FALL WITH ME

About the show

Imagine feeling faintly aware of your heart beating amongst a hundred other hearts.
Connected to those around you on a cellular level as though you’re all vibrating at the same frequency. Spines tingling; breath undulating; hearts beating in unison. 

What does it take to share something as intimate as a heartbeat with a stranger. Does it take vulnerability? Openness? The willingness to see those around us, and to let ourselves be seen. 

Perhaps it feels like flying so high that nothing can touch you.

Or an emotion so intense you don’t know how to survive it when it hits you. 

Like crying inconsolably. Tears that fall so thick you don’t know how you have any left.

Or like laughing with your whole body. The kind of laugh that makes your cheeks cramp and leaves wrinkles in your skin.

Feelings so strong you can’t find the words.

Much of our current human experience has become distanced from truth. We are fearful of vulnerability and how it might shatter the artifice that shields us. The armour we don to manage this experience and numb ourselves of our own heartbeat.

NICA’s second-year ensemble is directed by Katie Cawthorne, theatrical storyteller with an interest in the nuances of the human psyche and exploring how to convey complex experiences through a language unique to the body. With set design by Rachel 'Stoz' Stone (ON/OFF, NICA, 2023); costume design by Ki Martin (Within These Walls, NICA, 2023); sound design by Jesse Vivante (Metaphysical, National Gallery of Victoria, 2023); lighting design by Kris Chainey (ON/OFF, NICA, 2023); and wardrobe assistance from Melbourne Polytechnic Costume Design students. 

Fall With Me searches for a world where we can feel safe to submit to our own heartbeat.
Can we shed our armour and let ourselves be seen?

Experience it from 17 – 21 September 2024.

EVENT INFO
Bookings: 
Via Trybooking
Tickets between $15 - $40

Performances: 
Tuesday 17 September 7.30pm SOLD OUT
Wednesday 18 September 7.30pm (Opening Night) 
Thursday 19 September 7.30pm SOLD OUT
Friday 20 September 7:30pm SOLD OUT
Saturday 21 September 2:00pm SOLD OUT
Saturday 21 September 7:30pm SOLD OUT

Duration: 
75 minutes

Location:
The National Institute of Circus Arts
39-59 Green Street, Prahran

Warnings:
The show contains a hair-hanging act, loud music, strobe lighting and smoke haze.

THE AMAZING CAST

Alex Burris

Bethany White

Bridie Callahan

Christina Godwin

Dakoda Barr

Hannah Dickers 

Holly Jobson

Immy Turecek

Imogen Drury

Jam Travers 

Lachlan MacDonald

Naz Turner

Paige Dorrity

Sammy George

Saskia Gallasch

Shianne Crampton

Talia Sofizade

Taliesha Hall-Huynh

Zephyr Patterson

To book graduate artists contact Australia’s leading circus agency for professional circus performers:

NICA Represents

THE PRODUCTION

Director
Katie Cawthorne

Assistant Director
Alexander Gullan

Costume Design
Ki Martin

Set Design
Rachel 'Stoz' Stone

Sound Design
Jesse Vivante

Vocals and Lyrics
Luna May

Lighting Design
Kris Chainey

Production Manager
Scott Grayland

Show Rigger
Andrew Dyson & Kyle Raftery

NICA in-house Rigger
Kyle Raftery

Safety Officer
Leo Pentland

Circus Supervisor
Nathan Jones

Stage Manager
Edwina Guinness

Digital Technologies Coordinator
Kaleb Hawkins

Lighting Operator
Kris Chainey

Sound Operator
Lee Stout

Front of House Manager
Maddy Blenkinsop 

Bar Manager
Emily Loe 

Photography
Cameron Grant, Parenthesy

Video Documentation
Alex Sibbison, Masterworks Media Productions

NICA ED

Head of Circus Studies
Tegan Carmichael (acting)

Senior Educator – Academic
Tegan Carmichael & Valentina La Piana

Performance Studies Coordinator
Katie Cawthorne

Movement Convenor
Linda Sastradipradja

3rd Year Coordinator
Martine Howard

2nd Year Coordinator
Alexander Gullan

Certificate IV Coordinator
Hannah Trott 

Alumni, Industry & Engagement Coordinator
Natalie Frijia & Paul Kooperman

Circus Teachers
Emily Hughes, Earl Shatford, Gang (Charlie) Cheng, Helene Embling, Jon Griffingham, Mireille (Mimi) Goyette, Rong Lu, Vasily Ivanov, Brett Franzi, Jian Nie, Felicia O'Brien, Marco Paoletti & Lauren Skopal.

Business Studies
Lauren Eisinger

Circus History
Antonella Casella

Administrator (dance programs)
Jenny Vanderhorst

EXECUTIVE & ADMIN

Director
Simona Jobbagy

Operations Manager (Human Resources)
Emily O’Connor 

Operations Manager (Facilities & Resources)
Franx Ann

Operations Manager (Commercial)
Paula McKaskill

Executive Officer 
Josephine Byrt

Senior Finance Officer 
Faye Stathakis

Senior Administration Coordinator
Anne Young

NICA Represents Agent 
Christina Cox

Marketing & Communications Manager 
Karen Leskiw

Marketing & Communications Assistant
Halina Powierza

Social Media Videography
Jeff Young

NICA Rec Administration Assistants
Jessie Shook & Meagan Kenny

NICA Administration Assistants
Sebastien Pasche

CROSS-FACULTY

Scenic Artist
TBC

Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic
Amanda Silk

Melbourne Polytechnic Costume students

Tilda Luca

Amelie Gold

Anastasia Velluti

Ella Norton

Isabella Reid

Oscar Graf

Rebecca Turner

DONATE TO NICA

NICA is Australia’s Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts. It is one of eight national arts training institutes, offering Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts. By donating to NICA, you will make a difference to the lives of our students and the future of circus in Australia. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

donate now

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) humbly acknowledges the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the traditional Custodians and knowledge-holders of the lands on which we create and, learn. We recognize that sovereignty has never been ceded, and we pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We extend our sincere acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, partners and visitors, who have contributed to NICA's success, diversity and growth.