Santa Daddy

‘Santa Daddy’ is about the commodification of Christmas, individual sexuality and retail workers.

In an act of defiance, a young woman named Ren decides that she's going to seduce Santa Claus, regardless of the emotional and interpersonal ramifications. Meanwhile, Ren’s best friend Mary is in head-over-heels lesbian love with her.

The pair work at a department store during Christmas time and must withstand the low level abuse and degradation that service workers experience every day. All the while knowing that Santa Claus sees them when they are sleeping and knows when they are awake. He will cast an ultimate judgement upon them as they navigate living in late stage capitalism.

‘Santa Daddy’ is tongue in cheek, twisted but ultimately a life affirming play about queer love in Santa Claus’ world.

https://www.millztheatre.com/

Cast Bios

Amelia Newman (they/them) is a writer, theatre maker and performer born in Narrm. Amelia has had their work presented at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Northcote Town Hall, Arts House and Siteworks. Amelia’s debut play ‘Younger and Smaller' is published with Australian Plays Transform and has been produced by schools across the country. Amelia Co-wrote The World According to Dinosaurs which was on the VCE Drama Playlist in 2023. They are based in Djilang/Geelong.

Lucy Orr (she/her) is a Naarm based actor working across film and theatre. Of her film work, she most recently appeared in Koko Crozier's 18th-century horror short film 'Mother' and Jordie Katz’ experimental feature Blue Boy. She also starred in the indie feature 'You Can Say Vagina', by Siobhan Jackson and Mischa Baka which screened at festivals nationally and internationally. Of her theatre work, Lucy has performed at Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festivals and on independent stages across Melbourne, including Amelia Newman's Claire Come Home at Theatre Works in 2024 directed by Sarah Hartnell. She has trained with Peter Kalos, Peter Blackburn, Lisa Robertson and Emily Joy.

Lucy Payne (she/her) is a multidisciplinary creative focusing on urgent, engaged theatre that always has storytelling at its core. Her previous acting credits include Anatomy of a Suicide (Heartstring Theatre), Unestablished (La Mama), Mi:Wi 3027 (La Mama), Exiles (FortyFiveDownstairs), An Indigenous Trilogy (La Mama), Bayou Bart (Theatreworks), Merchant of Venice (Eagles Nest) and Hey is Dee Dee Home? A Punk Rock Sitcom (The Knack Theatre). As an Intimacy Director Lucy has trained with US-based Intimacy Directors & Coordinators International (IDC) whilst continuing to build her practical portfolio in Naarm/Melbourne. She also works as a director, designer and dramaturg. As a creative her credits include Ilarun (FortyFiveDownstairs), Skating in Clouds (Theatreworks), Me and the DOG (Melbourne Fringe), My First Bike (La Mama), ADA (La Mama), Three Magpies Perched in a Tree (La Mama), For Love nor Money (Victorian Theatre Company), Pieces of Shit (Butterfly Club) alongside student films for VCA and Swinburne. Lucy was part of the 2023 La Mama Pathways course for emerging playwrights. She is a proud MEAA member.

Sam Dolan is an actor, director, theatre-maker, and President of Theatre Youth Unleashed a non-profit theatre skills building organisation for young people. Originally from East Gippsland, Sam has recently been working on independent theatre shows in Naarm/Melbourne since graduating from Federation University’s Arts Academy in 2020 with a Bachelor of Acting for Stage and Screen.

PJ White is a comedian, writer, and performer based in Geelong. He runs Comedy Underground at Manhattan Bar, a home for alternative and emerging comedy. He’s the co-creator of The Laugher Party, best known for Drunk Improv, a sell-out at the Geelong Comedy Festival. PJ has performed in original Melbourne shows like Blaise It In Your PJ’s and Clag, and on lineups including Sperlunken and Footloose Comedy. In 2022, he trained under Philippe Gaulier in France, deepening his skills in physical comedy, clown, and character work.

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