Rod Lara

Actor, physical comedian, mime artist, dancer, Award winning filmmmaker and visual artist.

 

With a career spanning 20 + years, Rod Lara has been hailed as a "master of physical comedy and characterisation". Rod strives to push the envelope with his unique brand of comedy, utilizing the skills of physical comedy, circus arts, mime and dance.

Trained in the circus arts, as well as holding a degree in Film & Television from the Victorian College of the Arts. Rod's knowledge in these fields has helped him undertake his very own prolific productions.

Rod was a recent Winner at the Australian Isolation Film Festival 2020 with his short film 'Isolation'. Also praised at the UK Isolation Film Festival 2020. 

 

Now a brief summary on Rod's journey as a performer...
 

In 2012-13, Rod produced, co-directed and performed in 'Top Marx: The Ultimate Marx Brothers Revue Show'. The show toured for a year with great success.

 

In 2014, he wrote and performed 'Last Mime Standing' for both the 2014 Melbourne Comedy Festival and 2014 Melbourne Fringe Festival with a great reception from audience and critics alike.

 

Rod's other credits include performances for Opera Australia's many productions, such as: 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (2009), 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (2010), 'Carmen' (2014) and 'Rigoletto' (2019). He has also made regular appearances on television, including: 'The Great Debate' (2013), 'Jumping Jellybeans' and numerous commercials; most notably 'Old El Paso', 'BullHorn TP', 'Carlton Cold', 'Lexus', and most recently 'BCF'.

Rod's career has now taking him to the medium of TV/Film! To top off this list of extensive experience, Rod has played part in three US TV series in 2015: 'Childhood's End', 'Hunters', and 'Preacher' where he was cast as a mime. Also appearing in comedian Jude Perl's music video 'Contagious'.

In 2019, Rod appeared as his lovable Banjo has been in 1 hour TV special 'Silent Comedy' and TV talk/sketch show 'Mainland Tonight'.

Despite 2020 turbulence, Rod was cast in a TV ad for 'BCF' (Boat, Camping & Fishing) and music video for EAST YORK's single 'Circus'.

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2020 also brought Rod new adventures with a 2nd place Award with his short film 'Isolation'. Rod's original character Banjo stars in 'Isolation'.

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Rod continued on directing short films in 2021. His next cinematic creation is 'Lockdown'. 

Both 'Isolation' & 'Lockdown' have won accolades & awards around the world.

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Also in 2021, Rod was able to showcase his physical comedy & mime skills as a featured performer in Opera Australia's production of 'Ernani' - Autumn Melbourne season.

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2022 has brought Rod a stage appearance in Opera Australia's 'La Traviata' which was performed at the Arts Centre of Melbourne. Plus further film & TV works - 'Ladbrokes' TV ad as a soccer commentator and a part in US feature film 'Late Night With The Devil' to be released in 2023.

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Rod Lara - IMDB