Hannah Williams

  

Mercedes Benz is an exotic dancer. On a somewhat banal and mundane night at work, she takes a moment of time out to reflect on her time on one of Melbourne's most 'dangerous' and fascinating late night attractions.

Mercedes Benz... Awkwardly is an honest, comedic look at the behind the scenes world of an exotic performer. Glitter, champagne and stiletto heels are par for the course, creating an unattainable image - a fantasy persona. The performance is far more glamorous than the reality – the tan is fake and so is the playful, seductive dialogue. Using interpretive dance and song, Mercedes bends the truth, awkwardly, but lets you in on all her little secrets.

Writer and performer Hannah Williams discusses her career with ArtsHub.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A performer!

When did you know you would work in the arts?
When I was four and I first saw a John Farnham concert, but it was confirmed when I saw a piece of theatre called Mavis Goes To Timor at the Malthouse Theatre Company in 2003

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
I’m an emerging artist with a Bachelor of Acting who’s recently taken the plunge to write her first solo cabaret, premiering as a full length work for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. I’m a performer who’s always taken risks and is not afraid of doing something different, while trying to make people laugh, with a sprinkling of a cheesy song and dance thrown in for good measure.

Is there a mission to your work?
I want see if I can educate people on an array of different topics but I also want to provide an escape for everyday life. My mission whatever the topic or theme is to make choices that are big, bold and brave.

What's your background – what did you study to get to where you are?
I studied at Ballarat Arts Academy from 2004 - 2006 and completed at Bachelor of Acting.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
I sing or check for auditions in the usual listings.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
I moonlight as a teacher part time so that side of my work begins at 8:30 - 3pm teaching Drama and Dance to secondary students. Other days, because I’m producing my own show for the Melbourne Fringe I’m emailing out invites, getting advertising together, posters, etc, writing and editing the script, practicing songs, and finally getting together with my director to “run” everything so far.

What's the one thing - piece of equipment, toy, security blanket, – you can't work without?
A bottle of water, a soy chai latte, paper and a pen

What gets you fired up?
A good workout, a vocal warm up, or reality television.

Who in the industry most inspires you?
I think someone like Wes Snelling or Hannah Gatsby, somebody who’s a bit of an underdog but is incredibly hard working with a great talent. They both meet all of those criterions and always have new and innovative material and continually work to improve on their talent.

What in the industry do you despair about?
The lack of quality Australian television shows and theatre productions. Get rid of reality television!!!

What is the best thing about your job?
Not having to decide what career I want but having a new career and life within each new character. The people and friendships you make. Finding out who you are.

What’s the worst?
No security. The same people getting the same parts. Reality television!

What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
A thick skin, the ability to be flexible, a relentlessness attitude.

What advice would you give anyone looking to break into your field?
If there’s another career you love do it, if not, be prepared to be in it for the long haul.

How do you know when you missed the mark?
I don’t always, I’m still trying to figure that out.

Which of the below phrases best suits your career development to date and why?

a. "The road to success is always under construction. "
b. "Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor."
c. "Success is best measured by how far you've come with the talents you've been given. "
d. "No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."

A. because you should always maintain that everything you do is a work in progress. If I ever get to a point where I believe there is nothing more to learn and there is no improvement needed, I need to find another job.

Don’t forget to check out our Adelaide Fringe mini-site and the Adelaide Fringe homepage.