Honestly, I have always been drawn to the arts but I never really knew where I would end up. I loved visual arts, photography, drama, dance just as much as I loved sports, swimming and being academic.
I knew I wanted to travel the world and I wanted a career that paid for me to do this – yet little did I know where I would end up. Without a doubt I valued lived experiences over financial gain, and most of my artistic journey has been driven by what I could learn.
I was initially accepted into a human movements degree at QUT, with plans to be a PE teacher in secondary school. Despite having no formal training, I decided to audition for dance as a minor subject. After completing my first year at QUT, I was totally inspired and challenged by all things dance and physical theatre. So I decided to transfer courses, and to pursue a degree in dance.
Multidisciplinary artist
My career progression has always overlapped, and my roles have included artist/performer, choreographer, director, resident director, and artistic director. Most recently, I have been appointed the role of Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil Crystal; a show where elite ice skater and acrobats take control of their brand-new frozen playground with grace and agility as they defy the laws of physics with previously unheard acrobatics.
The simplest way to describe what I do as an Artistic Director is “ensuring that every show that we perform for our audiences is to the absolute highest quality, given the conditions of the day”. And can I tell you that absolutely anything and everything can happen when on tour – from technical glitches to sickness or injuries, and even the odd wardrobe malfunction – add working on ice and it is always an adventure!
I head an incredible team of 43 world class artists (acrobats, skaters, musicians, clown), three stage managers, two performance medicine, one head coach, four wardrobe technicians, and five artist coaches. The role demands combination of artistic and managerial duties, and most of the time I am working ahead of the curve to ensure that we have plans A, B and C in place so that I never have to delay or stop a show. Our audience’s experience is paramount. Many people ask me if I get bored putting on the same show again and again – but the truth is that every show is as unique as the challenges we face, and I am tasked with preserving both its essence and excellence.
Throughout my career I have constantly fallen back on my degree, in fact I would say I use it daily. I was exposed to multiple styles and techniques, I learned how to structure, analyse, and question choreography. I was challenged to be a critical thinker as well as an artist who had a lifespan beyond performing. The greatest assets were the incredible lecturers that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped define what makes me unique as an artist.
Real world learning
In my third year, I completed a work integrated learning opportunity with Expressions Dance Company led by Maggi Sietsma (now known as Australasian Dance Theatre) for three months to work on and to perform a season with the company. This was a truly outstanding opportunity for growth and professional exposure. I maintain contact with Maggi and some of those artists still today. My advice to aspiring artists would be do not be afraid to try everything, even those things you do not think you will like.
Bringing Crystal to tour across Australia is an amazing honour. I am excited that Australian audiences will get to experience the beauty of Cirque du Soleil’s first acrobatic show on ice. There really is nothing quite like it in the world. There are also quite a few Aussies working on the show across multiple departments, so for us all it will be a rare chance to share Crystal with our friends and family. Best of all, when I am in Brisbane, I will be at home!
