Interview with Tommy Misa

Introducing Tommy Misa

Tommy Misa is a Samoan (Toamua) Australian artist working in theatre, screen and live performance. At Liveworks, he will present Working Class Clown, a new work that offers the transcultural figure of the fool as an embodiment of resistance, a herald of new worlds, and a speaker of truth to power. In Laughing Memory of Mefiposeta Misa.

"A lot of my work is performing parts of my own stories and making sense o un-sense of the things that I cannot fully understand." - Tommy Misa

What can audiences expect from your performance?

There is a Samoan proverb 'O le ala i le pule o le tautua' - The pathway to leadership is through service. I think about this with the show, about how to lead this show in service to grief, joy, connection and catharsis. Audiences can expect a show that honours this passage. Artist's have the power to lead great change and our small role in a fractured society is to be of service to the people and their stories.

What is the role of performance in your life?

It is a huge part of my life. In many ways, the lines are blurred between the personal and the performance. A lot of my work is performing parts of my own stories and making sense or un-sense of the things that I cannot fully understand.

What are you most looking forward to at Liveworks?

I am so excited to offer this show to Liveworks audiences. It is grief and joy cradling each other through song, dance, hehe haha's and poetry. My brother Michael Misa has contributed some original musical compositions and I cannot wait to be with audiences who may see themself in the show and his compositions. When I'm not in show prep mode you can catch me at Queer Woodchop - This is why I love Liveworks, Queers with axes is so HOT!