The Performing Lines residency model has been successfully running since 2012.  In 2025 the residency will occur ‘off grid’ in Rubicon in central Victoria from Friday 11th April to Sunday 13th April.  

It will be led by founder Annette Downs (Creative Australia Award for Theatre 2024, Senior Producer Performing Lines, former Artistic Director Terrapin) and Natano Fa’anana (Executive Producer Moogahlin Performing Arts, Co-Director Casus Creations, Co-Founder Briefs Factory International). They will be joined by leading Australian artists with a background in circus and physical theatre who will take on the role of mentors. (Mentors to be announced in January 2025).

The residency is fast-paced and focusses on ideation and concept development. The aim is to come away with solid ideas, networks and pathways for further development and presentation. Please note, there will not be a circus apparatus available. However, the program will be tailored to circus and physical theatre artists – we promise there will be opportunity for movement and that you will not be sitting still for too long! 

SCHEDULE 

On the morning of Friday 11th of April, all artists will meet in Naarm and travel together via bus to Rubicon. On the evening of Sunday 13th April, artists will be driven back from Rubicon to Naarm. It is a two-hour drive.  

The cohort represents an extraordinary breadth of talent, experience, and artistic ambition, spanning contemporary circus, theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary performance. The selected artists include established and emerging voices, each pushing the boundaries of physical storytelling and innovation in their craft. 

The 2025 CaPT Victorian Residency recipients are:

• Juggler and acrobat Aisling Donnellan
• Circus artist and theatre-maker Anna Lumb
• Internationally trained artist Caesar Cordovana
• Aerialist Charice Rust
• Community arts facilitator Christy Flaws
• Disability arts advocate and performer Emma J Hawkins
• Wakka Wakka circus leader and Na Djinang Circus founder Harley Mann
• Multidisciplinary creator Harlow Carey
• Versatile circus artist Jason Emmanuel Gonçalves Da Costa
• Aerialist and aerial rope specialist Jonathan Morgan
• Emerging Arrernte circus performer Maggie Church Kopp
• Acclaimed dancer and performer Leisa Prowd
• Movement artist and choreographer Rebecca Thomas
• Designer and circus performer Tim Rutty
• First Nations cultural practitioner and performer Dylan Singh

While we understand that many circus artists create work as an ensemble or collective, the Performing Lines residency model is designed in a way so that one person attends the residency, workshops the idea in this environment, and then takes it back to their ensemble/ collective to further develop.  

We recognise there may be circumstances where this is not the most ideal process, so we have made a limited number of group slots available for collaborators (maximum 2 per group). If applying with a collaborator, the application allows you to describe the nature of the collaboration and why it is important. Please ensure that you articulate why it is imperative to attend with your collaborator. 

Applications for the 2025 residency have now closed. Participants will be announced in the coming weeks.

KEY DATES 

Deadline for applications is Friday 31 January, 5pm.
Applicants will be notified by Friday 14 February, 5pm.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Edwina Guinness at Performing Lines to discuss edwina@performinglines.org.au

Workshop With Ruth Wikler

We’re running a workshop with the industry renowned Ruth Wikler for Circus and Physical Theatre Performers and Industry.

WHEN: Thursday 13 March, 12:30 – 2:00pm
(45-minute presentation and 45-minute Q&A)

WHERE: CY Venue East at Collingwood Yards | Level 1, 35 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066

This workshop is free but registration is a must.