Local Giants

About

RASN NQ and Regional Arts Australia hosted performing arts practitioners from Townsville and surrounding areas for the North Queensland Artists Residency 2024, held on Magnetic Island from Friday May 17 – Sunday May 19, 2024.

This three-day, two-night event provided a supportive, creative environment to test ideas, consider new collaborations and explore cross art form possibilities. 

This was an opportunity for writers, choreographers, dancers, directors, actors, theatre makers and designers to come together and explore new project ideas.  

A range of highly skilled mentors from different arts practices across Australia were provided to inform project development. In previous years these have included Raimondo Cortese, Julie- Anne Long, Sarah Neal, Elizabeth Walsh, Jo Duffy, Van Badham, Deborah Pollard, Matthew Edgerton and Stephen Armstrong amongst others. 

Meet the 2024 Mentors

Natano Fa’anana

Seumanufagai Seuamuli Natano Fa’anana’s unique style of subversive performance art creation draws inspiration from his Samoan heritage and inherent obligation and responsibility to see more art with a cultural palette on Australia’s art landscape. For his contribution to the arts Natano is a recipient for both Sidney Myer 2019 and Churchill Fellowship 2020.

Natano is a senior producer at Moogahlin Performing Arts which is New South Wales leading First Peoples Arts company.

He has achieved international recognition through his work with award winning company Casus Creations of which he is Co-Founder, Co-Director and Producer. Casus is a multidisciplinary performance arts company whose works include Knee Deep, Driftwood, Chasing Smoke, Sii and Aunties Fiafia Night.

Margi Brown Ash

Dr Margi Brown Ash is an educator, theatre-maker, therapist, researcher, facilitator, and mentor with over 45 years of experience. She commenced her career in Sydney in 1977 with a six-month solo show Alison Mary Fagan at the Ensemble Theatre Sydney. After a stint in Australia’s first soap opera, Channel 10’s No. 96, she moved to New York City for several years where she trained with acting teacher Stella Adler, studied Polish mime with Stefan Niedziałkowski and performed with the Stella Adler Repertory Company at The Actors Studio and Off Off Broadway.

Today, she is based in both Brisbane and Sydney, and works nationally as a guest educator/creator (Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Curtin University Perth, Sydney Theatre Company) and internationally as facilitator/mentor/coach, most recently at Arteles Creative Center Finland (2019, 2022) where she hosts her program New Course; and guest speaker at the Communicating the Arts Conference in both Montreal and Sydney (2019). This year Margi has been commissioned to co-write a new work, Wanderings, with award winning theatre maker Stace Callaghan, focusing on transitions, transitioning and relationships.

Chelsea McGuffin

Chelsea grew up in Canberra and at a young age began ballet classes discovering her passion for performing. She trained at The National Capital Ballet School, before heading to Adelaide to continue studies majoring in Dance at The Centre for Performing Arts. On graduation, moved to Sydney and began working with Sally Forth (Australian Dance Theatre and Circus Oz). Here she explored the relationship between circus and dance, discovering her interest in circus and its potential to incorporate dance technique. This led to circus training, where time was spent at the Fruit Fly Circus School, the Moscow State Circus School and master classes in clowning with Angela Decastro. She went on to work with Tony’s Imaginary Circus, the Queensland Theatre Company and Rock N Roll Circus. Here she spent nine years working alongside Director Yaron Lifschitz where Chelsea was part of recreating the company re-named as CIRCA Contemporary Circus.

Meet the 2024 Participants

Astrid Duke

Astrid is a professional singer and has been the front-“man” for the Australian Army Bands for almost 20 years. Hailing from a classical and music theatre background she’s made a name for herself as a versatile performer, traversing the genres of opera, rap, pop, rock and folk. Known best for her powerful and charismatic stage presence she has performed all over the country and the world in front of some rather spectacular audiences; such as singing the National Anthems at the MCG for the AFL and Formula 1 Grand Prix. Astrid was a soloist at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and has performed in France and across the South Pacific.

Drawing on Astrid’s love for theatre and story telling she has written the music for a one-woman show that explores the murky waters of mental health and will be Astrid’s first foray into writing and producing a show.

Estelle (Poots) Hope

I Am Estelle is a singer, songwriter, visual artist, teacher and transformational educator with a passion for sparking conversation and social change through art.

Estelle invites us through her work, to connect to our future selves with hope, and to create a life we love through accessing the principles of creation. 

Estelle’s career has seen her be a finalist in Australian Idol, release 2 albums, an EP and 12 singles, she has worked with the singing teachers to the stars in LA and Nashville (becoming an international Brett Manning Associate), been an art educator and multiple national portrait prize finalist and project manager for multiple Arts Qld funded projects.

Damian Meredith

Damian is an interdisciplinary artist spanning contemporary performance, event curation, and sound design. Trained at VCASS, NICA, and Transit Dance, he’s honed his skills in dance and physical performance mediums. He has since worked as a performer with companies including Chunky Move and Dancenorth, and toured internationally. Damian became actively involved in music and arts event management, most notably with Strawberry Fields Festival, where he curated the live performance program for 4 years. In 2020, Damian founded Helipad Studio, through which he has created successful events including ROFLCOPTA, Planet Of The Arts, and current experimental music and arts project ‘NIMBUS’. It is through events like these that Damian revels in the binding of community, generative arts activity, and shared-form collaborations.

Pascal Nordenflycht

I’m a mixed-media artist born in Chile, where I participated in group shows such as XV Premio MAVI UC Arte Joven in the Visual Arts Museum; 50:50 in En Tránsito Gallery; and international contemporary art fair Ch.ACO. Also had the opportunity to feature my work in solo exhibitions in Maison Italia Hotel (2022) and Tiki – Taka Gallery (2022).
I currently reside in Magnetic Island.

My creative practice explores the physical forms in which the existence of a non-visible world can be translated, this way, art appears as a form of challenging the boundaries between matter and spirit, opening reflections around our conceptions of time and space as we know it.

My work brings together reflections on the body, nature and mystery. Themes I address through gathering different medias such as writing, drawing, installation and performance.

Cara Griffin

Cara Griffin is a world dance artist. Performer, teacher and choreographer. Owner of Global Dance Collective. With a career spanning over 20 years. Based in Townsville North Queensland.

Simon Cheers

Simon Cheers is a well known audio engineer. I am developing live soundscape performances that are deeply rooted in the diverse sonority of North Queensland, where he captures the raw symphonies of nature. Simon’s journey in sound has led to an ability to blending environmental sounds with technical prowess, hoping to create immersive experiences for his audiences. I venture into the environment of North Queensland to record the unique acoustics of the region. I transforms these recordings into soundscapes that echo the vibrant pulse of the Dry Tropics. I want to find audiences to share an auditory odyssey that celebrates and preserves the aural heritage of North Queensland.

Jack Gleeson

I’ve been writing and performing music since I was a teenager. I’ve toured nationally and internationally as a writer/performer of groups such as Inland Sea and Babaganouj, as well as a session musician for Eden Mulholland. Recently I’ve taken a bit of a backseat performing building my experience as a teacher at Bowen State High School but I’m looking to build my community around me and begin working with local artists to share stories and create performances. I’ve begun performing with a few small local cover groups again which I’ve greatly enjoyed. I also have a history of improv performances, especially with regards to percussion and I’d love to find ways of building more drum work amongst modern settings.

Ingrid Johnson

I’ve been writing and performing music since I was a teenager. I’ve toured nationally and internationally as a writer/performer of groups such as Inland Sea and Babaganouj, as well as a session musician for Eden Mulholland. Recently I’ve taken a bit of a backseat performing building my experience as a teacher at Bowen State High School but I’m looking to build my community around me and begin working with local artists to share stories and create performances. I’ve begun performing with a few small local cover groups again which I’ve greatly enjoyed. I also have a history of improv performances, especially with regards to percussion and I’d love to find ways of building more drum work amongst modern settings.

Duo Sapphire

Laura Shum is a Canadian born and raised aerialist who immigrated to Australia in 2018. She has a passion for creating unique and dynamic aerial dance performances. Her current specialties are aerial silks and duo aerial hoop. With a background in all-star cheerleading, Laura’s movement style focuses on sharpness and clean lines. In the last few years, Laura’s biggest achievement was bringing together a talented group of circus artists to perform at the Northern Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) with her show the 7 Deadly Sins. This was in collaboration with her duo partner, Amanda Golingi. Together, she and Laura formed Duo Sapphire, an acrobatic aerial duet. The duo recently secured a long-term contract at Townsville’s new dinner and show, Lux Noir. Laura hopes to keep creating and bringing new and exciting aerial circus acts to Townsville by engaging with community and corporate organisations and collaborating with other local artists.

Amanda is a passionate performer of multiple art forms including dance, pole dance, partner acrobatics and aerials. She has a background in ballet, gymnastics and sports acrobatics training, and enjoys lyrical-style acrobatic choreography. Born in Malaysia, she relocated to Brisbane in 2002, before moving to Townsville 12 years ago. Amanda performs acrobatics and aerials at community events, private functions, and feature shows, including the 7 Deadly Sins show at the 2021 and 2022 Northern Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA). Amanda is part of the aerial acrobatic duo, Duo Sapphire, formed in 2021 with aerialist Laura Shum. The duo have been on the cast of Lux Noir, a local dinner and show, as dancers and aerialists, since its establishment in Townsville in December last year. Amanda is passionate about continual professional development to refine her skills and contribute to offering a high standard of entertainment and performing arts in North Queensland.

Marilyn Marsh-Booth

Having attended an acting course with JUTE Theatre Company,and written and performed a Monologue I wrote at the conclusion of that course, I was invited onto their Write Sparks Course.
Subsequently awarded Writer in Residence with them, culminating in the performance of my play Higher Faster Louder.
Submitted the winning entry into a competition run by Opera Qld writing a story, to be performed as a musical. Then employed by them as writer and dramaturg, for that project.
Courses completed through JUTE: – Directing, Dramaturgy, Stage Management, Lighting and have been Assistant Stage Manager on two of their productions.
Assistant Stage Manager at Woodford Musical Festival and MC at Yungaburra Folk Festival.
Committee and singing member of Townsville Choral Society. Previously sung in many choirs including performance choirs.
Attended many musical retreats, including song writing, and last week, Summersong Music Camp an in-depth look into many musical aspects.

Rike Wolf

I’m a classically trained Cellist, accomplished String tutor, performer, ensemble conductor and meditative event facilitator.
Since 2018 I’ve created many successful improvisational meditative music experiences for various audiences and love composing in dialogue with nature and wildlife sounds.

Drawing from my background in health (Bc RN, MPHTM, GcRDH) I focused recently more on composing musical landscapes which could bring relaxation and calmness to audiences, as well as connect the listener with the natural world nature and wildlife sounds.

In 2023 with support from RADF and in collaboration with Didgeridoo player Will Mabo I have recorded several rainforest and wildlife inspired soundscapes and immersive music videos, with more releases to come.