Harley Mann (Director) is a Wakka Wakka man from Queensland, founded Na Djinang Circus in 2017, drawing on his Aboriginal heritage for inspiration. With experience in leading contemporary circus companies, Na Djinang has achieved success with shows like Common Dissonance and Arterial. Harley’s leadership secured multi-year funding for Na Djinang, and his talent has been recognised with awards including the Melbourne Fringe Award for Best Emerging Circus Artist. He contributes to the industry as a CaPT Advisory Group co-convener, Circus Oz Fellow and Australia Council for the Arts Future Leaders Program participant.
Johnathon Brown (Performer) Johnny’s journey is a testament to the power of determination and passion. His success in the performing arts industry, despite the obstacles he faced, is an inspiration to aspiring artists everywhere. Johnny’s commitment to representing his culture through his work is especially important, as it helps to preserve and celebrate the rich diversity of First Nations people in Australia. His performances not only showcase his incredible talent but also serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities.
Tamara Bouman (Performer) is a 24-year-old Birripai/ Wiradjuri contemporary dance artist and performer, is currently based in Melbourne and Sydney. She began her training at the age of three and has experience in various performance modalities, including contemporary dance, ballet, performance art, circus, film, and physical theatre. Tamara graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2019 and has worked with several artists and companies, including Sydney Dance Company, Stephanie Lake, and Na Djinang Circus. She is passionate about cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration and using dance to connect with her culture, land, and audience.
Maggie Church-Kopp (Performer) is a proud Arrente multidisciplinary artist whose practice combines circus, theatre, and dance. Maggie has performed in various shows, including Arterial, Whose Gonna Love ‘Em. I Am That I Am, and Get Your Geek On. Maggie has trained and worked with Circus OZ, Ilbijerri Theatre, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and received TNA’s EFNC&PTA Mentorship in 2022. She believes in performance as a collective mechanism for truth-telling and aims towards creative innovation encompassed by cultural respect.
Dylan Singh (Performer) is a proud Wiradjuri man and second-generation circus performer, who weaves his culture into his performances using circus as a medium. He explores the meaning of Dreaming and its modern-day relevance. Dylan has captivated audiences for over a decade, working with leading Australian circus companies such as Company 2, Circus Oz, and Casus. Growing up in the Flying Fruit Fly circus, Dylan aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of black performers while reflecting his connection to the community.
Harrie Hogan (Production Manager) began her training at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts before completing a BFA in Production at the Victorian College of the Arts (2019). Her recent design credits include Nothing (A Ry Presentation, 2022) and Sirens (VIMH, 2022), Wolf Play (Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, 2023). Harrie was the 2022 Malthouse Besen Placement in lighting and has been nominated for three Green Room Awards (Kerosene 2022, Sirens 2023 and Grace 2023)
Daniel Mitchell (Cultural Consultant) Daniel’s artistic practice traverses a diverse creative field, from circus, physical theatre, street theatre, performance art, festivals and events and public art. His practice has evolved over 30 years and is focused very much on cultural protocol through thorough connection to country/site/location and community engagement. This approach is further informed by his own Whadjuk Nyoongar (Derbil Yerrigan - Swan River Mob) and his Anglo-European cultural heritages. Daniel has worked as Director, Creative Producer, Performer and Creator with companies including, Footscray Community Arts Centre as Due West Arts Festival Executive Producer, Circus Oz (Vic), Ihos Opera (Tas), Bizircus,(W.A), Melbourne Fringe Festival, QuarterAcreBlock Street Theatre (W.A.), Theatre De La Unity (France), Antic Disposition (U.K.), Dislocate Physical Theatre (VIC), Flying Fruit Fly Circus (NSW), Ran Dan Club (W.A.) and various others. In 2003 he held the position of Guest Director with the Melbourne Fringe Festival where he developed the Fringe Shrouds public art project.
Emily Barrie (Costume & Set Design) is a Set and Costume Designer living in Narrm. A graduate of the Victorian Colleg of the Arts., her designs for multi-disciplines of the performing arts spans across theatre, circus, physical theatre, parades, installations and events, with her work touring widely. Companies include Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre, Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Rawcus Theatre, & Circus Oz. Most recently Emily designed Glass (Rawcus), Here We are Amongst You (Rawcus), Gene Tree (St. Martin’s), Heart is a Wasteland (Ilbijerri), Goodbye Aunty Flo (Ilbijerri) and Jacky (MTC). Emily’s work has been recognised with many industry association nominations and awards, including The Green Room Awards and Helpmann Awards for Design and Best or Outstanding Production
Danni Esposito (Sound Design) is a non-binary composer and sound designer from Naarm, working across theatre and film. They are a recent graduate of Victorian College of the Arts and hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production. Danni was sound designer for The Sound Inside at Melbourne Theatre Company directed by Sarah Goodes. Other credits include sound design and composition for: Stay Woke (Malthouse Theatre/Darlinghurst Theatre Company); Overflow (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); Hydra (Darebin Arts Speakeasy); Fast Food (Red Stitch); Slutnik, Guerilla Sabbath, Adam (Midsumma Festival); Cactus (La Mama); Punk Rock (Patalog Theatre); Slut (The Burrow); The Dream Laboratory (Essential Theatre); Treats (Fever103 Theatre); Land (Three Fates Theatre Company); Never Said Motel (Melbourne Writers Festival); Tram Lights Up (Bighouse Arts). Danni was nominated for a Green Room Award for their work on Hydra.
Dans Maree Sheehan (Producer) has an impressive career in the performing arts, having worked with renowned companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Elevator Repair Service Theater. She has collaborated on large-scale productions with Back to Back Theatre and Circus Oz and has recently worked with a variety of companies, including Throw Catch Collective and Dislocate. Dans has also played a crucial role in creating a yearly festival in regional Victoria.
Steph Cox (General Manager, Na Djinang Circus) is a seasoned Producer, Program, and Production Manager with a background in Circus and Physical Theatre. She has worked on national and international tours for various companies, including Circa and the National Institute of Circus Arts. As the former Program Manager at Theatre Network Australia, Steph championed the Circus and Physical Theatre sector’s advocacy and development. One of her career highlights was working with Chasing Smoke (Casus), Australia’s only First Nations touring circus ensemble, from 2018 to 2020. Steph completed a Master of Fine Arts in Cultural Leadership, where she researched Wellbeing in the Performing Arts, particularly Circus Training Institutions. Currently, she is pursuing a second Master’s in Business - Arts & Cultural Management.