Our Committee & Staff
The Australian Circus and Physical Theatre is governed by a National Committee who represent both independent artists and circus and physical theatre organisations throughout Australia.
National Committee members are:
Sue Broadway [CHAIR]is a director, creative producer and sometime performer specialising in large-scale events, aerial choreography and vaudeville. She has been: AD at Circus Oz & Strange Fruit, Circus Director of Sydney Olympics Ceremonies and Outdoor Programmer for Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival (Melb). She has directed the Moomba Parade (2010 and 2011) and has been Chair of ACAPTA (from 2006) and a member of the Theatre Board of the Australia Council (from 2009).
Deb Wilks [DEPUTY CHAIR]has been involved with Flipside Circus in Brisbane for 10 yrs. As the CEO Deb has led the organisation through the cultural change from a small community org to a small to medium company that remains true to its core values. Providing strategic direction and leadership to an ever-increasing team of staff Deb utilises skills learnt in small business and the corporate sector.
Naomi Inwood [TREASURER] is a relative newcomer to the wonderful world of circus and physical theatre, she ran away to the Flying Fruit Fly Circus in 1996 when her daughter joined the company. Naomi participated as parent, board member, school committee member, bus driver, head usher, chaperone and everything in between. From 2006 - 2010 Naomi was Fruities Finance Manager. She has been the ACAPTA Treasurer since 2007. Currently, Naomi is working in her family business, Inwood Restoration, in Albury.
Antonella Casella [SECREATARY] is the Artistic Associate for Circus Oz. Antonella has worked as a performer with contemporary circus companies in Australia and overseas, Antonella has contributed to the development of a range of circus organisations which include: Rock'n'Roll Circus (now Circa), Vulcana Women's Circus and ACAPTA.
Peta Johnston has worked with numerous independent dance artists and companies in Australia and Canada. Peta has regularly performed in an acrobatic trio called 'Grace & Grunt' and is an ACAPTA committee member. She created two dance theatre works for the Bundaleer Festival Weekend and was Rehearsal Director and choreographer for Cirkidz productions ’ Connected’ and ‘Freaky’. Currently Peta lives in Bathurst, NSW and is the Coordinator for the 2012 Catapult Festival.
Kim Kaos (aka Kymberlyn Olsen) A founding member and longest serving committee member of ACAPTA , Kim trained in physical theatre with Lindsay Kemp and Desmond Jones (London) before spearheading women working as street performers in London’s Covent Garden. In 1989 Kim founded Ozjuggle- Australia’s first magazine for contemporary circus, juggling & street performing. Kim has also taught circus skills for over 25 years (across Australia and overseas) as well as performing, directing, and MCing. Her company, Kaos Ink, is responsible for posters, flyers, and web sites for many circus companies, festivals, and individuals. She is currently working on a history of street performing through the University of Melbourne.
Gwen Knox is the Artistic Director of Theatre Kimberly Inc (a NFP community org) based in Broome WA. Theatre Kimberley produces high quality community and semi professional theatre. Gwen developed a passion for circus and strongly identifies the important transferable skills that the art form provides.
Ben Lewis started his circus career as a member of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. He then went to NICA where he specialised in straps. Since then he has freelanced, and worked with Circus Oz and Tom Tom Crew, who have being touring internationally for several years. Ben's skills include teeterboard, tumbling, hoop diving, acrobatic pole climbing, hand to hand balancing, club juggling and straps.
Chae Lindeman is a circus performer and trainer with over 12 years experience in community arts. She is the Workshop Coordinator and Head Trainer with Vulcana Women’s Circus. Chae’s performance work includes aerials and roving acts.
Hemlock Mejarne trained as acrobat and worked with Corrugated Iron Youth Theatre Circus in Darwin where he co-founded: Troppo Trixters (1992-93) and Acronym Acrobatics (1997-present). Hemlock has also worked as a performer and teacher of circus skills in Australia and internationally. He has also developed Occupational Health & Safety policies for circus and peer accreditation programs (PASS).
Simone O'Brien is a performer, writer, director and teacher of circus and physical theatre. She has inhabited the roles of acrobat, clown, aerialist, lizard, child monkey, rock ‘n roll wrestler, stunt woman, apprentice roadie wanker, human candelabra, beat poet with a chronic jazz dysfuntion and a vehicular theatre consultant (which means she did a show in her 1990 XF Ford Falcon panel van).Currently Simone is the Artistic Associate for Legs on the Wall (Syd).
Dianne Toulson is the CEO at The Women's Circus and has been instrumental in developing business and community models, which have consolidated their financial position and artistic outcomes. Dianne has a background in Business Management, Development and Strategic Planning and has managed a diverse range of small - medium businesses. Pre Women's Circus Dianne specialised in event production from small to large-scale events including magazine publishing.
Nicole Warren fell down the circus rabbit hole sometime in 2003 while studying physical theatre, at Total Theatre. For the past six years Nicole has been in the circus and arts industry as a performer, community artist, administrator and producer. Nicole is currently General Manager of the WA Circus School.
Paul Woodhead is the Founding Director of Circus West, a youth Circus company based in schools in and around Dubbo, in the Central West of NSW. Paul founded Circus West in 1991. Paul was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2003 to study similar in-school Circus programs in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands.
The association is staffed and administered by Gail Kelly (Director) and Angela Pamic (Media, Marketing & Memberships Coordinator).
