LAURA MCKENZIE
writer/director/producer
contact: laura@lauramckenzie.site
I’m a writer, director and producer who grew up in Ballarat and now lives in Naarm/Melbourne.
I am drawn to creating playful works that challenge art forms and attract new audiences. My writing is often driven by warmth and humour, often cascading into absurdity and spectacle. I want audiences to leave my work feeling connected, seen and buzzed.
My most recent work was Social Dance which premiered at TheatreWorks in June 2023. Other previous works include short film Divine Intervention (Melbourne Women in Film Festival, Melbourne Underground Film Festival 2018), performance work The More I Know (Meat Market 2018) and sketch comedy with the Melbourne University Law Revue (2020 - 2022).
In 2022 I was mentored by writer Melissa Reeves in Union House Theatre’s Writer in Residence Program. I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing and Politics and a Juris Doctor Degree from Melbourne University. Throughout university I was Co-President of the Melbourne Law School Film, Art, Media and Entertainment Law Students’ Association and published work on intersections of art-making and law.
A playful, absurd and immersive comedy about how to navigate social settings with poise and gravitas in the turbulent times of today.
Come on in, take a seat at the table.
Suzie Spittle has dinner cooking away for you. She’s coaxed her husband, her kids and even the French exchange teacher they are hosting into partaking in delivering the first instalment of 1 her 10 part lifestyle series: ‘Etiquette in the Modern Age with the Spittles’. The Spittles are offering you their exclusive scoop on how to exude power and affluence and win the admiration of those around you. Don’t mind the live streamed projection of the Collins Street Peregrine Falcons; that’s just a weird quirk of Charlie’s. Ignore Suzie Spittle’s nervousness about triggering the family curse. Try not to notice the sexual aura oozing from the French exchange teacher. Push that all aside, and please, keep the decorum.
This is an immersive experience, but no audience participation is required. Sit back and enjoy.’
Photo credits: Farrow Photography
"an unforgettable adventure...an enthralling comedic play"
- Weekend Notes
"audacious, outlandish and outrageous...an experience you won't readily forget"
- The Blurb
"I felt safe and taken care of the entire time, but also "in it" enough to have these really rich, wonderful, unique, experiences of being among these dynamic, energised, committed, space-ruling actors. It was a strong, cool ensemble"
- Praise Dionysus
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
THE MORE I KNOW
MEAT MARKET
28 August- 1 September 2018
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
DIVINE INTERVENTION
MELBOURNE WOMEN IN FILM FESTIVAL 2018
WRITER/ PERFORMER 2020; PRODUCER 2021 & 2022
MELBOURNE UNI LAW REVUE
Comedy Republic & Online
WRITER
MEDIA ARTS LAW REVIEW
Lexis Nexis (2022) 24 MALR 276.
My article exploring options for workforce-driven change to the problem of insecurity in Australia's film and theatre labour markets was published in December 2022 in the Media & Arts Law Review. It felt timely, as it was published while parliament pored over the latest Bill of amendments to Fair Work legislation promising better protections for gig economy workers and the National Association for the Visual Arts made a renewed petition to 'Recognise Artists as Workers'.