Ari Maza Long on The Robot Dog

Tell us about your character in a nutshell. What drives them? 

Harry (Tjapaltjarri) Burnett is a man in his mid-twenties trying to juggle the complications of living as a Blackfulla in the modern western world. His ultimate goal is to be there for his loving partner Janelle Chan Yi Ling, but through this comes the big question: how can one be there for someone when they can’t even fully be there for themselves? Harry must then come to terms with his own discoveries of how we as people reconnect with our stories and culture, especially one that has been passed down as knowledge for countless generations. He must ask himself, is this something that had changed with the growth of technology or are these one of those things that there will only ever be one way to do? 

How do you embody your character?  

For me, the key to embodying Harry is finding out, through the writing, the truth of the character and exactly how much of that truth already exists within myself. I find one of my most important jobs as an actor is to discover the honesty of the role I am playing. What I mean by this is trusting in the script, the process and my scene partners, and to listen, respond and allow the emotions that come from this to have a role in speaking for themselves. However, there are a lot of factors to also take in – for example, Harry finds himself entering the house of the deceased parent of his partner, Janelle. Innately there is a discomfort that comes with this, which Harry must juggle with still being there as a supportive boyfriend, as well as trying to get a promotion at his corporate job, whilst also trying to reconnect with his culture. 

Kristie Nguy and Ari Maza Long in rehearsal. Photo: Tiffany Garvie

How do design elements like costumes, props and the set impact your performance? What helps and how?  

The design elements are crucial to me as an actor. Costume helps reveal how my character is embodied. Even something as simple as the shoes a character wears can influence the way they move through a space. In this play, the boldness of the clothes Harry chooses to wear has had a profound impact on how I see my character’s presence in the world. The set, with its intimate size, creates a confined space where the characters can interact. And with props, especially the bags scattered across the stage, the stakes are raised, making the space feel even smaller and more intense. 

What is a big idea or symbol in this play, in relation to your character?  

For me, the central theme of The Robot Dog is the blending of two distinct cultures within the modern, Western world of Australia, and how that might unfold in the future. It raises important questions about connection and reconnection to our cultural identities and stories, especially when we’ve been distanced from them by society. How do we navigate complex emotions like grief when our families come from such different histories – or are those differences even as significant as we think? I believe this play serves as a powerful conversation starter, leaving the audience with a lot of thought-provoking questions to carry with them.