Hmong-Australian playwright, screenwriter, RMIT alumni and current PhD candidate Michele Lee's latest piece These Other Things recently showed at The Capitol, as RMIT Culture's annual Capital Commission performance.
The production explored the many lives and deaths that have shaped the creator and solo performer over the years - from Chris Pang and Paul Hollywood, to Princess Diana and the artist's Father John/Chu.
"These Other Things is about death and dying," said Lee.
"It is mostly autobiographical, looking at the deaths I've experienced over my life, including my dad passing in 2023.
"It's definitely serious and poignant, but we've put a lot of effort into making sure there is warmth in the play as well.
"There is a lot of humour in These Other Things. This is a conscious choice to give levity to this unavoidably sad subject matter."
Lee used the performance as a creative practice research piece to examine tough questions about acceptance, regret, and the messiness of grief.
"RMIT fosters an environment where creative, hands-on research, flourishes - allowing findings to be shared through artistic works," said Helen Withycombe, RMIT Creative Producer.
"Audiences can come on Michele's creative journey through the performance. It's hyper personal, but also really accessible, funny, and charming."
Performed at The Capitol, Lee's show is living proof of RMIT's unique offering to students of all disciplines.
"Having access to Melbourne's iconic The Capitol is a huge advantage for students undertaking creative practice research," said Ali Barker, RMIT Manager - Cultural Partnerships and Engagement.
"Michele's background and PHD focus is in creative writing, which is not necessarily a discipline you might think connects with a public theatre performance - but that's what makes the RMIT experience unique.
"Through this opportunity we were able to draw out Michele's experience as a theatre maker, writer and performer."
Michele Lee performing 'These Other Things' at The Capitol
Showcasing RMIT's commitment to providing practical, industry-based learning was the involvement of two current students in the production of These Other Things.
Master of Communication Design student Yiming Wei undertook an internship on the performance, creating props for the show including a giant re-production of the Canberra Times from August 31, 1997 - the day Princess Diana died and a key moment in the play.
"I was attracted to the internship when I found out it was working with real clients. I wanted to gain more experience working in Australia, and it felt like a great opportunity for me," said Wei, who is originally from China.
"Working from the concept path to the end of the project was really important for me, to begin to use my study in the real-life design field."
"I've never worked in the theatre before, and this was a really fun experience. It makes me feel confident in my design career to work in a more functional way."
Bachelor of Communications, Advertising student Shilo Saker said she enjoyed her internship experience, as it gave her the opportunity to work with a client for the first time.
"I enjoyed the internship because there was a layer of responsibility. It was good working with Michele, who knew what she wanted, and gave constructive and open feedback.
"What I took away from the internship is the transition from being a student to working in a professional workspace, and adapting my work from a student to a more professional standard."
These Other Things was supported by Hmong creatives Anthony Vanghoua Vue as Video Artist, Rafe Yang as Sound Designer, and Darren Thao as a performance and directorial Outside Eye.
Further input was given by RMIT's Creative Producer Helen Withycombe, Technical Production Coordinator Simon Maisch, Co-Director and Dramaturg Claire Granata, and ceiling lighting was designed by Rob Curulli.
The annual Capitol Commission is made possible by The Capitol Innovation Fund, which offers $10,000 to an RMIT researcher for the development of a creative initiative which culminates in a performance at The Capitol.
