1/ Stage names. I’ve been asked why I have one and why Jacci Pillar. First of all, many have stage names. They are far more interesting than birth names. My chosen stage name is Jacci Pillar and in Alice Springs people knew who I was by day and my comedy name. Small town.

2/ Names are important. Since forever humans have chosen names, changed names, reclaimed names, had more than one name. It’s no mystery. Stage names are just another example - but they usually have meaning too. So I thought I would explain my choice of stage name.

3/ Surprisingly, even in a small town, sometimes people still didn’t put the two names together. They would sit next to me in meetings in my “serious” job - not connect it. Others would whisper “great show last night”. I would laugh and say “not now” and they would nod.

3/ There is a conscious mocking in the attribution of a stage name for me. It’s a way of giving conservative culture the proverbial middle finger. It’s also a way I channel creative energy for stage. It frees me up to be as outrageous as I want to be.

4/ I remember reading the late great Chrissy Amphlett’s book Pleasure and Pain - and she discussed her school uniform stage wear and what it performative freedom it allowed her. This is similar why people have stage names and why I develop characters as well.

5/ So that’s part of the reason. The other part is “Jacci” is a misspelling of Jacqui by another comedian that I liked and adopted. I also think it’s closer to gender neutral. So that’s the Jacci bit.

6/ Pillar was my fathers mothers maiden name. She was slight but fierce and stood up for the rights of women and the disadvantaged. I admired her, although she passed when I was very little.

7/ I’m always shocked when people think having more than one name is suspicious or worrying. One - they don’t know their history or understand performance and what a stage name does for the performer. Two - seriously how brainwashed by conservative values are they?

8/ For centuries, the oppressors and colonisers have used names as a way to oppress people. First fleet examples come to mind. Can’t pronounce it? Anglicise it! Want to control people’s movements? Control naming conventions.

9/ Sure, some people engaged in criminal activity have multiple names. But they won’t be open about it - and that’s not what I am talking about here. People have a right to name or rename themselves on ways that have meaning.

10/ Stage names might be more interesting or engaging. But usually they have meaning to. They allow us space to perform and create and feel free of societal constraints.