SAM I AM

WRITER & PERFORMER

Sam is an alumni of the Australian Film TV and Radio School with an aspiring passion for creating and supporting diversity within arts, media and performance spaces. Identifying as Queer and Hard of Hearing/Deaf, Sam's art practice explores the contradicting and intersectionality of identity, including his own, hoping to create discussion and encourage others to do the same. Last year his show Sam I Am was his debut work as a writer/performer for the stage.

DIRECTOR

Daniel has attended Director's Labs in Chicago and LA, as well as a Directing Residency at Atlantic Theater Company in NYC. He is involved in the Darlinghurst Theatre Artists Program (where he served as dramaturge on All My Sons, Dir. Iain Sinclair) and The Directors Program at The National Theatre of Parramatta. In 2018, Daniel was invited to the Future Leaders Program (The Australia Council for the Arts) and was granted a Create NSW Fellowship to do research in England & Scotland. Daniel advocates for Artists with Neuro-Diverse Disabilities and was Co-Chair of MEAA’s Artists With A Disability Committee.

DRAMATURG

Ana Maria Belo graduated from NIDA and went on to carve an eclectic career for herself. She’s been nominated for Green Room and Sydney Theatre Critics awards, and won a Glug award for Tribes and a Tropfest award for Things to Do. Ana Maria toured Australia in hit musicals Fame and Hair, and was set to appear in 9 to 5 the Musical before COVID-19. Theatre credits: The Listmaker (Bell Shakespeare), Noises Off, Tribes (Ensemble Theatre), Dr Akars Women (Griffin Theatre), Snugglepot & Cuddlepie (Company B), the Australian tour of Steel Magnolias, and the world premiere of Fawlty Towers Live. Ana Maria is also a filmmaker and produced, wrote and directed the short films Things to do, Magic Words and The Kid’s Table. Ana Maria is a proud ambassador for the Shepherd Centre that teaches deaf children to listen and speak.

STAGE MANAGER AND CO-COSTUME DESIGNER

Pearl is a graduate of Charles Sturt University in Bathurst with a Bachelor of Communication (Theatre/Media). Her studies developed her stage and production management and scenic and costume design skills. In 2020, her major work Pirates! was a recipient of the Blair Milan Touring Scholarship. The scholarship awarded the production $7,000 to assist with touring. Pearl works at Majors Creek Folk as the Assistant Stalls Coordinator and Festival Design Coordinator.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Lachlan McLean is a Victorian College of the Arts alumni, with a degree in production design. Lachlan’s lighting design credits include Philtrum, Strata Inc. (North of Eight), The Trial of Dorian Gray (Bitten by Productions), The Will to Be (Melbourne Fringe), Ross & Rachel, You are the blood (Spinning Plates Co.), Body by Sue Healy, On the Town, Disclosure (VCA), Lobby Hero (Around the Moon Productions), 2019 Green Room Award nominated Ghost Quartet (Antipodes Theatre Company), and Single Ladies (Red Stitch).

SOUND DESIGNER

Olivia McKenna is an audio designer and artist who recently completed a BFA (Design and Production), majoring in Audio Design at VCA. Olivia is interested in the adaptation of traditional theatre techniques and the psychological impact of sound in performance by manipulating everyday sounds. She has recently worked as an audio designer for VCA productions of pool (no water) and Earthquakes in London. Her other professional credits include audio designer for Hedda GablerGablerGabler and The Campaign.

PROJECTION DESIGNER

Gabriel Bethune is a Sound and Lighting Designer, Composer, and digital artist for the stage. His work spans all disciplines from Comedy to Surrealism. Gabe works hard dissecting dramaturgy and opening clear dialogues between directors, choreographers, technicians, and writers. His practice has taken him to venues all around Melbourne, and fostering relationships with local independent companies. When he is not in the theatre Gabe is often found at home recording music, or outside taking in the sunshine.

DEAF CONSULTANT AND PERFORMANCE INTERPRETER

Danni Wright works within the film, television and theatre industry as a director, actor and language, cultural and accessibility consultant across diverse projects. She has studied internationally enriching her skills as a versatile theatre practitioner and performer. Danni is passionate about creativity and accessibility being entwined from the work’s inception rather than as an add-on or afterthought. Incorporating accessibility as part of performances normalises the experience for everyone.

PERFORMANCE INTERPRETER

Mac Gordon Mac Gordon is an Auslan interpreter who interprets in diverse contexts including Deafblind, work meetings, welfare appointments and medical appointments. They very occasionally interpret in theatre and cabaret settings; most recently for A_tistic Theatre's Helping Hands (2019) and Gender Euphoria (Melbourne Festival, 2019).

PRODUCER

Andrew Lee also known as "undi", is an award winning Korean-Australian screen writer, director, designer and producer. With a strong background in design and literature, Andrew's work is known for his intimate story telling, emotional sensitivity and strong visual aesthetics. He is also a champion of narratives from the Korean diaspora and queer identities that live on the margins.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Artistic Director for Antipodes Theatre Company. He directed and designed ATC’s inaugural production, the Australian premiere of Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet (two Green Room Award nominations), and will soon direct the Victorian premiere of Stephen Karam’s The Humans. During the pandemic, he oversaw ATC’s transition to online programming as part of their 2020 Virtual Season, including the inaugural Winter Lab in June which supported eight projects and over 50 artists.

SET & COSTUME CO-DESIGNER

Helen is a Melbourne-based set/costume designer and scenic artist. She graduated in 2018 from a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) in Design Realisation at the Victorian College of the Arts. During her time at the VCA, Helen worked as costume designer on A Chorus Line and as set/properties designer on A View From The Bridge. Helen has completed secondments with scenic art company Scenic Studios and renowned special effects company Odd Studio. In 2019, Helen worked as assistant designer on the Melbourne premiere of Anne Washburn's critically acclaimed Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (Lightning Jar Theatre).