News

Circa expands into Cairns with new First Nations ensemble

The Brisbane-based circus company is expanding from Meanjin to the Gimuy Walabura Yidinii, Yirrganydji Country, with a new, First Nations-led ensemble.

15 Jul 2022 10:28

Richard Watts

Three circus artists practice a balancing routine in a dark studio.

Performing Arts

Circa Cairns Creative Lead Harley Mann and fellow artists in the studio. Photo: David Kelly.

Contemporary circus company Circa has announced its expansion into northern Queensland with a First Nations-led ensemble.

Circa Cairns, based on Yirrganydji Country, will be led creatively by Waka Waka man Harley Mann, the founder and artistic custodian of Na Djinang Circus.

The new ensemble currently comprises Mann and two other First Nations artists, Ally Humphris and Crystal Stacey, together with well-known Cairns arts leader Rebecca Youdell in the role of Creative Producer.

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Richard Watts

Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts