Lindsay Farris

Lindsay Farris
Born (1985-10-18) 18 October 1985
Sydney, Australia
Occupation Actor, author, director, musician.
Years active Since 2002
Website lindsayfarris.com

Lindsay Farris is an Australian-born actor, author, musician, voice over artist and entrepreneur who has been labelled as one of the young guardians of theatre.[1]

Personal life and training

Farris grew up on the New South Wales Central Coast where he trained as a classical pianist from the age of five. He went on to attend the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music and Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, representing both institutions in numerous performing arts festivals and competitions around Australia. Farris commenced his acting training with the New South Wales State Drama Company, touring to Sydney, Europe and England performing in A Property of the Clan and The Norman Conquests. He continued his training with the National Institute of Dramatic Arts Young Actors Studio, and then went on to hone his craft under the tutelage of directors on set and on stage.

Career

Acting – Stage

Farris has an extensive background in Australian theatre having worked for several leading Australian theatre companies including the Sydney Theatre Company under Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton's Artistic Direction, La Boite Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, The Production Company and Christine Dunstan Productions.

Farris' recent theatre credits include the critically acclaimed[2][3][4][5] title role of Hamlet in Sport For Jove Theatre Company production at the Seymour Centre for which he received a 2012 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Independent Production.[6] Farris received rave reviews with iconic Sydney arts reviewer and co-founder of the Sydney Theatre Awards Diana Simmonds stating "Lindsay Farris' Hamlet is the most electrifying, memorable, sustained and intelligent realisation of the tragic Prince of Denmark I've ever seen".[7] In 2011 he appeared in the Australian premiere of Anthony Neilson's play Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness, a co-production between the Sydney Theatre Company and La Boite Theatre Company.

Farris also appeared as Dakin in the critically acclaimed Alan Bennett play The History Boys at the Sydney Opera House[8] alongside Australian stage and screen icons John Wood, Paul Goddard and Heather Mitchell.

In May 2013 Farris reprised his critically acclaimed role of the Danish Prince in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's return season of Hamlet. Most recently Lindsay appeared in Noises Off and Mojo, both for Sydney Theatre Company.

Acting – Screen

Farris stars in Joseph Sims' highly anticipated feature film Observance alongside John Jarratt, Roger Ward, Stephanie King and Tom O'Sullivan which is due for release in late 2014. Following his critically acclaimed 2012 stage performance of Hamlet, Farris was selected to portray the Danish Prince for a modern-day feature film Hamlet which is currently in pre-production.

In 2011 Farris completed filming the Australian component of Geography of the Heart, an international project of five films, with five directors across five countries exploring the notion of intimacy. He plays opposite Australian actress Maeve Dermody. Bonnie Wright, Ginny Weasley from the Harry Potter, is the lead actress in the British component of the film.[9]

In 2010, Farris starred in the Joseph Sims feature film Bad Behaviour alongside John Jarratt. The film was selected as the closing night feature for the 2010 Melbourne Underground Film Festival, and received five awards including Best Actor for Lindsay.[10] Bad Behaviour also appeared at the 2011 Cinequest Film Festival, making its North American premiere and has since appeared at Cannes and Another Hole in the Head Festival in San Francisco.[11]

His short films, including Peter Templeman’s Splintered and Rene Hernandez’ The Ground Beneath, have received much international recognition including a number of best actor awards. Splintered won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2005.[12] Splintered and The Ground Beneath were in contention for the 2006 and 2010 Academy Awards for Best Short Film (Live Action) respectively.[13][14]

Music

As composer, classical pianist and burlesque artist, Farris has performed at venues and clubs across Australia including the Sydney Opera House, Vanguard, Metro and Spanish Club.

On 22 May 2013 Farris was listed as the Number 1 National Classical Composer & Artist in Australia by ReverbNation.[15]

Writing

As writer, Lindsay has completed the stage plays Sugar Bowl and Touch in 2006. Farris is also author of A young actor's guide to becoming a Wanker.[16]

Directing

Farris was Founder and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre Company[17] and in 2010 worked alongside Bra Boy Sunny Abberton to develop a documentary on youth theatre in Australia.[18] Lindsay is also Executive Director of The Australian Ministry of Theatre, a company dedicated to the development of cultural initiatives for the sustainability of theatre practitioners and audiences.[19]

Farris has taught regularly at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and has worked with students in performing arts at primary, secondary and tertiary schools across Australia including National Institute of Dramatic Arts and Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Farris is also a regular lecturer at intensive education programmes including the NSW State Drama Camp, NSW Riverina School's Drama Camp, Big Day Out, National Institute of Dramatic Art Young Actors Studio, NSW State Drama Company and NSW State Drama Ensemble. Farris also lectures regularly at schools and community centres on the importance of film, theatre, acting, and drama in education.

Community Service

Farris has had an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Australians who have experienced exclusion, poverty, injustice and social isolation with a particular focus on youth and mental health. Farris was co-founder and Chair of the National Youth Theatre Company Foundation[20] which was established in December 2011. Since the age of 17 Farris has provided hands-on work with the homeless and disadvantaged at organisations including the Matthew Talbot Hostel, and at age nineteen Farris undertook a national Australian tour with a program to reduce peer pressure, bullying and social inhibitors to encourage primary and high school students to adopt healthier lifestyle choices – this program had a particular focus on youth suicide prevention. Farris’ commitment to raising awareness of these important issues has extended through the roles and projects he attaches himself to such as 1 in 100, Inside Out and Splintered. These projects generate public comment and debate about the important social issues they deal with. Over a number of years, Farris has also provided support to a number of Australian charities including Legacy Australia, The Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation, SANE Australia, Life Without Barriers, The Schizophrenia Research Institute, Ovarian Cancer Australia, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Foundation and The Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia.

Interviews

School of thought", Elissa Blake, The Sydney Morning Herald, METRO: Stage, 1–7 February 2013, p 11 – Lindsay Farris and James Mackay on the hard questions The History Boys, the latest production from the Peach Theatre Company to play at the Sydney Opera House.

To be or not to be", Chris Hook, The Daily Telegraph, Best Weekend, 9 June 2012, p 4 – Lindsay Farris and Damien Ryan on reinterpretation of Hamlet for Sport For Jove Theatre Company

“A prince of players", Lauren Murada, Inner West Courier, 21 June 2012, p. Cover, 2 and 33 – Lindsay Farris on playing Hamlet in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's 2012 production

Shakespeare’s Real Jester: Lindsay Farris on playing Hamlet", Samuel Webster, Mood of Monk, 26 June 2012, – Lindsay Farris on playing Hamlet in Sport For Jove Theatre Company's 2012 production.

“Only The Lonely", Matt O'Neill, Time Off, 18 May 2011, p 28: Interview for Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness (La Boite Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company)

“Leading by example" Garrett Bithell, AX National, 7 May 2009, p 3, 20–21: Interview about Lindsay Farris' career to date and in the future

“Pulling no punches" Garrett Bithell, SX, 9 July 2009, p Cover and 13, Cover story and feature interview to promote The Little Dog Laughed for the Ensemble Theatre

“Schizophrenia's long and difficult journey", Ron Cerabona, The Canberra Times, May 2007, interview for 1 in 100/ Inside Out

“Actors seek a deeper meaning in their work", The Glebe, 6 July 2006, p 15 – Lindsay Farris on being a young Australian actor

“Acting on an Ambition" Vanessa Santer, mX 9 February 2006 – on NIDA Young Actors Studio

Good Morning Australia, 7 October 2002, Amanda Muggleton and Lindsay Farris interviewed by Bert Newton about upcoming Production Company performance of Hello, Dolly!

Credits

Theatre

Year Play Role Company
2002 Hello Dolly Barnaby The Production Company
2003 Hamlet Hamlet National Institute of Dramatic Art
2004 I'm Not Rappaport Gilley Ensemble Theatre
Seven Little Australians Unknown new theatre
2005 Verbal Combat Unknown Brainstorm Productions
Saving Cal and Mindi Unknown Brainstorm Productions
2006 Birds of Passage Unknown The Street Theatre Company
2007 One in a Hundred Simon The Street Theatre Company
Love of the Nightingale Tereus National Institute of Dramatic Art
Emergence Ram Synarcade
2008 Blowing Whistles Mark Focus Theatre / Belvoir St Theatre
2009 The Keeper Man Micah Projects
Inside Out Simon Christine Dunstan Productions
The Little Dog Laughed Alex Ensemble Theatre
2011 Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness Nicholas Ludd Sydney Theatre Company / La Boite Theatre Company
2012 Hamlet Hamlet Sport For Jove Theatre Company
2013 The History Boys Dakin The Peach Theatre Company
Hamlet Hamlet Sport For Jove Theatre Company
2014 Noises Off Timothy Allgood Sydney Theatre Company
Mojo Baby Sydney Theatre Company

Filmography

Year Film Production Company, director, Role Type Notes
2002 All Saints Nicholas TV episode
2003 Marking Time Student TV episode
The Sleepover Club (TV Series) Burberry Productions, Dir. Kate Woods, Wolf TV episode
My Soul Is Too Much Charged AFTRS, Dir. Justine Gilmer, Harry Winchester Short Film
Splintered Dir. Peter Templeman, Gavin Short Film Multi-award winning[21] short film which was in contention for the 2006 Academy Awards for Best Short Film (Live Action). Won 14 awards including:
  • Grand Jury Winner, Best Narrative Short – Slamdance Film Festival 2005
  • Best Film & Best Director – St Kilda Film Festival 2005
  • Best Film & Best Actor – In The Bin Short Film Festival 2005
  • Best Film & Best Director – Falls Creek Film Festival 2005
G.D. Drama Unknown Short Film
2004 Blue Water High Southern Star Productions, Cal TV episode
All Saints SNO, Dir. Chris Seeto, Wayne TV episode
On the Lurk with Roy and H.G. Hecktown Pty. Ltd., Dir. Adam Blaiklock, Young Bon Scott Short Film
Twists of Fate On The Mark Films, Dir. Mark Eder, Dennis Feature Film
2007 Sea Patrol (TV Series) Sea Patrol Productions, Dir. Geoff Bennett, Simon TV episode
2008 The Ground Beneath Passion Pictures, Dir. Rene Hernandez, Mate Short Film Multi award winning[22] short film which was in contention for the 2010 Academy Awards[23] for Best Short Film (Live Action). Won 13 awards including:
2010 Primal Primal Films, Dir. Josh Reed, Chad Feature Film Nominated for 5 awards BLOODFEST FANTASTIQUE FILM FESTIVAL including Best Actor – Lindsay Farris, Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress & Best Screenplay
My Place Rusty Fig Productions, Dir. Sam Lang, Earl TV episode
Rescue: Special Ops Southern Star, Dir. David Caesar, Shane TV episode
Bad Behaviour Sterling Cinema Australia, Dir. Joseph Sims, Peterson Feature Film Official Selection Australian Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival and Melbourne Underground Film Festival. Received six awards at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival including:
  • Best Actor – Lindsay Farris
  • Best Director – Joseph Sims
  • Best Film
  • Best Screenplay – Feature Film
  • Best Supporting Actor – Roger Ward
  • Best Supporting Actress – Ellen Grimshaw
2011 Crosshairs 17 Degrees South Films, Dir. Mike Hoath, Beau Short Film Multi award winning short film including:
  • New York City Short Film Festival- Best Drama
  • Williamsburg International Film Festival – Outstanding Achievement
  • Woodland Film Festival – Best Australian Short Film & Audience Choice
  • Australian Film Festival – Honourable Mention
  • Clare Valley Film Festival – Best Australian Short Film & Audience Choice
Geography of the Heart Sun Productions, Dir. Samantha Rebillet, Tal Feature Film
Elixir Brodie Higgs Productions, Dir. Brodie Higgs, Phillipe Feature Film
Paradise Lost Legendary Pictures / Warner Bros., Dir. Alex Proyas Feature Film
2012 Chicom Amos – Litton-Strain, Dir. Brendon McDonall, Charlie Short Film
Agent Provocateur Sirin Productions, Dir. Sophie Wiesner, Ljubo Short Film
Hamlet Dir. L. Hall, Hamlet Feature
2013 Observance Sterling Cinema Australia, Dir. Joseph Sims, Parker Feature Film
Shift Deceptionworks, Dir. James Croke, Adam Short Film
2014 The Code Playmaker Media, Dir. Shawn Seet, Dean Television
Parer's War Parer's War Pty. Ltd, Dir. Alister Grierson, Max Dupain Feature Film
2015 Winter Cornerstone Pictures, Dir. Ian Watson, Martin Jenkins Television
2016 Gods of Egypt Mystery Clock Cinema, Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Pictures, Dir. Alex Proyas Feature Film

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Category Work Role Result
2004 Bondi Short Film Festival "Best Actor" Splintered Gavin Won
2005 In The Bin Film Festival "Best Actor" Splintered Gavin Won
2010 Melbourne Underground Film Festival "Best Actor" Bad Behaviour Peterson Won
2011 BloodFest Fantastique Film Festival "Best Actor" Primal Chad Nominated
2012 Sydney Theatre Awards "Best Actor in an Independent Production" Hamlet Hamlet Nominated

References

External links

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