BEHIND THE VEIL
About the show
Behind the Veil
Welcome to a world where perfection is manufactured, productivity is worshipped, individuality has become a dangerous defect, and every smile has been carefully rehearsed
In this spectacularly absurd world, breathtaking physical feats collide with dark satire, unveiling a society obsessed with precision demands, flawless execution, unwavering discipline and absolute conformity.
Every movement is synchronised, everybody is optimised, every mistake is unacceptable. Don’t look too closely though. If perfection is a performance, what happens when the invisible machinery starts to degrade? When society refuses to stay contained…
This is a world where circus becomes both celebration and rebellion. Gravity is defied not simply for entertainment, but as an act of resistance against conformity, impossible standards, flawed structures and an escape from one’s own hypocrisies.
Behind the Veil questions the hierarchies and structures within society through the world of a kooky circus ensemble, where trust can both empower and control, where every lift, catch and fall relies on invisible systems of care and dependence. It questions not only how extraordinary things are achieved, but who pays the price for making them appear effortless.
As the mechanisms of this perfectly engineered world begin to fail, performers reclaim something far more dangerous than perfection: choice and freedom.
A fusion of spectacle and social commentary, this production celebrates circus not only as a display of exceptional skill, but as a profoundly human act of collaboration, resilience and resistance.
Experience it from 15– 19 September 2026.
EVENT INFO
Bookings:
Via Trybooking
Tickets between $15 - $40
Performances:
Tuesday 15 September 7.30pm (Preview)
Wednesday 16 September 7.30pm (Opening Night)
Thursday 17 September 7.30pm
Friday 18 September 7:30pm
Saturday 19 September 2:00pm
Saturday 19 September 7:30pm
Duration:
70 minutes
Location:
The National Institute of Circus Arts
39-59 Green Street, Prahran
Warnings:
The show may contain loud music, loud sound effects, smoke haze, strobe lighting, mild sexual references and reference to mental health.
THE AMAZING CAST
Shayla Ashton
Kelsea Blackburn
Eliza Denlay
Tarnee Doye
Lara Elliot
Kiera Fitzgerald
Laiken Jackson
Jaran Latona-Phasuk
Holly Muir
Capri Palmer
Elise Poulton
Daniel Scrofani
Nina Smith
Imogen Smith
James Wilson
THE PRODUCTION
Director
Kate Fryer
Assistant Director
Felicia (Flee) O'Brien
Costume Design
Reuben James
Sound Design/Musician
Christopher Lewis
Lighting Design
Eduard Inglés
Production Manager
Scott Grayland
Stage Manager
Holly Anderson
Show Rigger
Kyle Raftery & Nathan Jones
NICA Head Rigger
Kyle Raftery
Safety Officer
Leo Pentland
Circus Supervisor
Felicia (Flee) O'Brien
Lighting Operator
Liam Jones
Sound Operator
Lee Stout
Front of House Manager
TBC
Bar Manager
TBC
Photography
Rob Blackburn
Videographer
Alex Sibbison, Masterworks Media Productions
NICA ED
Head of Circus Studies
Juliana Neves
Senior Educator – Academic
Tegan Carmichael & Valentina La Piana
2nd Year Coordinator & Movement Convenor
Linda Sastradipradja
1st Year Coordinator
Emily Hughes
Certificate IV Coordinator
Hannah Trott
Circus Operations Coordinator
Alex Gullan
Alumni, Industry & Engagement Coordinator
Natalie Frijia
Circus Teachers
Earl Shatford, Felicia (Flee) O'brien, Gang (Charlie) Cheng, Helene Embling, Jon Griffingham, Martine Howard, Mireille (Mimi) Goyette, Rong Lu, Vasily Ivanov.
Brett Franzi, Leigh Rhodes, Luke Ha, Nathan Jones, Olivia Watts, Rachel Sherrington, Ryan Darwin.
Performance Teachers
Hayden Spencer & Kate Fryer
Business Studies
Lauren Eisinger
Circus History
Antonella Casella
Anatomy
Lauren Skopal & Dr David Munro
Administrator
Jenny Vanderhorst
EXECUTIVE & ADMIN
CEO
Simona Jobbagy
People & Culture Manager
Emily O’Connor
Facilities & Resources Manager
Kaleb Hawkins
Commercial Manager
Paula McKaskill
Marketing & Communications Manager
Karen Leskiw
Executive Officer
Josephine Byrt
Head of Finance
Faye Stathakis
Senior Administrator & Secretariat Officer
Anne Young
Executive Officer
Josephine Byrt
Finance and HR Officer
Jeraldine Taylor
Marketing & Communications Coordinators
Halina Powierza & Linda Corazza
NICA Represents Agent
Christina Cox
NICA Rec Administration Assistants
Jessie Shook & Meagan Kenny
NICA Administration Assistants
Nicole Theodore & Timmy Foley
CROSS-FACULTY
Head Physiotherapist
Dr David Munro
Sports & Performance Psychologist
Dr Ellie McLinden
Physiotherapist, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Cat King
Physiotherapist
Emily Irvine
Therapy Dog
Larry
Educator, Melbourne Polytechnic (Costume)
Amanda Silk
Melbourne Polytechnic Costume students
Caz Buckley & Erin Tinker
Special thanks
Paoli Smith and Zilla & Brook Publicity
DONATE TO NICA
NICA is Australia’s Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts. It is one of eight national arts training institutes, offering Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts. By donating to NICA, you will make a difference to the lives of our students and the future of circus in Australia. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
donate 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.
