Stephanie Lake Company is a multi-award winning contemporary dance company based in Melbourne. Known for a gutsy, original choreographic style and striking visual aesthetic, Stephanie Lake Company’s highly acclaimed works include Manifesto, Colossus, Monsters, Skeleton Tree, Replica and Pile of Bones. Working in collaboration with Australia’s leading dancers and designers, the company has performed in major festivals and venues across Australia and the world, touring internationally to France, Germany, Hong Kong, Denmark, Singapore, Scotland, Ireland and Taiwan.

Stephanie Lake

Stephanie Lake was born in Saskatoon, Canada, raised in Launceston Tasmania and is now based in Melbourne (Naarm), Australia. She is a multi award-winning choreographer, dancer and artistic director of Stephanie Lake Company. She is also the Resident Choreographer of The Australian Ballet. 

Stephanie has been awarded the Helpmann Award, two Australian Dance Awards, two Green Room Awards and the Melbourne Fringe Award for Most Outstanding Choreography. In 2013 Stephanie was appointed inaugural Resident Director of Lucy Guerin Inc, which included working as Guerin’s choreographic assistant at Lyon Opera Ballet. Stephanie received a prestigious Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship in the same year and the Dame Peggy Van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship in 2012. She was the recipient of the Australia Council Fellowship for Dance for 2018-2019 and Chloe Munro AO Fellowship in 2022.

Stephanie has created multiple works for Sydney Dance Company (The Universe is Here, Dream Lucid, Elektra), Chunky Move (AORTA, Mix Tape, The Loop, Our Golden Cages, Broken Wing), The Australian Ballet (Circle Electric), Queensland Ballet (Biography, Chameleon), Dancenorth (If Never Was Now), New Zealand Dance Company (If Never Was Now), Tasdance (The Howl), Expressions Dance Company (Ceremony), Australasian Dance Collective & Beijing Dance/LDTX (Auto Cannibal), Stompin, Frontier Danceland – Singapore (White Noise) and the Victorian College of the Arts. 

Stephanie sits on the Victorian College of the Arts Advisory Board and is Ambassador for Stompin youth dance company based in Tasmania. Her performance career spanned twenty years, touring and dancing extensively with Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin Inc and Phillip Adams’ BalletLab.

Côté Danse

Côté Danse burst onto the Canadian dance scene in 2021, thanks to the collaboration between Choreographer Guillaume Côté and Producers Etienne Lavigne and Anisa Tejpar. Since then, they have been actively presenting a range of original works and immersive dance experiences.

Under the artistic direction of Guillaume Côté, Côté Danse establishes a unique vision, combining classical dance knowledge with captivating geometries and intense human connections. Their style is characterized by contemporary lines, sleek contours, and refined athleticism, creating a distinct and dynamic aesthetic.

Through collaborations with a diverse group of designers, artists, and partners such as Robert Lepage, Mirari Studios, and Son Lux, Côté Danse has successfully produced four full-length productions. The company attracted significant attention since its very beginning, with 140 performances in 23 cities in its first four years of existence.

Ex Machina

Led by artistic director Robert Lepage, Ex Machina creates, produces and disseminates multidisciplinary artistic works, most often theatrical. 

The company brings together creators from several fields of activity and offers a broad range of artistic productions: original plays written and performed solo or collectively, plays based on existing texts, productions in which various disciplines (dance, music, museology) mingle with theater, operas and multimedia productions featuring a predominantly technological dimension. Ex Machina develops the majority of its shows in Quebec City, then presents them abundantly in Quebec, Canada and elsewhere in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

Beyond their diversity, the company’s projects have some features in common. Anecdotes lead to the exploration of ideas such as the revelation of identity through exposure to the other. Cultural intersections, the nature of the creative act, interrupted communication and states of dependence are recurring themes. Several dramatic situations oppose the quotidian to the extraordinary, the naturalism to the metaphor, and somehow diffident characters to historical figures. The multilingualism, the massive use of images, the reversal of perspective, the variations in scale, the use of narrative codes borrowed from cinema and the use of technological tools aim to spark meaning and emotion, reflecting a desire to poeticize theatrical expression.

Guillaume Côté, Choreographer

Guillaume Côté, a native of Québec, is a renowned Principal Dancer with The National Ballet of Canada. He has performed major classical roles and worked with the world’s most esteemed choreographers. As a guest artist, he has danced with prestigious companies worldwide, including The Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, English National Ballet, the Mikhailosky Theater of St-Petersburg, Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires, Berlin’s Staatsoper, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Stuttgart Ballet, Hamburg Ballett, Verona Opera and the South African Ballet Theater. In 2012, he co-founded Anymotion Productions to produce high-quality independent dance works. Côté also serves as a Choreographic Associate with The National Ballet of Canada, with eight of his works in the company’s repertoire. His ballets have received critical acclaim, including Enkeli, which won the Audience Choice Award for Best Choreography in 2012. He collaborated with director Robert Lepage to create Frame by Frame in 2018. In 2021, he founded his own company, Côté Danse, and premiered innovative works such as Burn Baby, Burn; X (Dix); Cyrpto and Touch. Côté has received numerous awards and was named Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec in 2021.

Robert Lepage, Director

Robert Lepage is a renowned multidisciplinary artist, celebrated as an actor, director, playwright, and stage director. Known for his original, contemporary works that blend history with cutting-edge technologies, he began his career after enrolling at the Conservatoire dʼart dramatique de Québec in 1975. In 1994, Lepage founded Ex Machina, a multidisciplinary creation company, and later established La Caserne and the venue Le Diamant in Quebec City. His most significant works include The Seven Streams of the River Ota, The Dragonsʼ Trilogy, The Far Side of the Moon, The Image Mill, and his collaborations with Cirque du Soleil, KÀ and TOTEM.

Founded in Budapest, Hungary in 2012 by director and choreographer Bence Vági, Recirquel has by now become one of the leading contemporary circus companies in the world, representing a unique style of circus combined with dance and theatre, building upon the flair of mid-eastern European – Hungarian classical theatre culture. The productions of this pioneering company bewitch audiences worldwide with the immersive quality of the magical universes they create. Recirquel has opened the gates for contemporary circus in Hungary and carries a strong mission to acquaint audiences with this new form of performing arts.

Bence Vági

With a background in modern and classical dance, Bence Vági is a director-choreographer whose innovative approach to performing arts redefines the magic of theatre and circus in an original way for a contemporary audience. After completing his university studies in directing and choreography, he founded Recirquel in 2012. As the Artistic Director of Recirquel, he continuously seeks new creative horizons, never resting on past achievements, and has become one of the most acclaimed figures in Hungarian performing arts on the global stage. 

Hung Dance is a Taiwanese contemporary dance company founded in 2017 by artistic director and choreographer Lai Hung-chung. Inspired by the word “hung (翃),” the company’s name reflects its aspiration to soar. Focusing on annual productions, international collaboration, and tours, Hung Dance also organizes the Stray Birds Dance Platform to foster choreographers’ creativity and connect them to global resources.

The company has earned numerous awards for its exceptional choreographic pieces “Watcher” and “Birdy” in renowned competitions and festivals worldwide. It has also embarked on an extensive international tour, captivating audiences across Europe, Asia, America, and Africa with over two hundred mesmerizing performances.

Hung Dance’s performances are a unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, inviting audiences to interpret, imagine, and embrace dance’s timeless beauty. Lai Hung-chung’s choreography delves into human emotions and the connection between culture and nature. By seamlessly blending elements of Chinese opera, mythology, and Tai Chi with contemporary concepts, he has created a unique dance vocabulary and training system that is sure to intrigue and captivate.

Lai Hung-chung

Lai Hung-chung, a Taiwan National University of Arts graduate, founded Hung Dance in 2017, leaving a remarkable imprint on Taiwanese choreography. In 2016, he won gold and three awards at the Taiwan Creative Dance Competition, a record-setting feat. Lai’s triumphs extended globally, garnering accolades in international choreography competitions.

Lai’s creation, rooted in the theme of freedom, incorporates Tai Chi elements with contemporary concepts, fostering an inventive dance vocabulary and pushing creative boundaries. Noteworthy pieces like “Boundless” (2018), “See You” (2020), “Formless Erosion” (2022), and “Birdy” (2023) reflect this ethos. “See You” received Taishin Arts Award nomination and earned acclaim at prestigious festivals, including 9 five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Adelaide Fringe Festival. “Birdy” sold out all its 20 shows at the Festival OFF Avignon in 2023.

Lai drives international collaboration and supports emerging talents. He founded the Stray Birds Dance Platform in 2019, spotlighting innovative, international choreography and offering production and touring opportunities. Lai’s commitment to diversifying Taiwan’s dance scene is evident in his cultural exchanges and connections.

In summary, Lai Hung-chung’s Hung Dance legacy encompasses pioneering achievements, international recognition, and a commitment to enriching Taiwan’s dance landscape through artistic exploration and global engagement.

As a creation and production company, Daniel Leveille Danse (DLD) invests in dance and performing arts creators who are deeply committed to artistic research. Guided by its artistic director, the organization offers personalized and strategic support to help creators make their voices heard both at home and abroad. In addition, DLD develops structuring projects that contribute to the fabric of its community.

The company supports the work of Frédérick Gravel, its artistic director, in addition to promoting projects by Catherine Gaudet, Alix Dufresne, Ellen Furey, Stéphane Gladyszewski, Étienne Lepage, Manuel Roque and Daniel Léveillé.

Daniel Léveillé

A well-known Canadian choreographer and dance teacher, Daniel Léveillé holds a place of high regard on the national and international scenes of contemporary dance. In forty years of practice, he has contributed to the development of choreographic art by creating a corpus of major works performed by exceptional dancers.

An alumni of Groupe Nouvelle Aire, Daniel Léveillé worked for many years as an independent choreographer before founding his own company, Daniel Léveillé Danse, in 1991. While penning choreographies for different dance and theatre companies, he was a Professor of creation and interpretation at Université du Québec à Montréal’s (UQAM) Dance department from 1988 until 2012. Pursuing this double career path, he refines and deepens his choreographic style and develops a unique approach to the interpretation of dance, without submitting to the demands of the art market.

Daniel Léveillé was awarded the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal in 2017 for his impact on the dance community and the longevity of his career. The jury sought to recognize Léveillé’s unique signature, his artistic integrity, and the remarkable support and transmission efforts enabled through Daniel Léveillé Danse. In 2018, Daniel Léveillé steps down as artistic director of the company and is replaced by Frédérick Gravel. He remains active in the company as a choreographer. 

Artemis Gordon

An artistic and pedagogical authority in dance, Artemis Gordon was named Artistic Director of Arts Umbrella Dance in 1992. Since then, she has developed the program’s international recognition. Artemis has toured the Arts Umbrella Dance Company to Europe, Asia, and the United States, and fostered collaborations with companies around the world. In 2015, Artemis secured an affiliation with Ballet BC, increasing opportunities for emerging artists and amplifying the impact of international choreographers in Vancouver. In 2016, Artemis won the YWCA Women of Distinction award in the Arts, Culture, and Design category. She was also awarded with the 2017 City of Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Awards in Dance.

Janet Smith

Janet Smith is cofounder and editorial director of Stir, a digital arts magazine dedicated to the Vancouver arts scene. An award-winning arts journalist, she has spent more than 25 years writing about dance.

Peeping Tom is a Belgian dance theatre company, founded by Gabriela Carrizo (I/AR) and Franck Chartier (F). 

Peeping Tom’s hallmark is a hyperrealist aesthetic anchored to a concrete set. The space feels familiar, such as a retirement home in Vader, two trailer homes in 32 rue Vandenbranden or a living room in Le Salon. In these settings, the directors break open the realism and create an unstable universe that defies the logic of time, space and mood. Isolation leads to an unconscious world of nightmares, fears and desires, which the creators deftly use to shed light on the dark side of a character or a community. You become the witness – or rather, the voyeur? – of what usually remains hidden and unsaid. Presented using a rich imagery, a fascinating battle arises, against one’s environment and against oneself. They explore an extreme language of movement and performance: nothing is ever gratuitous, and the human condition is throughout a main source of inspiration.

Using film editing techniques, they manage to extend the limits of the plot, which always comes across more as a contour than as something you can pin down with any certainty. The ‘huis clos’ of family situations remains for Peeping Tom a major source of creativity.

Gabriela Carrizo 

Gabriela has been the artistic director of Peeping Tom, along with Franck Chartier, since they co-founded the company in 2000. She was ten years old when she started dancing at a multidisciplinary school that had, at the time, the only group of contemporary dance for children and teenagers. Under Norma Raimondi’s direction, the school went on to become Córdoba’s University Ballet, where Gabriela danced for a couple of years, and where she created her first choreographies.

She moved to Europe when she was nineteen, and over the years she worked with Caroline Marcadé, Les Ballets C de la B (La Tristeza Complice, 1997, and Iets op Bach, 1998), Koen Augustijnen (Portrait intérieur, 1994) and Needcompany (Images of Affection, 2001). She never stopped working on her own choreographies, and these years saw the production of a solo piece, E tutto sará d’ombra e di caline, and Bartime, a collaboration with Einat Tuchman and Lisi Estaras. She also created the choreography for the opera Wolf (2002), by Les Ballets C de la B. She plays a leading role in Fien Troch’s movie Kid (2012), and in 2013 she created the short piece The missing door (2013) for the Nederlands Dans Theater – NDT 1 in The Hague. In 2015, Carrizo created The Land, a collaboration with the Munich Residenztheater. More recently, she worked with Franck Chartier on 31 Rue Vandenbranden (2018) an adaptation with Le Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon of Peeping Tom’s original. The new piece opened the prestigious Biennale de la Danse de Lyon in 2018. In 2022, Gabriela directed La Ruta, her second short piece for Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT 1).

Franck Chartier 

Franck has been the artistic director of Peeping Tom, along with Gabriela Carrizo, since they co-founded the company in 2000. He started dancing when he was eleven, and at the age of fifteen his mother sent him to study classical ballet at Rosella Hightower in Cannes. Between 1986 and 1989, he was a part of Maurice Béjart’s Ballet du 20ème Siècle. The following three years, he worked with Angelin Preljocaj, dancing in Le spectre de la rose at the Opéra de Paris.   He moved to Brussels in 1994, to perform in Rosas’ production Kinok (1994), and he stayed on, working on duos with Ine Wichterich and Anne Mouselet, as well as in productions by Needcompany (Tres, 1995) and Les Ballets C de la B: La Tristeza Complice (1997), Iets op Bach (1997) and Wolf (2002). In 2013, he created 33 rue Vandenbranden for the Göteborg Opera, based on Peeping Tom’s 32 rue Vandenbranden, and he developed the choreography for the opera Marouf, Savetier du Caire by Jerôme Deschamps at the Opéra Comique de Paris. For Nederlands Dans Theater, he directed The lost room in 2015, for which he received the prestigious Dutch prize ‘Swan Most Impressive Dance Production 2016’.   2017 marked the world premiere of The hidden floor, his second collaboration with the Dutch company. More recently, he worked with Gabriela Carrizo on 31 Rue Vandenbranden (2018) an adaptation with Le Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon of Peeping Tom’s original. The new piece opened the prestigious Biennale de la Danse de Lyon in 2018. In 2021, he directed Dido & Aeneas, a collaboration between Peeping Tom, Le Concert d’Astrée and the Grand Théâtre de Genève. 

Lucia Burguete Sierra

Lucía started her journey in the movement practice through rhythmic gymnastics, which she trained for more than 10 years reaching a national level profile in Spain. After that, she decided to begin her formal education in dancing attending different schools, workshops and institutions right before joining La Faktoría Choreographic Center in Pamplona, where she studied from 2019 to 2021.

Right there she began her creative work alongside Diego Pazó, with whom she establishes Qabalum, a dance collective whose works have been performing and touring all around Spain, Europe and Brazil in different festivals and venues, also receiving several recognitions and awards.

In addition to co-directing Qabalum, Lucía has worked -and is working- with other creators such as LED Silhouette, Antonio Ruz, Proyecto Larrua, Laida Aldaz and Vicky Miranda. She has also worked on small projects with Marta Coronado, Isael Mata and Roberto Magro.

Lucia joined Peeping Tom in 2025 for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room and The hidden floor.

Lucía has been a guest teacher or assistant in training programs such as TRY Dance Program, or at Impulstanz Vienna -as Laura Aris’ assistant- and has also collaborated with the national junior rhythmic gymnastics team and other cultural institutions in mediation and audience training projects.

Konan Dayot

Konan Dayot (°1990, Nantes, FR) joined Peeping Tom in 2020, for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room and The hidden floor. He trained in jazz drums, classical percussion, and contemporary dance at the Nantes Conservatory. He also did an exchange with the Julliard School.

In 2010, he graduated from the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris and the Center National de la Danse. He has worked, among others, with Boris Charmatz, Thierry Smits, Olivia Granville, Helge Letonja, Ashley Chen, John Scott and Thomas Lebrun. Passionate about music, he is the founder and percussionist of the trio Dazlamm , and has collaborated with Atelier Terre et Son, a French manufacturer of udus. In 2023, he released his first album recorded in empty theaters, No Seat Reservation.

In 2024, he joined the teaching team at Pont Supérieur in Nantes as a tutor and teacher for preparatory classes for the Technical Aptitude Examination (E.A.T.).

He has collaborated intensively, both in dance and in music, sometimes combining the two, in conventional spaces but also in national theaters, at the Louvre museum or the Tate Modern, as well as in more informal spaces, such as the submarine base of Saint-Nazaire, the scaffolded cathedral of Aquila or the burning immensity of the Sahara.

Fons Dhossche

Fons Dhossche (°1999, Ghent, BE) joined Peeping Tom in 2020 for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room and The hidden floor. As a child, he took acting classes in the Kopergietery, a theatre for children and teenagers in Ghent. In 2008, he worked with the Berlin-based theatre collective Gob Squad, working with them for eight years. In 2017 he graduated from MUDA in Ghent, a high school for contemporary dance. Fons is currently finishing his Bachelor in Modern Theater Dance (MTD) in Amsterdam. Recently he released his first short film Silvermind in collaboration with Eliana Stragapede.

Lauren Langlois

Lauren Langlois (°1985, AU) joined Peeping Tom in 2020 for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room and The hidden floor. She co-created and performed in Frank Chartier’s new creation S 62° 58’, W 60° 39’ ,premiering at the Biennale de la Danse in Lyon, 2023.

She studied classical ballet at the Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy in Sydney before training in contemporary dance at the New Zealand School of Dance. Lauren began her career with the Australian Dance Theatre from 2008-2010, performing and touring in two of the company’s major works G and Be Your Self. In 2011, she joined Sydney Dance Company under Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, performing in LANDforms , 6 Breaths , We Unfold, The Land of Yes and The Land of No.

In 2012, Lauren relocated to Melbourne to join Chunky Move to collaborate with Antony Hamilton on his work Keep Everything , for which she has been nominated for Helpmann, Green Room and Australian Dance Awards. Lauren has collaborated intensively with Anouk van Dijk, performing in An Act of Now , 247 Days , Complexity of Belonging and LUCID. For her work in Complexity of Belonging , she received the 2015 Green Room Award for Best Female Dancer. Lauren has also collaborated independently with Force Majeure, Lucy Guerin Inc, Stephanie Lake Company, Antony Hamilton, Prue Lang, Chamber Made and Ross McCormack.

She was the recipient of the prestigious 2017 Tanja Liedtke Fellowship and has since been commissioned to choreograph works for the New Zealand School of Dance, Footnote New Zealand Dance Company, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Chunky Move and Sydney Dance Company.

In 2016, Lauren became a certified Countertechnique teacher and enjoys teaching students and professional dancers in Australia and overseas.

Panos Malactos

Panos Malactos (°1994, Limassol, CY) is working with Peeping Tom in Belgium since 2020. 

At the age of 17, he moved to London to study musical theatre with a scholarship (Dance and Drama Award) at the Bird College. He then continued his training at the Rambert School where he obtained his “BA Degree in Ballet and Contemporary Dance”.

He worked as a dancer with Festspielhaus St. Pölten, Austria (Ohad Naharin/Shahar Binyamini), Liliana Barros(DE), Fresco Dance Company, KENZO Paris, Compagnie Tabea Martin(CH), Andre Uerba (DE), Jason Mabana Dance(UK), Emma Evelein Dance(NL), X-it Dance Theatre(CY/GR), Milena Ugren Koulas(CY), Asomates Dynamis Dance Company(CY), and collaborated multiple times with the Greek director Elias Adam as a performer and choreographer.

Panos’ choreographic work traveled to New Zealand and many places in Europe and is supported by the “Outward Turn” Cultural Export Program of ONASSIS STEGI and the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus.

Alejandro Moya

Alejandro Moya (°1993, Madrid, ES) joined Peeping Tom in 2020 for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room and The hidden floor. He began to breakdance in the street at 10. In this discipline he has been invited to dance in different parts of the world, receiving awards in the United States, Switzerland, England, South Korea and China among others. Since 2006, his crew “Fusion Rockers” has been a reference, winning much of the main events to date and being the Spanish representation in international competitions.

In 2009, at the age of 15, he joined the company Dani Pannullo Dancetheatre. Since then he has participated in several productions: Desordances_5, Uirapurú, Soul Pait, Bird of Fire, Alma Malabar and Avalanche , performing around the world. In 2010 he began studying contemporary dance at the “Royal Professional Conservatory of Dance Mariemma” in Madrid, receiving training in classical dance, graham, release, improvisation, yoga, music, etc.

From 2013 to 2016 he worked in the Company Sharon Fridman Projects in Mouvement , participating in different productions, as a dancer in the piece Caída Libre and as interpreter of the duet Hasta Donde. In 2015 he began working with the Company KORSIA in the piece Cul de Sac , with whom he still works. In 2018 he began working with Company Antonio Ruz in the piece presente.. As a teacher he has given dance workshops “Contact” in different countries such as Germany, Italy, Israel and Singapore.

As a choreographer he developed the piece Lucero. Taking inspiration from the traditional folklore, literature, Spanish history, street language, etc.

As a teacher he is researching how to introduce osteopathic techniques to be used in dance education, what are the most useful acrobatic techniques to be adapted to different bodies and conditions, and dance theatre. More specifically how to develop different skills that allow us to create a dramatic language through the body.

Eliana Stragapede

Eliana Stragapede is a freelance performer, choreographer, and teacher based in Brussels. She began her dance education in Italy with mentors such as Silvia Humaila, Sara Accettura, Ernesto Valenzano, Osnat Kelner, Kerry Nicholls, and Yoshua Cienfuegos.

She later trained at Codarts in Rotterdam, working with internationally renowned artists including Club Guy & Roni, Lukas Timulak, Jiří Kylián, Raphael Bonachela and others. After graduating, she started her professional career with Marina Mascarell and Club Guy & Roni.

In 2018, Eliana joined the Staatstheater Mainz, performing new works by Roy Assaf, Club Guy & Roni, Victor Quijada, Felix Berner, and Pierre Rigal. 

Since 2020, she has been part of Peeping Tom, touring internationally with Triptych: The Missing Door, The Lost Room, and The Hidden Floor , including performances in prestigious theaters as the  Paris Opera.

Eliana has also worked with Club Guy & Roni on productions such as Fortune (2022) and Empathy (2023).

As a choreographer, she co-created AMAE with Borna Babić in 2022, winning first prize at the Copenhagen International Choreography Competition and production awards for Nederlands Dans Theater and Holstebro Dansekompagni. In 2023, AMAE received further recognition at the Rotterdam International Choreographic Competition with Partner Awards from Codarts and Dansateliers.

In 2025, Eliana and Borna will create a new piece for NDT2 as part of the Up and Coming project and choreograph for Bayerisches Staatsballett Munich, alongside other international artists, including Paul Lightfoot and Sol León, curators of the event. 

Recently Eliana has been awarded as Performer 2024 by Danza & Danza magazine.

In addition to her work as dancer and choreographer, Eliana teaches workshops around the world, nurturing her passion for teaching as well.

Wan-Lun Yu

Wan Lun Yu (°1990, Taichung, TW) joined Peeping Tom in 2020 for Triptych: The missing door, The lost room, and The hidden floor. She graduated from the Taipei National University of the Arts in 2013, where she studied ballet, contemporary dance, Chinese folk dance, Taichi, contact improvisation, and Chinese martial arts.

Since then, she has been performing and collaborating with various choreographers, directors, filmmakers, and visual artists, including Hsiao-Mei Ho, Yen-Cheng Liu, Ming-Chen Li, Chien-Ming Chang (Hofesh Shechter Company), Kuan-Hsiang Liu, Chien-Ju Chia, Hiroaki Umeda, Gerard&Kelly, Jos Baker and Mylène Benoit. 

Aside from being a dancer and performer, she also worked as a process assistant and facilitator.  She assisted Kuan-Hsiang Liu’s work Superbeing for Cloud Gate 2 (TW) in 2018. She was invited by Thinker’s Studio (TPE) to assist and facilitate an online residency platform called Connect with SEA (Gender Issue) : Residency in the CLOUD in 2021.

As a maker, Wan-Lun’s first personal project was a collaboration with Belgian audiovisual artist Joeri Verbesselt on the short film titled Retreat (2020). The film was selected for Copenhagen’s CPH: DOX film festival (2020),  Ann Arbor Film Festival (2021), The New York Science Fiction Film Festival (2022),  The European Philip K Dick Film Festival(2022), Breedbeeld short film festival (2022). The second project Tableau Vivant has developed into two site-specific installation performances, which are foam, slaver, froth, sperm (2019), and Find the Apple (2020). This collaboration has received financial support from the Taiwan National Culture and Arts Foundation and the Flemish Government.

Founded in 2005, in Montreal, by a group of rebellious high-level figure skaters who wanted to get away from sparkles and stereotypes, Le Patin Libre proposes a contemporary reinvention of the ice show, using their athletic virtuosity to create something legitimately artistic and truly cool.

Since 2014, the company tours the international contemporary performing arts network with pieces described as contemporary skating by dance critics. Speed, virtuosity and fluid choreography characterize their sophisticated yet accessible style that charms as much as it questions and inspires.

The company turns ice arenas into pop-up theatres, inviting everybody in public infrastructures normally reserved to exclusive sport clubs. Le Patin Libre constantly invests itself in efforts to make both skating and performing arts accessible to more people.

Alexandre Hamel
Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Skating-Artist

Alexandre Hamel originally trained as a figure skater. He competed on the international circuit, was once on the Canadian championship podiums, and accumulated a few provincial champion titles. He then skated professionally for Disney On Ice. He founded Le Patin Libre in 2005 and still directs the company, while staying as involved as always with performance and creation. He is very committed to the importance of creating depolarizing cultural experiences gathering general audiences with art aficionados. Hamel is also a filmmaker, his documentaries winning awards and being presented in international film festivals.

Pascale Jodoin
Production Director, Choreographer, Skating-Artist

Pascale Jodoin originally trained as a traditional figure skater. She avoided a large part of the formatting imposed on young figure skating ladies because of her free-spirited attitude. She joined Le Patin Libre in 2009 after seeing a performance, auditioning, participating in workshops offered by the founding artists and dancing in underground ice parties organized by the collective. Beyond her implication as a creator and a performer, she manages a large part of the activities of the company.  Before being completely mobilized by Le Patin Libre, she also ran a small jewellery business and performed as a circus artist in Montreal.

Samory Ba
Choreographer, Skating-Artist, Market Development Agent

Samory is a skating-artist based in Paris, France. Formerly trained as a figure skater, he competed nationally and internationally for over 10 years. He then pursued a career as a professional skater, performing leading roles within several major “On Ice” productions. In 2010, after 5 years spent in the industry, interested in exploring skating as an artistically relevant art form rather than a popular entertainment, he decided to quit his career and joined Le Patin Libre. Samory has been exclusively involved with the company ever since. He is considered as one of Le Patin Libre’s founding members.

Haley Alcock 

Haley is an ice dancer and micrometeorologist based in Montreal, Canada. After a decade-long hiatus from figure skating, Haley was thrilled to rediscover their love for the ice through contemporary skating. She joined Le Patin Libre in 2021. Haley holds a B.Sc and M.Sc. in atmospheric science from McGill University. A data scientist by day, they work at the University of Montreal researching how rapidly changing boreal forest, peatland, and tundra ecosystems function as an integral part of the climate system.

Samory Ba

Samory is a skating-artist based in Paris, France. Formerly trained as a figure skater, he competed nationally and internationally for over 10 years. He then pursued a career as a professional skater, performing leading roles within several major “On Ice” productions. In 2010, after 5 years spent in the industry, interested in exploring skating as an artistically relevant art form rather than a popular entertainment, he decided to quit his career and joined Le Patin Libre. Samory has been exclusively involved with the company ever since. He is considered as one of Le Patin Libre’s founding members.

Jacqueline Benson 

Jacqueline is a contemporary skating artist, choreographer, and dancer based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been skating with Le Patin Libre since 2021. Her current professional engagements include her roles as Vice President of American Ice Theatre and Treasurer of the Figure Skating Diversity & Inclusion Alliance. She is a USFS triple gold medalist and a Professional Skater’s Association Master-Rated coach & choreographer. She is trained in multiple styles of dance and has performed with several Phoenix-based contemporary dance companies. Jacqueline graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University and has experience in marketing, communications, and nonprofit advocacy work.

David Billau

David is a skating-artist from Armentières, France. David trained as a mechanic before discovering ice skating at the age of 18, after which he began practicing freestyle on his own. These years of practice allowed him to present personal artistic research and short performances throughout France. In 2018, he met and auditioned for Le Patin Libre. He has performed in Murmuration since its premiere in 2022.

Sophie Blomqwist

Sophie is a freelance skater and dancer from Sweden. She has been working with Le Patin Libre since spring 2018. Sophie started her career as a competitive skater in Sweden and later moved to Russia to pursue ice dancing. Sophie eventually shifted her focus to coaching and choreographing for figure skaters while studying choreography, composition, improvisation, and pedagogy at the Stockholm University College of Music Education. At the time she also began to explore her own movement research on ice, which led her to discover Le Patin Libre and join the company for the creation of Murmuration.

Imogen Croft

Imogen started skating at the age of 8 and though she competed a little, she never really enjoyed the world of competitive skating although skating and movement played a large part in her life. At University she studied Fine Arts and Art History. Whilst studying, she explored and researched the history of Modern Dance, specifically in the UK alongside the use of video, sculpture, and painting to explore movement itself. In her second year, she re-discovered her passion for skating and began to train daily, alongside developing a love for contemporary dance. Imogen began working with Le Patin Libre in 2018.

Taylor Dilley

Captivated by gliding, and a member of Le Patin Libre since 2011, Taylor is proud to have been a creative part of several wide-touring LPL productions. Previously, Taylor competed as an ice dancer and martial artist, and worked with the National Ice Theatre of Canada. The movement discipline of all those practices clearly shaped his distinctive skating style. His current projects include exploring the modern performance potential of rock climbing, and cofounding the Outdoor Artist Collective, which is spearheading an arts festival in northern British Columbia. Taylor believes sharing the things you love with your community has power to uplift.

Jenn Edwards

Jenn is a contemporary dance and skating artist/ educator based in Labrador, Canada. Originally from Vancouver, she was a competitive figure skater before earning a BFA in dance from Simon Fraser University. She has danced in work by Flowmotion Dance Company, Tauschfühlung, Polynomials, and Valence Movement among others. Her choreography has been presented at festivals and mixed programs such as Dance: Made in Canada, Fusion Festival (Berlin), 12 Minutes Max, and Vines Art Festival. Jenn also plays keys in an alt rock band, Ptarmageddon, and writes for Dance International Magazine. She was thrilled to join Le Patin Libre in 2018.

Alexandre Hamel

Alexandre originally trained as a traditional figure skater. He competed on the international circuit, was once on Canadian championship podiums, and accumulated a few provincial champion titles. He also skated professionally for Disney On Ice. He founded Le Patin Libre in 2005, desiring to use his passion for skating outside the constraints of competition and “On Ice” show-business. In the company, he holds several roles: Artistic Director, choreographer, and performer. He is very committed to the importance of sharing contemporary performing arts with general audiences. Alexandre is also successful as a documentary filmmaker, his documentaries winning awards and being presented in film festivals in several countries.

Pascale Jodoin

Pascale Jodoin originally trained as a traditional figure skater. She avoided a large part of the formatting imposed on young figure skating ladies because of her free-spirited attitude. She joined Le Patin Libre in 2009 after seeing a performance, auditioning, participating in workshops offered by the founding artists and dancing in underground ice parties organized by the collective. Beyond her implication as a creator and a performer, she manages a large part of the company’s activities. Before being completely mobilized by Le Patin Libre, she also ran a small jewelry business and performed as a circus artist in Montreal.

Garrett Kling

Garrett has skated with Le Patin Libre since 2019 and was part of the Paris opening of Murmuration in the summer of 2022. He has toured as a professional figure skater for 11 years performing with companies such as Holiday on Ice, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Stageworks Worldwide Productions. He is the Co-Executive Director of American Ice Theatre and as a choreographer, received a master rating from the Professional Skaters Association choreographing for skaters across North America, Europe, Brazil and South Africa. Living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA he also teaches and regularly practices yoga.

Isaac Alan Lindy

Isaac is a Philadelphia-based figure skater and contemporary dancer. He began working with Le Patin Libre in 2018 and is thrilled to be on tour with Murmuration. Professional skating highlights include Holiday on Ice European tours (Line Captain, Ensemble), Nathan Birch and Tim Murphy’s The Next Ice Age (soloist), and site-specific performance with IceLab Leipzig. As a dancer, Isaac has worked with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Philadelphia, the Putty Dance Project, Ruckus Dance, and has performed at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Isaac holds a BA in Urban Studies from Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY, USA).

Kristýna Mikulášová

Kristýna grew up in the Czech Republic, trained there as a traditional figure skater and competed at national competitions. She also trained as a dancer and became a member of Dance Theatre Maximvs in Brno. In 2012, she graduated from Trinity Laban in London with BA(Hons) Dance Theatre, and from 2013, she started assisting at dance workshops of Joe Alegado at Impulstanz Festival and across Europe. Since 2018 she has been working with Le Patin Libre on Murmuration. Kristýna currently lives in Switzerland where she works as a dance, skating coach and as a ski instructor.

Maude Poulin

Maude is an artist and skater, born in La Tuque, QC, Canada. She trained for nearly 12 years as a figure skating athlete. In 2008, she joined Le Patin Libre for a show in Vancouver, as part of the inauguration of the Olympic Ice Oval. She continued her competitive career for a few years before turning to studies in visual arts. In autumn 2021, following a call for auditions, she laced up her skates again and joined the troupe for their new creation Murmuration.

Oktawia Scibior 

Oktawia is a professional skating artist and choreographer, born in Warsaw, Poland. For 14 years, she was a competitive figure skater (bronze medal of the Polish Nationals in 2003). After finishing her career, she performed in various commercial ice shows. Passionate in dance, she obtained certification as jazz dance instructor. In 2013, she met Le Patin Libre and discovered contemporary skating. In 2016, she founded in Paris an association Slippery Art Project to promote contemporary skating. Since 2018, she has been collaborating with Le Patin Libre on the show Murmuration. In 2021, she created an award-winning video dance Rêverie.

The term “Sankofa” comes from Ashanti (Ghana), meaning, in essence, to go back to the root.

Sankofa Danzafro is Colombia’s leading contemporary dance company. Founded by Rafael Palacios in 1997, the company focuses on Afro-Colombian and contemporary dance forms, blending traditional African dance elements with original, powerful choreography. Sankofa Danzafro aims to explore and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Colombian communities while addressing contemporary social issues.

Rafael Palacios, the Artistic Director, is motivated by a compelling mission: to rewrite the history of African Diasporic communities in Colombia and throughout the globe. His inspiration stems from the recognition that historical narratives have traditionally been shaped and documented by the oppressors, often marginalizing and silencing the voices of the oppressed. 

For more than two decades, Palacios, a disciple of Germaine Acogny, has channeled his motivation into his artistic work. By collaborating with the dancers and musicians of Sankofa Danzafro, Palacios creates performances that aim to retell history from the perspective of those who have been historically ignored. Through dance and music, Palacios seeks to give a voice to the oppressed, reclaiming their history and share their experiences.

Sankofa Danzafro has become a powerful vehicle for cultural expression and social commentary. The company’s performances showcase the beauty of Afro-Colombian dance, but also serve as a platform for addressing social issues, challenging historical narratives, and advocating for the recognition and empowerment of marginalized communities. Palacios’ commitment to amplifying the voices of the oppressed contributes significantly to the broader discourse on representation, equality, and social justice through the medium of dance.

Feliciano Blandón Salas (performer)

Feliciano began training and performing in 1990 with group Novatos de Turbo for regional performances of dance and music, and as a percussionist of Drums of Urabá in 1993. Later he joined Ballet Folclórico de Urabá, directed by Marino Sánchez (1998). In 2000 he moved to Medellín and joined various artistic projects such as: Danza Caracumbé (2001), Corporación Barrio Comparsa (2001), Grupo Danzas por Colombia (2002), Musical Group Canto Arena (2003) and Grupo Musical Velé (2003.). He has been a member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2005. He was awarded with the EDIT School Burkina Faso Internship (2009) among other recognitions.

Piter Alexander Angulo Moreno (performer)

Piter is a passionate dancer with two decades of experience in urban dances and Latin rhythms. Piter is originally from Cali, Colombia. He has forged much of his artistic and professional career participating in national events and has been District Councilor for Culture of the city of Cali, representing vibrant urban cultures. Currently, he combines his love for art with his studies in business administration. As a prominent member of the Sankofa Danzafro company, under the direction of maestro Rafael Palacios since 2022.

Diego León de los Rios Naranjo (performer)

Diego has been a member of Crew Peligrosos, since 2004, in the form of Bboying (Break Dance). He was part of the first generation of the school 4 Elements Skuela where he now serves as an instructor. He is a student and practitioner of the Hip Hop culture, and he has stood out for his own style. Since 2010 he has been a member of SANKOFA DANZAFRO, where he researches the dialogue between urban dance, traditional Afro-Colombian dances, and different African contemporary dance as its axis.

Liliana Hurtado Hinestroza (performer)

Liliana is currently studying sociology at the University of Antioquia. She is a company member of Sankofa Danzafro, and she has participated in national and international festivals. Liliana is also a member of the Itinerant School of training in gender, with emphasis on Afro-descendant black women and the diaspora. She has attended training workshops in different dance techniques such as Colombian traditional of the Atlantic coast with Wilfran Barrios and traditional of the Pacific coast with Ninosca Salamandra, Afro-contemporary with Rafael Palacios, as well as traditional African with Gorsy Edú of Guinea Conakry.

Juan José Luna Coha (composer, musician)

Juan José, born in the municipality of Arboletes, Antioquia, is a musician and performer of folk instruments of the Colombian Caribbean coast. He is a member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2012 with which he has attended national and international festivals (China, Jamaica, Canada, United States, Peru). Thanks to that tour, he was invited to the Barro Project in Medellín in 2012. In 2013 he joins Wangari Dance Company directed by Yndira Perea and the musical group Black Explosion directed by Harrison Palacios.

Sandra Vanesa Murillo Mosquera (performer)

Sandra Vanesa was born in Medellín (Antioquia) where she graduated high school with an emphasis in Graphic Design Technique at the Blanquizal Educational Institution. She is currently studying Early Childhood Care at the Nafoem Polytechnic. In the city of Medellín, she has been part of numerous dance groups such as: Afro Power, La Unión Master, Afrokiamba, Dance Network of Medellín 2014 – 2017, and Wangari Dance Company participating as a dancer for the Flower Fair and the Festival of Myths and Legends. She has been a company member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2017, and has participated in national and international events performing “The City of Others”. She was part of the dance cast for “Crew Peligrosos Sinfónico”. 

María Elena Murillo Palacios (performer)

María Elena was born on October 12, 1983, in the Cantón of San Pablo (Chocó, Colombia) where she began her academic training. During those years she was also part of the folk-dance group of the municipality. She has been part of Sankofa Danzafro since 2010. With this company she had the opportunity to study and learn Afro-contemporary dance technique. She has toured as a company member for both “The City of The Others” and “The Other Hundred Years” at numerous festivals nationally and internationally.

Estayler Osorio Fuentes (performer)

Estayler was born in the municipality of Apartadó, in Urabá Antioquia. He is a bachelor’s student in Physical Education and Sports at the University of Antioquia. He started his dance journey in 2010, where he began his training in traditional dances of the region, such as Reggae, an urban dance well known among the inhabitants of Urabá Antioquia, and which has led him to develop his skills as a deejay and music producer.  In 2016, during one of the company’s training laboratories led by teacher Yndira Perea Cuesta, he joined the Sankofa seedbed. He is currently part of the Sankofa Danzafro company where he has strengthened his artistic process in the Afro-contemporary and Afro-urban dance techniques. Being part of the company has led him to view dance as a means of expression and liberation that allows expanding the narratives of a community.

William Camilo Perlaza Micolta (performer)

William Camilo began his artistic career at the age of 4 at the Colombian South Pacific Folk School and Foundation, Tumac, with national and international dance and music performances. Since 2004 he has been part of Sankofa Danzafro, where he began his training in Afro-contemporary technique under the guidance of Rafael Palacios. He has participated as a dancer in various creative processes presented in Colombia and countries such as France, Spain, Burkina Faso, Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, and China. He was awarded with the EDIT School Burkina Faso Internship in 2009.

Yndira Perea Cuesta (performer and rehearsal director)

Yndira was born in Quibdó, Chocó. In 1997 she met Rafael Palacios with whom she started studying Afro-contemporary technique. She is an original cast member of Sankofa Danzafro. In 2009 she was awarded an internship opportunity at the EDIT School Burkina Faso; and in 2015 she was awarded the “Colombia – Cuba dance” Internship by the Ministry of Culture of Colombia (2015). She is the founder and artistic director of Wangari Dance Company.

Rafael Palacios (Choreographer) 

Choreographer and Colombian dancer dedicated to the exploration of Afro-traditional, contemporary and urban dance languages. His experience as a dancer in Africa and Europe has been the basis for the foundation of the Sankofa Company, with which he has created a wide repertoire of works that have been presented in Colombia and other countries such as Jamaica, France, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Burkina Faso. He has developed training processes aimed at teachers and dancers as well as seedlings of young people and children. National Councilor of Dance and Counselor of Black Communities (2009-2011). Master teacher of the Training Program for Trainers of the Ministry of Culture in the Pacific region 2007- 2013. Palacios received the National Dance Award of the Ministry of Culture 2008, with the work San Pacho … Blessed !; In 2009, he held an internship with the Company in Burkina Faso, Africa. Director of the project Steps in the Earth that in 2010 receives the recognition of the UN as Good Practice of Afrodescendent Social Inclusion in Latin America. He is invited as artistic director for the Colombian dance show held in the framework of the Summit of the Americas Cartagena 2012. Choreographer for the production of the 2013 Cali World Games.

Álvaro Tobón (Light and set designer)

Alvaro is an Architect of the National University of Colombia. In 1982 he was awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture of France for a stage in theater architecture and theatrical shows assembly at the Paris Opera, and a scholarship for lighting technology at the Commedie Française in 1986. He was the producer of the Pacific Music Festival Petronio Álvarez in his first ten editions. He has been the scenic designer Sankofa Danzafro since 2004, for whom he has designed, among other works, “San Pacho ¡Bendito!”, “La puerta”, “The City of Others” and “The Other One Hundred Years”.

QPAC AND CIRCA PRESENT 

DUCK POND SYNOPSIS 

Created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa Ensemble 

Prologue 

Cupid appears in a flash 

ACT 1

The palace, a dream

It is the night before the Prince’s birthday. Various friends, prospective partners and assorted revellers engage in acrobatically-infused merriments. A pillow mishap abruptly ends the party. In a brief encounter the Prince meets the Ugly Duckling and, with the help of Cupid, they fall in love. Romantic duets follow.

Reality soon intrudes. It could never be that a humble duck and a magnificent prince could be together. The Duck Army comes to console the Ugly Duckling. She leaves somewhat cheerier.

The Black Swan appears. Soon it’s time for the Ball where the Black Swan and Prince are feted, but something is amiss. 

ACT 2

The lake

A lake with swans. We marvel above and below the water. In despair, the Ugly Duckling decides to throw herself into the swans. Unexpectedly she flies! She is, in fact, a swan.

The Black Swan appears. She and the White Swan fall eternally in love. Duets of love follow. The Prince, confused and devastated, implodes as the two enamoured swans head into the sunset.

ACT 3

The theatre

We catch a glimpse of what swans are like in nature. It’s almost time to go home but as we pack up the theatre, true identities are revealed and real magic – the kind that does not depend on swans, tutus or spells – is rekindled.

Yaron Lifschitz

Yaron Lifschitz is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, and National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), where he was the youngest director ever accepted into its prestigious graduate director’s course. Since graduating, Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large-scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre, and circus.

His work has been seen in more than 40 countries and across six continents by over 1.5 million people and has won numerous awards including six Helpmann awards and the Australia Council Theatre Award. His productions have been presented at major festivals and venues around the world including Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Barbican, Les Nuits de Fourvière, Chamaleon and all the major Australian festivals. His film work was selected for the Berlin and Melbourne Film Festivals. He was founding Artistic Director of the Australian Museum’s Theatre Unit, Head Tutor in Directing at Australian Theatre for Young People and has been a regular guest tutor in directing at NIDA.

He is currently Artistic Director and CEO of Circa, and was Creative Director of Festival 2018: the arts and cultural program of the 21st Commonwealth Games.

Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies. Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the world – performing in more than 40 countries to over 1.5 million people. Circa’s works have been greeted with standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses across six continents.  

Circa is at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus – pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. It continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus. Compelled by the question ‘what is possible in circus?’ Circa is leading the way with a diverse range of thrilling creations that ‘redraw the limits to which circus can aspire.’ (The Age).

Under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Circa features an ensemble of exceptional, multi-skilled circus artists who have been a regular fixture at leading festivals and venues in New York, London, Berlin and Montreal with seasons at Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Barbican Centre, Les Nuits de Fourvière, Chamäleon Theatre as well as major Australian Festivals.

Circa is committed to fostering the next generation of circus artists and runs public circus classes from its studio in Brisbane. Circa also runs regular circus programs with communities throughout Queensland and around Australia. 

As a champion of live performance, Circa was the Creative Lead for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games arts and cultural program.

Asha Colless

Growing up in Wollongong, Asha was introduced to circus at the age of six, taking classes at Circus Monoxide. Being in the air and flipping herself around quickly became her favourite thing to do, and this is where her love of performing came alive. At nineteen she decided to take her training further and study at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), specialising in hula hoops and silks. 

Asha also loves swimming at the beach, being in nature and a good book.

Maya Davies 

For as long as she can remember, Maya has always said “when I grow up, I want to join the circus”, and that’s exactly what she did. She grew up between Australia and the United States, but Maya’s circus training began at Cirkidz, in Adelaide at the age of seven. She has always excelled in both the arts and athletics, and was thrilled when she discovered that circus could be the perfect hybrid of both. This eventually led her to the National Institute of Circus Arts where she specialised in Partner Acrobatics and Chinese Pole, graduating with a Bachelors of Circus Arts. She is devoted to continue using circus as an art discipline; to tell stories, create striking performances, and explore physicality through an imaginative lens.

Malte Gerhardt 

Malte discovered his passion for the explosive yet precise art of partner acrobatics at the age of nine with his local youth circus in southwest Germany. His journey led him to the State Ballet School and School of Acrobatics in Berlin, followed by completing his vocational training at CircArtive School in 2019. He then specialised in partner acrobatics on a one-metre ball during four arts at Codarts, University for the Arts in Rotterdam, earning a BNG nomination for his graduation act BLANK in 2023. 

Since then, Malte has co-created the family show SuperSociety with Stefan Bauer and performed with Circa at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide, including TOHU, Edinburgh Festival, Montréal Complètement Cirque, Circusstad Festival, and Carré.

Oscar Morris

Hailing from Brisbane, Oscar’s journey into the world of circus began at eight years old when he joined youth classes at Flipside Circus. What started as a childhood pastime quickly transformed into a passion, and by the time he had graduated from Flipside’s performance troupe, he was working as an independent artist and musician up until he joined the Circa Ensemble in 2023.

When not on stage, you can find Oscar playing bass, listening to records, or watching parkour videos.

Clara Scudder-Davis

Clara is a multidisciplinary circus artist from Seattle Washington. Growing up she played in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, sang duets with her sister and read incessantly. At age seven she wrote in a journal that she either wanted to be an acrobat or a farmer when she was older. Both dreams still hold true.

Clara explored many forms of movement: hip-hop, partner dance, and over ten years of ballet. She also studied theater and classical, jazz and musical theater singing. Clara started circus at 19 while attending Oberlin College and spent the following four years at L’École de Cirque de Québec. She graduated in 2020 with a specialization in handstands, hula hoops and a minor in trampoline.

As a human Clara feels most grounded while moving. The research necessary when working to combine circus, dance, music, and theater inspires her. She loves the process of creating – taking the risk to adventure beyond what she believed was possible. To connect more openly. To breathe more deeply. To share with one another. Most of all circus makes Clara happy and she wishes to share this joy with others.

Sophie Seccombe

Sophie Seccombe has cherished free movement from birth. Her slightly impetuous nature led her parents to enrol her in ballet lessons at age two. While formal training gave her a foundation, she preferred dancing in the bush and acrobatics on the roof.

Sophie stumbled upon contemporary circus at the West End markets in 2021. Immediately enthralled, circus exposed her to a world where ballet and gymnastics could be meshed with artistic expression without constraints. After a year of coaching by Gravity & Other Myths, she began touring in Rouge before engagement with Circa.

Outside of work, Sophie may be found listening to Mazzy Star, practicing Mandarin, and passionately advocating for the humbly exquisite chocolate crackle.

Zachery Stephens 

Zachery began his circus career following in the footsteps of his siblings and aspires to one day perform alongside them. With a background in competitive gymnastics and Olympic weightlifting, Zachery is no stranger to lifting weight above himself and has a terrible habit of asking anyone regardless of size to stand on him. 

Undertaking his circus studies at the National Institute of Circus Arts, he has trained for 4 years as a hand-balancer and hand to hand base. However, his true love and the place where Zachery thrives most is in an ensemble, where he can explore group acrobatics in collaboration with creative movement. Zachery’s ambition as an artist is to become as versatile as possible, to never become comfortable and most importantly, to show the world why circus is the most powerful and beautiful expression of what it means to be human.

Tristan St John

Tristan laughs a lot, produces music and people always say he doesn’t have an offswitch. 

Since the backyard trampoline, Tristan has always wanted to fly! Teeterboard and trampolining were a part of his upbringing since the age often; not a spare second was spent off it. 

During the last eleven years, he has competed at national trampoline competitions, performed Teeterboard, Acrobatics and Chinese Pole to multiple audiences and has completed a Bachelor in Circus Arts.

Adam Strom 

Adam Strom started circus classes at the age of six in Brisbane, Australia. He trained in acrobatics, aerials and juggling for 11 years with Flipside Circus, while also developing his skills in dance, music and theatre. In 2014, Adam was accepted into the Québec Circus School in Canada, where he specialised in German wheel and continued training as many other circus disciplines as he could. Since his three years of circus school, Adam has created and performed in myriad productions around the world, including Midnight Circus, Crépuscule by Flip Fabrique, and La Galerie by Machine de Cirque.

Jethro Woodward – Composer & Sound Designer 

Jethro Woodward is a Melbourne-based composer, musical director, arranger, musician and sound designer recognised for his expansive and highly layered film, theatre and dance scores. A multi Green Room Award winner and Helpmann nominee, he has worked with some of Australia’s leading major and independent companies including; Malthouse Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Opera Victoria, Chamber Made Opera, Back to Back, Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin, Australian Dance Theatre, Aphids, Stuck Pigs Squealing, Rawcus, Kage and more.

A composition graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts, Jethro draws upon his detailed understanding of contemporary music and its uses in live performance, including innovative uses of technology, combining live instrumentation with prerecorded, electronic, musical and sound elements into a seamless flexible and responsive score.

Jethro regularly tours his work internationally and has won Green Room Awards for his work on; The Bloody Chamber (Malthouse Theatre), Moth (Malthouse Theatre/Arena Theatre), Goodbye Vaudeville Charlie Mudd (Malthouse Theatre/Arena Theatre) and Irony Is Not Enough (Fragment 31). As a guitarist and singer, he regularly performs with Meow Meow and Paul Capsis, and has been a member of the band Cordarzine over the past 15 years. He most recently was the composer of Rapture at Sydney Festival 2021, directed by Michael Kantor and starring Paul Capsis and iOTA.

Alex Berlage – Lighting Designer 

Alexander Berlage is an award-winning director and lighting designer. He is co-artistic director of the Old Fitz Theatre. Alexander has won the Sydney Theatre Award Best Direction of a Musical for the past two years in a row – for AMERICAN PSYCHO and CRY-BABY at Hayes Theatre Co.  

As a lighting designer, Alexander has worked for Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Queensland, Circa, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sydney Chamber Opera, Sydney Dance Company, Griffin Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, Hayes Theatre Co., Australian Theatre for Young People, and Redline Productions.

His smash-hit, sold-out production of AMERICAN PSYCHO won 9 Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Direction of a Musical, Best Production of a Musical, and Best Lighting Design of an Independent Production and more.  Alexander’s production of GLORIA was nominated for 2 Sydney Theatre Awards.  Alexander’s production of CRY-BABY received rave reviews, sold out and won 4 Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Production of a Musical. The same year, his productions of THERE WILL BE A CLIMAX, HOME INVASION and CRY-BABY received a combined total of 12 Sydney Theatre Award nominations.  For THERE WILL BE A CLIMAX, Alexander was nominated for Best Direction of an Independent Production and Best Independent Production.  

Alexander’s directing work includes: DIARY OF ONE WHO DISAPPEARED, FUTURE REMAINS (with Sydney Festival), RESONANT BODIES (Sydney Chamber Opera); YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, AMERICAN PSYCHO, CRY-BABY (Hayes Theatre Co.); GLORIA (Outhouse Theatre Co); THERE WILL BE A CLIMAX (Redline Productions/NIDA); HOME INVASION (An Assorted Few/Old 505); and THE VAN DE MAAR PAPERS (An Assorted Few/PACT).  

Alexander holds a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production) and a Master of Fine Art (Directing) from the National Institute for Dramatic Art, Sydney.  In 2019, Alexander was awarded a Mike Walsh Fellowship.

Rani Luther – Dramaturg/Associate Choreographer 

Rani Luther was born in Melbourne and attended the National Theatre Ballet School before completing her year 7-12 education at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Rani’s professional dance career began with the Kiel Ballet Company Germany in 1995 before moving to The Netherlands where she danced with world-renowned Netherlands Dance Theatre 2 and Netherlands Dance Theatre 1. In 2003 Rani returned home to dance with The Australian Ballet Company for four years, joined Sydney Dance Company in 2007 and retired from stage as a principal dancer with Melbourne Ballet Company in 2011.

Rani has had the great pleasure of working with and performing works by choreographers such as Jiri Kylián, Hans Van Manen, Paul Lightfoot, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, Johan Inger, Jacopo Gordani, Edward Liang, Graeme Murphy, Stephan Page, Stephen Baynes, Adrian Burnett, and Rafael Bonachela. South Africa 1993 medal at the Sanlam International Ballet Competition, South Africa 1993, was winner of the outstanding performance award in the City of Sydney Ballet Scholarship 1994 and received a nomination for best female dancer in the Green Room Award 2006 for her roles in Relic and Jiri with The Australian Ballet Company. Rani was an adjudicator for the Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Rani’s choreographic creations include two works for NDT Workshop performances 2001/2002, Face the Music for Carriage works Theatre Sydney 2012, Illuminate for MBC Empyrean season 2016 and Outside In for The Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional season 2017. In 2018 Rani choreographed Lunar for Queensland Ballet’s inaugural season of Synergy and in 2019 Heartstrings for the Australian Ballet Company’s Bodytorque season. In 2020 Rani choreographed From. To. Here for Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke season and in 2022 choreographed Butterfly Effect for the inaugural season of TDC presents Encore season. In 2019 Rani was appointed Ballet Mistress and Creative Associate for Queensland Ballet and in 2022-2023 Creative Associate for Queensland Ballet and Thomas Dixon Centre in which Rani curated the Secret Lives of Costumes exhibition in collaboration with Griffith University QAC, produced, curated, and choreographed four Global Fusion series performances in collaboration with Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre and curated, produced and choreographed the Encore season in November 2022. Rani founded Flourish by Rani Luther in 2023.

Marty Evans – Associate Director 

Marty Evans came to circus by a more roundabout route than most. Marty left behind his published scientific career at Australia’s only nuclear reactor to embrace his physical sports background and pursue a career in circus. Marty then trained at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne. Marty is a fiercely determined and hardworking hand-to-hand base that enjoys exploring new challenges and techniques. It was at NICA that Marty first came across Circa and was inspired by the combination of artistic and physical excellence. Marty joined the Circa Ensemble full time in 2015 and has been involved in the creation of numerous Circa productions including Humans, Humans 2.0, Sacre, and Duck Pond. In 2023 Marty completed a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management and in 2024 he took up the role of Executive Officer at Circa.

Created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa ensemble.

Director, Stage Design Yaron Lifschitz 
Composer and Sound Designer Jethro Woodward
Costume Designer Libby McDonnell
Lighting Designer Alexander Berlage
Associate Director Marty Evans
Dramaturg/Associate Choreographer Rani Luther 
Voice Over Artist Elise Greig 

Footage of brutal swan fight used with the kind permission of Carl Bovis.

International representation 
Allen Moon / David Lieberman Artists’ Representatives USA, Canada, Central & South America 

Catherine Gaudet

After completing a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in contemporary dance at UQAM, Catherine Gaudet established from the outset a reputation as a choreographer with a strong, distinctive style. Slipping under the mask of social conventions, she tracks down the convulsive movements of the subconscious in the body, the micro movements that reveal emotions and sensations we try to hide. Obsessed by the quest for existential truth and well-being, she plunges into the meanderings of the psyche, finding beauty in flaws in contradictions. Her state of dance emerges from opposing forces that constrain and control her tormented characters. Her raw yet precise physicality is complemented by a theatricality that subtly combines absurd dramatic tensions with black humour. In parallel to her creative activities, she was a founding member of the company Lorganisme from 2010 to 2019; co-director of the Centre de création O’ Vertigo; guest professor at the Département de danse de l’UQAM in 2018-2019 as well as a lecturer at the same institution, from 2019 to 2021. Catherine is currently the artistic and general director of the Compagnie Catherine Gaudet, a member of Circuit-Est center chorégraphique, associate creator at DLD – Daniel Léveillé Danse and associate artist at the Agora de la danse.

Dany Desjardins

Dany Desjardins began his artistic approach at a very young age through drawing and theater. After studying visual arts in Alma, he completed a dance program in Drummondville and continued his studies at LADMMI in Montreal. Since March 2007, Dany has collaborated with choreographers Catherine Gaudet, Fred Gravel, David Pressault, George Stamos and Kathy Ward. At Théâtre Lachapelle, he presented in February 2018 the piece Sang Bleu, a co-creation with contortionist artist Andréane Leclerc.

Dany Desjardins a commencé sa démarche artistique dès son plus jeune âge par le dessin et le théâtre. Après des études en arts visuels à Alma, il complète un programme de danse à Drummondville et poursuit ses études à LADMMI à Montréal. Depuis mars 2007, Dany collabore avec les chorégraphes Catherine Gaudet, Fred Gravel, David Pressault, George Stamos et Kathy Ward. Au Théâtre Lachapelle, il a présenté en février 2018 la pièce Sang Bleu, une cocréation avec l’artiste contorsionniste Andréane Leclerc.

Caroline Gravel

Performer, dance artist, workshops and choreographic projects leader, Caroline Gravel anchors her actions in the physical and digital space. Known for her original approach as a contemporary dance performer, she collaborates with Montreal choreographers and performs on local and international stages. Her body of work investigate the division between memories and experiences through the documentation of events and the question of their (re)presentation. She creates evocative atmospheres without narratives. The drama is somewhere else but the tension crystallizes to embody a constantly evolving event.

Interprète, artiste de la danse, animatrice d’ateliers et de projets chorégraphiques, Caroline Gravel ancre ses actions dans l’espace physique et numérique. Reconnue pour son approche originale en tant qu’interprète de danse contemporaine, elle collabore avec des chorégraphes montréalais et se produit sur des scènes locales et internationales. Son travail explore la division entre souvenirs et expériences à travers la documentation d’événements et la question de leur (re)présentation. Elle crée des atmosphères évocatrices sans narration. Le drame est ailleurs mais la tension se cristallise pour incarner un événement en constante évolution.

Scott McCabe

Originating from Toronto, Scott McCabe graduated from The Juilliard School in 2013.  They performed with Gallim Dance while finishing his studies. Scott was a member of Ate9 Dance Company from 2013-2015 before joining Compagnie Marie Chouinard from 2015-2020.  Scott is also an Ilan Lev practitioner.

Originaire de Toronto, Scott McCabe a obtenu son diplôme de la Juilliard School en 2013.  Il s’est produit avec Gallim Dance tout en terminant ses études. Scott a été membre de la Ate9 Dance Company de 2013 à 2015 avant de rejoindre la Compagnie Marie Chouinard de 2015 à 2020.  Scott est également un praticien d’Ilan Lev.

James Philipps

After graduating from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, James Phillips completed the professional program at the School of Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg. From 2005 to 2009, he was a member of Le Groupe Lab de Danse in Ottawa, where he participated in over 25 creative processes with choreographers such as Tedd Robinson, Lionel Hoche and Louise Bédard. James Phillips also collaborated on Gaile Petursson’s Faeries (2006) and Brontë (2009). He joined O Vertigo in the fall of 2009 for Onde de choc.

Après avoir obtenu son diplôme de la Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, James Phillips a suivi le programme professionnel de School of Contemporary Dancers à Winnipeg. De 2005 à 2009, il a été membre du Groupe Lab de Danse à Ottawa, où il a participé à plus de 25 processus créatifs avec des chorégraphes tels que Tedd Robinson, Lionel Hoche et Louise Bédard. James Phillips a également collaboré aux pièces Faeries (2006) et Brontë (2009) de Gaile Petursson. Il a rejoint O Vertigo à l’automne 2009 pour Onde de choc.

Lauren Semeschuk

Originally from Saskatchewan, Lauren Semeschuk began her career in Ukrainian dance, touring internationally with Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble. After a detour into accounting, she returned to dance, graduating from Ryerson University in 2008. Her professional path has included projects with multiple choreographers, including compagnie Catherine Gaudet, José Navas/compagnie Flak, Louise Bédard Danse, compagnie Marie Chouinard, and Je suis Julio/Le Radeau. Since 2017, she is also a somatic practitioner of the Ilan Lev Method.

Originaire de la Saskatchewan, Lauren Semeschuk a commencé sa carrière dans la danse ukrainienne, effectuant des tournées internationales avec le Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble. Après un détour en comptabilité, elle est revenue à la danse et a obtenu son diplôme de l’Université Ryerson en 2008. Son parcours professionnel comprend des projets avec de multiples chorégraphes, dont la compagnie Catherine Gaudet, José Navas/compagnie Flak, Louise Bédard Danse, la compagnie Marie Chouinard, et Je suis Julio/Le Radeau. Depuis 2017, elle est également praticienne somatique de la méthode Ilan Lev.

Created by Catherine Gaudet 

Performers at creation 
Francis Ducharme, Caroline Gravel, Leila Mailly, Scott McCabe, James Phillips 

Music Antoine Berthiaume  

Assistant Dramaturge and Rehearsal Director Sophie Michaud

Lighting Design Hugo Dalphond 

Costume Design Marilène Bastien  

Production Compagnie Catherine Gaudet 

Co-Production 
Festival TransAmériques + Agora de la danse + Centre Chorégraphique National de Caen + Réseau CanDance (Toronto) + Centre national des Arts (Ottawa) + Harbourfront Center (Toronto) + DLD-Daniel Léveillé Danse 

Creative Residencies DLD-Daniel Léveillé Danse + Agora de la danse 

Development DLD-Daniel Léveillé Danse 

Catherine Gaudet is a member of Circuit-Est center de chorégraphie (Montreal)

Noam Gagnon

Noam Gagnon is an acclaimed choreographer and dance artist. Over the course of his career he has helped lead Canadian dance to the forefront of the international stage.

Co-artistic director and choreographer for The Holy Body Tattoo, Noam created work to worldwide critical and audience acclaim. our brief eternity toured internationally, including performances at the Sydney Opera House, the Barbican in London, winning the Dora Mavor Moore award for Best Ensemble Performance in dance. Circa, winner of the inaugural Alcan Performing Arts Award, was performed over one hundred times all around the world. monumental, the company’s largest and most ambitious piece, premiered in Ottawa in 2005, touring across Canada and the USA. In 2016 monumental was remounted with a score performed live by post-rock collective Godspeed You, Black Emperor!. Heralded as “an almighty revelation” by The Guardian UK and “surely one of the defining dance works of the 21st century” by the Adelaide Advertiser South Australia, the show toured to critical acclaim in Vancouver (PuSh Festival), Adelaide (Adelaide Festival), Montreal (Place Des Arts), Quebec City (Grand Theatre de Quebec), Toronto (Luminato Festival), Edinburgh (Edinburgh Festival), and New York (BAM).

Noam founded Vision Impure in 2006. As Vision Impure’s artistic director, he continues to reshape the dance landscape with his achingly intimate and powerful works. Noam has created, choreographed and performed full-length works for Vision Impure including The Vision Impure (winner of The Isadora Award for Excellence in Performance), Pathways, This Crazy Show and most recently being live stream performance with 4 cameras presented at VIDF. Noam is regularly commissioned by dance and theatre artists and companies. Noam is an Associate Dance Artist of Canada’s National Arts Centre.

Natalie Lefebvre Gnam

Natalie LeFebvre Gnam (she/elle) is a dance artist, producer, teacher, curator, performance maker and mother to two energetic boys, originally from Lheidli T’enneh (colonially known as Prince George), now gratefully living on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territory (colonially, Vancouver). plasticorchidfactory.ca/