Yaron Lifschitz

  

Circa’s Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland and National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) where he was the youngest director ever accepted into its prestigious graduate director’s course. Since graduating, Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large-scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre and circus. His work has been seen in eighteen countries, across five continents by over 500 000 people.

He was founding Artistic Director of the Australian Museum’s Theatre Unit, Head Tutor in Directing at Australian Theatre for Young People and has been regular guest tutor in directing at NIDA since 1995. He is currently Artistic Director and CEO of Circa.

With Circa, Yaron has created works such as Wunderkammer, Circa, by the light of stars that are no longer..., The Space Between and 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes. His recent works have been reviewed as being “stunning”, “exquisite” and “the standard to which all other circuses can aspire”.

Yaron lives in Brisbane with his son, Oscar. His passion is creating works of philosophical and poetic depth from the traditional languages of circus.

Circa’s Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz stages How Like an Angel with Il Fagiolini for Perth Festival. He spoke with artsHub ahead of the performance.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
The usual – vet, pilot, paleontologist.

When did you know you would work in the arts?
Sometime towards the end of school. I fell in love with theatres. They made sense.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
Circus that moves you. Powerful, emotional. People doing amazing things in a way that is beautiful and moving.

Is there a mission to your work?
To create circus that moves the heart, the mind and the soul.

What's your background – what did you study to get to where you are?
I did a BA in English and History, studied directing and have a master’s degree in poetry. I’m not sure if these things helped get me where I am today.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
I check my email as soon as I wake up. The night’s emails from Europe and the US have come through. Also Facebook which has our show reports.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
I wish! When in Brisbane, there is an hour or so first up (6-7am), then I head to the office around 8. I do office stuff till 11, rehearse from 11-1, meetings 1-3 and then more rehearsals 3-5ish. Then there is usually 1-2 hours at night.

What's the one thing - piece of equipment, toy, security blanket, – you can't work without?
Macbook air.

What gets you fired up?
I try remain calm.

Who in the industry most inspires you?
Everyone at Circa. The work they do - day in, day out. In impossible circumstances. From Brisbane all around the world.

What in the industry do you despair about?
Who has time for despair?

What is the best thing about your job?
The people.

What’s the most challenging aspect?
The people.

What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
Grit. Love. Passion.

What advice would you give anyone looking to break into your field?
Why break in when you can come in? There is always room for obsessive people who want to make a difference.

How do you know when you missed the mark?
You just know.

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."

Maybe c. I have been lucky enough to enjoy a solid career with average talents and a strong work ethic. I am aware of my limitations and I work hard to mitigate them. It isn’t glamorous but as Edison once said Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

When do you know you’ve made it?
I have no idea. Success for me is waking up each morning and being excited by what the day holds.