Merging Emerging Artist Program

Simone O'Brien

Simone O'Brien is a performer, writer, teacher and director of circus and physical theatre. As the Artistic Associate of Legs On The Wall, Simone delivers artist development programs and physical theatre projects with the community, education and corporate sectors including Leichhardt Council, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Redfern Community Centre and Mooghalin Performing Arts and NIDA.

Simone was a co-founder of the aerial group CLUB SWING, who toured nationally and internationally, 1994 – 1999. She has also devised, directed, taught and made work with Bibi Bulak, Circus Oz, ABC Kids TV, Stalker, The Spaghetti Circus, Aerialize, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, The , The National Institute Of Circus Arts, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Melbourne Fringe Club, Adelaide Fringe, The Women's Circus, Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras, The Performance Space, The Candy Butchers, VIC Arts Centre, PICA and The Art Gallery Of NSW.

Simone has BA in English, Drama and Media Studies from Macquarie University and a Dip Ed from Melbourne University. Professional development includes the Cultivate director's laboratory with Force Majeure, an experimental children's theatre workshop with Chiara Guidi, a 3 month Asialink Residency in East Timor and a Time_Space_Place_5 Hybrid Arts laboratory.

Kirk Page

Widely acclaimed for his physical theatre, aerial and dance work, Kirk appeared in Ochres for Bangarra Dance Theatre, which toured Australia and internationally, A Midsummer Night's Dream for Opera Australia and performed numerous times for Legs on the Wall, in productions including Eora Crossing and Runners Up.

In music theatre, Kirk has appeared in Priscilla for Back Row Productions, The Sunshine Club for Sydney Theatre Company, Corrugation Road for Black Swan Theatre Company and most recently, One Night the Moon for Malthouse Theatre.

His theatre credits include Silent Disco for Griffin Theatre Company, The Dreamers and Conversations with the Dead for Belvoir, My Girragundji for Bell Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream for Sydney Theatre Company, Australia the Show! for Hothouse Theatre and Death in Bowengabbie for Merrigong Theatre Company.

On screen, Kirk played the lead in Bloodlines for SBS Films and the Australian Film Commission and also appeared in the film Shadow Play for Porchlight Films.

As a movement director Kirk has worked in film, television and theatre. Having worked on the ABC's My Place and on feature film Bran Nue Day for Robyn Kershaw Productions, in 2006 he also choreographed the indigenous section of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games My Skin, My Life.

Kirk's most recent engagement was as assistant director for Bloodland (STC) and worked as an outside eye for Posts in the Paddock "My darling Patricia"

Adam Deusien

Adam Deusien is a director/performer and a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts - Communication (Theatre/Media) at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. After finishing his studies he took part in the 6-month Internship program with Brisbane based Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, after which he was offered a place in the company's permanent Performance Company.

With Zen Zen Zo, Adam spent two years training, teaching, performing and developing new work across Queensland, as well as training in Hong Kong, Japan and Los Angeles. In 2010 he returned to Bathurst to begin a Master of Arts Practice (Directing for Stage) which he graduated from with distinction in 2011. Adam is currently one of two Directors in Residence at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre and is developing several new works to be performed in 2012.

David Jackson

A multidisciplinary performer with experience in devised work, physical, performance art and contemporary styles of theatre. He has experience in self-devised physical performance art installations; and has gained many skills ranging from designing the lighting and sound of his own performances to creating physical theatre using his own body and directing others to fulfil his artistic aesthetic. David has also been involved with Circus Monoxide over the past three years, training in acrobatics and aerials. He has been involved in a number of successful productions over the past few years including pre-paradise sorry now ( 2009) Trumpets and Raspberries (2009), Medea (2010), Hamletmachine (2010) and A dream (2010). Over the past year David has been living and working as a professional actor in Seoul, South Korea. He was the lead male role in the Children's english musical 'Twelve Singing Animals' directed by Aku Kadogo. David performed over 200 shows in the 10 month Seoul season.

Alison Plevey

Bree Le Cornu

Kaelan Mann

Kaelan has been interested in circus, dance and performance since he was in preschool, and started circus classes at Aerialise when he was 7. Kaelan undertook dance at high school and is currently in the NSW Department of Education Arts Program Aboriginal Dance Company. Kaelan has participated in the 2011 Flying Fruit Fly Circus National training camp, Catapult in 2009 and many local festivals such as Surry Hill and Newtown Festivals and the Sydney Royal Easter show as a roving artist.He is hoping to pursue a career in circus performance and would like to attend NICA after competing his HSC this year.

Jake Silvestro

Eddi Raglus

Eddi Raglus was born into a world surrounded with circus and has never wanted it any other way. At the age of 9 she joined "Circus Tribez", Gunnedah Circus School's performance troupe participating in their annual performances 'Flying on Fluro', ' Magic Happens', 'If The Hat Fits' their final show 'Flight 'and many other regional events in the northwest of NSW. Throughout the many performances Eddi performed Adagio, Aerial, Manipulation and Dance. Being a part of the troupe, performing on stage, having input into the creative development processes and having fun with many circus artists were all elements of it that she enjoyed. Since moving away from Gunnedah Eddi has enjoyed joining a dance school, taking on some circus teaching roles and seeking out any other circus opportunities that come her way locally and afar.

Ashleigh Pearce

Ashleigh Pearce is 16 years of age, and enjoys long handstands on the beach and tumbling in the park. On a more serious note, Ashleigh enrolled in Artistic Gymnastics from the age of 5 competing in many State Titles. Her favourite apparatus was 'floor' as it was a chance to show a more creative side of a very disciplined sport. She retired at age 14, to pursue other activities. Ash currently studies Dance, Drama and Physical Theatre. After discovering the world of contemporary circus she now enjoys "swapping judges scores for audience applause". Ash joined Circa's youth performance troupe 'Circa Zoo' in 2009. In late 2011, Ashleigh became the fifth member of an exciting new and emerging circus troupe 'Swings & Roundabouts'. Ash's specialties include hand balance, adagio and the aerials tissu and web.Ashleigh would have to admit that, "whilst I'm performing, life is so much more fun upside down!"

Shona Conacher

Shona is 17 yrs old and lives in Wollongong, NSW. She has been attending circus classes with Circus Monoxide's Half High Circus since 2005. She specializes in hula-hoops and tissue but also loves adagio and clowning – "my life is constant mayhem, in all the best ways, and I'll give pretty much everything else a try". If Shona had to choose her second love in life (first is circus) it would have to be food and doesn't think she knows many other performers that would disagree. The best thing about circus for Shona is the brilliant variety of people you find and she's so proud to be part of this community and one-day hopes to make this her career.

Miriam Pickard

Miriam is a mulit-disciplinary artist in contemporary clowning, site-specific theatre and video production. In 2007 Miriam graduated Charles Sturt University with a BA in Communications in Theatre/Media. Some of her recent work includes the 'Snorkel Girls' who swim through the central desert region and the 'Yeah-Ok Brothers' who wear giant wetsuits, enjoy a spot of tea and get their bogan vocabulary flowing with a simple 'Yeah' and 'Ok'. Currently, Miriam is working towards a cross artform site-specific contemporary clown performance called 'Inland' as part of the 2012 national JUMP mentorship program for emerging artists. Miriam is also a filmmaker and video artist for a range of organisations while also working with young adults in remote Aboriginal communities and the Alice Springs disability performing arts community.

Lisa Goldsworthy

Lisa Goldsworthy, aged 17, has always loved being upside down, climbing high and swinging through the air. She was always active and had tried many different sports and activities but had never found just the right one until she started circus classes at Cirkidz and loved it straight away. She describes starting circus classes as "the best decision of her life". After 3 terms of circus school classes she was invited into the Cirkidz Performance Troupe in October 2005 and she has been performing with the Troupe since then and is now the senior member. Lisa has been involved in many performances, gigs and tours including the Adelaide Fringe, Come Out Festival and several regional tours. Lisa specializes in Hula Hoop, Cloudswing, Acrobatics, Globe and has currently found a new interest for Tightwire. In the future Lisa hopes to be performing professionally and enjoying the life of a circus performer.

Kyall Shanks

Kyall Shanks is 18 and lives on the South Coast in a town called Merimbula, and finished his HSC last year at Eden Marine High School. Kyall has been dancing for four years with fLiNG Physical Theatre, a not for profit youth contemporary dance organisation. The company is based in Bega (Yes, like the cheese) and has been a big part of his life during his time as a part of it. Kyall also recently started Ballet to further his dancing. He is currently having a gap year in preparation for University where he will hopefully be studying dance.

Josh Croall

Josh Croall is from Adelaide, South Australia and is 15 years old. He has trained at Cirkidz since the age of 10 and performed with the Performance Troupe at numerous shows and events in South Australia. Josh is a passionate and dedicated performer who specialises in juggling, tumbling, acrobatics and hand balancing. He enjoys creating unique juggling routines and has been invited to perform at the Melbourne Juggling Convention Public Show the past two years. He performs at many events around Australia including the Whyalla Fishy Fringe, Gumeracha Medieval Fair, Sydney Juggling Convention, Port Augusta Desert Fringe, fairs and festivals. He hopes to pursue a career in circus performance and to one day create an interesting and exciting show incorporating his skills.