People

Ilan Abrahams       Artistic director/ Workshop Facilitator  

Ilan is the founder of Sense of Place Projects. He has a passion for creating sublime and transformative theatre and workshop experiences that integrate people, concepts of sustainability, and the local landscape. In 2003 he walked the full length of the Yarra in one continuous journey with three friends. He has lectured in Ecology and Art at the Victorian College of the Arts(VCA), and worked as an urban designer and town planner. Ilan has a graduate diploma in Dance Animateuring (VCA), and studied contemporary dance at Deakin University. His approach as a director is influenced by studies and training in ecology, Buddhism, somatics, permaculture, buto and body weather. He participated in a month long summer intensive on the ‘Body Weather Farm’ in Japan, won the Warrandyte Film Festival with ‘The Minstrel’(2006), and loves watching clouds.

 

Nancy Sposato      Performer

Nancy is a physical theatre performer who’s training has incorporated Body Weather, Suzuki, Corporeal Mime, Clowning, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Buto, Tumbling and Ashtanga Yoga. Nancy’s performance projects include; A Room Within (supported by the City of Yarra, 2007), Show and Tell - a work commissioned by the Victorian Arts Centre about body image for touring to schools (2006), and 1803 - supported by the City of Yarra (Collingwood Childrent’s Farm, 2005). In 2005 Nancy was selected to take part in the Spark Mentorship Program, managed by Youth Arts Queensland and supported by the Australia Council. Nancy has performed regularly with Strange Fruit since 2003 in Australia and overseas, and regularly with Melbourne Playback Theatre Company since 2004. In 2001 Nancy was invited by Dequincy Company to participate in Triple Alice 3. Her initial study was a Batchelor in Creative Arts, majoring in Theatre, at the Victorian College of the Arts.

 

Susan Van den Haam       Performer

Susan is a unique and accomplished physical theatre performer and dancer. Her performance credits include; Ananke – with the Phonos Project (Melbourne Fringe Festival 2006, and regional Victorian Tour), 1803 –supported by the City of Yarra and Parks Victoria (2005), Story Time With Mr. Robbins – as part of the Melbourne Buto Festival (Dancehouse,2006), Soz and Snuff – as part of Lucy Guerin Co.’s program ‘Pieces for Small Spaces’(2006), Three Day Growth-winner of the most outstanding movement piece award (Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2003), Cherry Picking- a development period with Jo Lloyd (Dancehouse, 2004), and A Simple Dare – Graduate Showcase (Dancehouse, 2004). Susan is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts School of Dance, and is currently studying a post graduate diploma in choreography at the same school. Susan loves resting in her garden.

 

Maya Ward      Advisory Board Member for  The Ceres Harvest Project

 

David Nailor      Advisory Board Member for The Ceres Harverst Project