Sofia Chapman 

Sofia is a Tasmanian born musician, writer, director, composer, artist and filmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia. Sofia plays accordion with the band Vardos and has co-produced 6 plays at La Mama, Carlton, with Burning Deck Theatre Company.

Listen to original recordings and radio plays here, and here!

Sofia's award-winning short film in French and English based on the short story ‘The Cave of Dr Cayla’ premiered in Nigeria. Director of photography Bruce Reilly of Feathered Engine Films. Cast includes Eloise Caleo as the mysterious Dr Cayla, and Sofia Chapman captured here in rehearsal by stills photographer Melisa Savickas. Thanks to our sponsors Coffex, and our Pozible supporters. More here: The Cave of Dr Cayla

Sofia's next film project, 'An Ex in Provence' has  received support through Lesbians Inc. The film features Faezeh Alavi, completion anticipated 2024. You can still be part of this creation! Please contact via the email address below.

Two compositions from this film, 'Over a Year' and 'Satie Rag', are published by Wirripang - explore here!

Other films include the short silent film Entertaining Countess Dracula.

Sofia's début short story, The Cave of Dr Cayla, written during a residency at Sainte Valière in France in 2015 was published in Gargouille Literary Journal Issue 4 in 2016. An Ex in Provence appeared in Howard Firkin's anthology 'One Surviving Story', In Case of Emergency Press 2020. Sofia's third, semi-autobiographical short story Cretan Jail Journal featured in the Irish literary magazine The Blue Nib in 2020.

Sofia's Untitled, or The Seat of Narcissa was published by Australian Plays Transform in 2020. Narcissa was released as an audioplay in 2020, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. We acknowledge the Yalukit Willam Peoples of the Boon Wurrung, First Peoples of Country on which we recorded at Melbourne Theatre Company.

'The humour and wit of Chapman’s writing is immediate and doesn’t stall for a single moment, aided by a strong and energetic cast whose comic timing and delivery had the audience cackling from beginning to end.' Ross Larkin, Theatre Press, of Untitled, or The Seat of Narcissa.

After a sold out La Mama season in January 2020 with music by Vardosoutside eye by Görkem Acaroğlu and lighting by Teri Steer, The Top Secret Violin Case  is available as an audioplay,  supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants.

'An extraordinary gleeful exploration of some dark political events that besieged Eastern European countries under communist regimes. This light-hearted approach does not belittle the issues but allows the audience to see how suspicion and paranoia pervaded all aspects of life in countries like Romania... a highly energetic and lively production that is full of unexpected and enchanting moments.' Patricia Di Risio, Stage Whispers.

Sofia won the 'Best Emerging Writer' Award at Melbourne Fringe 2012 for the play The Four Accordionists of the Apocalypse, directed by Jo Loth at La Mama Courthouse, with dramaturgy by Jami Bladel, Richard Bladel and May-Brit Akerholt. This award was provided by Writers Victoria and Melbourne Theatre Company.

Sofia's first book in print, the play Todd in Venice was published by In Case of Emergency Press and launched in May 2021 at La Mama. Sofia gave an online talk through Moreland City Libraries during Midsumma Festival of Queer Arts: watch back here.

Sofia's short film DOGS/DEMONS/DESTINY was selected for screening at London Lift Off 2020, Lisbon Film Rendezvous 2021 and The New Cinema Film and Music Festival, Las Vegas 2021, sponsored by Coffex.

The sheet music for piano is available from Wirripang publishing.   

Our heroes are in a large compound surrounded by wild dogs. Their guardian claims the dogs have come from another planet to attack LGBTQIA+ people and that the compound is there to keep them safe. However the dogs break in and are friendly. The Captives realize they have been duped, and decide to escape. DOGS/DEMONS/DESTINY features Jo, Umzy, Frankie and Darcy. Human talent comprises Alex Beyer, Dragomir Fotherington-Smythe, KT Prescott, Will Tait, Lisa Toinen Mullin and Zofia Witkowski-Blake. Principal camera Bruce Reilly, music by Sofia, stills Melisa Savickas.

Sofia was shortlisted for the 2022 Dorothy Porter Award for Poetry.

Sofia appeared at the Emerging Writers' Festival and International Festival of Literature in Translation in 2012 and Poetry at Federation Square 2013. Sofia's poem 'Villanelle: Detention Centre' appeared in Regime 02 W.A. and 'Nancy Nails, dominatrix' won Australian Poetry 'Poem of the Week' in 2013. Sofia was Café Poet at Open Studio, 204 High St Northcote for two years supported by the Australian Poetry 'Café Poet' Program. Sofia's poem, 'A Boot Left in Wellington' appears in n-SCRIBE magazine issue 11, 'Death of a Guinea Pig' in issue 13 and 'Web of Discontent' in issue 14, and 'In my Boudoir'  in 'One Surviving Poem' anthology, In Case of Emergency Press 2019. Sofia's poem 'Stockings' appeared in Monash University's 2023 publication, 'Verge'. 

Sofia's Desperate Gallery was published by Lazy Bee Publishing UK, in 2012 and has been performed in Canada, New Zealand and the United States. In Australia it was a finalist in the SHORT and SWEET play Festival, Seymour Centre, Sydney and Arts Centre, Melbourne and also part of the season: 'Softly Softly' presented by Quiet Roar May 2022 at The Collection Bar, Melbourne

Sofia's other La Mama plays are The Anorexic Chef, 2011 and the short play, The Accidental Death of an Accordionist, 1998. Sofia also features in La Mama's 50th anniversary book, MUP 2017. Sofia appeared as part of La Mama War-Rak / Banksia Festival in December 2021 celebrating the reopening of La Mama Theatre. 

Sofia is a professional accordionist with the band Vardos. Why did Sofia take up the accordion? What is an accordion even? Find out more: Read Sofia's 2019 article on Melbourne Recital Centre SoundEscapes.

You too can play Sofia's accordion compositions!

Order digital or printed sheet music works for piano accordion, and others for piano HERE! Published since 2021 by Wirripang. 

Sofia's radio program 'The Extreme Accordion Show' aired on 29 August 2019 as a Graveyard Shift on RRR Radio 102.7FM, stay tuned for more.


Contact: sofiachapman (at) hotmail.com