Repertoire & Artists
Performances
- World Health Organisation Conference September 2008
“Sound of Silence” Melbourne Fringe Festival October 2008
Art of Difference Variety Night D’lites March 2009
Phunktional Showcase March 2009
Ausdance Victoria – Federation Square June 2009
4th World Congress on Mental Health & Deafness Gala Dinner (QLD) October 2009
Arts Victoria Disability Action Plan Launch at International Day of Persons with a Disability December 2009
Gippsland Deafness and Hearing Loss Expo 2010
Coonawarra & Penola Festival, South Australia 2010
Workshops
- Shepparton High School August 2009
Sacred Heart Primary School – St Albans September 2009
Gippsland Regional Tour September 2009
DeafAbility Event December 2009
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DANCERS
Anna Seymour
Anna was instrumental in teaching Hip Hop classes for the Deaf community leading to the establishment of the Deaf Can Dance and has been a DCD principle dancer from its inception. Anna has also worked with Polyglot Theatre, worked with the Sacred Kingfisher Festival as solo performer and choreography consultant, and theatre interpreter for “Speaking” at La Mama. Anna has recently been accepted into Dance at Deakin University, commencing in 2010.
Elvin Lam
After becoming a proficient figure skater in Hong Kong, Elvin went on to study Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the College of Art, Hong Kong. He continued his love and study of dance after immigrating to Australia, adding Latin, Le Bop (at The Space) and Ballroom (Forever Dance) to his repertoire. Elvin remains a student of Ballet and Contemporary dance at the Elance Ballet School, whilst also being a committed member of Deaf Can Dance since its inception, and adding Hip Hop to his diversity of dance styles.
Fiona Crisp
Fiona began her performance life as an actor and physical theatre performer, studying Festive Arts and Street performing at Victorian University of Technology in 2002. During that year, Fiona won the best actress in the POV film festival award winning film, “I love you”, in 2002, leading to a role in the television series “Secret Life of Us” in 2003. In 2004 Fiona studied dance at Northern Rivers Conservatorium Art Centre School, Lismore and performed in an African dance troupe at the open ceremony of Deaflympics in 2005. She joined the Deaf Can Dance ensemble in 2009.
Lorraine Sorono
Lorraine is Deaf Can Dance’s pre-eminent hip hop and break dancer and has been dancing along side her famous dancing siblings, Demi (placed 4th in “So you think you can dance”) for eight years, including working in duet with Demi at Girl Bar. Lorraine also appeared on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ 2008, and was featured in a TV advertisement for the Deaf Society of NSW. She has been a member of Deaf Can Dance from its inception.
Nadia Baradi
Nadia has been performing as Australia’s only deaf Drag King and has been part of the stable of King Victoria Drag Kings since 2000, with her talent for stage performance lead to an invitation to join the Australian Theatre of the Deaf in 2004. Nadia has been a Deaf Can Dance performer since its inception.
Ross Onley-Zerkel
Ross had his first taste of dance success winning a gold medal in a Bus Stop competition at his school! Ross’ performance credits include: I Love U, (2002), a Toyota television commercial for Japan (2003), and Andrew Merlino’s Imitating Charlie (2008). He is also a co-founder of the Deaf Can Dance Company and is currently a recipient of the Vodafone Australia’s World of Difference program. He is now employed full time at Deaf Arts Network to manage Deaf Can Dance with the aim to develop this dance group into a professional dance company.
CREATIVES
Kristoffer Paulsen – Musician / Sound Engineer
Kristoffer suffered an accident at the age of five rendering him ‘hard of hearing’ and a hearing aid wearer for life. However, this didn’t stop him from becoming obsessed with music and sound. A musician from a young age, Kristoffer went on to study music at a tertiary level at Victoria University; where he also extensively trained in sound art and electronic music. Despite his hearing, Kris works as a sound engineer and tour manager in the music industry, which works fantastically for his work in Deaf Can Dance. As well as live production work, Kris also works in the studio environment, and has produced and recorded numerous bands and artists, including Isaac De Heer, Decarly, Birdlife, Mike Mccarthy, as well as his own projects.
Medina Sumovic – Dramaturge
From 1996-2005 Medina worked as a full time actor for the Australian Theatre of the Deaf (ATOD) touring Australia and leading visual theatre workshops in hundreds of schools nationwide. She also featured in some ATOD main stage productions. Other acting work includes; PPP Theatre (1995), Freewheels Theatre (2000), ‘Source/Sauce’ (Melbourne Fringe 2005) by Round Angle Theatre and, ‘In the Dark’ (Art Of Difference Festival 2009). She is currently working for Polyglot Puppet Theatre as one of the artists in an extended residency at the Furlong Park School for the Deaf. Her dramaturge work includes ‘Sound of Silence’ (Melbourne Fringe 2008), Deaf Can Dance performance (Ausdance Awards 2009) and the performance at the World Congress of Mental Health and Deafness.
