The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) unveils its 2025 graduate showcase, ADRIFT, running 9–13 December at the NICA National Circus Centre in Prahran. Curated by Senior Educator Tegan Carmichael and devised by NICA’s third-year cohort, the production marks a powerful transition point: the end of one journey and the beginning of the next.
To be adrift is not to be lost, but to be freed. This central idea anchors the work, inviting audiences to witness the threshold moment where emerging circus artists step forward from student life into their professional futures. In shaping this final showcase, students turned inward—excavating memories, experiments, discarded concepts, and reimagined ideas—to uncover the stories and quirks that define their artistry.
What emerges is a multifaceted performance that reflects resilience, curiosity, and the boldness required to navigate the unknown.
Reflecting on the graduating class, Carmichael celebrates their spirit:
“Over the past three years, the graduating cohort of 2025 have approached their studies at NICA with curiosity, enthusiasm, a little bit of cheek and a lot of sass… Each graduate leaves NICA ready to make their mark on the industry, with their final showcase exploring what it looks like to stand at the helm, with the confidence to navigate the unknown before them.”
Soon-to-be graduate Paige Dorrity echoes this sentiment, sharing that her time at NICA has built strength, authenticity, and artistic courage: “My three years at NICA have been full of growth and challenges that have helped me build resilience and confidence… I want to keep creating and performing work that feels unique and authentic to who I am—making sure to have lots of fun, laughter and silly business along the way.”
ADRIFT brings together a wide spectrum of circus disciplines, including aerials, trio acrobatics, Chinese pole, roue cyr, hoop diving, hair hang and more. Each act showcases not just technical mastery but the individuality and creative depth these graduates have cultivated throughout their training.
This final performance serves as both a celebration and a launchpad—an evocative send-off for artists ready to step boldly into the circus industry.
Experience the next wave of Australian circus talent in NICA’s unforgettable 2025 graduate showcase, ADRIFT.
Bookings: https://www.nica.com.au/performs
