About Joseph J Lai
Headshots by Amelia J Dowd
Joseph is a Chinese Australian performer based in Melbourne, with a passion for movement practices. Since graduating the Victorian College of the Arts Joseph has pursued this passion by devising and producing shows with his physical theatre company The Human Project, receiving his level 2 Certification from the Society of Australian Fight Directors Incorporated, becoming a practitioner of Tanya Gerstle’s Pulse methodology and completing an Honours degree researching theatrical play. In 2018 he received the Ian Potter Travel Grant to study clowning at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France and collaborate with Rapier Wit Stage Combat school in Canada as a movement practitioner.
Acting Mantra
“Listen with sensativity respond with specificty”
Training and Qualifications
Bachelor of Fine Arts (with Honours) in Theatre Practice
Acquired at The Victorian College of the Arts. 2013-2016
Specialised Stage Combat Qualifications
With the Society of Australian Fight Directors Inc 2014-2021
Fundamentals of Clowning
at the Philippe Gaulier International Theatre School 2018
Artist Residancy | Guest Teacher
at Rapier Wit Toronto 2018
Contemporary Asian Australian Performers Acting Workshop
With Sarah Goodes at The Melbourne Theatre Company. 2017
Company of Wolves Winter Workshop
With Ewan Downie and Anna Porubcansky. At the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. 2017
Teaching secondment under Scott Witt
At the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. 2016
Performance Work
Upcomming Work
Well Bless | Yachi
Directed by Kellie Tori at Theatre Works
Still | Constantinople
Directed by Sarah Vickery at 45 Downstairs
2021
Subject | The Subject
Directed by Tristan Barr with Continuence Productions at Cannes Film Festival
Swan Lakers | Trendy Barista
Directed by Leah Annetta
2020
Peter and the Wolf | Narrator/Pupperteer
with The Melbourne Synphony Orchestra
Hitmen | Stage Combat Consultant
Directed by Blake Barnard with The Bakers Dozen
2019
Love/Chamberlain
Directed by Cathy Hunt at Theatre Works
Refugees, Rememberance and Resilience | Performer
Directed by Zachary Dunbar with Being Human Festival
All the Locks are Solid and Tight | Julien and Charles
Directed by Cathy Hunt at La Mama Explorations
2018
An Ideal Husband | Nanjac, Butler and James
Directed by Dean Bryant with the Melbourne Theatre Company
Welcome to Sameville | Simon
Directed by Sam Foster and Hayden Jones with Shock Therapy Productions and The Commonwealth Games
2017
Woodford Folk Festival Fire Event | Lead Performer
Directed by Sam Foster with Woodford Folk Festival
Repent or Perish | Jayden
Directed by Mathew Pastor Victor
Hitmen | Stage Combat Consultant
Directed by Blake Barnard with The Bakers Dozen
Cybec Electric | Performer
Directed by Jo Kukathas and David Jiang with the Melbourne Theatre Company and Asia TOPA Festival
2016
The Removalist | Stage Combat Consultant
Directed by Lara Keresties with the Bakers Dozen Theatre Company
2.0 Contact | Creator, Performer and Producer
With The Human Project Ensemble at Melbourne Fringe
Food Fathers | Creator and Performer
With Spatula and Barcode at Performance Studies International
Barkers Choir | Director and Performer
With Spatula and Barcode at Performance Studies International
The Human Project V1.1 | Creator, Performer and Producer
With The Human Project Ensemble at Adelaide Fringe
Gabby's First Time | Lad
Directed by Tristan Barr with Barr Lipp Films at Noosa Film Festival
Purgastory | Smiley
With Neosurge RG Media
2015
The Chapel Perilous | Saul and Fight Captain
Directed by Tanya Dickson with VCA
The Human Project | Creator and Performer
With VCA in collaboration with Melbourne Fringe
10 Minute Dance Parties | Performer and DJ
At Lorne Falls Festival 2014-2015
2014
Fewer Emergencies | Voice
Directed by Lara Kerestes with VCA
The Seagull | Medvidenko
Directed by Melanie Beddie with VCA
2012
Romeo and Juliet | AD, Fight Captain and Capulet
Directed by Daniel Carney with The Rocket Boy Ensemble
Iphigenia 2.0 | Ensemble Member
Directed by David Sleswick with Vena Cava and Motherboard Production
The Toilet Show | Creator and Performer
With Cradle Productions at Newcastle’s TiNA Festival