G'day I'm Laura Burzacott also known as Burzie. I am an actor, singer and theatre maker, committed to telling new Australian stories and creating entertaining cabaret and music theatre. I am one of the driving forces behind cabaret a cappella group Ginger and Tonic, touring Australia in the award winning 'Desperate and Dateless' and 'For Love or Money.' As a founding member of the Present Tense Ensemble, I have performed in 'Chants Des Catacombes' (Melbourne/ Adelaide/ Castlemaine seasons), ‘Margaret Fulton Queen of the Dessert’ (Theatre Works) and ‘Ricercar’ (Theatre Works). Other credits include ‘Blue Angel’ (big hART and Tasmanian International Arts Festival), the national tour of 'Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls' and 'Standing on Ceremony: the Gay Marriage Plays' (Ellis Productions). 

I am a doughnut and sparkling enthusiast, with a pretty big obsession with my Jack Russell Poppy.

My creative practice is storytelling through a fusion of song, sound, movement and comedy. Over the last 11 years, I have been involved in creating original, self-devised works, exploring and bringing to life complex and exciting themes. Most recently I directed and facilitated the third year students from Federation University in Neon District.

This 2021 work, that could be described as a warped cabaret, was a direct response to the pandemic experienced throughout 2020, with references to the De Cameron (1353). As Director of this piece, I encouraged ensemble members to bring in individual and group offerings in the form of music, text, song and movement and, over a five week period, we workshopped, edited and distilled ideas to make a work that represented how COVID had affected them. The work was created by drawing upon viewpoints, pulse work, improvisation, provocations, movement work, singing and vocal workshops. 

Hailing from Ballarat, I have a big passion for bringing theatre to regional parts of Australia. In 2017 I teamed up with Jane Patterson and founded Backpack On Productions, after many years of singing, acting and producing independent theatre and cabaret. In May 2018/2019/2021, we co-produced the Bright Cabaret Festival with FAM Events and Productions. The festival took place over 3 days in May, held in the picturesque regional town of Bright in Victoria.  At Backpack On Productions we are passionate about community engagement, and creating joyful and enriching experiences for audiences, as well as fulfilling opportunities for artists.