PROTEUS

About the show

Prying at its most permissible, Protues takes us on a journey into the private lives of people who do not belong to this world but are intrinsically part of it.

We are in the epicentre of a futuristic metropolis. Who calls it home?

Voyaging through the city's architectural spaces, we're offered microcosmic glimpses into an engrossing civilisation. Within these intimate settings, compromising scenes unfold as bold personalities go about their everyday lives.

NICA’s third-year ensemble present their strongest character work yet, while showcasing innovative skills across double Chinese pole, hula hoops, aerial rope, teeterboard, roue cyr, and more. Their last production season sold out in the blink of an eye (Fall With Me, 2024) — so don’t wait.

Proteus is co-directed by internationally acclaimed artists Sage Bachtler Cushman and Hugo Oliveira, both based in Portugal. Their nuanced integration of circus, theatre, and movement creates a distinctive artistic dialect that evokes a visceral, intuitive response.

This production is supported by an exceptionally talented Creative Team: Costume Design by Miriam Robinson with help from Melbourne Polytechnic Costume Design Students; Set Design by Barrie Michael Baxter (Baxter); Sound Design and Composition by Ian Moorhead; and Lighting Design by Lisa Mibus.

Under great tension, time is struck by unexpected shifts in frame, revealing new perspectives. In this dimension, mutable and ever-changing forces drive perpetual transformation.

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

Performances: 
Tuesday 17 June 7.30pm (preview)
Wednesday 18 June 7.30pm (opening night)
Thursday 19 June 7.30pm
Friday 20 June 7.30pm
Saturday 21 June 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 June 7.30pm
Wednesday 25 June 7.30pm
Thursday 26 June 7.30pm
Friday 27 June 7.30pm
Saturday 28 June 2.00pm (matinee)
Saturday 28 June 7.30pm (closing night)

Duration: 
Approx 80 minutes

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

Content Warning:
Parental Guidance Recommended
The show may contain references to adult themes, loud music, smoke haze, mild sexual references, depiction of smoking, and mild violence.

THE AMAZING CAST

Alanah Lewis
PERFORMER

Alex Burris
PERFORMER

Bethany White
PERFORMER

Bridie Callahan
PERFORMER

Christina Godwin
PERFORMER

Dakoda Barr
PERFORMER

Georgia Pozorski
PERFORMER

Hannah Dickers
PERFORMER

Holly Jobson
PERFORMER

Imogen Drury
PERFORMER

Immy Turecek
PERFORMER

Jam Travers
PERFORMER

Lachlan MacDonald
PERFORMER

Naz Turner
PERFORMER

Paige Dorrity
PERFORMER

Sammy George
PERFORMER

Saskia Gallasch
PERFORMER

Shianne Crampton
PERFORMER

Talia Sofizade
PERFORMER

Taliesha Hall-Huynh
PERFORMER

Zephyr Patterson
PERFORMER

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

NICA Represents

THE PRODUCTION

Co-Directors
Sage Bachtler Cushman & Hugo Oliveira

Costume Designer
Miriam Robinson

Set Designer
Barrie Michael Baxter (Baxter)

Sound Designer
Ian Moorhead

Lighting Designer
Lisa Mibus

Production Manager
Scott Grayland

Stage Manager
Holly Anderson

Circus Supervisor
Djuno Fisher

Costume Supervisor
Mireille (Mimi) Goyette 

Show Riggers
Andrew Dyson & Kyle Raftery

Safety Officer
Leo Pentland

Head Rigger
Kaleb Hawkins

Lighting Operator
Liam Jones

Sound Operator
Lee Stout

Front of House Manager
Natalie Frijia

Bar Manager
Niamh Howard

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

Circus Operations Coordinator
Alexander Gullan 

3rd Year Coordinator
Linda Sastradipradja (Acting)
Martine Howard

1st Year Coordinator
Emily Hughes 

Certificate IV Coordinator
Hannah Trott 

Coordinator – Alumni & Industry Engagement
Natalie Frijia

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

Business Studies
Lauren Eisinger

Circus History
Antonella Casella

Administrator (dance programs)
Jenny Vanderhorst

EXECUTIVE & ADMIN

Chief Executive Officer
Simona Jobbagy

Operations Manager (Human Resources)
Emily O’Connor 

Operations Manager (Facilities & Resources)
Franx Ann

Operations Manager (Commercial)
Paula McKaskill

Executive Officer 
Josephine Byrt

Head of Finance 
Faye Stathakis

Senior Administration Coordinator
Anne Young

NICA Represents Agent 
Christina Cox
Samuel Boyd (acting)

Marketing & Communications Manager 
Karen Leskiw

Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Halina Powierza

Marketing & Communications Assistant
Rosa Quinton

NICA Rec Administration Assistants
Jessie Shook & Meagan Kenny

NICA Administration Assistants
Sebastien Pasche & Timmy Foley

CROSS-FACULTY

Lead Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic
Lynn Hunt

Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic
Amanda Silk

Melbourne Polytechnic Costume students
Mercedes Ellis
Sarah Hordern
Erin Tinker
Lulu Fenton
Jasslyn Lewis James
Bailey Burhardt
Caroline Buckley

Special thanks

Zilla Design and Zilla & Brook Publicity 


NICA MEDICAL TEAM

Head Physiotherapist
Dr David Munro

Sports Doctor
Dr Suleiman Halabi

Sports & Performance Psychologist
Dr Alex Beaconsfield

Physiotherapist, Strength & Conditioning Coach 
Cat King

Physiotherapist
Emily Irvine

Therapy Dog
Larry

DONATE TO NICA

NICA is Australia’s Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts, offering Australia's only Bachelor of 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 $2.00 AUD are tax deductible.

make a difference

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.