Culture Club: Get To Know Jack Ziesing

Jack Ziesing knows a thing or two about inhabiting other worlds.

Over a 16-year career as a contemporary dancer, choreographer and actor, he has performed and toured extensively across Australia and internationally, working with companies including Stephanie Lake Company, Dancenorth and Queensland Ballet.

When he's not performing, his influences include Dant'’s Inferno, Gustave Doré’s engravings, horror films and thrillers – apparently the darker the better. He's also partial to a good story, whether it involves descending into hell or an audience in Mexico spontaneously getting up and joining a performance.

I caught up with Jack to find out his inspirations when creating, what media he's devouring at the moment, his perfect Adelaide day, and what’s next for him: France.

Tell us about your practice. What do you do?

I am a contemporary dancer/choreographer and actor. I have worked around Australia and overseas for the past 16 years with companies and as a freelancer, performing in a wide range of projects spanning from indie basement performances to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Where do you find inspiration when you're creating?

Dante's Inferno, particularly accompanied by Gustave Doré's engravings – no matter what kind of work I am making, I always have it close by. I love movies, especially thrillers and horror; I love the cathartic experience of them. And music, of course.

You’ve had such an extensive career across Australia and internationally. What's a career highlight or moment that stayed with you?

A standout moment was a tour of a show to Mexico in 2019 – we had an incredible live music element to the piece and halfway through the show the audience just got up out of their seats and danced with us onstage, completely unprompted. It was chaos but a very special moment.

What got you into acting, and what do you enjoy about it?

I've always loved the art of storytelling. I have many talented storytellers in my family, so I think I inherited that passion from them. But I've also always been fascinated by characters and experiences that aren’t my own. Living through a character and its journey is a lot of fun.

What does your perfect day in Adelaide look like for you? Where are you eating, drinking, spending time?

Coffee from Lockwood General Store, deli sandwich from Pinco’s, a few beers and some pool at the Wheaty, then a gig at The Gov.

What are you devouring at the moment – film, music, books?

The best fun I've had reading in a long time has been A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers. I was completely captivated by her writing and her main character. Music-wise, I've really been into Emma Ruth Rundle's new album These Killing Times - I think Emma is fucking fantastic. And I haven't seen it yet, but I want to watch the new Resident Evil.

What's next for you?

I tour to France in November with Stephanie Lake Company’s Manifesto, then take some Euro holiday time of my own.

Stay up to date with Jack @jacky_bones