FAMOUS
About the show
They say that ‘fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate’, and yet nothing tastes sweeter than the nectar of forbidden fruit. Like moths to a flame, fame draws in its subjects only to leave them scorched by the spotlight.
In this circus-theatre show of the century, a posse of egomaniacs discover that the road to hell is paved with red carpet and a god complex can only get you so far.
Trapped in a never-ending cycle of posing, smiling, and waving to adoring fans, for whom, the novelty never seems to cease - will our celebrities escape their prison, or risk it all and ascend until they’re immortalised amongst the stars?
Tumble, twirl, and fly in the shoes of the rich and famous as they perform acts of swinging trapeze, Chinese pole, acrobatics and more.
Our young divas thrive under the direction of prolific multidisciplinary artist, Carita Farrer Spencer (Pescado, NICA 2015), whose professional career spans three decades full of enviable collaborations.
Draped in Savanna Wegman’s designs (Biographica, Lyric Opera Theatre Works) with the assistance of Melbourne Polytechnic costume design students, the wardrobe exudes luxury with its cleverly crafted textiles and considered embellishments.
The stage - sentient, attitudinal, and questionably motivated - is created by NICA alum and established set designer, Tim Rutty (GRIM, 2023).
A feverish mixtape by musical maestro Darius Kedros (THIS, Rising Festival 2023) adds the appropriate amount of oomph to this celebrity soap opera.
And shedding light on scenes of chaos is Spencer Herd (Frame Narrative, Old Fitz Theatre 2024), live performance lighting designer with an eye for detail so sharp it makes 20/20 vision look like an ocular impairment.
An Oscar-worthy performance of opulence and grandeur, Famous is toxic, delusional, batty, and brilliant.
Catch it in theatre from 13 – 22 June 2024.
EVENT INFO
Bookings:
Via Trybooking
Tickets between $15 - $40
Performances:
Thursday 13 June 7.30pm (Preview)
Friday 14 June 7.30pm (Opening Night)
Saturday 15 June 7.30pm
Tuesday 18 June 7.30pm
Wednesday 19 June 7.30pm
Thursday 20 June 7.30pm
Friday 21 June 7:30pm
Saturday 22 June 2:00pm (Matinee)
Saturday 22 June 7:30pm (Closing Night)
Duration:
75 minutes
Location:
The National Institute of Circus Arts
39-59 Green Street, Prahran
Rated:
PG 13+ (parental guidance recommended).
The show may contain references to adult themes, loud music, fire, and smoke haze.
THE AMAZING CAST
Anais Stewart
PERFORMER
Gabriel Walker
PERFORMER
Gemma Jackson
PERFORMER
Jasmin Tait
PERFORMER
Jasmine Poniris
PERFORMER
Jesse Holden
PERFORMER
Luca Trimboli
PERFORMER
Merlene Hutt
PERFORMER
Rose Symons
PERFORMER
Taylor Vogt
PERFORMER
Ty Wallent
PERFORMER
Zaelea Nolte
PERFORMER
To book graduate artists contact Australia’s leading circus agency for professional circus performers:
NICA RepresentsTHE PRODUCTION
Director
Carita Farrer Spencer
Costume Design
Savanna Wegman
Set Design
Tim Rutty
Sound Design
Darius Kedros
Lighting Design
Spencer Herd
Production Manager
Scott Grayland
Show Rigger
Andrew Dyson & Kyle Raftery
NICA in-house Rigger
Kyle Raftery
Safety Officer
Leo Pentland
Stage Manager
Edwina Guinness
Digital Technologies Coordinator
Kaleb Hawkins
Lighting Operator
Liam Jones
Sound Operator
Lee Stout
Front of House Manager
TBC
Bar Manager
Sam Boyd
Photography
Cameron Grant, Parenthesy
Video Documentation
Alex Sibbison, Masterworks Media Productions
NICA ED
Head of Circus Studies
James Brown
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
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 Support
Jeff Young
NICA Rec Administration Assistants
Jessie Shook & Meagan Kenny
NICA Administration Assistants
Sebastien Pasche & Ali Metcalf (acting)
CROSS-FACULTY
Seamster
Meg Strode
Scenic Artist
Tim Rutty
Set construction
Andrew Dyson, Kyle Raftery & Adam Davis
Lead Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic
Lynn Hunt
Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic
Amanda Silk
Melbourne Polytechnic Makeup students
Mia Condon
Mackenzie Inglis
Chiara Thompson-Stokell
Sierra Welch
Eliza Zagar
Aaliyah Sweetnam
Melbourne Polytechnic Costume students
Djuno Fisher
Amelie Gold
Ines Kustura
Tash Oorloff
Anastasia Velluti
Tilda Luca
Special thanks
Circus Oz & Flying Fruit Fly Circus
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. 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 nowACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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.