Flying Fruit Fly Circus announce new Artistic Director

Jodie FurrugiaThe Flying Fruit Fly Circus is delighted to announce the appointment of Jodie Farrugia as new Artistic Director. Jodie will join the circus, famous for training ordinary kids to do extraordinary things, to lead its artistic program.

Jodie Farrugia has worked as a director and choreographer for leading contemporary dance, circus and physical theatre companies. A graduate from Rusden with a Bachelor of Education in Dance and Drama, and completing the National Training Project at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).

Jodie has created works for Legs on The Wall, Circus Oz, QL2 Youth Dance Company, Contact Dance Company (Europe) Tasdance, Acrobat, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, NICA, The Australian Choreographic Centre, Circus Monoxide, Deakin University and The Victorian College of the Arts.

As an independent theatre maker Jodie has created and toured several works throughout Australia, Asia and Europe. She has been awarded the 2009 Helpmann Award for Best Production for Children for the Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ production The Promise,  a Green Room Award for Emerging Artist in Dance, the Canberra Critics Award, the Drovers Award for Artistic Excellence, and the Dance Australia Critics Choice Award.

Jodie has worked with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus on a number of previous occasions and has created several successful productions over the past 10 years including: Skipping on Stars, Circus Girl and The Promise.

In the past year for the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Jodie has created and directed Control Alt Delete, due to tour nationally in 2014, original performances for the Channel 9 show Australia’s Got Talent and is currently developing a new work for Sydney Opera House.

“I am thrilled Jodie is joining us at such an exciting period. With a number of major projects in development and our 35th anniversary in 2014,” said Executive Director, Richard Hull.

“this is a wonderful time to welcome such a creative, energetic and dedicated professional into our team. Jodie has a great track record with the Fruities already and is very committed to this company. I greatly look forward to working with her into the future.”

The Chair of the Flying Fruit Fly Foundation, Paul Ingwersen, said, “As an Artistic Director, Jodie has a particular way of working with and developing young people, which fits right into the Fruit Flies culture.”

“She continually gets the best out of our young artists and I know she will help us produce the next generation of professional circus performers in Australia and overseas.”

For more information, visit: www.fruitflycircus.com.au for details.

Image: Jodie Farrugia