Queer storyteller enchants audiences

FEDERATION University Australia alumnus Em Chandler is telling queer stories through her work as a Ballarat-based magician and theatre-maker.

Last week, Chandler was part of the inaugural Festival of Australian Queer Theatre, and she said the initiative is an important way to develop understanding among the community.

“It’s not only something that Australia needs but something that really fits with the work that happens by artists in Ballarat and regional theatre queer arts community,” she said.

“The festival itself is showing a real breadth and depth of queer theatre here in Australia.”

Chandler said queer theatre is more than having a queer character, but instead is about exploring nuance.

“It’s vital not only that we have representation but that we are exploring all the nuances that leads to making queer work,” she said.

“It’s about doing work that’s informed by queerness, that it’s not necessarily about coming out, although that is important.

“There is a whole level of nuance, complexity and exploration that comes from approaching theatre as a queer artist.”

Chandler has been a magician for nearly 20 years, connecting with children and adults through spells, stories and songs.

“I started as a magician when I was eight and I was obsessed with the 90s Worst Witch TV series as a kindergartener,” she said. “My mum and dad sent me to a magic shop in Ivanhoe and I’ve been a magician ever since which is nearly 20 years.”

After travelling to a Federation University Australian open day, Chandler decided to peruse her passion for theatre and performing at the Arts Academy.

Chandler won the 2012 Australian Junior Champion of Stage Magic and recently won best children’s show at the at Melbourne Magic Festival

“It was a tremendous joy to receive because I had been working on that particular show for about nine years

“I am deeply passionate about children’s theatre and making things that connect with not only kids but adults as well.”

Chandler said she hopes to see more funding to support queer theatre into the future to create a more compassionate community.

“All artists are always saying that we need more funding… the queer community of often on the back foot in terms of accessing funding,” she said.

“Theatre has the tremendous capacity to change opinions and ideas and it’s not a quick thing… but it drops one pebble in a pool of water and sends ripples.”