ANZCA is run by a steering committee of passionate individuals within the circus landscape of Aotearoa. Becoming part of the steering committee happens via nominations and voting during ANZCA Annual General Meetings. It is an entirely voluntary position, and we are so grateful for the passion and work that this team puts in. Meeting regularly to continue their work on growing ANZCA's capacity.

MELISSA ROSE POWELL (cO-CHAIR)

In her role as General Manager for Circability Trust, Melissa saw first-hand the impact social circus has in encouraging diversity and community inclusion. Everyone can do something circus. As the current chair, she brings her background in governance and advocacy to the forefront in supporting ANZCA's mission of encouraging NZ circus as an outlet for physical activity, social connection, professional development, and fun

TANIA BRACEY-BROWN (CO-CHAIR)

Tania began managing circus events in 2010 and discovered a passion for performance and community arts. After an eclectic range of jobs, public art projects and organising events and festivals, Tania became a board member of CACTNZ (Community Arts and Circus Trust), and alongside Xanthe and others, collaborated to produce "The Wandering Circus" which toured and taught circus skills across Aotearoa and Australia.

In June 2020, Tania shifted from the south to the north island to manage the Kumarani Productions Trust, also known as "Circus Kumarani" which uses a social arts model and utilizes circus as a tool to build connections, community and creativity across Te Tai Tokerau. Operating out of their creative centre in Tunatahi/Dargaville, Tania is passionate about engaging with youth, growing the seeds of social change and understanding the science of circus.

Xanthe Naylor (DEPUTY CHAIR)

Based in Dunedin, Xanthe is an events manager, performer and artist. Her main passions are circus performance, festival organization and supporting communities. After finding circus and flow arts in 2009, Xanthe became involved in the organization of Circulation Festival, and has been its director since 2013. Xanthe is the current chair of CACTNZ (Community Arts and Circus Trust New Zealand), focusing on education and community engagement through circus arts.

She is involved in performance and coordination for festivals including Luminate, Kiwiburn & Southern Smoulder, Modifyre, Dunedin Winter Solstice, Twisted Frequency, and the NZ Juggling Festival. Passionate in her work to strengthen the relations between New Zealand and Australia's circus and flow art communities, in 2018 she formed "the Wandering Circus". This tour of artists from four countries traveled the South Island, followed by an Australia tour in 2019.

ELI JOSEPH (SECRETARY)

Eli is a producer, performer, and maker based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He is passionate about the power of performance to unite people through shared experiences, be that by collaborating with other artists, connecting with audiences, or using education and community engagement to empower people in expressing their own creativity. Career highlights include seven years as resident factotum for "the Menagerie Variety Show", stage managing Circulation Festival, teaching at Circus Kumarani, touring the South Island with "Riot Cabaret", and a tour of Australia with "the Wandering Circus".

Falling somewhat sideways into producing, then onward through the burlesque, cabaret, and circus community, Eli has developed a passion for connecting artists to opportunities and a fascination for the systems that support art to happen.

JO MARSH (TREASURER)

Jo Marsh has been working as a professional in the Arts Industry for over 20 years.
Starting her career in stage management in 2000, she then extended her expertise into producing and PR for shows in Australia, England, Scotland, Germany and Prague.

She now calls New Zealand her home where thejomarsh is working with local and international artists on productions at Te Auaha, Circa Theatre, BATS, The Hannah Playhouse and Basement Theatre, as well as shows included in the Auckland, Nelson, Wellington and Dunedin Fringes.

Now a full time producer and publicist, Jo is an advocate for artists being paid, and for access and inclusion in the arts.

Oh, she also loves pandas.

KahuraKi Marino Aroha Bronsson-George

Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha, Ngāti Porou, Scotland (Clan Henderson). Kahuraki has trained in mau rākau with Te Whare Tū Taua o Waitaha for 4 years, and is currently a pou tahi. He is passionate about growing a stronger presence of te reo, tikaka, toi, mātauraka and whakaaturaka Māori in the circus industry of Aotearoa. At age 16, he joined the circus (without needing to run away) at Circo Arts (2006-10), and there was no turning back.

Fast-forward through a decade bookended by earthquakes and a global pandemic, he has trained and performed in many spaces, including the Wellington Circus Hub (2012, 2016-17, 2019), the Dust Palace (2013, 2015, 2017), Spin Circus Academy in Melbourne 2013-14), and has now become one of the few Aotearoans to hold a degree in circus from the Whitireia Circus and Dance Course at Te Kāhui Auaha in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Nick (taz) davies

Taz is an Auckland based circus performer. Born in Auckland and raised in Tasmania, he developed a love for both dance and the outdoors in his earlier years. He returned to Aotearoa in 2003 where he enthusiastically pursued a career of outdoor adventure and adventure therapy facilitation.

In 2011 Taz found circus and rediscovered his love for movement, arts and community. Over the past 8 years he has toured with big top circus, festivals, theatre and street performance. Taz has worked as a trainer with The Dust Palace, The Wellington Circus Trust, Slipstream Circus, and Kapiti Circus. Alongside circus he brings skills in safety management, facilitation and leadership education reflected also in his Bachelor of Education and Masters in Social Work.

He feels blessed to be a part of this great community and is looking forward to building the industry and art form with a focus on Education and Safety.

ARTEMIS GOED

Artemis was born and raised in the New Zealand Circus Community. Her parents are the owners of Circus Aotearoa, and she began performing in the Big Top when she was eight years old. As someone who has never known anything other than circus, she is very passionate about professional and community circus, particularly in Aotearoa.

In 2020, she began studying at the University of Auckland, where she graduated with a BA in Anthropology and Sociology in 2022. While there, she joined the Auckland University Acrobatics and Circus Club, encouraging the club to purchase hula hoops and juggling clubs, and teaching many members how to juggle. She is now completing her Honors in Anthropology and writing her dissertation on the history of circus in Aotearoa, with an emphasis on how circus as an industry and community has been affected by COVID-19. Her part-time job while studying is teaching circus with Circability. Sometimes she even still finds time to perform.

Nicole MAISEY

Nicole is a multidisciplinary circus artist incorporating ground skills and aerial acrobatics into original works. She has toured with Circus Aotearoa, and Cirque Lemuria. Currently based in Pōneke, Nicole splits her time working as a trainer at the Wellington Circus Hub, an aerial performance rigger, and producing her own show "Circus of the Night".

CONTACT

info@anzca.co.nz

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