CONVERSATIONS WITH MISS CAIRO

6 SEPTEMBER

He/Him

Will Centurion is a qualified Mental Health practitioner who is passionate about providing creative minds the counseling and life-coaching resources needed to help reach their full potential. As an actor and dancer, his international and Australian credits include So You Think You Can Dance 2010, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, The King and I, The Lion King, Aladdin and In the Heights. Since graduating from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, Will now advocates for the importance of Mental Health in the performing arts, creating conversations to help reduce stigma and helping performers have fulfilling lives both on and off the stage.

13 SEPTEMBER

She/They

Shamita Siva is a multi-faceted performer and director who enjoys choreographing and devising new work. Trained in dance from an early age, after over 16 years of multiple dance styles, she developed an interest in forms such as Butoh alongside her acting. After completing her BA Performing Arts, she continued on to Stella Adler Los Angeles, and Film and Television Studios international. Shamita is a keen writer and director, and is popularly consulted for movement direction. She often incorporates intercultural practices and cross disciplinary elements into her work, inspired by everyday experiences, music and sound, and socio-political issues she is fuelled by.

20 SEPTEMBER

He/Him

Tarik Frimpong is the founder of the Artists of Colour Initiative (AOC) a scholarship program designed to provide financial assistance and industry support to exceptionally talented theatre performers based in Australia that identify as Bla(c)k, Indigenous or People of Colour.A young actor, singer and dancer, Tarik’s multifaceted career has allowed him to travel and perform across the globe. Tarik appears as Angus in the Disney feature film Mary Poppins Returns (2018) where he worked alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda. Theatre credits include; Aladdin (West End), Bring It On: The Musical (David Venn Enterprises), The Lion King (Disney), MADIBA: The Musical (The Prestige Presents), ZUP (a hip-hop theatre show in Geneva, Switzerland, La Compagnie Urbaine). Tarik toured the world dancing for pop artist FKA Twigs and has performed with the likes of Justin Bieber, Aston Merrygold, Keala Settle, Missy Higgins and many more. Through his work with the AOC Initiative, Tarik aims to champion and celebrate Bla(c)k, Indigenous and People of Colour identifying theatre performers – whilst also pushing forward the conversation regarding racial diversity in the Australian theatre industry.

27 SEPTEMBER

They/Them

Born in Spain, Juan Gomez moved to Australia in 2012 to pursue a career in the Performing Arts. After three years in Wollongong, Juan moved to Melbourne in 2016 to study Music Theatre at the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts. During their time training, Juan appeared in Eddie Perfect’s Vivid White; and played Paul San Marco in A Chorus Line and The Wolf in Into the Woods. Upon graduating they appeared in Mad World, Spring Awakening, ADAM by Frances Poet and joined the international cast of PAW Patrol Live! Juan is represented by JMAgency and is a member of MEAA/Equity.

4 OCTOBER

She/Her

With a diploma in screen acting (Film and Television Institute) and a BFA in Music theatre (Victorian College of the Arts), Kaori Maeda-Judge has appeared as a series regular on the Australian soap Neighbours in the role of Jasmine Udagawa and alongside Nazeem Hussain on his comedy skit show Orange Is The New Brown as well as numerous short films. On stage, Kaori had the pleasure to sing with people such as accomplished Broadway composer John Bucchino, as a soloist in a concert of his work and alongside such Australian icons as John Waters, Tim Freedman and Brian Mannix in the cast of PARIS – A Rock Odyssey. Most recently, Kaori was part of the original Australian cast of Lazarus playing the role of Maemi, presented by The Production Company.

11 OCTOBER

She/Her

Perhaps most well known for her recent critically acclaimed performance as ‘Catherine Parr’ in Six (Louise Withers); Vidya Makan is one of Australia’s most exciting new talents. A GRA nominated actor, singer and composer/lyricist dedicated to changing the scope of the conventional Australian musical theatre scene, Vidya most recently wrote, directed and produced the viral sensation ‘I Need You To See Me’; an open invitation to the entertainment industry for visibility and inclusion, featuring 101 BIPoC and CALD artists aged 18-25. She is currently working in collaboration with Hayes Theatre Co Ltd on a new song cycle called ‘Straya: The Lucky Country’ as well as a few other projects, yet to be announced. Vidya is proud to be a panelist on this year's AOC Initiative.

18 OCTOBER

He/Him

Dean Drieberg is an in-demand creative with over two decades’ experience in theatre, advertising and events. In 2019, Dean co-directed Stephen Sondheim’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE for Watch This, receiving two Green Room Award nominations for Best Direction and Best Multimedia Design. In 2021, Dean will co-direct INTO THE WOODS with Sonya Suares for Watch This and will direct a reimagined production of DIAL M FOR MURDER for Smoke & Mirrors Productions. Dean directed and designed BARE THE MUSICAL and the Australian Premiere of MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL for StageArt at Chapel Off Chapel. Dean is a member of Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance’s Equity Diversity committee, The People of Cabaret Council and is an advocate for theatre that is inclusive of Bla(c)k, Indigenous, people of colour, artists with a disability and LGBTQIA+ artists.

25 OCTOBER

She/Her

Tsungirai Wachenuka is a Zimbabwean performer who grew up in England before relocating to Australia in 2010. Her professional debut was in Stage Art's The Colour Purple in 2016, playing the role of Olivia/Ensemble. Early in 2017 she played the lead role of Sosina in the creative development of the theatre production The Abbysinian Contortionist, produced by Performing Lines and directed by Kate Champion. She has also toured with LifeLikeTouring In Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol live. Tsungirai was thrilled to be returning to work with Stage Art in their production of Memphis. As well as continuing her work in theatre Tsungirai is looking forward to adding screen credits to her resume, and doing voice work where she will be able to showcase her vast range of character voices. She is currently playing Lydia in the upcoming indie feature film Verité by Luke Jackson and Alix Jackson.

15 NOVEMBER

He/Him

A proud Wiradjuri man, Jarrod is the first Indigenous graduate from the prestigious Music Theatre course at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Born and raised in Orange, in country NSW, Jarrod earned a full scholarship to the Regional Conservatorium to study Music Theatre and Classical Voice, which saw him perform both nationally and internationally for several years. During his time at WAAPA, Jarrod played roles such as ‘Sam’ in Lord of the Flies, ‘Black Fox’ in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, ‘Louise’s Soldier (pas de deux dancer)’ in Carousel and most notably, ‘George’ in Sunday In The Park With George, for which he was voted Male Performer of the Year by Perth Theatre Reviews.Jarrod could most recently be seen on stage in The Hayes Theatre Company’s sold out production of Catch Me If You Can and was set to take the stage this year in Sondheim on Sondheim (QPAC) and When The Rain Stops Falling (Clovelly Fox.)