Circus Oz has launched the fifth BLAKflip masterclass program announcing the ten participants taking part this year: Sydney Blanket, Lara Croydon, Shiralee Hood, Ally Humphris, Kimberlee Hunter, Harley Mann, Guy Simon, Elsie Smith and Michael Smith.
With a diverse background in performance, this year’s participants descended on Circus Oz’ Collingwood home in late October 2015 for three weeks of intense circus training with some of Australia’s most experienced circus trainers and directors, including Anni Davey (director and trainer), Kirk Page (assistant director), Luke Taylor (tumbling and acrobatics), Catherine Daniel (aerial and acrobatics), Helene Embling (aerial – supported by National Institute of Circus Arts) and Clare Batholomew (clowning).
Following the production of Corked Up!, arguably the first all adult Indigenous Australian circus, created in 2014 during BLAKflip, this year the masterclasses will focus on the grassroots of the BLAKflip program – the creation of pathways for the professional development of emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the circus arts.
Davey Thompson, Circus Oz Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Manager, explains, “It is Circus Oz’s goal to ensure these talented and emerging circus artists develop and refine their performance skills, focus on new creative material and embrace a genuine affirmation of their ongoing passion for a career in the circus arts.”
Designed to develop each artist and their craft, this year’s BLAKflip program includes training in dance, group acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, specialist aerial skills (tissu, cordelisse, trapeze and flying trapeze), clown workshops, performance classes and opportunities to audition for long-term circus courses at the National Institute of Circus Arts.
For more information, visit: www.circusoz.com for details.
Image: Circus Oz BLAKflip 2015 – photo by Rob Blackburn