Staying Home: Kate Ceberano has found a way to channel her talents from home

Staying Home is a series of interviews with well-known Australians to learn how they are dealing with isolation and social distancing.

Being home-bound hasn’t stopped Australian singer/songwriter Kate Ceberano from performing. In fact she’s found a way to channel her talents from the comfort of her home and is recruiting others for the ride.

She’s gathered her out-of-work actor friends to take part in streamed monologue readings of George Orwell novels and is co-hosting a cardiofunk exercise videos from her backyard to keep the creativity flowing.

“I think there’s two kinds of people out there; those who take the situation we’re in lying down, and those who get back up and find a way through it,” says Ceberano.

“I’ve chosen to do something. When I knew I would be hanging around the house for a while, I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. I’m a doer – so I rounded my friends, got ideas flowing and I’m just keeping the momentum going,” she says.

Ceberano has also collaborated with independent Melbourne designer Estelle Michaelides of Micky in the Van fame for a Stay the Funk Home retro tee that is for sale online. It’s an ode to these iso-age times.

“I have always been about celebrating homegrown art and worn Melbourne designers, so it felt like a natural fit to come up with this idea with Estelle,” says Ceberano.

And while she admits there are occasional sleepless nights pondering what might happen next, Ceberano is trying to stay positive. She is also doing her bit to raise money for Support Act via lounge room gigs, too.

“It breaks my heart [that] the entertainment industry is suffering so much,” she says.

“This is my way to raise money from my home and bring people together with my musician friend Kathleen Halloran, because every little bit is helping someone in need.”

Favourite room at home 

It’s the room with my grand piano. I sound like a wanker saying that, but I think every house should have a piano because it becomes a spiritual kitchen. Anyone can sit down and have a go. Sometimes what you make out of it doesn’t work – like cooking. There’s a meditation to it and the sound and feeling it offers. It’s very therapeutic.

DIY project 

I bought some alpaca wool and have started knitting a jumper. It’s inspired by a Jean Paul Gaultier boater style. There’s no pattern, I am making it up as I go along.

 How I relax at home 

My brother Paul Ceberano is a martial artist. He has all the gear and brought over some amazing tatami mats. They are slightly sprung mats and I can put them out in the garden when the weather is good and do a workout class there without hurting myself. I have been doing that every morning with my husband Lee Rogers.

What I’m reading 

I have enlisted all my acting friends who are out of work and we’re reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm. We are doing live monologues. You can join my Facebook group and we have a book club and I have actors like Virginia Gay joining in.

Baking at the moment 

Two of my favourite recipes are in the River Café Cookbook. My absolute favourite and fail-proof recipes are osso bucco and the Italian lemon tart. It pings in your mouth with butter and sweetness.

What I’m planning right now 

It broke my heart that I didn’t know what I would be doing for the next six months, but it’s been a restoration project for me ever since. A young musician, Kathleen Halloran, moved into our studio apartment and fortunately for me I get to produce these new shows every week online. We get to invite the artists and fundraise so we can support our community and put money into Support Act.

Recent home purchase 

I’m obsessed with my battery-operated leaf blower. I know it sounds ridiculous. It serves not only as a great garden tool in the backyard; but they’re a great dust or mop alternative and I blow the dust out of the front door.

Favourite time of day at home 

I think the nights have been frustrating because I keep waking up. I think it comes from a lack of stimulation in the daytime with the community collaboration we are used to.  I do love sitting down after dinner with my knitting and getting into my Netflix. I have been watching Call My Agent and the women in it thrill me.

Staying home tip 

Make sure you have discipline with food and alcohol. Don’t reward yourself with food or alcohol if you have made it through the day. That’s rule number one. And coffee is not water; don’t drink it like it is.

App you’re using

Zoom is the latest one I have downloaded and am using every day now.