Footscray Community Arts will host the world premiere of In Place, a new contemporary circus performance by Na Djinang Circus, from Wednesday, 16 October, to Sunday, 20 October. Directed by Harley Mann, founder of Na Djinang Circus and a Wakka Wakka man, In Place sets out to explore themes of humanity, culture, and connection to the land through acrobatic skill and storytelling.
Set in Footscray’s outdoor amphitheatre, the performance aims to blend circus arts with elements of local flora and cultural storytelling, drawing inspiration from the land of Naarm. Na Djinang Circus collaborated with the Iramoo Grassland Centre Nursery at Victoria University, incorporating four local plant species and their histories into the creative vision of the show. The plants used will eventually become part of Footscray Community Arts’ native garden, continuing to symbolize the connection between art, nature, and community.
The development of In Place has involved the participation of 100 local community members, each caring for a native plant over the past year. The journey of these plants informs the performance – a coming together of art with nature to delve into society’s impact on the land and its impact on us.
The performance features Na Djinang Circus ensemble members Isabelle Champagne-Chittick, Johnathan Brown, and Manelaya Kaydos-Nitis, with guest artists Zach Johnson, Maggie Church-Kopp, and Michael McDonald. The production is supported by a team including cultural consultant Uncle Dan Mitchell, lighting designer Rachel Lee, sound designer James Henry, and set and costume designer Christopher Baldwin.
Harley Mann emphasized the importance of understanding the land from a First Nations perspective, sharing:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a complex understanding of plants and the environment. Over generations they have listened to the land and learnt what can be used as foods, medicines and seasonal indicators. This knowledge is embedded and passed down through stories and tradition.
In Place will run from Wednesday, 16 October to Sunday, 20 October at 8:00 pm at the Amphitheatre, Footscray Community Arts, located at 45 Moreland Street, Footscray. The performance will last for 65 minutes with no interval. Tickets are priced between $25 and $30, and can be booked online right now. The show is suitable for audiences aged 6 and above. Attendees should note that the performance includes sustained bright lights, haze effects, and sudden loud noises. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders audience members are advised that the performance contains voices of people who have passed away.
