NICA Presents its 2018 Showcase Performance, COMPANY 18

Some of Australia's hottest emerging contemporary circus artists will deliver breathtaking displays of physical endurance and gravity defying stunts, when the National Institute of Circus Arts' (NICA) 2018 Bachelor Degree graduates Present Company 18.

Inside the National Circus Centre, 18 performers will showcase the culmination of three years of elite training with dazzling roue Cyr, hula hoops, adagio, swinging trapeze, unicycle, handstands and aerial rope skills on display.

Curated by NICA's Head of Circus, James Brown, each of Company 18's acts has a different feel, from dark and moody to the pure ridiculous and everything in between.

Amongst the performer line up is "hair hanger" Zoë Marshall, who stuns audiences whilst suspended from the roof by her dreadlocks; former ballet dancer Elanor Nunn, who combines her love for dance and circus with a hula hoop en pointe routine and martial artist Zion Martyn, who performs partner acrobatics and risley foot juggling with his fiancé Poppy Fairbairn.

"The students performing in Company 18 have benefited from a new NICA initiative, which engages industry professionals in one-on-one artistic consultation sessions. François-Eloi Lavignac (Australian Ballet), Hayden Spencer (Cirque du Soleil), Carita Spencer, Tim Rutty (Gravity Dolls) and Helene Embling are amongst the artistic consultants who have worked with the students this year.

The initiative is aimed at inspiring truly unique, creative and sophisticated ideas, acts and routines, whilst also offering our graduates an opportunity to network with world-class artists. Industry professionals are identified for their specific range of skills and then paired with students that would most benefit from their skillset," said Brown.

Company 18 will be hosted by Jan Van De Stool, Australia's favourite Dutch/Australian musical therapist who will combine impressive vocals and cheeky comedy to add to the evening's whimsical variety atmosphere.

NICA is Australia's Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts. It is one of eight national arts training institutes and offers Australia's only Bachelor of Circus Arts. Graduates of NICA have gone on to pursue exciting careers both locally and internationally and have contributed to the development of Melbourne's vibrant circus arts industry.

Bookings: www.nica.com.au

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