From over 150 applicants, Henry has been selected into this new initiative from La Mama Theatre
Run in partnership with Australian Plays Transform (APT), La Mama Pathways will guide 12 Melbourne based emerging to mid-career playwrights in developing new works. The program offers nut-and-bolts sessions on the tools for performance writing, along with seminars and presonalised dramaturgy with industry professionals.
“For over a decade, Melbourne Theatre Company’s annual series of Cybec Electric play readings have brought the beating heart of theatre to audiences interested in fresh new stories and electric writing. With scripts in hand, an ensemble of brilliant actors presents new works-in-progress under the guidance of talented directors and dramaturgs.
In 2023 we celebrate three new exciting playwrights joining the ranks: Henry Kelly, Wendy Mocke and Jordan Shea.
Cybec Electric offers a coveted opportunity to be a part of the development process for new Australian stage plays – don’t miss your chance to be among their very first audiences.”
Henry sits down with Midsumma Festival to chat about his award nominated new work, HELL FIRE, mortal boys.
In all my years involved with theatre, I can count on one hand how many pieces I’ve seen where a transmasculine person is at the centre of the story.
Read the full article here.
Article by Izzie Brownbill
Presented by Midsumma Festival & Gasworks Arts Park, Henry’s new work HELL FIRE, mortal boys has been selected as one of four finalists for Midsumma’s Queer Playwriting Award Showcase.
Witness the first staged readings of brand new queer focused theatre works
Join us for a unique night of fresh excerpts from our top four finalists:
Ramona Glasgow by Ellis Austin Finnie
HELL FIRE, mortal boys by Henry Kelly
Numa & Karl: Extraordinary Man That He Was by Em Chandler
Waterfowl by Callum Mackay
Be the first to experience new work on stage, hear queer issues and voices, engage with new playwriting talent and have your say in the 2023 Award selection.
Fresh from the world premiere at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this Gen Z post dramatic existential comedy will have its Australian premiere season at Theatre Works as part of The Melbourne Fringe Festival.
‘How To Be a Person When the World Is Ending is what would happen if Caryl Churchill and Bo Burnham collaborated.’ - Talking Horse Theatre
Written by: Myfanwy Hocking
Directed by: Meg Dunn
Performed by: Meg Dunn, Myfanwy Hocking, Henry Kelly, Sebastian Li, Lachlan Clarke
Produced by: Flick Flick City
Sound Design: Danni A. Esposito
Stage Management: Sunny Youngsmith
Australian Arts Review caught up with Henry to chat about art, and his new show Call Me By Your Dead Name.
Image by Claudia Howarth.
“My practice is constantly growing and shifting, and I’m very open to following the path of my curiosities. I’m of the opinion that what I was interested in yesterday, informs what I explore today, and that nothing is wasted.”
Read the full interview at artsreview.com.au.
Henry was raised to be the perfect little altar girl.
Henry grew up to be the exact opposite.
With the apocalypse on his doorstep, Henry is now confronted with that big Catholic question: am I going to hell?
Call Me By Your Dead Name is a comedic and cathartic reflection on faith, gender, and sexuality since performer and writer Henry Kelly came out as transgender in 2019. Brimming with tales that prove that life really is stranger than fiction, this heartfelt journey of self-acceptance is the coming of age story set in your mid-twenties, that you didn’t know you needed.
Henry Kelly (Guerilla Sabbath, Swim Between the Flags) is an emerging artist based in Melbourne/Naarm, who graduated in the inaugural class of The Victorian College of the Arts’ BFA Theatre program. With an extensive ensemble based background, Henry is now embarking on the feat that is the one man show – and is doing so by sharing his own story of transition. A story weaved between memories, epiphanies, and penance, Henry explores his own faith and queerhood with a refreshing perspective.
Written and Performed by: Henry Kelly
Sound Design, Lighting Design, and Operation by: Olivia McKenna
Props by: Hahnie Goldfinch
Image by: Claudia Howarth
Call Me By Your Dead Name – 2 to 7 May, 2022
The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, (off Lt. Collins), Melbourne VIC 3000 Times: Monday 2nd – Saturday 7th, 8:30pm
Tickets: $35 Full, $31 Concession, Group (6+) $28, Member $28, Early Bird $26.
TO BOOK TICKETS visit thebutterflyclub.com
Pedestrian TV and Absolut Vodka have teamed up to bring you a look into the lives of queer rural Australians in The Show All Your Colours Tour for Pride 2021. Episode 5 features Henry, talking about his coming out journey.
Directed by George Lazaris, Henry joins the cast of the world premiere production of Guerilla Sabbath, playing the role of Lawrence.
Tickets can be booked here.
“A coven of transcendent, tea-drinking, time-travelling witches wage war to restore forgotten queer histories. But having recently lost two of their own, and in search of replacements, the coven starts to fracture, fingers are pointed, and tension runs high.”
Three Fates Theatre Company catch up with Henry to see what he’s up next, what he’s doing to stay creative, and who he’d like to be locked up with during quarantine.
“I'm an actor, theatre maker, and writer. I approach the work I make through a queer lens, and wouldn't have it any other way.”
Listen to Henry on the Chats with Creatives podcast, as he sits down with host Bronte Charlotte, to discuss his experience transitioning during drama school, the difference between acting and making, and navigating the industry as a plus size actor.
“It is a story that feels inauthentic because it has been taken from that community.”
Henry chats with Mireille Stahle from The Victorian College of the Arts about his most recent projects during COVID-19, and life post graduation.
“People change, our interests change, and maybe one artistic medium isn’t going to serve what you want to say at a particular moment in time. I think artists should always be adapting, and shouldn’t limit themselves to what interested them yesterday if it doesn’t interest them today.”
Theatre Works’ Backstage Blog reached out to the creative team of Ellen Grimshaw’s new work.
“Meet the We’re Probably Really Really Happy Right Now cast and creatives and get an insight into developing theatre online during this strange time in human history.”