Who is Immy Turecek?
I am a Melbourne-based circus artist and dancer in my third year at NICA’s Bachelor of Circus Arts. I specialise in aerial hoop (lyra), flow tumble, hoop diving and group acrobatics and I love to blend circus arts, dance and physical theatre together to highlight athleticism and creativity.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would prioritise taking better care of my body and nervous system by allowing myself to schedule rest and down time for myself without guilt (much easier said than done). Training at an elite level is demanding, and I’m learning how important it is to balance intensity with recovery. I’ve been learning and researching habits and mindset practices that I can put in place post-grad to support my health and longevity as an athlete and artist in this field.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by a range of artists whose work reflects the kind of career I aspire to build – one that blends artistic integrity, technical excellence, and sustainable longevity in the industry. If I had to narrow it down to my top 3 it would be Amanda Lee, Sassy Limbs (Antonia), and Sarah Gray – all incredibly talented women who balance creativity, skill, performance and community with multiple sources of incomes and pursuits. I’m so inspired by their ability to combine their individual style into polished cohesive performances as well as modelling sustainable and versatile longevity in the industry.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I hope to make a difference by being open about the realities I have lived and observed as a young athlete and artist in my early 20s – the mental health challenges, burnout, constant pressure to perform, and navigating identity while relying on your body for work. Through my passions for circus arts, dance, fitness and content creation, I want to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to follow unconventional paths without shame.
Ultimately, I want my work to help people feel connected, validated, and a little less alone. Artistically, I aim to make work that resonates with shared human experiences. In cabaret, I explore gender, sexuality, identity and femininity through bold and emotionally charged performance. For contemporary work I am particularly fascinated in how the body can tell complex stories, evoke emotion and invite audiences into moments of vulnerability and joy. In corporate performance, I embrace the elegance, spectacle, and weightlessness of aerial work.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My favourite holiday destination is Manly, Sydney, on Gayemagal land – my birthplace and a true soul place for me. It’s where I feel calm, grounded, and a sense of return. Being there helps me reset and reconnect with myself. I’m also very much a beach kind of girl so being around the surf and the ocean pools is pretty close to heaven for me
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Here’s the itinerary: Step 1 – A long walk around the Melbourne Botanical Gardens with an iced oat latte. Step 2 – A little browse through Stupid Vintage. Step 3 – Catching whatever contemporary circus or cabaret show is on at the moment. Step 4 – Ending the night at a hidden jazz bar with an Aperol spritz.
What are you currently reading?
I’m towards the very end of a great book called The Crossing by Sophie Matterson – a memoir of a young woman and her five camels who walked from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay during the Covid-19 Pandemic. It’s been a beautiful read and mirrors similar themes of adventure, grit and transformation that I’m reflecting on as my time as a NICA student comes to an end. Next on my list is Greedy by Jen Winston.
What are you currently listening to?
I have a very diverse music taste and often jump around from R&B to house to folk to indie. Currently, I’ve been giving a little extra Spotify love to women in indie pop and indie folk – Gigi Perez, Clairo, Mallrat, Olivia Dean, Girl in Red to name a few.
Happiness is?
Iced oat lattes, cocker spaniels and vitamin D.
What does the future hold for you?
Who knows? I’m feeling all the upcoming graduation feels and trying to process everything from the last three years – I fear I might be the emotional and slightly lost post-grad stereotype. That said, I’m really excited to continue building my presence in the Australian circus community hopefully through seasonal contracts with contemporary circus companies, corporate and cabaret performances, and being a part of the arts festival circuits. My dream companies to work for would be Arc Circus by Robbie Curtis and One Fell Swoop by Charice Rust and Jonathan Morgan.
Alongside performance, I’m exploring ways to combine my passions for movement, health and creative expression through part-time Pilates instruction, content creation and developing multiple income streams that support a balanced and creative freelance lifestyle. I’m looking forward to stepping into this next chapter to focus on creative growth, wellbeing, and contributing to the wider circus community.
Immy can be seen in National Institute of Circus Arts’ production of ADRIFT – which will be presented at the National Circus Centre, Prahran, from 9 – 13 December 2025. For more information, visit: www.nica.com.au for details.
Image: Immy Turecek – photo by Cameron Grant | Parenthesy