CIRCA Program

CIRCA MAY 29 – JUNE 10

Malthouse Theatre presents

CIRCA A Circa Production Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa ensemble

Director Yaron Lifschitz

Performers

Nathan Boyle, Jessica Connell, Daniel Crisp, Jarred, Dewey, Todd Kilby, Alice Muntz, Brittannie Portelli

Producer Danielle Kellie Tour Manager/Director Diane Stern/Sally Blackwood

Technical Director/Lighting Designer Jason Organ

Production Manager Mark Middleton Costume Designer Libby McDonnell

MERLYN THEATRE MAY 29 – JUNE 10

Toured by Performing Lines for Road Work, with the support of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and through the national performing arts touring program, Playing Australia.

Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE In the circus we don’t need words to communicate. Instead we have the most magnificent expressive vehicle of all – the human body.

Our bodies speak of pain and joy, of hope and despair, of love and loss, of courage and timidity. The list goes on and on and the words pile up. So, at the end of the day, when we talk about our shows we have a big pile of pitiful words and 70 minutes of powerful, visceral and immediate human action.

CIRCA contains little or no set, characters, storyline or theme. It has the barest of costumes and basic lights, circus equipment and choreographic languages. There is nothing up our sleeves (and we don’t even have sleeves!). We also don’t use words.

Instead we have an ensemble of artists who can move, think and feel. Who make choices, improvise, explore. Who understand that strength and vulnerability are not opposites. Who know that their failure and effort is as valid and compelling as their successes.

In the incandescence of live performance I hope this courage, openness and humanity find a way into our audiences’ hearts. I love the ideas that went into making the work (how many circuses have scenes named after books of poetry by Paul Celan?) and I love that these are part of the lived fabric of the show – something to be watched and savoured rather than understood or written about.

For, if anything, CIRCA is like a meal. Full of ingredients and flavours you know but in combinations that are utterly new and often disconcerting. I hope you enjoy.

Yaron Lifschitz

YARON LIFSCHITZ

NATHAN BOYLE

DIRECTOR

PERFORMER

Yaron is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) where he was the youngest director ever accepted into its prestigious graduate director’s course. Since graduating, Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large-scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre and circus. His work has been seen in eighteen countries, across five continents by over 500,000 people.

Yaron was founding Artistic Director of the Australian Museum’s Theatre Unit, Head Tutor in Directing at Australian Theatre for Young People and has been a regular guest tutor in directing at NIDA since 1995. He is currently Artistic Director and CEO of Circa.

With Circa, Yaron has created works such as Wunderkammer, CIRCA, by the light of stars that are no longer..., The Space Between and 61 Circus Acts in 60 Minutes. His recent works have been described in reviews as being “…beautiful and moving” and “the standard to which all other circuses can aspire”.

Yaron lives in Brisbane with his son, Oscar. His passion is creating works of philosophical and poetic depth from the traditional languages of circus.

Nathan has been a natural performer his whole life. After terrorising his parents at a young age with handstands and cartwheels, they saw his passion for performing and acrobatics and enrolled him in gymnastics. This passion for acrobatics took him to Sports Acrobatics where he represented and won titles for New South Wales at many National Championships. After accepting his position at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), Nathan trained in Cloudswing and Adagio. His NICA performance credits include Aerials Dream, Do Not Pass Go, CIRCA Festival in France and Prospero (The Sorcerer).

JESSICA CONNELL PERFORMER Jessica has just completed a Diploma in Circus Arts at the National Institute of Circus Artists (NICA) in Melbourne. Jessica was formerly a member of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus specializing in Hula Hoops and Aerials. As well as her role in A4’s production of Downpour, Jessica spent five years performing with the Fruit Fly Circus around Australia including Teetering on the Wall at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the Sydney Hoopla Festival. She has also performed at many corporate functions and has been involved in circus workshops in indigenous communities. Jessica won the 2007 Albury Applause Busking Festival award for best act under 18 and the Wodonga Red Carpet Award for Best Young Performer 2009. She was recruited to perform in the Victorian School Spectacular season of Barnum in late 2009. Jessica was very excited to join Circa in 2011.

DANIEL CRISP (CRISPY) PERFORMER Daniel trained in dance, acrobatics and, after medalling at both state and national levels in taekwondo, circus was a natural career choice. Daniel was awarded a scholarship into his final year in the Bachelor of Circus Arts through the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), where he specialized in Chinese Straps under the guidance of circus legend Mr Guang Rong Lu. Daniel has also trained in Hoop Diving, Acrobatics, traditional and Korean Teeterboard, Chinese Pole and Flying Trapeze. Daniel has entertained international audiences at the FEDEC CIRCA Festival in France, flying trapeze performances in New York, Australian Fringe Festivals, and is looking forward to again representing Australia on the international stage.

JARRED DEWEY PERFORMER Jarred grew up as a member of Cirkidz, an Adelaide based youth circus with whom he trained, performed and toured with for over five years. He was a founding member of the circus/physical theatre company The Rambutan Circus Collective which was awarded Best Circus/ Theatre Show by Emerging Ensemble in the 2007 Adelaide Fringe for its season of Menagerie. In 2010, Jarred graduated from the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) where he specialized in Contortion Handstands and Swinging Trapeze.

TODD KILBY PERFORMER Todd, from the New South Wales coastal city of Newcastle, was born into the life of surfing and all things beach. He is a black belt in taekwondo and has both trained and performed with Circus Avalon and Hands Free Physical Theatre with whom he won a CONDA (City of Newcastle

Drama Award) for stunt choreography. He joined the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in 2008 and, whilst there, worked with the Tangentyere Council in Alice Springs teaching in the local Indigenous Youth Circus Arts Centre. While specializing in Chinese Pole and Hoop Diving he has also been trained in Teeterboard, Adagio, Tumbling and Knockabout. Todd is a multifaceted performer with a uniquely Australian style combining circus, dance, martial arts and drama. Todd has a passion and love of performing and entertaining audiences through exploration and raw human energy.

ALICE MUNTZ PERFORMER Alice has spent the last ten years performing with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Specializing in Diablo and Aerials she has performed all over Australia. Alice performed in over 15 different Fruit Fly productions including a regional tour of Circus Girl, the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games and taking part in many festivals and corporate functions. In 2008 she was selected to take part in an exchange program with Ecole National de Cirque in Montreal.

She performed in the 2009 production of The Promise which received the prestigious Helpmann Award in that year. Alice’s career so far has also seen her be a part of several Indigenous workshops including conducting an independent workshop at the Garma Festival in 2010, and she is currently working on an ongoing circus program in the Indigenous communities of the Northern Territory. After graduation from Australia’s premiere youth circus company, Alice’s career took off in 2011 with Circa and she is excited to see what this year will bring.

BRITTANNIE PORTELLI

LIBBY MCDONNELL

PERFORMER

COSTUME DESIGNER

Britt has over 10 years’ experience in elite sport - the perfect foundations for her career in circus. After competing internationally in both Aerobic Gymnastics and Synchronized Swimming, she wanted to combine her love for physical movement with her aspirations of performing. She completed the 3-year Bachelor Degree at the National Institute of Circus Arts in 2010 where she specialized in Aerial Cube, Cloud Swing, Teeterboard and Bungee Trapeze. Shortly after graduating at the age of 20, she was hired by Circa. While working at Circa, Britt has toured internationally and was an acrobat in the ensemble performing an 8-month season of Wunderkammer at the CHAMÄLEON Theater in Berlin, Germany.

SALLY BLACKWOOD TOUR MANAGER/DIRECTOR Sally has a Bachelor of Arts (Double Major Theatre/Film, French) from the University of New South Wales. In 2006, she completed a postgraduate course in Directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) while working as an Assistant Producer at the Sydney Opera House. She has also worked as a Director for Green Badger Productions, a Creative Producer for KidsPlay and Glen Street Theatre and Co-Artistic Director at Jigsaw Theatre Company. Sally’s production credits include television commercials and drama series, short films, theatre, dance, opera and live festival events. She has worked as a director, producer, production manager, writer and French stage interpreter. In 2012, Sally joined Circa as Tour Manager/ Director and has experienced her first international tour with the company, travelling through Europe to tour one of Circa’s most acclaimed works. Later in 2012, Sally will be directing Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld for Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Libby is a freelance costume designer and performer from Brisbane. Libby has an Associate Degree in Dance from QUT and now specialises in costuming for movement based performance work. Libby has designed for Circa’s productions Wunderkammer, Strange Familiar Angel and On Air. She has also designed for Expressions Dance Company’s SOLO season, Claire Marshall’s Slowdive and Cavill Ave. Libby was Production Designer for Blue Roo Theatre Company’s Sugar Cane Ball and costume designer for Gavin Webber’s collaboration with Regurgitator, Rockshow. Libby has been performing with choreographer Claire Marshall in her productions Cavil Ave, Slowdive and Hey Scenester. She has also performed in Perth Theatre Company’s EQUUS, and has worked with choreographers Kate Harman, Gavin Webber and Solon Ulbrich. Libby has also performed in film clips by musicians Powderfinger, Little Birdy, The Sleepy Jackson and Darren Hayes.

MARK MIDDLETON

JASON ORGAN

PRODUCTION MANAGER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / LIGHTING DESIGNER

Mark is a Production Manager from Brisbane, Australia.

Graduating at the top of his class in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Production from the Queensland University of Technology, he was also awarded the Ashley Wilkie Prize for Outstanding Contributions to the Performing Arts. After finishing his tertiary studies, Mark continued to freelance around Queensland, while spending significant time with companies including Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Ballet, Major Brisbane Festivals, LaBoite Theatre Company and JLX Productions. Mark also works for Queensland University of Technology as a mentor to the Technical Production Students and as the Production Manager for their professional dance and theatre seasons.

Mark is an astute sessional academic and will continue working for the university after his touring commitments. At the end of 2010, Mark started casual work with Circa as an Assistant to the Technical Director. With such a profound interest in the development of the company, Mark has since been employed as a Touring Production Manager travelling around Australia and North America on multiple tours.

Jason graduated from Queensland University of Technology in 1988. He has worked as a technician, rigger, lighting designer and production manager. During this time he has lit all manner of productions from pantomimes and product launches to ballet, festivals, military tattoos, circus and live television; contemporary dance and circus being his favourites. Jason is co-founder of JLX productions, a lighting design and technical consultancy, based in Brisbane Australia. Jason first worked with Yaron in 2001 on Sonata for Ten Hands. He subsequently lit Regarding the Joy of Others, Man in a Room Juggling, Anyway I’m Not Alone, Figaro Variations, Tango, Power and Wunderkammer. Since January 2010, he has been working exclusively with Circa, lighting and production managing their international tours.

DIANE STERN TOUR MANAGER/DIRECTOR Diane has a Bachelor of Theatre Arts from New Mexico State University in the United States where she graduated with honours. It was in the founding of a small theatre company in Seattle, WA, USA that she discovered a passion for producing performing arts. She then moved into the role of Assistant Production Manager for Intiman Theatre in Seattle before moving up to fill the same role at the prestigious Seattle Repertory Theatre. After taking time off to travel the world, she achieved her dream of coming to Australia where she immediately joined Circa as Producer. Diane had the immense pleasure of producing the company’s first ever 7-person ensemble creation, Wunderkammer, which premiered at the Brisbane Festival 2010. After getting a taste of life on the road, she transitioned into the role of Tour Manager/Director and is delighted to be part of the team taking Circa to the world.

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CREATIVE PRACTICE

gratefully acknowledges its supporters GOVERNMENT PARTNERS Malthouse Theatre is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body

MAJOR PARTNER

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Jeanne Pratt AC Rae Rothfield Sue Nattrass AO THE KENN BRODZIAK ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Tom Kantor Fund INDIGENOUS THEATRE PROGRAM

MUSE DONOR PROGRAM URANIA (MUSE OF THE STARS) Annamila Pty Ltd, The Dara Foundation CLIO (MUSE OF HISTORY) Berry Liberman & Daniel Almagor, John & Lorraine Bates, Michele Levine, Anonymous (1) THALIA (MUSE OF COMEDY) Frankie Airey & Stephen Solly, Betty Amsden OAM, Daniel & Danielle Besen, Eva Besen AO & Marc Besen AO, Debbie Dadon, Roger Donazzan & Margaret Jackson AC, Neilma Gantner, Colin Golvan SC, Peter & Anne Laver, Richard Leonard, Peter McLennan, Elisabeth & John Schiller, Philanthropy Squared, Trawalla Foundation, Anonymous (2) MELPOMENE (MUSE OF TRAGEDY) Chryssa Anagnostou & Jim Tsaltas, Terry Cutler, D.L & G.S Gjergja, Ian Hocking & Rosemary Forbes, Simon Westcott & Dr. Ben Keith, Tom Wright, Anonymous (1) EUTERPE (MUSE OF MUSIC) Ingrid Ashford, Beth Brown & Tom Bruce AM, Ingrid & Per Carlsen, Dominic Dirupo & Natalie Dwyer, Rev. Fr Michael Elligate, Carolyn Floyd, William J Forrest AM, John & Helen Gibbins, Brian Goddard, Scott Herron, Leonie Hollingworth, Valerie Johnstone, Michael Kingston, Naomi Milgrom AO, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, Rae Rothfield, Tim & Lynne Sherwood, Neil & Barbara Smart, Leonard Vary & Matt Collins, Jason Waple, Phil & Heather Wilson, Angelika & Pete Zangmeister, Anonymous (1) TERPSICHORE (MUSE OF DANCE) Roger Blythman, Sally Browne, Diana Burleigh, David Byrne, Min Li Chong, Sieglind D’Arcy, Taleen Gaidzkar, Brad Hooper, Graeme & Joan Johnson, Ann Kemeny & Graham Johnson, K & J Lindsay, Pamela McLure, Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE & Lady Nossal, Robert Peters, Karen Russell, Ernie Schwartz, Dr. Jenny Schwarz, Gina Stuart, Fiona Sweet & Paul Newcombe, Joanne & Dr. Niv Tadmore, Anonymous(2) ERATO (MUSE OF LOVE) Stephen Alley, Graham & Anita Anderson, Amanda Bede, Sandra Beanham, John Carruthers, Tim & Rachel Cecil, Dianne Clark, Patricia Coutts, Mary Crean AM, Tania de Jong AM, Doreen Dempster, Paul Gardner, Charles Gillies & Penny Allen, Peggy Hayton, Shirley Hickey, Roberta Holmes, Susan Humphries, Irene Irvine, Vas Katos, Irene Kearsey, Patricia Keith, Ruth Krawat, Gael & Ian McRae, Brad Martin, Robyn & John Morris, Dr. Kersti Nogeste, Linda Notley, David O’Connell & Jarrod Haberfield, Tony Oliver, Irene Purcell, John & Margot Rogers, Maria Sola, Thea & Hadyn Snow, John Thomas, Ann Tonks, Rosemary Walls, Jan Watson, Joanne Whyte, Henry Winters, Dr. Roger Woock & Fiona Clyne, Angharad Wynne-Jones, Barbara Yuncken, Anonymous (13) To find out more about the Malthouse Theatre Muse program, please contact Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison on 03 9685 5162 / tharrison@malthousetheatre.com.au.

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at The Malthouse - 113 Sturt Street Southbank VIC 3006 Box Office +61 3 9685 5111 Administration +61 3 9685 5100 Facsimile +61 3 9685 5112 Email admin@malthousetheatre.com.au Web www.malthousetheatre.com.au

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Production Manager David Miller Technical Manager Baird McKenna Operations Manager Dexter Varley Production Coordinator Lucy Birkinshaw Head Electricians Michele Bauer & Stewart Birkinshaw Campbell Artistic Director Marion Potts Head Mechanist Andy Moore Executive Producer Jo Porter Head of Wardrobe Amanda Carr Wardrobe Assistant Chloe Greaves Associate Artist – Design Paul Jackson Workshop Supervisor David Craig Associate Artist – Direction Matthew Lutton Steel Fabricator Goffredo Mameli Associate Artist – Writing Van Badham Scenic Artist Patrick Jones Director in Residence Adena Jacobs Props Master Ross Murray (lifetime recognition) Company Managers Nina Bonacci

Lucy Birkinshaw FRONT OF HOUSE/BAR STAFF

Sioban Tuke Matt Adair, Michelle Baginski, Associate Producer Josh Wright Claire Beynon, Jacqui Brown, Ben Carollo, Administrator Narda Shanley Tom Dent, Alice Dixon, Graham Downey, Finance Manager Mario Agostinoni Tanja George, Eden Gery, Kate Golding, Finance Administrator Liz White Kate Gregory, Simon Jeanes, Finance Assistant Connie Stella Gabrielle Lowe, Bridie McCarthy, Marketing and Communications Anna Nalpantidis, Daniel Newell, Manager Lisa Scicluna Ruby Nolan, Kliment Poposki, Felix Preval, Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison Beck Rafferty, Claire Richardson, Digital Strategy & Marketing Caleb Shea, Kathryn Stuckey, Coordinator Carl Nilsson-Polias Phoebe Taylor, Jade Thomson, Development Manager Jaclyn Birtchnell Lee Threadgold, Pete Walker Media Manager Maria O’Dwyer Ticketing Manager Emma Howard BOX OFFICE STAFF Ticketing Assistant Lauren White Liz Bastian, Paul Buckley, Mark Byrne, Youth and Education Sonja Fea, Rachael Dyson-McGregor, Program Clare Watson Jo Gibson, Dan Giovannoni, Kate Gregory, Executive Assistant Emily Fiori Michelle Hines, Ian Michael, Audience Development Fiona Wiseman, Liz White Consultant Jason Tamiru Building Manager Peter Mandersloot Malthouse Theatre would like to Bar Manager Cherry Rivers acknowledge the people of the Kulin Front of House Managers Tristan Watson nation on whose land this work is being

& Sean Ladhams presented.

Simon Westcott (Chair), Frankie Airey, John Daley, Michele Levine, Ian McRae, Thea Snow, Sigrid Thornton, Kerri Turner, Leonard Vary.

Vale Marc Psaila, our Company Manager, much loved and greatly missed.

Malthouse Theatre presents

By Federico García Lorca Adapted by Raimondo Cortese Directed by Marion Potts

21 JULY – 19 AUGUST

Production Partner

Photo Garth Oriander

113 STURT STREET SOUTHBANK

BOOKINGS malthousetheatre.com.au