ONEIRIC
The National Institute of Circus Arts
National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents its third-year student ensemble show ONEIRIC, taking place Friday 9 June – Saturday 17 June at NICA National Circus Centre (NNCC Building) Prahran.
ONEIRIC is brought to the stage by the same charismatic cohort that soldout seats in Circonoclasm last year. Three years in the making, this group have mastered their artistic individuality, yet unify to become one dynamic and synergistic whole. Witness the depth of their chemistry, and on-stage electricity in their graduate ensemble.
In this show, circus, sound, and contemporary dance dissolve the barriers of black and white, beyond which exists endless potential. Shards of colour pierce the subconscious, introducing joy, contrast, light and dark,
similarities, and all our differences. A beautiful fusion of expressive movement, this interpretive work of art asks each to derive their own personal meaning.
ONEIRIC is a void that offers no distinction between reality, and the ephemeral. Existence is monochrome. The show is directed by Edgar Zendejas, internationally renowned choreographer, visionary, and founder of acclaimed dance company, Ezdanza. He has a trail of accolades punctuating his extraordinary career, and has collaborated with the likes of Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, and École Nationale de Cirque. Edgar rejects artistic constraints, fluidly melding dance and circus to breed a new class of contemporary choreography that is both ground-breaking and invigorating.
NICA’s Head of Circus, James Brown (2015 – present) speaks of the invaluable educational opportunity working with an international director presents: “The students will be working with an incredibly interactive set, having to embody both shadow and light, and be challenged by movement and blended modalities. Edgar will stretch their performance abilities to a new level.”
Head of set and costume design is the talented Angelica Rush (ECLIPSE, NICA 2022), working in a cross-faculty collaboration with costume design, and makeup students from Melbourne Polytechnic. ONEIRIC is seductively illuminated by Harrison Cope as the lighting designer (A Blanck Canvas) accompanied by a powerful musical score by Ian Moorhead (SLAP. BANG. KISS. Melbourne Theatre Company 2022), all married together by a striking visual display from seasoned cinematographer, Charles Alexander. Prepare to abandon all reality and immerse entirely in ONEIRIC.
The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) is Australia’s Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts. It is one of eight national arts training institutes and offers Australia’s only Bachelor of Circus Arts. Graduates of NICA have gone on to pursue exciting careers both locally and internationally and have contributed to the development of Melbourne’s vibrant circus arts industry.
The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents ONEIRIC
Friday 9 June – Saturday 17 June
NICA’s Guang Rong Lu OAM National Circus Centre, Prahran
Bookings: nica.com.au/performs
