From time to time Tasmania Performs identifies and develops relationships with performing artists at critical points in their careers that could benefit from long term mentoring.
Previous artists assisted by Tasmania Performs have included Clare Dawson, Glen Murray, Mature Artist Dance Experience and Nathan Maynard.
Currently we are working with Jamie Graham, Kartanya Maynard, Denni Proctor and Jordy Gregg who are all indigenous emerging artists undertaking mentorships with Tasmania Performs assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts.
Jamie Graham.
I am a trawlwoolway pakana, an environmental activist, a Marine and Antarctic Science student, an educator and an artist.
My short life has lead me down many paths. Paths that all seem to follow a singular theme.
My responsibility to country.
While continuously learning both ancient and modern understandings of country and conservation, I have joined the fight against environmental destruction on numerous frontlines across the country, and will continue to do so for as long as I can.
With all the knowledge and skills I have worked hard to accumulate, I hope to connect others to country, culture and the ancestors. Using dance as the old people did, as a tool for education, connection and celebration. I aim to inspire and empower others to fight for that which has protected and nurtured my people for millennia. Using western and southern science, activism, and art, tied together with ancestral understanding, I aim to challenge and change, to grow and heal.
Kartanya Maynard
Kartanya Maynard is a trawlwoolway, Kaurna and Ngadjuri woman of Hobart, Tasmania. She is an established musician who graduated from the UTas Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music. She is passionate about her connection to culture and giving back to her community through her music. She has notably contributed music to the Bob Brown Foundation’s work in saving takayna/the Tarkine and numerous protests/gatherings for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
This passion for the Arts doesn’t stop with Music. Throughout her time at school, notably in college, she studied Drama and earned leading roles in numerous productions, including All Shook Up, Lysistrata and and Louis Nowras’s Radiance. Kartanya is interested in using theatre to portray and convey stories within Aboriginal culture and history.
Jordy Gregg
Jordy Gregg, is a 20 year old murrie man, who has strong cultural ties to the palawa community.
He graduated with a Certificate 4 in Aboriginal Performance from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2016 and was mentored by film maker by Dave Pyefynch to make short film Chemical Ocean as part of the Kickstart Arts happiness program
In 2017 Jordy worked as a performer for Terrapin Puppet Theatre on the creative development of Not so a Traditional Story by Nathan Maynard, was supported by Tasmania Performs to attend and be mentored at Yirramboi Festival in Melbourne and attended the Tasmania Performs Artist Residency.
Jory’s is working on his first play Park Days, which was read as part of the Breaking Ground Māori Playwriting Festival in Wellington New Zealand in June 2018 and Yellamundie in January 2019.
Jordy is represented by Real People for film and television work. https://www.realpeople.com.au/profile/24487
Denni Proctor
Denni Proctor is a palawa woman and multi-talented artist. She is an experienced and much sought after singer song writer, actor and emerging theatre designer and puppet maker. With the support of the Arts Tasmania Aboriginal mentorship program, Denni will have the opportunity to work with two leading designers on a major First Nations children’s work for Festivals. Tasmania Performs is producing Hide the Dog, co-written by Nathan Maynard (palawa) and Jamie McCaskill (Māori). The production has been funded by the Major Festivals Initiative hosted by Ten Day’s the Island.
With some additional support from Terrapin, Denni will have one-on-one sessions, with leading Australian puppetry designer Bryony Anderson to brainstorm the possible design for the Tasmanian Tiger in the play. This work will then feed into the over all design of Hide the Dog being created by leading Maori Designer Jane Hakaraia. Denni will have interstate placements in Melbourne to see another Māori/Aboriginal work being bought to the stage and in Sydney to see Hide the Dog into its opening season.
