The Fame Reporter interviewed Brisbane theatre performer Jaya. They are currently starring as the Host and infamous Grinch in The Night With the Villains at Brisbane’s Ron Hurley Theatre from 29 October until 1 November.
Creator/Performer Jaya (they/them) is a Brisbane-based artist with over eight years of experience in the dance, arts, and events industries across Southeast Queensland, Melbourne, and internationally. Jaya brings a unique blend of cheeky irreverence and a strong work ethic to their craft, acknowledging the queer community for a lot of that influence. Holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, they excel in improvisation and audience engagement, with a particular passion for character creation and storytelling.
Jaya has worked with Norwegian Cruise Lines, was nominated for a Matilda Award Nomination 2024 for their role as Captain Hook in ‘A Night With the Villains’ by Mira Ball Productions, and won The Stage Buzzie Award for Best Audience Engagement in 2025 for their performance of Peter Allen in ‘The Boy From Oz’ at Beenleigh Theatre Group.
We sat down with Brisbane-based performer Jaya to chat about their return to A Night With The Villains, this time as The Grinch and host of the show. Having previously appeared as Captain Hook and Stacee Jaxx, Jaya shares what audiences can expect from this year’s production, bringing iconic villains to life, their creative journey and more!
Welcome to The Fame Reporter, Jaya! You’re returning to A Night With The Villains as this year’s host, taking on the iconic role of The Grinch. What can audiences expect from this year’s production, and what are you most excited about bringing to the stage?
Under the wonderful guidance of our returning creatives: Elodie Boal as Director/Writer/Producer, Jennifer B Ashley as Choreographer, Rae Rose as Musical Director, Jackie Frederickson on Costumes/Props, and Rosie Humphries on Makeup/Wigs/Props – you can absolutely expect an even more heightened experience of villainy, hilarity and festivity than ever before!
The team has certainly put a lot of time, thought and effort into levelling up the experience, as they do year after year, but seeing how this year is coming together – I really do think it will be something quite special and unique. Having the iconic Grinch as a host for a “Halloween” show, really does exemplify the TWIST that is being brought with this year’s production – for those audiences coming along, pay close attention to the incredible set design that will be a beautiful nod to Dr. Seuss, with a dark twist.
The Grinch has always been an inspiration to me as a performer and creative, and I am most excited to finally step into his shoes, adding my own flavour and causing mayhem for our other villains and audiences. It’s definitely a dream role, finally come true.
You’ve appeared in previous seasons as Captain Hook, earning a Matilda Award nomination, and Stacee Jaxx before returning as The Grinch. How has your journey with the production evolved, and what makes each of these characters unique to perform?
I certainly have been very lucky, and feel extremely grateful to Elodie that she has created these platforms for Brisbane artists, and for me especially to create, play and perform.
Each character I’ve had the privilege to bring to life are so starkly different, and that has been the most exciting challenge for me to find out how they tick, what their motivations are, and how they relate to the other villains they’re thrown into the mix with.
I love having the space to play and continuously add offers and add more layers to these characters throughout the rehearsal process, and even during the performance season, and that has certainly been some of my favourite moments embodying these characters.
The Grinch is known for his mischief, sarcasm and unexpected softer side. How have you approached making the character your own, particularly as the host guiding audiences through the night?
Through exploring how the Grinch sits in my body and sits in my voice, I have definitely gleaned that there are a variety of ways to portray him. Of course you have the original Dr. Seuss version, then Jim Carey, and of course Benedict Cumberbatch as the main three versions we are used to.
I definitely am channeling a lot of Jim Carey in my version, he is an inspiration to me as an artist for his incredible versatility, humour and improvisation skills. But you may also see quite a few sprinkles of Mike Myers – some Cat in the Hat and Dr. Evil – as well as Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose.
Those three incredible and incomparable artists are my influence to bring him to life, as well as adding my own flavour from years of hosting events in the mix too.
You have a particular passion for character creation, improvisation and audience engagement. How do you develop a character from the ground up, and how much room do you leave for spontaneous moments onstage?
There is definitely moments where things are very set dialogue and blocking wise – especially to guide the audiences through a safe, informed and enjoyable experience. But there is still a lot of room and permission for play and spontaneity. Within the process of ‘A Night with the Villains’, a lot of the incredible moments from past seasons have been due to the performers’ abilities to riff off the different audiences each and every night. That is something I especially LOVE to do.
My process though? Ensuring I have enough material and understanding of who the character is, before we get to the audience stage. So that I’m able to whip things out off the cuff that are still within the context of what, The Grinch, for example, would say/do. Lots of research, lots of testing, and most importantly, lots of laughs.
You won The Stage Buzzie Award for Best Audience Engagement in 2025 for playing Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz. What do you think makes a truly memorable connection with an audience, and do you approach that differently when performing as a villain?
Being down to earth and getting on their level. Talking to them like they’re your friends who you love and adore, rather than pretending you are a level above them on some sort of pedestal.
To any audience who came along to The Boy from Oz and who comes along to this season of A Night with the Villains, I truly do love them and adore them for coming and supporting the show and the team! So bringing the love and the connection to that has always been crucial to me.
I’m here to take them on this journey they’ve agreed to go on, and I want to make sure they feel comfortable, taken care of and entertained.
Your work spans dance, theatre, events and international performance, including working with Norwegian Cruise Lines. What have these varied experiences taught you about adapting your performance style to different audiences and environments?
What a question! Honestly, I think I may have seen all types. Think of a type of community, and I probably have had some interaction with them in some capacity. Rich, poor, old, young, corporate, not-for-profit, urban, rural, abled and disabled, queer or not etc. I feel entirely grateful to my past experiences to have been able to expose me to a wide variety of communities, to deepen my understanding of performance, facilitation and hosting.
At 21 years of age, I had to host a 6-Star dinner of several senile widows from all across the globe who the majority were tipsy and laughing about spending their deceased husband’s money, while one lady was still very heartbroken, needing my young-self to pivot the table conversation away from dead hubby money to something lighter like the food haha. Just a small, wild example of some of my experience.
You’ve acknowledged the influence of the queer community on your creative approach. How has that community shaped your performance style, sense of humour and approach to storytelling?
You got it in one. It’s the sense of humour of it all and having the ability to laugh at yourself. This has also given me the ability to sometimes be quite straight-forward with my opinions and my ideas – because as long as it’s said with love and connection, then that’s what matters most.
Being able to have some light-hearted banter, rib people a little bit while being ribbed yourself, while still feeling safe and loved – is ultimately a huge part of the queer experience.
Looking back on your Matilda Award nomination for Captain Hook in 2024, what did that recognition mean to you, and how has your career developed since then?
It was a complete surprise, delight and whirlwind. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had a contract dancing with Norwegian Cruise Lines that was cut short and decided to take some time away from performing for a few years to focus on Arts Management and Event Production down in Melbourne.
Returning to performing life in Brisbane after moving back home to help my family recoup after the 2022 Floods, A Night with the Villains in 2024 was only my second show to work on since my hiatus – which receiving the Matilda Nom, completely and utterly re-established for me that performing is a huge part of who I am and what I love to do.
Of course awards aren’t everything and judging is always subjective, but it definitely raised my confidence level haha. Since then, I have done more shows per year than I ever have before and have truly embraced that part of myself and continue to audition, improve my skills and set my sights on brighter futures.
Some people say you can’t and shouldn’t work in AND out of the performing world at the same time if you want to go places – but I believe you absolutely CAN, and not only that, but it is IMPORTANT; staying connected to reality and connected to community. I mean in terms of character research and development, what better tool is there than life experience?
If you could play any other iconic villain in a future season of A Night With The Villains, who would you choose and why?
What a question, this is definitely a tricky one as Captain Hook & the Grinch are my favourite Villains of all time haha. I do love a good gender-bend and exploring that non-binary, queer part of myself – and one day, who knows, I’d love to see myself play Frankenfurter! That would be such a fun challenge.
It has already been done in a past season so I think that’s off the cards – but something that HASN’T been done which is very in the same vain of Frankenfurter, is the character HIM fromThe Powerpuff Girls. If you don’t know them, a quick google search says it all. That was my favourite show growing up as a kid and there is SO much to play with there. Plus the pink ruffles and black high heel boots are stunning stunning stunning. Definitely HIM for sure.
Finally, what makes A Night With The Villains such a special experience for performers and audiences alike, and why should theatre lovers come along to see this year’s production?
If you want to see exceptional SEQ talent, bringing some of your favourite and iconic villains to life in a space where they are interacting with each other and COMPETING for your votes by performing their own songs and cover’s of pop songs to ultimately resurrect one of them? Then this is the place to be haha.
It is the hunger games and the olympics of the villains world. I mean we all love a hero…but I think we love a villain a little bit more…it’s truly a remarkable event that has solidified itself in the Brisbane Performing Arts calendar and should not be missed! What better way to spend your Halloween!
Thank-you for joining us at The Fame Reporter Jaya. We wish you all the best for A Night With the Villains.
TICKETS
A Night With the Villains
Ron Hurley Theatre, Brisbane
Playing from 29 October – 1 November
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