Studio Residency Program

Katy Burrows presents The Adventures of Profe Kate and Friends

Katy Burrows was born on the lands of the Yorta Yorta people in Shepparton, Victoria. She is now a circus and physical theater director and performer currently living on the lands of the Kulin Nation in Parkville. Katy has a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Visual Arts) and a Bachelor of Education. After graduating, Katy worked as a high school Visual Art teacher for three years before leaving to run away with the circus. Katy moved to Santiago, Chile for five years from 2013, studying and performing clown, physical theater and trapeze, as well as studying clown in France. In 2018 Katy returned to Australia to study at the National Institute of Circus Arts. She has just finished a four year stint teaching Spanish at Footscray North Primary School. During the pandemic, when learning went online, Katy captured the hearts and imaginations of her students with videos about the adventures of a group of friends (Shark, Kangaroo, Fire, Cold, Grandma and Profe Kate). Since leaving her position as Spanish teacher Katy is focused on cultivating her performance practice by using the characters that she created during lockdown to devise a stage play about language for kids. She is also committed to developing herself as a director and trapeze artist. In 2023 Katy directed Hana Fiesta’s Disco Fiasco which was performed at the 2023 Melbourne Fringe and was nominated for Best Emerging Artist.

The Adventures of Profe Kate and Friends

Kate will develop acts contributing to a 50-minute kids show exploring language from a global, local and personal context using the disarming techniques of character, clown and storytelling. The show promotes connection through the sharing of language and laughter and will honour Indigenous language in consultation with the traditional owners of the Kulin Nation and the Indigenous people from wherever the show will be performed in future.

See a showing of Katy’s work in development on Sunday 18^th February 2024 at 2:30pm in the Studio! All welcome.

Jemma Armstrong presents The Wobbly Wallaby & The Absolute Bandicoot

Jemma Armstrong (Producer) is a Brunswick-based children's performer and music specialist, best known for being the voice and puppeteer behind Hootabelle on ABC Kids show, 'Giggle & Hoot'.

Other puppetry and children’s theatre credits include ‘The Wonder Gang’ (ABC Kids), ‘Andy’s Amazing Adventures’ national tour (BBC), and Disney’s ‘Winnie The Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation’. Jemma holds a Bachelor of Music, a Certificate of Children’s Psychology, and has over 17 years of experience in children’s music and education. Her gentle, lyrical songs are listened to the world over on Spotify, and regularly played on ABC Kids Listen. Jemma has a diagnosed neurodiversity, and grew up with the emotional, cognitive and social challenges that come with having a different sort of brain. She believes that music and story can have a huge impact on a child's sense of self and wellbeing, and feels driven to use her skills in a way that might help those ‘wobbly wallabies’ feel empowered and accepted for the wonderful, creative, and unique qualities they have to offer.

Prema Nishan (Author) is a Booroondara-based writer, art therapist, group facilitator and process-oriented counsellor. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict Management and Resolution, and is deeply passionate about helping people develop empathy and understand themselves and others more deeply, through process work and restorative justice practices. Growing up not knowing she was neurodiverse meant she always felt she was doing things 'wrong', and would be constantly disciplined for simply expressing her natural impulses. Eventually, through acceptance and lots of self compassion, Prema learned to appreciate her inner wobbly wallaby. It is her hope that kids will grow up appreciating and loving their own inner creatures too!

The Wobbly Wallaby & The Absolute Bandicoot

A children's book adaptation about the Wobbly Wallaby who just can’t seem to hop in a straight line, no matter how hard she tries! She's always getting distracted, and is often running late. A bandicoot helps her see that her wobbly nature is what makes her special, and just what the world needs! With loveable puppets, live music and lots of singing and dancing, this show is designed to entertain, warm hearts, and share important messages of empathy, cooperation, and celebrating our differences.

See a showing of Jemma’s work in development on Sunday, 10 March 2024 at 10:30am in the Studio! All welcome.

Kathryn Yates presents NIUSIA

Kathryn Yates (she/ her) is an award-winning queer Naarm/Melbourne-based director, dramaturg and intimacy coordinator with an enthusiasm for new writing, dangerous ideas and safe theatre practices. She has worked across plays, cabaret and musical theatre and is attracted to queer and women-centric stories. She has a strong practice in guiding rehearsal rooms with emotionally intelligent leadership and is interested in making theatre that develops the artist and the audience.

Her directing credits include RAV / Melbourne Fringe Market-Ready winner ‘NIUSIA’ (Motley Bauhaus, Melbourne Fringe 2023 and La Mama Explorations, 2023) ‘Cult’ (Melbourne Fringe 2023, Midsumma, 2023), Green Room nominated’ Memoir of a Tired Carer’ (Melbourne Fringe, 2022) ‘Still Buried’ (VCA Masters Showcase 2022), ‘Legends or the god killers’ Dirty Pennies Theatre Project (Zoom Development 2020), ‘Holloway: a New Musical (MUST, 2018). She also was the Intimacy Coordinator on ‘In Transit’ (Lightbox Productions, 2023) and ‘Holding the Man’ (Taylor Made Productions, 2022 and 2023) and Assisted Directed ‘Animal Farm’ (The Bloomshed, 2021). Her previous dramaturg credits include the musical development’ Girls are Hot’ by Flesh Coloured Panties (2020) and ‘Spring Awakening’ (Chapel off Chapel, 2019).

Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University, a Certificate IV in Business from Swinburne University and recently graduated with a Masters of Directing for Performance from the VCA, University of Melbourne in 2022. She completed a directorial secondment with Sam Strong on MTC/Queensland Theatre’s ‘Emerald City’ in 2020 and one with Sarah Giles on ‘A Very Jewish Christmas Carol’ at MTC in November 2023. She is a recipient of the Geelong Arts Centre Creative Engine Artist Residency 2023 and is set to direct queer and disabled artist Em Tambree's work ‘Altar’ presented by Midsumma, Abbotsford Convent and Em Tambree in February 2024.

NIUSIA

‘NIUSIA’ is a new play work by queer, Jewish writer-performer Beth Paterson. In her one-woman show, Paterson weaves memories, handed-down stories, and interviews with her mother to come to terms with her Grandmother Niusia’s Holocaust experience and her own mixed cultural inheritance.

After four years of development, 2023 saw our team stage two highly successful seasons of NIUSIA. After a sold-out development showing as a part of La Mama Theatre’s 2023 Winter Explorations season, NIUSIA went onto premier as a part of Melbourne Fringe Festival. NIUSIA attracted critical acclaim and was the recipient of the 2023 Market Ready Award; an award given by Fringe in conjunction with Regional Arts Victoria (RAV) to a production that RAV believes is an ideal candidate for a Victorian tour. NIUSIA is receiving mentoring support from the RAV team to prepare the show for a regional Victorian tour in 2025.

See this work in development for FREE on Friday, 19 April at 6pm at The Clocktower Centre.