Who is Amy Nightingale-Olsen?
Amy Nightingale-Olsen is a world renowned acrobat. Most recently performing for Cirque Du Soleil’s ice show Crystal as a hand to hand flyer and ensemble member. Amy has returned to Melbourne grateful for this whirlwind experience, happy to be home in Melbourne with family, friends and one set location.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would move into land restoration, conservation and permaculture. I have a passion for our natural environment, to work with our flora and fauna to create abundance for people and the land in Australia’s unique landscape.
Who inspires you and why?
The people who inspire me are people creating solutions to our huge world problems, such as people working to replace plastics with natural alternatives, people collecting garbage out of our rivers and oceans and turning them into products to reuse.
People working with farmers to become more regenerative and safeguard our native species. In the arts I’m inspired by our next generation coming out into the performing world, full of fresh ideas and ready to create meaningful work for themselves in an incredibly difficult time for the arts.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
There are many things I would like to do to make a difference in the world. I would like to work with Landcare groups around Australia, to help improve water retention, biodiversity and educate people as to how to do this and the reasons why it’s important.
I would like to create a permaculture farm to grow organic fruit and vegetables for the community and to work with our native flora to create habitat, food and shelter for our native fauna. I would like to work to take plastics out of our food system, working with local and international organisations who are already on this path.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Peru. The mountains, the history, the food, the people and the culture. It’s cheap, it’s so different from Australia, the food is delicious and the people of Peru are so kind and lovely. You have Machu Picchu, the history of the people who built these ruins and their incredible engineering and work with the landscape to create structures that are still mostly standing today.
You have access to the Amazon, only Brazil has more land that is part of the Amazon than Peru in all of South America, so visiting wild untouched places through the mountains and rivers are incredible. Then you have the capital Lima, with it’s architecture, food and the beautiful friendly people and the products they create. The Alpaca wool products hand crafted in Peru are some of the warmest, most colourful and beautiful things I have ever seen. Highly recommend!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
It depends what they like. If they’re foody, we’ll go along Chapel Street and have wonderful coffee and delicious breakfast. If they’re arty we can visit the NGV or ACMI for great exhibitions, and if they’re into nature we could visit any of the beautiful walks along the Yarra or the feeding streams, such as Merri Creek. You can be right next to the city and feel almost like you’re in the countryside. Melbourne has so much to offer. Except for its weather.
What are you currently reading?
I’m not reading anything currently. I’m looking for a new fantasy or sci-fi series written by someone female identifying. I’m sure something wonderful is out there, but currently I haven’t taken the time to find my next series.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to Lord of the Rings! Again. I have been read this story since I was a child and have only recently gotten an audio book of the trilogy. Even though I know the story very well it is comforting to listen to it again, finding parts of the story I have forgotten or don’t remember well, and also listening again to a story of hardship and perseverance.
Happiness is?
Being in the garden all day, with sunshine and a light breeze, doing my own tasks at my own pace, listening to music and not speaking to anyone.
What does the future hold for you?
I will continue working in Circus because it is my professional passion. I love performing, but I also love teaching. Giving back to the next generation of emerging artists so they have the tools to put their best foot forward. I love creating circus with narrative, which is why I love Go / No Go.
Circus is such an adaptive artform and I think we are just scratching the surface of what circus and theatre can achieve together, to tell poignant stories through blending art forms. This is what I’m excited about moving forward.
Amy can be seen in Go / No Go – which will be presented at Theatre Works, St Kilda, as part of the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival, from 14 – 18 October. For more information, visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Amy Nightingale-Olsen (supplied)