Event Type: Festivals

Davina Wright

Davina Wright is a site-specific artist currently living in nipaluna/Hobart. 

She makes site specific, nonlinear and immersive theatre that looks at loneliness, suburbia, violence and feminism. She wrote and directed This is Grayson; a performance for audience 8+ with her collective Gold Satino. It received four Green Room Award Nominations in the Contemporary and Experimental Performance panel and received the awards for Innovation in Site Responsive Performance and Performance for Young Audiences.

Risa Muramatsu Ray

Risa began her dancing career at an early age,  studying both classical and modern ballet and receiving numerous awards at the national competition level. In 2006 she entered the Japan Women’s College of Physical Education, home to some of Japan’s rhythmic sports  gymnastics olympic medal winners, where she majored in contemporary dance and poured her creative energies into choreography, stage production and dramatic composition while performing as a contemporary dancer in Tokyo.  

Complimenting her work in the contemporary sphere, Risa has also  

performed regularly at numerous music festivals and many of Tokyo’s  most famous clubs, as well as contributing her skills in event production  and choreography to many artists both in Japan and on the international stage. Now Risa is based in Tasmania and she is enjoying creating her  works inspired by Tasmanian nature.

Adie Delaney 

Adie began her circus career at NICA in 2004. After graduating she left Australia to Europe to join the UK’s largest touring contemporary circus company NoFitState. Over 8 years she performed swinging and flying trapeze, hula hoops, fire, acrobatics, trampolining, roller skating etc. Adie also spent two years with Cie Oncore’s flying trapeze show ‘Une Drole de Maison’ flexing her clowning muscles, and among other various events performed a season with La Clique at Edinburgh Fringe.

Andy Vagg

Andy Vagg is an artist, designer, writer, poet and performer. His practice explores the qualities and limitations of contemporary existence, and how the choices we make inherently effect, respond to, and delineate social evolution. Using post-consumer objects and materials, he creates work in social contexts, to activate spaces to form literal and metaphorical platforms for the development of ideas to encourage positive social change. His performances explore the role of religion, liturgy and ritual in a contemporary secular context, and how they can help us navigate the ongoing ecological and psychosocial changes caused by industrialisation, globalisation and consumerism. Andy has created work in public and private spaces in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart. He has collaborated with community in colleges, high schools, primary schools, community centres, and child and family centres.

www.andyvagg.com

Troy Melville

Troy has worked on an extensive range of film and art projects over 20 years. His projects have involved working for and in collaboration with many different organisations and has often involved working with at risk youth, First Nations and CALD groups. Recent art projects include Paul Boam – A Creative Life, a film for his retrospective exhibition at Moonah Arts Centre. The Partnershipping Project, a national touring exhibition where Troy worked remotely with 19 artists to edit short bio films and Regenerate where New Town primary students created a series of short films about connectivity.

Yumemi Hiraki

Yumemi Hiraki is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Nipaluna. Her practice delves into the interactions between memory, nostalgia, history and connection to place, while re-examining the relationship to her Japanese heritage. Viewing herself as a resident of cultural gaps, her works evokes a familiar yet foreign sense of longing, belonging and holding on, while hinting at life’s inevitable continuity and ephemerality. 

Yumemi is originally from Hiroshima, Japan. She completed her BFA(Sculpture and Spatial Practice) at the Victorian College of the Arts and has been an active Arts Worker while exhibiting and developing her practice in both Naarm and Nipaluna. Yumemi has a growing interest in community-based arts, mentorship and education, and currently also works as a Youth Arts Officer at the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre.

Julie Waddington

A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, Julie has been directing and producing theatre for over 20 years during which she has worked for many organisation including St Martin’s Youth Arts, La Mama, MTC, Melbourne Fringe, Tasmanian Theatre Company, Ten Days and Tasmania Performs. From 2007 to 2010 she was the Artistic Director of Riverland Youth Theatre in South Australia. Julie is currently a specialist drama teacher and independent director and producer. Her latest work, The Motherload, a creative documentary performance made through engagement with over 500 mothers across Tasmania and Australia recently premiered at Junction Arts Festival.

Takani Clark

Takani Clark is a professional dabbler and multidisciplinary creative from lutruwita, exploring and engaging with mediums of filmmaking, visual art and performance. As a First Nations woman, raised within the staunch palawa community, Takani feels a deep responsibility to protect and document the island and its cultural identity and diversity, both environmentally and socially. As a storyteller she strives to use her creative voice to deepen our understanding of each other, the natural world and ourselves. Takani believes that diversity is an integral part of her creative practice, striving to collaborate with people from different artistic practices, any background and all walks of life.

Neko Kelly

Neko Kelly is a New Zealand born emerging video artist with experience in editing and animation. His work involves a range of content; from stop-frame stories screened in Mona Foma, to LGBTQI+ educational resources for Tasmanian schools. Neko has a keen interest in telling stories that inspire empathy and compassion for marginalised communities.

Adonay Tsegezeab
I’m Adonay Tsegezeab, 23 years old, working with Troy Melville as mentoree on Utopia now for winter light as well as with Tastafe STUDENTS AGAINST RACISM group to make this happen. It’s been amazing working on this project and to be part of it. 

Indigo Garcia is a 16-year-old visual artist working and creating in Nipaluna/Hobart. Swimming through pattern and form, ink stains her identity as she works to represent culture and individuality. Exploring the extent in which she can portray and incorporate all works of organic life, examining the runs of skin, the paths on land. Working with mentor Andy Vagg and the youth of Goodwood, the development and embodiment of their instillation helps to further the representation of utopia and the developing world.

Sheree Martin (Utopia Now Coordinator)
Embracing and trusting in the unravelling uncertainties of creativity is integral to the artistic practice and way of life for New Zealander and Tasmanian Artist, Sheree Martin. Sheree is a passionate nurturer and advocate for ‘art as a process’ and the value that engaging in this open explorative process brings to enhancing our mental health and wellbeing. Sheree shares the joy of this process through her uniquely designed and facilitated ARTplayful experiences within The Little Red Art Shed for young children and families, with her creative arts and wellbeing clients and community projects.

@shereemartin_artist

@thelittleredartshed

Halima Bhatti

Halima Bhatti is a 26 yrs old, locally based contemporary Arabic calligraphy artist from Lahore, Pakistan. Her artworks reflect deep connections and sacred knowledge with every stroke and letter. Taking the opportunity to be a part of the Winter light festival, UTOPIA project, as a mentee with the artist “Yumeimi Hiraki”, from Youth Arts and Re-creation center (Hobart city) Halima aims to express the element of peace, diversity and connectedness through her teams youth based theatre work reflecting upon the vision of Utopia, and thereby connect and influence the mainstream community.

Lucas Rilyey-Lyne
My name is Lucas and I’m 16 years old and my mentor artist is Julie Waddington. I am working with a group from my school which is Campania District School. We are working to create an improvised cross art-form performance installation using physical ensemble theatre, drawing and creative writing. I hope my love for the preforming arts will only grow from this experience. 

Ailbhe Maria Szypura
My name is Ailbhe and I am 14 years old. My mentor is Risa Ray and we are doing a movement based performance with around 10 kids about what they envision their future to look like. 

Our group is located in Cygnet. I’m hoping that this mentee role will teach me how to work with kids and groups, and how to collaborate with others. I have been having a really great time doing this.

Bailey Mifsud

My name is Bailey and I’m 15. I’m working with my mentor artist Adie Delaney and a few of my peers from The Circus Studio in Kingston. We will be putting together a short performance involving ground based circus skills and other elements of movement; around what we as a group perceive to be the theme of Utopia Now! I’m really looking forward to improving my circus and collaboration skills with this project. 

Ari Soo
Ari Soo is a young stand-up comedian, who is occasionally funny and hates people who speak in third person. He recently was flown to Melbourne to perform in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as part of the Class Clowns National Grand Final – most likely his greatest achievement. 

Malachi
My name is Malachi and I’m 16. I have a passion for sound engineering. I help at school mixing and setting up for the school rock band and have my own home studio where I record and mix songs. I’m hoping to extend my knowledge in sound engineering and working with the people around me so that everyone can have the best experience of Utopia Now! 

Kieran Mulvany
Kieran Mulvany is a homegrown Tassie artist who has been writing and recording music their bedroom since the beginning of time itself. With stories of robots, nights with friends and self reflection there is something for everyone in Kieran’s folio. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2suxg5ymscPaZUKzNsZb2v? si=wsPt_YSHQ6i6LapOdXRI-w Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieranmulvanymusic/ 

‘Live Art’
Hello, we are Lucas, Josh, Anna, Mia and Belle. We are students from Campania District School. We will be performing a live art experience via a group painting on a large canvas, exploring what utopia is to us personally and how they are different from one another. We hope to show that everyones personal idea of Utopia is different and very diverse, as we all are. 

Sophie Henderson 

Sophie Henderson is a eager performer who has always grabbed any opportunity to perform wether that is singing or acting or both at the same time. She has been in quite a few musicals throughout her life her most recent being in Guys and Dolls with the Old Nick Theatre Company and The Little Mermaid at Southern Christian College where she starred as Ursula. Sophie hopes you enjoy her performance as part of the Utopia Now Youth Performance Stage! 

Genevieve Butler | Director

Director- Genevieve Butler is a bilingual performance artist who uses Bouffon, Drag, Circus, and physical comedy to examine the significance of social masks within theatrical frameworks.  Her artistic practice focuses on how audiences connect/relate universally to colloquial stories.

She is an actor, writer, director, circus performer, mask maker, video editor and teacher of circus fundamentals, mask play and devising. She has toured numerous Fringe and Arts Festivals around Australia, and worked with theatre companies across Australia, Italy and Belgium. She has been a working artist for over 10years   

Genevieve has a diploma in Commedia dell’Arte (FAVA, Italy) and Movement Analysis and Theatre Creation (Lassad, Belgium)— and a bachelors in Theatre (QUT).

Fithawit Hadgu | Actor

Fithawit recently migrated to Australia from Eretria. Since arriving Fithawit has been involved with Students Against Racism (SAR). Through SAR Fithawit has shared her personal story about how she came to Tasmania in schools and workplaces, revealing the realities of what refugees and new arrivals face when they come to this country. Last year Fithawit made her mainstage debut at the Peacock Theatre performing in The Story Behind My Suitcase. Fithawit received a scholarship from Salamanca Arts Centre to attend The Process drama workshops with Ben Winspear, Davina Wright and Lucien Simon.

Takani Clark | Actor

Emerging filmmaker, performer, artist Takani Clark is a professional dabbler and multidisciplinary creative from lutruwita, exploring and engaging with mediums of filmmaking, visual art and performance. As a First Nations woman, raised within the staunch palawa community, Takani feels a deep responsibility to protect and document the island and its cultural identity and diversity, both environmentally and socially. As a storyteller she strives to use her creative voice to deepen our understanding of each other, the natural world and ourselves. Takani believes that diversity is an integral part of her creative practice, striving to collaborate with people from different artistic practices, any background and all walks of life.

Bailey Jackson | Actor

Bailey is a Hobartian Thespian whose hit and miss performances will keep you guessing right until the very end — is this entertainment at its finest or is it a train wreck you can’t look away from? After more than a decade in Tasmanian theatre, still he isn’t sure. Nonetheless, Bailey appreciates Salamanca Arts Centre for rolling the dice and he hopes you enjoy the show.

Jackson Davis | Lighting Designer

Jackson Davis is a theatre maker, writer and performer based in Hobart. Since graduating with Honours from the University of Wollongong in 2012, Jackson has co-founded re:group performance collective and collaborates on new performance works with an emphasis on popular culture and videography. His theatre credits include Lost Boys (Performer, Merrigong Theatre Company, 2018), Route Dash Niner Part 1 & 2 (Director, Merrigong Theatre Company 2016-2017), Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo (Puppeteer, Japan Tour, 2016-2018), Conspiracies (Director, Shopfront, 2017) and LOVELY (Director, PACT, 2014).

Aiden Cleak | Composer

Aiden Cleak is a bleeps and bloops composer and sound FX nerd, who resides a full lightyear away from Earth making futuristic soundscapes and wonky beats. However, you may also find him closer to Hobart creating circuit bent instruments, surrealist art and video games. Aiden performs under the alias of Gochi, and has recently released his second EP of originals titled Ascent of a Madman.

Megan Kenna | Set Designer

Megan is a theatre and film creative learning, working and living in lutruwita/Tasmania. They are interested in design in regards to performance and production. Recently Megan has been apart of the design team of University of Tasmania’s theatre society PLoT. Designing for Cathouse (2021) and The Rise (2022). Megan has also worked and performed in collaboration on Anemeny (2022) and upcoming Antigo Nick (2022) which will be presented on the Theatre Royal main stage, both directed by Davina Wright. Designing for film sets Megan has worked as art director for many Tasmanian productions including Shake and Dance (2019) and Cold One (2022). 

Megan wants to explore the possibilities between design and performance, and how these two elements effect each other, actors and the audience.

Night Garden

Emerging from the beautiful nipaluna (Hobart), post-rock four-piece Night Garden combine equal parts of reverb, delay, and distortion to artfully establish a link between heavy guitars and a sense of impure tranquillity. Night Garden transpires as the fully realised potential of Taylor Lewincamp’s (singer/guitarist) musical compositions. In collaboration with Fergus Oates (bass), Morris Johns (drums), and Hamish Watson (guitar), Night Garden will have you swaying in an expansive world of emotion driven sound baths and methodical hooks.

Velvet Bloom

On April 08, 2022, Melbourne based soul outfit, Velvet Bloom dropped their silky debut EP Glimmer! 

Following on from their headline tour performing this body of work in Canberra, Forster, Brisbane, Sydney, Beechworth, Adelaide and Melbourne, the band announces their first ever show in Tasmania at Winter Light!

With a voice and energy that emits an earnest, heart stirring warmth, Maddy Herbert is a captivating live performer and a truly commanding frontwoman. Backed by a stellar live band of Alex Marko (Lead Guitar), Anthony Rennick (Bass) Miguel Hutton (Synth and Keys) and Nic Morton (Drums & Percussion), Velvet Bloom have quickly earned their stripes as one of the most exciting additions to Melbourne soul’s bursting frontline.

“Equal parts enthralling and enchanting, Velvet Bloom is undeniably on the cusp of big things in the near future.” – Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia

DJ Bad Camel

A blend of modern/underground House/Garage music with strong inspirations from old and new school trends.

Lawrence Churches is a 25 year old drummer from Hobart, Tasmania. From an early age, Lawrence was exposed to an eclectic range of music styles and genres. This broad introduction provided the foundation for Lawrence’s music career, setting the tone for his highly versatile abilities. Beginning with metal drumming, Lawrence later transitioned into jazz and improvisational approaches on acoustic and electronic kits.

Studying under Stephen Marskell, Konrad Park, Danny Fischer and others, Lawrence has established himself on the Tasmanian music scene as one of the states ‘tightest,’ most versatile and reliable drummers.

Lawrence has since begun DJing and honing his craft as a turntablist by some of the states finest turntablists and DJs (Dameza, Fotti P)

Claire Anne Taylor Band

Claire Anne Taylor will be joined on stage by her band, including the legendary Jethro Pickett on guitar, Louis Gill on bass and Beau Thomas on drums as they present a host of new songs as well as some old ones.

Claire Anne Taylor crafts soulful folk songs that are alternatively lush and intimately earthy. Born in a barn built by her parents in Tasmania’s ancient Tarkine rainforest, Taylor’s music is reflective of her wild and remote upbringing. In 2019 she won the National Live Music Award for ‘The Best Live Voice in Tasmania’ which is testament to the sheer magnitude and depth of her voice and how much emotion she pours into each performance. With her colossal vocals, honest storytelling and powerfully captivating stage presence, her live shows leave the audience in no doubt that they have just witnessed something extraordinary.

‘Taylor’s voice is the stuff of musical legend’  – Canberra City News.

Dameza
For the first time post-pandemic Dameza will be bringing an all new, fast paced, high energy Audio/Visual mashup set spanning the last 5 decades of music, film, television, party and pop culture. All put together live right in front of your eyes and ears in his trademark ‘no holds barred’ style.

Much respected local DJ Dameza has a lengthy run of achievements including a 3rd place position in the Australian DMC finals, Triple J’s Next Crop selection with hip hop group mdusu & dameza, 2nd place prize in the Melbourne Redbull 3style competition, and later in 2014 and 15 – Dameza was unforgettably awarded back to back 1st place titles in the National ‘Wax Wars’ competition. 

Fusing elements of electronica with Hip Hop, classic film, TV and even 70’s funk, genre is not a boundary, but a mere option in an ocean of possibilities for Dameza. His unique mash-ups and incomparable energy on stage have helped him build an unquestionable name for himself over the years.

Finucane & Smith Unlimited are Australian legends of Unrealistic Art. With their unique blend of provocation and entertainment, the company works across myriad artforms – from cabaret & burlesque to drama and hybrid and immersive art events; engaging unique and extraordinary artists, and cherishing audiences everywhere as they explore humanity, hope, freedom, power, desire and a shared future. 

Finucane & Smith’s work has been presented in 18 countries, winning acclaim in 13 languages and 15 awards including The Patrick White Playwright Award, 8 Green Room Awards, International Theatre Institute’s CHAMACO Award for International Presentation of the Year 2015 (Cuba), and the Climakaze Award (Miami) for outstanding art in climate justice. Their genre-defining variety works The Burlesque Hour & Glory Box have been seen by 600,000 fans worldwide, becoming the first Australian work invited to major festivals of Latin America, Japan and Europe, and winning awards worldwide. 

Lachlan (Aka Iva Rosebud)

Lachlan (Aka Iva Rosebud) is an emerging queer artist, known for bringing an old fashioned flair to the modern world. His work spans Cabaret, Music Theatre, Drag, Burlesque and Performance Art. 

Hailing from the Hunter Valley, Lachlan is a graduate of the Music Theatre course at The Victorian College of the Arts. In 2021 Lachlan made his mark on Melbourne’s cabaret scene, writing and performing his solo shows: ‘And I, In My Chair’ (Melbourne Cabaret Festival) described as “more than earning it’s standing ovation” by the Arts Review, ‘At hand with Iva Rosebud’ (Melbourne Cabaret Showcases) and ‘Iva’s Grand Opening’ (Tusk High Bar).

Lachlan made his Victorian Opera debut in March 2022, in the Happy End at the Arts Centre Playhouse and is thrilled to be apart of the Finucane & Smith family. 

Mama Alto

Mama Alto is a jazz singer, cabaret artiste & gender transcendent diva. She is a transgender & queer person of colour who works with the radical potential of storytelling, strength in softness and power in vulnerability. Best known for her velvet vocals, triumphant cabaret performances and illuminating writing, she is also the co-creator of the highly acclaimed variety cabaret “Gender Euphoria.” She has worked with luminaries such as burlesque production house Finucane & Smith, playwright Declan Greene, visual artist Brook Andrew, and performance artist Taylor Mac. Mama is the 2021 recipient of the Australia Council for the Arts Kirk Robson Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development. 

Paul Cordeiro

• Paul is an experienced teacher of 20 years, as well as being a qualified fitness instructor. He trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, obtaining a Diploma in Dance. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a dancer and choreographer, having performed with One Extra Dance Company, Opera Australia and the Balai ensemble. He has toured nationally with the musicals “The King and I” and “West Side Story”. Paul was the resident choreographer for “The Lion King” from 2003 – 2005 and was also the assistant choreographer for the “Nature and Arrivals” segment of the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in 2000. 
• A great deal of Paul’s work has been working with artists and themes
  relating to aspects of diverse ethnic communities and cultural production, within the contemporary social and artistic tapestry. This has included a feature role in ‘The House Plus’, created by flamenco artist Antonio Vargas for the Carnivale festival, a guest season with the Odyssey Dance Theatre in Singapore, and as an actor, the role of Rosendo in ‘Tango Masculino’ at the New Theatre in 2007. Recently Paul was the recipient of the Goethe Institute Artist Language Scholarship, which enabled him to spend a month in Berlin learning German.

Maple Rose
Miss Maple Rose, known as the “Queen of Classic Burlesque,” has been described as the unwanted lovechild of Tempest Storm and Lucille Ball. Combining her professional expertise in costume and set design with her foundation in classical dance, Maple guides many a budding performance artist in the art of tease!

She’s here to prove that “classic burlesque” doesn’t have to be boring. Either with feather fans or tapping toes, Maple will take you on a deep dive into burlesque history. Headliner of The Australian Burlesque Festival in 2020 & 2022, winner of the the 1st Runner Up crown at Miss Burlesque Australia 2018, voted number 21 in the 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s Top 50 Most Influential Artists of 2021, and voted Best Solo Artist and Most Classic at the Australian Burlesque Industry Awards, The Busties, in 2018.

Maple has shown that she’s “Australia’s Classiest Piece of Bacon”
with a tornado of feather fans and couture costumes!

Yumemi Hiraki 

Yumemi Hiraki is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Nipaluna. Her practice delves into the interactions between memory, nostalgia, history and connection to place, while re-examining the relationship to her Japanese heritage. Viewing herself as a resident of cultural gaps, her works evokes a familiar yet foreign sense of longing, belonging and holding on, while hinting at life’s inevitable continuity and ephemerality. 

Yumemi is originally from Hiroshima, Japan. She completed her BFA(Sculpture and Spatial Practice) at the Victorian College of the Arts and has been an active Arts Worker while exhibiting and developing her practice in both Naarm and Nipaluna. Yumemi has a growing interest in community-based arts, mentorship and education, and currently also works as a Youth Arts Officer at the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre. 

Hera Fox

Hera is a playwright, and circus & cabaret creator based in nipaluna (Hobart). Having grown up in the Huon Valley starting in community musicals, they have had a varied career in burlesque and drag to circus and acrobatics. Now they have found their voice as a transgender woman returning to song and cabaret creating work for and by transgender people. Her plays have endeavored to assist in changing the culture of the live performing arts, to be more inclusive, and to not take itself too seriously. She has a tendency to write about love, lust, and loss, with a style reflecting reactions of your various ex partners.

They are the founder and artistic director of QT Cabaret, a space for transgender and gender queer performers to trial new cabaret and circus work, which won Artfully Queers unifying voice award 2019. Hera is also the winner of 2020’s Out For Australia Community Champion award.

Davina Wright

Davina Wright is a site-specific artist currently living and working in nipaluna/Hobart. She is interested in making site specific, nonlinear and immersive theatre that looks at loneliness, suburbia, violence and feminism. Recently she wrote and directed This is Grayson; a performance for audience 8+ with her collective Gold Satino. This is Grayson explored death, loneliness and family and was an immersive experience. This is Grayson received four Green Room Award Nominations in the Contemporary and Experimental Performance panel and received the awards for Innovation in Site Responsive Performance and Performance for Young Audiences.

Georgie Vozar

Georgie is an artist who predominantly works with clay. As a second generation potter she grew up in a functioning pottery where she absorbed many skills that she now applies to her own practice, from there she gracefully introduces these magic techniques onto others.  With this medium, she practices art therapy within communities, collaborating, exploring the process and spontaneity together, her work is of acceptance and transience.  She finds great stimulation when collaborating with other artists and programs within the arts realm. Georgie often undertakes experimental and performance projects, solo and collaboratively and has exhibited and performed within arts organisations locally and nationally. Recent projects include, QVERI, 2018 ‘Hidden Egg – (Qvuvri/Amphora)’ As a part of group show: Across The Coals curated by Constance Ari at GASP, Tasmania Collaborator, Adam James. Constellations Underground, 2019 for the Ceramics Triennale ‘Kyklosis’ Performance and Installation Collaborator, Julia Drouhin. ‘Ritual’, 2016 Schmorgasbaag, 130 Murray Street, Nipaluna/Hobart, Duration 1hour Performance with visual collaborator, CUSS THIS.

Isabella Stone

Isabella Stone is a dance artist from Perth, Western Australia, which is Whadjuk Noongar Country. She is a dance performer, choreographer and teaching artist with over a decade of experience in Western Australia and Tasmania. She is currently living and working in nipaluna/Hobart as the Artistic Director of DRILL Performance Company Inc. Her experiences have taken her across the country and internationally, working in both major cities and remote areas, within professional and community contexts. Isabella believes in dance as a language that crosses borders and unites communities; that the act of dancing facilitates a space for sharing – shared stories and shared experiences – and creates space for change. Her approach is centered around people and kindness, play and imagination, liberation of self and the importance of community. Isabella is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and LINK Dance Company.

Heath Brown
Heath Brown is a Tasmanian composer and Associate Lecturer at the University of Tasmania.

His work ranges from film and TV to performing arts and installation. He has written scores for four feature films (The Comet Kids, Chocolate Strawberry Vanilla, 41 and El Monstro Del Mar!) and over 40 shorts, with his film work having been recognised throughout the world with a number of awards for original music composition, including the award for Best Original Score at the 2012 Maverick Movie Awards for his score to 41. He also composed the score for the multi-award winning web series Noirhouse(funded by Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania and the ABC) the ABC documentary series Bespoke, and the second season of the Shaun Micallef comedy series The Ex PM.

In 2015 Heath collaborated with Aly Rae Patmore in composing a performance-based musical element for Patricia Piccinini and Peter Hennessey‘s large scale installation The Shadow’s Callingat Detached and presented as part of DarkMOFO 2015.

As producer, sound designer and performer, Heath is a member of the Radio Gothic collective, which produces original live-performance works inspired by the tradition of broadcast radio drama. Radio Gothic has produced three episodes, all of which have been presented as part of Dark MOFO.

Heath has written extensively for the theatre, notably for Terrapin Puppet Theatre (The Riddle of Washpool Gully, Red Racing Hood, Big Baby, The Waltzing Tree) and Tasmanian Theatre Co. (Sex With Strangers, Born From Animals, An Inconvenient Woman, Bakersfield Mist).

His work has appeared in a number of arts festivals including Ten Days on the Island (Babel) and DarkMOFO (The Geometry of Innocent Flesh on the Bone – a collaborative installation work with Oscar Ferreiro, Radio Gothic Eps 1 – 3) and The Tasmanian International Arts Festival (Radio Gothic – Episode 1: The Pit).

Heath has also written music for television and radio commercials, winning the 2012 Tasmanian Advertising Design Awards category of Best Original Music and the 2016 Diemen Award for Best Sound Design.

Heath holds a BA (Philosophy) and BMus (Composition) from The University of Tasmania, where he now lectures in music theory and screen music composition.

Ryan Mahony | Tech Consultant
Ryan is an audio engineer, production manager and technical director from Brisbane, Australia. Over the last decade he has worked extensively both in Australia and around the globe, assisting in presenting works to over a million people across 22 countries in circus, puppetry, musical theatre, drama theatre and live music. Ryan is currently the production manager for Hobart based, contemporary puppetry company, Terrapin.

Gianni Posadas-Sen | Stage Manager

Gianni Posadas-Sen is a flutist, singer, and composer. His music practice consists of classical

performance alongside experimental improvisation and collaborative music-making, with forays into electronic music.

Posadas-Sen had the privilege of performing Cornelius Cardew’s Treatise with the UTAS

Experimental Music Ensemble for Mona Foma (2021), and was a part of Fflora’s MAKE SOME NOISE Project for Mona Foma (2022). He is a member of Silikill, an eclectic band of musicians who explore a range of styles and concepts through experimental improvisation. Posadas-Sen is committed to the Hobart Wind Symphony, and to the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra as principal flutist.

He is currently completing his Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance, flute) at The Hedberg School of Music under Mardi McSullea.

Michelle Boyd | Costume Mentoring

Michelle is a Tasmanian designer working between fashion, costume, interior and stage design.   With an honours degree in design from RMIT and a lifetime of experience in stagecraft, she has designed within the performing and visual arts industries nationally for independent artists and orgs such as Chunky Move Dance Co., Mona, NGV, Arena Theatre and Terrapin Puppet Theatre and festivals Dark Mofo, State of Design, Sydney Festival and Mona Foma.  Her own work explores relationship and embodiment through colour, sculpture and graphic design and she collaborates with a broad range of practitioners in complementary fields including architecture, dance, public art and sound.  Michelle has more recently become a design mentor and teacher and is enjoying these new exchanges with Tasmanian design students across cultures, age and abilities.    

Dummies Corp

Dummies Corp are the Australian circus-comedy specialists, recognised for creations of quality that are intelligent, theatrical, inventive and resonate across generations. Their productions transcend language barriers and their unique brand of dum and delightful has created treasured experiences for audiences across the globe.

Greg Wells & The Blackwater Band

Greg Wells & The Blackwater Band are a five piece band from Hobart playing their original folk/roots/storytelling style songs. The band comprises Al Campbell (bass guitar), John Britcliffe (drums), Emily Wolfe (violin), Dave Elliston (mandolin) & Greg Wells (guitar & vocals).

John McCormick

John McCormick is a technology based artist with a major interest in movement. John is a lecturer and researcher at the Centre for Transformative Media Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology where he investigates artistic practice in mixed reality environments, robotics, artificial intelligence and human movement. John has collaborated on works worldwide, including at ISEA, SIGGRAPH, Melbourne Festival, SIGGRAPH Asia, Ars Electronica Futurelab and Art Science Museum Singapore.

Adam Nash

Adam Nash is an artist, composer, programmer, performer and writer working in virtual environments and generative platforms. His work has been presented all over the world, including SIGGRAPH, ISEA, ZERO1SJ, the National Portrait Gallery and Venice Biennale. He is Associate Professor (Virtual Interior) in the Interior Design discipline, School of Architecture and Urban Design, RMIT University.