, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
First of all, thank you so much for this interview.
My name is Rod Lara. I am an actor, mime artist and filmmaker from Australia.
In my particular lineage of work, hard work and dedication is a must. No shortcuts allowed.
I began my performing arts career 27 YEARS AGO as a circus performer. I later added mime and acting to the mix.
When I began training in gymnastics, my coach had contacts in the entertainment industry and pushed me to audition for my first circus show. As I progressed in my career, I added more skills in acting, mime, dance and even stunts! It’s quite an interesting story on how it all began.
All of those skills took plenty of patience, and many exhausting days and nights. But it was all worth it. Every single of those skills was essential for my performance style.
At that time, my main obstacle was monetary. but that didn’t stop me. I worked in any and every job possible so I could pay those tuitions. – retail, hospitality, gas station attendant, productions of wedding videos, etc…
Rod, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My entry to performing arts was an unusual one.
I first discovered mime as a 13-year-old boy when I entered a Theater Studies classroom in high school.
Since, I was an extremely timid teen, every single role given to me, I would NOT speak. My teacher (Ms. Barbara – R.I.P.) noticed this quirk and mentioned that I had the abilities to become a mime. I had no idea what a mime was, so she introduced me to that silent art and the Greats such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Jacques Tati, Marcel Marceau, etc… Even Mr. Bean who was very popular back then.
After graduating school, I began dabbling in gymnastics. Thanks to those contacts, I auditioned for my first circus show. That’s when I brought back the mime characters once again, performing in circus gave me the skills to perform in front of an audience, but I still wanted to learn mime properly.
My then mentor (the great mime performer Glynn Nicholas) mentioned that I should study with Phillipe Gaulier and LeCoq School. I got a great foundation on how to enter the silent world of a mime and its experiences.
Since a mime also requires moving graceful onstage and express emotions in a believable way, I began classical dance and acting training.
All those skills complement each other so well. But there was one more skill I wanted learn and master – Slapstick/physical comedy.
During a particular circus session, a group of us were getting trained in physical comedy. As the sessions progressed, I wasn’t pleased to what was being taught. I wanted MORE! Around that time, I was beginning to watch films by Buster Keaton and Jackie Chan much more diligently, so I approached my coach teaching Slapstick and told him I wanted to learn slapstick comedy on the level where one could fly into the air, slam into the wall and fall to the ground. My coach looked at me stunned and replied, “That’s more like stunt work, bud!”.
I knew two stunt guys who’d train at the same gymnastics facilities I did, and who had recently worked with Jackie Chan in ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ here in Melbourne, Australia. One of them took me under his wing and began training me under New Generation Stunts. My aim wasn’t to become a stunt man, but to enhance my Slapstick comedy to a level that it looks painfully funny.
I now amalgamate all of those skills on stage and in front of the camera.
You know how Peking Opera performers give 10 years of their lives to learn various skills? Well, I feel I did the same! No shortcuts, just sheer hard work
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I began my performing career before the era of social media, so I always encourage aspiring artists to use these platforms to their advantage. Showcasing their skills to a wider audience globally. Best way to grow your brand.
That’s one of the resources I wish to have had when first started performing to promote myself.
Too many artists underestimate the power of social media.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I feel that everyone has a purpose here on earth. Therefore, make the most of it during our time here.
I’m all about leaving a legacy behind. A type of footprint that someone will discover one day and see what you’d achieved. Whether it’s a piece of film, a review for a show you were part of, etc…
Speaking of legacy, aside from my usual gigs and teaching my mime workshops, I have just completed a short film which will be screened at the Niles Silent Film Museum in California (USA), Astor Theatre here in Melbourne (Australia) and the Penistone Film Festival (UK).
Currently about to start a feature film by LockedIn Productions, and s second feature film where I am not only acting, but also an Associate Producer and Casting Assistant.
I have also landed a performers residency at a theatre venue, Spiegel Haus Melbourne, where I get to entertain the crowds as Bobby the Bellhop.
Keep on your path!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rodlara.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therodlara_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rod-Lara/
- Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rodlara
- Twitter: https://x.com/therodlara
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/rodlara12
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therodlara
Image Credits
Paul Hammond Photography
Paul Dodd Photography
Photography LMP
Keith Porter Photography