National Institute of Circus Arts - Annual Report 2014

2014 graduate William Meager.

2014 graduate Rowan Thomas.

Second year students Stephanie Mouat and Adam O’Connor-McMahon.

VISION MISSION GOALS

FROM THE CHAIR

FROM THE PROGRAM MANAGER

HIGHLIGHTS

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

NICA GRADUATES

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM 2014

NANJING PROJECT

NICA TEAM

NICA IN THE COMMUNITY

MEDIA & MARKETING

CIRCANICA

NICA SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERSHIPS

FINANCIAL REPORT

DESIGN BY // BLICK CREATIVE

All images by Aaron Walker photography unless otherwise credited.

FRONT COVER // 2014 graduates Lucas Simonds, Luke Hubbard and second year student Maggie Fayne.

BACK COVER // 2014 graduate Angelique Ross.

NICA VISION

NICA will be an internationally renowned Australian CentreofExcellenceineducation,training,performance and research in contemporary circus.

NICA MISSION

EXCELLENCE

NICA will foster passion, creativity and a high level of skill in its graduates who will be recognised as inspiring circus artists.

INNOVATION

NICA will deliver innovative training programs to talented students, whose work will re-imagine circus and provide stimulating, evocative and sometimes challenging performances.

LEADERSHIP

NICA graduates and staff will take a leadership role in shaping the Australian circus arts industry.

ACCESS

NICA will provide opportunities for a wide range of participants in its courses, workshops and performance program.

GOALS

■ Drive excellence and support world class endeavour and achievement in the education and training of circus artists.

■ Establish a strong regional, national and international presence.

■ Build a robust and sustainable organisation.

■ Build strong relationships with industry and the wider community.

■ Develop strong academic foundations that support a research culture and ensure quality in education and training.

2014graduateDylanRodriguez.

Second year student Madeline Robbins.

Second year students Martin Evans and Maggie Fayne.

2014graduateEllaHornerperformingatthe2014VictorianTrainingAwards. PhotobyLesO’Rourke.

2014graduates

AshleighTomasini,ChelseaAngellandFeliciaLannan.

As part of the Melbourne Festival, NICA, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus (FFFC) and five professional acrobats from the Nanjing Province in China collaborated to present a program that commemorated the original Nanjing Project 30 years ago in Wodonga. NICA’s Head of Circus Studies Mr Lu Guang Rong, was involved in the original project (and also a number of training staff), which signified the first major influence of Chinese traditions into Australian circus training.

The 2014 Nanjing Project opened in Wodonga as part of the “Borderville” 35 years’ celebration for the FFFC before coming to Melbourne in the Fairfax Theatre.The Chinese acrobats conducted workshops in Wodonga and at NICA, with a view to passing on new acts that can be incorporated at both institutes. This was a very exciting project with Certificate III and Movement Studies Coordinator Meredith Kitchen directing the show, with artistic oversight by Mr Lu Guang Rong. It was a wonderful event, well received, and cemented a commitment with the FFFC that future collaborative events will be part of our plans. The respect and friendships between all three parties was wonderful to see. The project assisted NICA to continue to build upon its reputation and expand its presence within the international circus community.

NICAwelcomedinternationallyrenownedArtisticDirector Firenza Guidi (from NoFit State Circus, Wales) to NICA early in 2014 to work with our final year students in a series of workshops. NICA then commissioned Firenza to create a new circus work supported by the generosity of The Richard Pratt Creative Fellowship.

DreamsfromtheSecondFloorreceivedpositivereviews and provided the students with a rich opportunity to create original work in a supportive environment.

Original and refreshing, Dreams from the Second Floor was a performance in which the students shared their dreams demonstrating a variety of skills and talent.The theatrewasdesignedasasite-specificvenue,nobackstage or curtains.The audience was able to participate in the experience of seeing riggers at work in what was a creative and rewarding show.

Several Board members vacated NICA Board positions in 2014. I would like to acknowledge their support and dedication to the Board for the terms of their service. NICA thanks Ross Mollison, Sheila Fitzgerald and Mary Stuart for their support for NICA and wishes them very well for the future.

Thank you also to the Australian Government and the many supporters of NICA for their continued alliance and connection to the organisation. Without such support, our work would be so much more difficult.

We are also grateful to the City of Stonnington for their support of the Youth Circus Finale in which NICA’s community circus participants were able to showcase their skills in December.

I wish to extend, on behalf of the Board, our condolences to the NICA community on the sudden passing of NICA trainer Kostya Ibraguimov. He will be sadly missed.

To all the teachers, trainers and auxiliary staff of NICA, thank you for the hard work, dedication and delivery of worldclasstrainingtoAustralia’semergingcircusartists.

Professor Jennelle Kyd Chair

I am delighted to present the 2014 Annual Report for the National Institute of Circus Arts. 2014 was a year of consolidation and stability with a number of significant achievements.

I would like to thank the NICA community for their contribution to a successful and eventful 2014. Much was achieved in terms of moving NICA forward towards the achievement of its 2014 – 2017 Strategic Plan, and NICA finished the year financially sound with a number of initiatives in place. This augurs well for the next planning cycle.

The newly accredited Bachelor of Circus Arts saw its first intake of students. A mid-year review of the course providedtheopportunitytomakesomeminoradjustments and these were approved by the Academic Senate. The course continues as a Swinburne University degree in the Faculty of Health, Arts and Design. NICA worked closely with the Faculty in 2014 and commenced the development of a research culture at NICA with the successful application of a small research project. NICA travelled more widely and made a number of visits to circus schools in four states and the ACT to renew contactswithcommunitycircusactivitiesandyouthcircus schools. NICA significantly increased its interstate audition numbers which was an encouraging response to the contact visits made.

NICA was pleased to reconvene our enthusiastic and supportive industry advisory panel again. A steering committee was formed to lead the development of the reaccreditation of the Certificates III and IV in Circus Arts and this valuable feedback was incorporated into the newcourses.Severalmeetingswereheld,documentation prepared and both courses were reaccredited by the Academic Senate. The new courses are ready for delivery in 2015.

A group of industry practitioners (including some international representatives) provided valuable feedback to our final year students as they prepared for their showcase presentation.The close relationship between our circus industry artists and directors and NICA, assists us to build programs that are relevant and produceexcellentemployabilityskillsforourgraduates. Among NICA’s many valued industry connections, I would like to mention and thank the following for their continued support of NICA:The Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association (ACAPTA) and The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, for their continued dialogue and interaction in the development of youth circus training; Circus Oz and Circa for their contribution, support and enthusiasmintheprovisionofindustrysupport,bothas a presence at NICA and as employers of our graduates.

Once again, NICA’s show seasons received superlative reviewsconfirmingthatourstudentsareabletopresent great work to the general public. The second year 7 performance, was designed as three small vignettes that showed a range of approaches to performance as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival; the third year Showcase was in two parts, Rouge et Blanc; and the graduation final ensemble piece Dreams from the Second Floor was an overwhelming success.

The final graduation ceremony was a special event with elevenstudentsgraduatingforthefirsttimeaspartofthe wider Swinburne Ceremony. NICA held a Presentation Day which was again well supported by industry prizes in recognition of outstanding achievement.

On a sadder note, NICA held a special commemorative ceremony for the passing of trainer Kostya Ibraguimov. His family were able to attend and a number of staff, students and graduates paid tribute to Kostya through performance, poems, memory boards and tributes. It wasanextremelymovingoccasionwhichcelebratedthis talented circus artist’s life. He is sadly missed at NICA.

I would like to thank all the staff at NICA for their dedicationthroughouttheyear.Itisnotonlytheteaching and training staff who shape the futures of our students. It is also the production, administrative and financial teams, and other auxiliary staff who worked so hard in 2014 to bring the year to successful fruition.

The Annual Report is presented not only as a record of the financial governance and status of NICA, but also as a picture of the many highlights, success stories and achievements that were 2014. I look forward to the pursuit of excellence, sound governance and quality management that herald 2015.

2014graduateMorganWilson.

Rose Stephens Program Manager // NICA

First year student Annalise Moore.

JANUARY

NICA Circus Trainer and First Year CoordinatorTeganCarmichaelperformed as a guest of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, in the Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade, Hong Kong.

CircaNICA supplied trampoline and walking globe performers for the T20 Cricket Australia matches in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney throughout January and February 2014.

MARCH

Over 25 NICA students and graduates performed in the Adelaide Fringe Festival. NICA Program Manager Rose Stephens attended theNationalYouthCircusSymposiuminAdelaide.

NICA welcomed Artist in Residence, Firenza Guidi, from NoFit State Circus in the UK. Firenza conducted workshops for second and third year students, alongside an Artist in Conversation for staff and students and a masterclass for staff.

Adelaide circus company, Gravity and Other Myths took part in an Artist in Conversation.

FEBRUARY

NICA congratulated Circus Trainer Kathryn Niesche who is a founding member of Clowns Without Borders Australia which was the subject of a story on ABC News.

2012 NICA graduate and CircaNICA artist Simon Wright played the character of ‘Zap’ in ABC TV kids program Hoopla Doopla!

NICASparks performer.

Photo by Julian Meehan Photography.

APRIL

NICASparks performed as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival, receiving a rave review from the Herald Sun.

Artist in Conversation was held with New Zealand born and London based performer/clownTrygve Wackenshaw who performed in the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

JUNE

NICA second year student Jillibalu Riley performed at the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Program Corroboree Project as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

MAY

NICA and Flying Fruit Fly Circus publicly announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to see both organisationsworkingtogethertopromoteexcellence in contemporary circus arts training and performance in Australia.

Circa performers conducted a workshop with NICA third year students.

NICA third year students presented their Showcase acts to an Industry Panel at NICA.

NICA graduatesTrashTest Dummies and Feet2Feat were awarded first and second place in the Gasworks Circus Showdown, Melbourne.

Nanjing Project. Photo by Greg Barrett.

JULY

Circus Showcase 2014 Rouge et Blanc opened. This performance showcased the circus specialties of NICA’s third year students.

Artist in conversation was held with Zebastian Hunter, director and former Cirque du Soleil performer.

A group of NICA second year students alongwith two NICA trainers and NICA’s Program Manager took part in an international study tour to Montréal and Las Vegas.

Pre-audition and intensive training workshops took place at NICA for prospective students.

SEPTEMBER

Rehearsals began for the Nanjing Project as part of the 2014 Melbourne Festival.

NICA’s Head of Circus Studies Mr Lu Guang Rong, NICA’s Certificate III Coordinator and Movement Studies Coordinator, Meredith Kitchen and four NICA students headed to Albury for rehearsalswithacrobats from Jiangsu Acrobatics Association and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

NICA’s second year performance 7 opened. NICA’s Program Manager visited Circa, Circus Artists Australia, Super Performance Centre, Flipside and Spaghetti Circus in NSW and QLD. As part of the 2014 Victorian State Schools Spectacular NICA’s Certificates III and IV students performed at Hisense Arena on Saturday 13 September.

AUGUST

NICA celebrated Open Day with a group of students wired for motion capture.The students worked with Swinburne Faculty of Health, Arts and Design (FHAD) and the Sports Science Department.

Road Trip filmed a section of their show at NICA for the City ofStonnington’sGlowWinterArtsFestival.PresentersDamian Callinan and Gavin Baskerville took part in a clowning workshopwithNICATrainersEarlShatfordandLudwigSchukin.

Channel Nine’s Today Show filmed six live weather crosses at NICA. Students performed a range of circus skills from Adagio to Tightwire and promoted the performance 7, and NICA’s auditions for the 2015 intake.

SwinburneUniversityofTechnology,undertheLearning Futures Seed Funding Program, awarded NICA a small grant for a research project entitled: Media technology implementedasapedagogytoolforphysicalassessment.

The NICASparks performed roving entertainment at Chapel Off Chapel as part of the Roola Boola Children’s Arts Festival presented by the City of Stonnington.

NICASparks presented a series of solo, duo and trio rovingvaudevilleactsattheopeningnightcelebrations of the Exxopolis Luminarium, part of the City of Stonnington’s ‘Glow Winter Arts Festival’.

NOVEMBER

2012 NICA graduate and CircaNICA artist Simon Wright performed as part of the ‘Giggle & Hoot and Friends’ national live tour. Artist in conversation with 2009 NICA graduate and Cirque du Soleil performer Julian Aldag.

DreamsfromtheSecondFloor,NICA’sthirdyearensembleperformancedirected by internationally renowned Firenza Guidi opened and received rave reviews. NICA celebrated the 11th Anniversary of its first Bachelor Degree Graduates.

OCTOBER

NICA auditions were held around Australia.

Melbourne Fringe Festival Awards 2014:

■ NICA second year student, Jillibalu Riley won Best Emerging Indigenous Artist.

■ Original New Circus, supported by Circus Oz, was My Life in Boxes by Gravity Dolls – 2013 NICA graduate Tim Rutty and former NICA staff member Tarah Carey.

■ The People’s Choice Award was Left by 2010 NICA graduate Tom Davis and company Long Answers to Simple Questions which included current NICA students and graduates.

NICA’s first year degree and diploma students presented their “Showing”.

Montréal circus company Cirque Éloize took part in an Artist in Conversation session at NICA.

Nanjing Project opened at the Arts Centre as part of the 2014 Melbourne Festival.

DECEMBER

Third Year students graduate from NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts.

NICA’s Youth Circus Finale took place with over 140 short course participants performing for friends and family.

NICA’s Head Physiotherapist Dr David Munro PhD, published a peer reviewed research paper titled, Injury Patterns and Rates Amongst Students at the National Institute of Circus Arts: An Observational Study in the journal, Medical Problems of Performing Artists. It was the world’s first study examining injuries in students attending a circus school.

Certificates III & IV students performing at the Victorian State School Spectacular.

Photo by IMAGEPLAY.

Certificates III & IV students performing at the Victorian State School Spectacular.

Photo by IMAGEPLAY.

2014diplomaandfirstyearstudents’“showing”.

2014 graduateTeame Ersie.

First year student Charlie Rust.

Cast of Dreams from the Second Floor with Director Fienza Guidi.

BACHELOR OF CIRCUS ARTS

NICA’s core program is a three year full-time Bachelor of Circus Arts degree course. The Bachelor of Circus Arts is the highest level of accredited circus training available in Australia. The degree aims to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to become innovative, confident and autonomous circus artspractitionersworkinginprofessionalglobalcontexts. ThiselitecourseattractsapplicantsfromacrossAustralia and around the world.

THIRD YEAR

During 2014 NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts final year students were able to participate in a range of rewarding industry based experiences.These included workshopswithestablishedcircusperformersfromCirca, specialised feedback from an industry panel on solo act presentations, and direction from internationally renowned director, Firenza Guidi from NoFit State Circus in Wales for their final ensemble show Dreams from the Second Floor. NICA is very proud of the many graduates from 2014 who secured contracts and employment amongst companies such as Circa, NoFit StateCircus,FrancoDragoneEntertainment Group and those who are forming their own companies.

SECOND YEAR

During 2014 students worked on their chosen circus specialties and performed in 7, a triple bill performed as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2014. The triple bill included: Apartment 7 – Directed by Meredith Kitchen and Aaron Walker; On the 7th Day – Directed by Martine Howard and Tarn Scully; and #ashtag7 – Directed by Dan Power.

NICA second year students, two NICA trainers and NICA’s Program Manager Rose Stephens also took part in an international study tour to Montreal and Las Vegas. The students had many fantastic experiences includingattendingtheMontréalComplètementCirque (Montreal Circus Festival) training in the École National de Cirque (National Circus School of Montreal), backstage tours and a number of professional shows including O, Mystere, La Reve, Curios and Ka and meeting the Cirque Du Soleil Casting Director.

FIRST YEAR

First year students of the Bachelor of Circus Arts worked hard in selecting their chosen circus specialities and group acts. They also presented their “Showing” in October. This was directed by Tegan Carmichael, Aurora Kurth and Andrea Ousley and was very well received by friends, family and the NICA crowd.

DIPLOMA OF CIRCUS ARTS

In 2014 NICA offered a one-year full time vocational qualification in foundation level in circus skills and knowledge. The Diploma of Circus Arts students presented a“Showing”alongside the first year students from the Bachelor of Circus Arts.

CERTIFICATE IV IN CIRCUS ARTS

The Certificate IV in Circus Arts is a one year full-time preparatory vocational qualification.The course aims to prepare participants for a variety of roles within the contemporary circus arts and community circus sector.

As part of the 2014 Victorian State Schools Spectacular, over 35 Certificates III and IV students performed at Hisense Arena on Saturday 13 September. The performance included roller skaters, puppets, singers, dancers, hula hoops and trampoline basketball.

CERTIFICATE III IN CIRCUS ARTS

TheCertificateIIIinCircusArtsisapart-time,preparatory vocational qualification designed to offer young people the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification in Circus Arts. Many Certificate III students also took part in the course in collaboration with their Year 11 and 12 VCE studies at the Victorian College

ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION

Held monthly, the Artist in Conversation seminars connect the NICA community with practicing artists and provide an opportunity for students and staff to engage with artists about the creation of their work. During2014,anumberofrenownedartistscontributed to these sessions including:

■ NoFit State Circus – Director Firenza Guidi

■ Gravity and Other Myths – whole cast

■ Squid Boy, 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival – performer/clown Trygve Wackenshaw

■ National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) –Masters student and performer, Zeb Hunter

■ Cirque Éloize – selected cast members

■ 2009 NICA graduate – Julian Aldag

AUDITIONS

A total of 106 young people auditioned for NICA’s accredited courses. Of these, 62 were successful in gaining entry into the first year of the Bachelor of Circus Arts, the Certificate III in Circus Arts or Certificate IV in Circus Arts. Applicants came from Colombia, USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand and across all Australian states.

STUDENT NUMBERS

Student numbers (including returning students):

■ Bachelor of Circus Arts (3rd year) // 23

■ Bachelor of Circus Arts (2nd year) // 18

■ Bachelor of Circus Arts (1st year) // 23

■ Diploma of Circus Arts // 9

■ Certificate IV in Circus Arts // 22

■ Certificate III in Circus Arts // 17

FirstyearstudentsAnnaliseMooreandKaydenMcCulloch.

GRADUATION CEREMONY

In 2014 the Graduation ceremony took place via a Swinburne official ceremony on Monday 15 December. Eleven NICA students attended the ceremony which was a very proud moment for NICA staff, trainers, friends and family.

PRESENTATION DAY AT NICA

On Monday 8 December NICA hosted a Presentation Day to celebrate the year, farewell the third year graduates and recognise the highest achievers within the school.

The MC for the occasion was NICA’s Program Manager Rose Stephens, with Professor Don Iverson, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design at Swinburne University of Technology, delivering the keynote address.

To give the event a performance atmosphere, 2007 NICA graduate Luke Ha performed a moving aerial straps routine for the audience.

NICA’s third year graduates were presented via show reels which they had compiled and graduating student Ella Horner delivered the Valedictorian speech.

STUDENT AWARDS 2014

ABSOLUTE PHYSIOTHERAPY AWARD

This award is presented to the first year student with the highest academic marks in Anatomy and Physiology.

Charlie Rust

NICA ACADEMIC AWARDS

These awards are presented to the students with the highest academic marks in their year.

Certificate III Academic Excellence Award

Maya Tregonning

Certificate IV Academic Excellence Award

Elise Jaworowski

Diploma Academic Excellence Award

Jonathan Morgan

First Year Academic Excellence Award

Sarah Gray

Second Year Academic Excellence Award

Martin Evans

SIR RUPERT HAMER AWARD

This award is presented to a student who shows dedication and outstanding achievement.The award supports a student to participate in NICA’s international engagement program in 2015.

Ryan Darwin

NICA OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is presented to a student in third year who has achieved outstanding results during their time at NICA.

Ella Horner

SUN FOUNDATION AWARDS

Theseawardsarepresentedtotwosecondyearstudents whoshowartisticpotential,passion,andadriveforsuccess and have contributed widely to the NICA community.

Simone Salle, Stephanie Mouat

CIRCUS OZ AWARDS

The Circus Oz ‘Excellence and Innovation’ award is presented to a third year student who displays excellence and innovation in their artistic work.

Angelique Ross

The Circus Oz ‘Spirit of Collaboration’ award is presented to a third year student who shows great generosity in teamwork.

Will Meager

NICA DUX AWARD

This award is presented to the student in third year with the highest academic marks.

Angelique Ross

ACAPTA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Thisawardprovidesa12monthmembershiptoACAPTA andaprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiespackage. It is presented to a third year student who demonstrates an ability to work well with other performers, and who engages and actively contributes to the development of the circus community.

Felicia Lannan

ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is presented to the student in second year who strives for excellence in pursuit of becoming an outstanding Australian artist.

Callan Beacroft

SPOTLIGHT ON CAREERS IN 2014

Circus Oz

NICA graduates Kyle Raftery, Nathan Kell and Derek Llewellin joined the new Circus Oz cast in 2014, touring But Wait…There’s More in Australia and USA. Kyle performed duo unicycle, juggling and flying trapeze; Derek performed roue cyr, adagio and Chinese pole, and Nathan performed hoop diving, Chinese pole and acrobatics.

Cirque Du Soleil

NICA had three graduates in Cirque du Soleil in 2014. Renee Koehler and Laura Kmetko were touring Europe performing in Amaluna and Kooza, while Emma Henshall was based in Las Vegas, performing in O

P&O Cruises

Fifteen NICA graduates were employed on 6 month contracts with P&O Cruises in 2014, including five 2013 graduates (Tessa Wilson, Daniel Price, Nick Rothlisberger, Kate Nelson and Tom McKinnon). The performers were employed by Colombian entertainment company Circolombia. The cruises travel to the Pacific Islands, including Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Tonga.

Dragone

2013 NICA graduate Tamika Ball joined the Franco Dragone Entertainment Group in collaboration with Wanda Arts and Entertainment Co. Ltd under a three year contract. She is performing in The Han Show in Wuhan China.The performance, based on the essence of Han culture, opened in December and features an impressive mix of dance, acrobatics and stuntwork. The show features a cast of 95 artists, of which Tamika is the only Australian.

Cirque Productions

2013 NICA graduate Danny Golding joined Cirque Dreams in the USA. He performed in Cirque Dreams Dinner, and Jungle Fantasy on the Norwegian Breakaway tour and on the US tour for Holidaze.

Cavalia

NICA graduate Chiara Boardman secured a contract as an aerialist with internationally-acclaimed company Cavalia, joining the company in their first tour to Asia. Cavalia is a multi-disciplinary theatrical production with spectacular equestrian, acrobatic, aerial, dance, musical and multi-media elements. Based in Canada, the company was created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil.

NICA GRADUATE DESTINATIONS 2014

USA

■ Cirque du Soleil – Viva ELVIS, Las Vegas

■ Cirque du Soleil – O, Las Vegas

■ Cirque Productions, USA

■ Sydney After Dark, Las Vegas

■ Long Lake Camp for the Arts, USA

■ National Circus Project, USA (teaching)

UK

■ Micha Bergese Productions, London

■ NoFit State Circus, Wales (touring internationally)

EUROPE

■ Cirque Theatre Oncore, Ales, France

■ Cirq’ulation Locale, Brugge, Belgium

■ Cirque du Soleil - Amaluna

■ Cirque du Soleil - Kooza

■ Celebrity Cruises (touring to Europe & USA)

ASIA

■ Club Med Bali, Indonesia

■ Franco Dragone Entertainment Group, China

■ Kinoshita Circus, Japan

■ Universal Studios Japan

■ Disneyland, Hong Kong

■ Le Noir Circus, touring internationally

■ Cavalia, touring Asia

MIDDLE EAST

■ Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi

■ U Coral Beach Club, Israel

■ Pacha Ibiza, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

AUSTRALIA

■ Silvers Circus, touring Australia

■ Circus Joseph Ashton, touring Australia

■ Giggle & Hoot and Friends (Live Nation), touring Australia

■ Circus Quirkus, touring Australia & New Zealand

■ Briefs, touring internationally

■ La Soirée, touring internationally

■ Strange Fruit, touring internationally

■ Casus, touring internationally

■ Katie Noonan’s Love-Song-Circus, touring internationally

BRISBANE / QLD

■ Circa, touring Australia & internationally

■ Flipside Circus, Brisbane (teaching)

■ Jupiter’s Casino, Gold Coast

■ Super Performance Gymnastics Centre (teaching)

MELBOURNE

■ Circus Oz, touring Australia & internationally

■ King Kong (completed end of January 2014)

■ Australian Shakespeare Company

■ NICA (teaching, rigging & admin)

■ Showtech Australia (admin)

■ The Circus Spot, Melbourne (admin & teaching)

■ Catch Children’s Entertainment, Melbourne (admin)

■ May Downs School of Dance, Melbourne (teaching)

SYDNEY / NSW

■ Aerialize, Sydney (teaching)

■ Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Albury (teaching/ rigging)

PACIFIC ISLANDS & NEW ZEALAND

■ Carnival Australia/ P&O Cruises

■ Circus Quirkus, touring Australia & New Zealand

2014graduates

PERFORMANCE

2014

PhoebeCarlsonandYonnasGebremedhin.

CIRCUS SHOWCASE 2014

1st – 5th of July 2014

NICA National Circus Centre

Circus Showcase 2014 was directed by Megan Jones, hosted by the talented Mistress of Ceremonies Aurora Kurth and featured distinct solo, duo and group performances from NICA’s graduating class of 2014.

The show, entitled Rouge et Blanc featured two distinct cabaret-style performances, each showcasing half of NICA’s talented final-year students. In a departure from NICA’s traditional Showcase format, audiences had the option of enjoying this incredible display of contemporary circus from Gold or Silver cabaret table seating in addition to General Admission seats.

These final year artists tested the limits of physical strength with an eclectic mix of circus skills including: aerial cube, aerial straps, Chinese pole, contortion, duo and single rope, German wheel, hand balancing, head balancing, head trapeze, hula hoops, juggling, roué cyr, singlepointtrapeze,tightwire,tissu,tumblingandunicycle.

Audience numbers

1,437 spectators

“The costumes reminisce an era circa 1930s, the music and the decor had an air of burlesque… If there were any ‘hiccups’ then they were only noticeable to the instructors and the performers themselves, because to the layperson in the audience, it all ran like a Swiss watch. I definitely plan on going again.”

–Gordana Andjelic-Davila, Australian Stage 4rd of July 2014

24th September – 4rd October 2014

NICA National Circus Centre

NICA presented 7, a gripping triple bill performed by its second year students as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2014. The triple bill included: Apartment 7 - Directed by Meredith Kitchen and Aaron Walker; On the 7th Day – Directed by Martine Howard and Tarn Scully and #ashtag7 – Directed by Dan Power. Each performance explored a distinct aspect of today’s society – inviting the audience to become lost and found in a wasteland; feel more connected but ever disconnected in the age of the internet; and question that life is never simple, unless you live alone…

Audience numbers

827 spectators

“So much is on offer here: chair balancing, hand balancing,headbalancing,hulahoops,juggling,trapeze, tight rope walking, tumbling duo and trio aerial, dance trapeze,slackwire,hirewire,tightwire,…thelistgoeson…

The tricks are impressive… and the skill level is high... Did I mention these are second year students!! WOW!”

–Matthew Grant, Melbourne.Arts.Fashion

26th of September 2014

26th November – 6th December 2014

NICA National Circus Centre

Internationally renowned Director Firenza Guidi, from NoFit State Circus in Wales, crafted a dynamic live circus experience featuring NICA’s graduating artists. This site-specific performance explored different types of dreams – from those which come to us at night, sometimes so vivid that we can smell and taste and touch, to those which we carry with us through our waking reality. The audience witnessed performers weave their way through their own dreams – where things are uncharted and the world is upside down.

Audience numbers

2,056 spectators

“Dreams from the Second Floor is probably the greatest show I’ve ever seen. And I’ve already booked tickets to see it again.”

“Directed by internationally renowned director Firenza Guidi,DreamsFromTheSecondFloorfeels,quiteliterally, likeadream—andthat’sjusthowGuidiintended.Theshow hasnorealnarrative,ratheritaimstoexplore,demonstrate andcelebratethetopsy-turvyworldofdreams.“Everyshow that I do is a book of dreams”, she says.“Most things in life are random. Like the sequence of pictures in a dream.”

2104graduateOliviaWatts.

year students Simone Salle and Stephanie Mouat.

In 1983, the world-famous Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe undertook the first of two training projects with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Circus Oz and other physical theatre artists.The initiative and its two celebrated shows,The Great Leap Forward andThe Circus ofTomorrow, revolutionised the way Australia thought about and practised circus arts.

Continuing the 30 year legacy of the original Nanjing Project, Melbourne Festival was proud to welcome a new generation of some of China’s best acrobats to Australia. In partnership with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the National Institute of Circus Arts, five Chinese circus artists trained with students in Albury –Wodonga and in Melbourne at NICA’s Prahran headquarters, imparting the innovations of current Chinese practice. Four talented NICA students performed alongside incredible Nanjing circus artists and students from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. The performance was directed by NICA’s Certificate III and Movement Studies Coordinator,MeredithKitchenwithartisticconsultancy by NICA’s Head of Circus Studies, Mr Lu Guang Rong. Presented by Melbourne Festival in association with Playking Foundation

SecondyearstudentsStevenFinneganandMarkGraham. SecondyearstudentAlexJean.

2014 graduate Lucas Simonds.

2014 graduate Rowan Thomas.

NICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

Professor Jennelle Kyd

DIRECTORS

Mrs Sheila Fitzgerald // until 20 Jun 2014

Ms Kirsten Jeffrey

Mr Ross Mollison // until 14 Mar 2014

Mr Bryan Rossi

Mr Luke Sheehy

Mr Jeffrey Smart

Mr David Stevens

Ms Mary Stuart // until 13 Sep 2014

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mr Tom Rowan

EXECUTIVE & ADMIN

PROGRAM MANAGER

Ms Rose Stephens

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Clare Toms

BUSINESS MANAGER

Andrew Simpson

OPERATIONS MANAGER (Human Resources)

Emily O’Connor

MARKETING MANAGER

Georgia Mill

FINANCE OFFICER

Shashwat Patel

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANTS

Jon Allingham

Hannah Gott

Matt Noone

EDUCATION TEAM

ACADEMIC LEADER

Dr Katrina Rank

HEAD OF CIRCUS STUDIES

Lu Guang Rong

HEAD OF PERFORMANCE STUDIES

Megan Jones

THIRD YEAR COORDINATOR

Aaron Walker

SECOND YEAR COORDINATOR

Vasily Ivanov

FIRST YEAR COORDINATOR

Tegan Carmichael

DIPLOMA COORDINATOR

Mathew Daniels

CERTIFICATE IV COORDINATORS

Ludwig Schukin

Diana Zhang

CERTIFICATE III COORDINATOR AND MOVEMENT STUDIES COORDINATOR

Meredith Kitchen

PRODUCTION & FACILITIES

OPERATIONS MANAGER (Facilities and Resources)

Carmel Duffy

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Eduard Ingles

RIGGERS

Andrew Bright

Margot Storm

COMMERCIAL & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

TEACHING STAFF

Stephen Burton

Charlie (Gang) Cheng

Liudmila Druzhina

Arturo Gomez

Martine Howard

Konstantin Ibraguimov

Lu Rong

Kathryn Niesche

Andrea Ousley

Daniel Power

Tarn Scully

Earl Shatford

Julian Wisdom

Jing Jing Xue

SESSIONAL TEACHING STAFF

Annie Alderson

Dr Kim Baston

James Brown

Helene Embling

John Paul Fischbach

Grant Fletcher

Rain Francis

Tom Gorham

Firenza Guidi

Luke Ha

Andrew Iser

Derek Ives

Cui Qi Jin

Aurora Kurth

Jacqui Louder

Amy McPherson

Dr David Munro

Katherine Shone

Jess Smith

Donna Stevens

Melenie Stevenson

SOCIAL CIRCUS COORDINATOR

Andrea Ousley

CircaNICA Agent

Liz Louden

SHORT COURSE COORDINATOR

Paula McKaskill

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Stephanie Tate

HEALTH & INJURY PREVENTION

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

Dr David Munro

Free Coulston

Penny Dayan

Joanna Rashleigh

SPORTS MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

Dr Kathy Yu

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST

Jacqui Louder

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

Annie Alderson

CONFERENCES, PRESENTATIONS, FORUMS

Staff and students participated in a number of conferences, presentations and forums in 2014.

NATIONAL

Adelaide

National Youth Circus Symposium

Fringe Festival

Cirkidz staff professional development

Bathurst

Catapult Festival

Brisbane

TheWorldAllianceforArtsEducationGlobalSummit2014

Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM)

Melbourne

Australia Circus and Physical Theatre Association (ACAPTA) Annual General Meeting

ACAPTA Circus Futures Forum

ArtsHub Conference

Fresh Arts Coalition Conference

Melbourne Juggling Convention

Newcastle

Newcastle Juggling Convention

Sydney

Sydney Passing Convention

Western Australia

Canningvale College, Circus Intensive

INTERNATIONAL

Taiwan

International Drama Forum

Europe

European Juggling Convention

Auckland

Auckland Circus Convention and the New Zealand Circus Futures Forum

Auch, France

European Federation of Professional Circus Schools (FEDEC) Circa Festival and FEDEC AGM

London

The National Centre for Circus Arts

Singapore

Adventure Based Experiential Learning, Social Circus Certificate (ABEL)

South East Asia

Cirque du Monde / Cirque du Soleil mapping

Social Circus Projects

VALE KONSTANTIN (KOSTYA) IBRAGUIMOV

It was with great sadness that NICA mourned the loss of trainer, Konstantin (Kostya) Ibraguimov, who passed away suddenly in December. Kostya brought a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to NICA through the traditions of the Great Moscow Circus, and his incredible achievements in aerial skiing and sports acrobatics in Russia. Staff and students, past and present, will always remember his smiling face, his encouraging attitude and incredible skill. On 16 December the NICA community and Kostya’s family were able to pay tribute to him at a Memorial Service held in the NICA NCC. This was a beautiful celebration of his life and included performances, poems, memory boards and tributes. Kostya’sstudentspaidpersonaltributesacknowledging hisstrengthandinspiration.OurthoughtsarewithKostya’s family and he will be forever missed by all at NICA.

COMMUNITY CIRCUS PROGRAM

The Short Course Community Program attracted over 3,100 participants and included classes for children, teenagers and adults. More than thirty classes were openedtothepubliceachterm,offeringopportunities to learn and develop skills such as contortion, handstands, trampoline, hula hoops, tissu, tumbling and trapeze at all levels.

The program employed over 30 trainers including second and third year NICA students, NICA graduates and industry professionals.

2014 saw the introduction of new classes such as Dance Acrobatics and ‘Superdets’ for 10 –12 year olds. Due to demand, NICA increased the number of classes for 7 –12 year olds. This age group made up almost 33% of overall participants.

PROGRAMS

Percentage of current programs offered:

45%

Children’s classes

9%

Adult Advanced

18%

Teen classes

31%

Adult classes

NICASparks.

Photo by Julian Meehan Photography.

NICA YOUTH CIRCUS FINALE 2014 CARNIVAL OF DREAMS

Two shows were presented in the NICA National Circus Centre on Saturday 13 December 2014. Each show included six community circus classes and ran for approximately50minutes.Directedbyrespectedclown and theatre maker Liz Skitch, the theme of Carnival of Dreamsallowedtrainersandparticipantstopresenttheir growingcircustalentstotheirfavouritecircustheme.This eventwasonceagainsupportedbytheCityofStonnington through its Arts and Cultural Development Grant and was attended by more than 450 family and friends.

PRIVATE TUITION

As an added service to the public and circus industry professionals, NICA continued to offer private tuition. Private tuition is ideal for those looking to train in a discipline that isn’t covered by a short course or wanting focused training to boost their skills to the next level. In 2014, 87 participants took up the opportunity to learn fromNICA’sexperiencedtrainersinpersonalisedsessions.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM AND WORKSHOPS

Thepopularityoftheschoolholidayprogramcontinued to grow as we introduced specialty shows and activities, as well as delivering fun and active circus workshops. ‘ComeandTry’classeswereofferedfourtimesthroughout the year for those after a taste of circus. NICA hosted 53 workshops throughout 2014 welcoming schools, corporate, and private groups into the space.

OPEN TRAINING

With an increasing demand for suitable training spaces for circus professionals, NICA was pleased to launch the Open Training Program (OTP) in 2013. NICA’s OTP continued to provide a safe training space for NICA students, staff, graduates and other circus professionalsthroughout2014.Individualsandgroups applied to train in the NICA space outside of NICA’s scheduled class hours, including international circus artists visiting Melbourne.

NICASparks.

Photo by Julian Meehan Photography.

IN THE MEDIA

NICAattractedmanydifferentmediaorganisationsand individualstoitsperformancesandeventsthroughout2014 andcontinuedtobuilduponitsnationalandinternational reach with a diverse range of coverage secured. NICA workedagainwithMollisonCommunicationsthroughout the year to secure editorials, reviews and listings across a range of national and international media.

During 2014, NICA’s national television coverage increased with five feature stories and mentions being broadcast around the country. NICA also continued to expand upon its social media reach with this proving to be a great way of engaging new friends and sharing news. NICA’s total Facebook likes grew 24% from 2013 to reach 4,124 by 31 December 2014.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 2014

The NICASparksYouth PerformanceTroupe performed as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and received a four star review from the Herald Sun (11 April) for their performance of iClown. The review gave high praise to the young performers who were described as, “… joyous and fearless” and “cheeky, charming, personable youngsters…”

NICA was also the subject of an ArtsHub Latest News Story (17 May) by Richard Watts – ‘NICA and Flying Fruit Flies join forces to strengthen circus sector.’This article outlined the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both schools designed to strengthen career pathwaysforcircusstudentsandincludedinterviewswith NICA’s Program Manager, Rose Stephens and Richard Hull, Executive Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

NICA’s national auditions campaign was promoted extensively online, in print and on radio. Interviews also took place on both ABC Adelaide ‘Afternoons’ program (18 August), and ABC Perth ‘Afternoons’ program (20 August).

Channel Nine’s TODAY Show broadcast live weather reports from NICA on August 27. Second year students performed a variety of routines which were broadcast live around the country.

Another highlight was a feature story on NICA student, Jillibalu Riley broadcast as part of the National Indigenous Television (NITV) News on September 23.

The Nanjing Project saw NICA receive strong coverage for the 2014 Melbourne Festival. NICA student Ella Horner was photographed on the front page of The Sunday Age’s M Magazine (5 October) and ABC Local Radio (24 September) and ABC Arts and Books Daily (14 October) both broadcast stories about the Nanjing Project including interviews with NICA’s Head of Circus Studies, Mr Lu Guang Rong.

HOW WE CONNECT

47,175

NICA website received 47,175 unique visits during 2014

9,000

E-newsletter – over 9,000 people have subscribed

4,124

NICA’s Facebook grew to over 4,124 likes in 2014.

1,400

NICA’sTwitteraccountalsoattractedmanynewfollowers.

Channel Nine’s TODAY show live weather reports.

Photo of Martin Evans and Maggie Fayne by Maria Rizzo.

CircaNICA continues to lead the way as Australia’s premiersupplierofcontemporarycircusentertainment.

In 2014, CircaNICA secured 145 contracts providing artists and creative services. The agency employed a total of 140 performers, including both NICA graduates and circus industry professionals.

Since 2003, the agency has provided talent for short and longtermcontracts,producedcommissionedperformances and secured on-going bookings with corporate and privateclients,eventmanagementagencies,community organisations and venues across Australia.

CLIENT SECTOR REPORT

LONG TERM CONTRACTS

■ Australian Shakespeare Company

■ Celebrity Cruises

■ Draculas Cabaret Restaurant

■ F1RST Tax & Duty Free, Melbourne Airport

■ Giggle and Hoot & Friends Live Tour

■ King Kong Live on Stage

■ Wonderland Fun Park Spiegeltent

KEY CONTRACTS 2014

CELEBRITY CRUISES

CircaNICA secured a 6 month contract with Celebrity Cruises for 2013 NICA graduates Anna Murray and Jon Campos. They set sail in early August 2014, performing aerial ring, hand-balancing, freestanding pole, zorb ball and roving entertainment on-board the Celebrity Silhouette.

‘GIGGLE AND HOOT & FRIENDS’ LIVE TOUR

NICA graduate and CircaNICA artist Simon Wright toured nationally with Giggle and Hoot & Friends during the December 2014 school holidays. Simon performedalongsidecastfromthemultiaward-winning ABC4Kids preschool program Giggle & Hoot, as well as the Bananas in Pyjamas. Simon played a unicycling postman character ‘Zap’ from the very popular ABC4Kids show Hoopla Doopla!, in their first ever live show.

NICAgraduatesandCircaNICAperformersTeganCarmichael,JonAllingham andSarahMcDougallperformedwithNICAtrainerandCircaNICAartist AlexGullanattheWorldCancerCongress.Photo©UICC.

2014graduateDylanRodriguezperformed at the 2014 Victorian Training Awards.

Photo by Les O’Rourke.

2013 graduate Emily Collins.

Photo supplied by Solution Entertainment.

NICA graduates and CircaNICA artists Tom Gorham and Callan Harris. Photo supplied by Solution Entertainment.

KEY EVENTS 2014

T20 CRICKET

CircaNICA supplied trampoline and walking globe performers for the T20 Cricket Australia matches in Hobart,MelbourneandSydneyinJanuaryandFebruary 2014.Dressedinsparklycolouredbodysuitstorepresent AustraliaorEngland,ourelite-leveltrampolinistsreacted toeventsinthegamewithspectaculartricks.Thewalking globe performers roamed around the boundary of the pitch on giant white globes styled as cricket balls. The performersreceivedtelevisioncoverageduringthematch.

FERRARI FORMULA 1 PARTY

CircaNICA artists presented a performance at Ferrari’s Formula 1 Fire and Ice Party inside large transparent zorb balls! Dressed as a beautiful red and gold fire bird and an elegant ice fairy, our artists performed acrobatics, contortion and dance inside the balls.

VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS

CircaNICA was commissioned by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to create a unique opening act for theVictorianTraining Awards. Presented at Crown Palladium on 26 September 2014, the performance was a collaboration between NICA and Patrick Studios Australia.

The evening opened with a circus piece directed by NICA’s Head of Performance Studies, Megan Jones, followed by dance and musical theatre acts by students from Patrick Studios.The circus element featured aerial ring, dance trapeze, hula hoop, tumbling and handbalancing. Later in the evening, CircaNICA presented an aerial straps and dance trapeze performance as part of a student fashion showcase.

2014 WORLD CANCER CONGRESS

CircaNICA presented a group acrobatic act at the 2014 World Cancer Congress. Organised by the Union for International Cancer Control and hosted by Cancer Council Australia, the congress hosted cancer control professionals from all around the world. The performance took place on 5 December 2014 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

TESTIMONIALS

“The performance on Friday was fantastic! We are so grateful to CircaNICA for being a part of it! It was a big hit, especially among our international guests. Thanks again for your support at the World Cancer Congress. It was great working with you.”

–Rosannah Snelson, Cancer Council Australia (World Cancer Congress, 5 December 2014)

“Rowan’s performance was excellent and it was an absolutepleasureworkingwiththebothofyou.Ireceived numerouscommentsaboutRowan’sperformanceover the night. People just loved it! The level of skill and professionalism coming out of NICA is just incredible!”

–Miles Reay, Swinburne University of Technology (Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, 1 December 2014)

“Everything from their costumes to their performance and professionalism was fantastic. It’s always a pleasure being able to work with NICA and the client was beyond happy with everything.”

–Kate Palm, Solution Entertainment (Chadstone Shopping Centre Activation, 22-25 May 2014)

“Iwasextremelyimpressedwiththetrampolineacrobats thatwereperformingattheT20matchbetweenAustralia and England on the 29th of January. Thanks and congratulationsforputtingonanenjoyableandunique show for the cricket.”

–Paul Cook (T20 Cricket, January 2014)

2013 graduate and CircaNICA artist Anna Murray. Photo supplied by Solution Entertainment.

CircaNICA artist Simon Wright (Left) performs in Hoopla Doopla!

NICA SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERSHIPS

The National Institute of Circus Arts is supported by the Australian Government

NICA would like to thank the following for their support // The Sun Foundation, the Iverson Family and Yo-get-it.

2014graduateAngeliqueRoss.

2014 graduate Phoebe Carlson.

Second year student Simone Sallé.

Second year student Jillibalu Riley.

Street Address // 39 – 59 Green Street

Prahran VIC 3181 Australia

Mailing Address // PO Box 1277 Windsor VIC 3181 Australia

T // +613 9214 6975

F // +613 9214 6574

E // info@nica.com.au

ABN 80 084 913 235

WWW.NICA.COM.AU