Meet The Team

Deb Wilks – Executive Director

Kate Malone – Executive Producer

An excellent quick thinker and problem solver, Kate is focused, calm, creative and never daunted by any challenge large or small.

She has spent the past ten years working across a range of roles within Queensland arts and have a proven track record in delivering events, festivals, shows in theatres, tents and open air.

Kate has a strong focus on outcomes which means she has a keen understanding of planning, scheduling, leadership, developing relationships/ networking and working to a budget.

She is driven to find new and innovative ways for independent companies to tour. In 2017, Kate received funding from Arts Queensland to travel abroad and develop networks in the European Touring Market and research the feedback on why Australian circus is at the forefront of European touring. She attended six festivals and three arts markets in this time and out of this, secured several tours for Australian based circus companies, including a season at London Underbelly and 5-week venue tour through the United Kingdom for Casus Circus.

As Producer, Kate has worked extensively around Australia and internationally with Casus Circus, Company 2, Briefs Factory, Company Here & Now, Chores, Flipside Circus and Woodford Folk Festival.

Kate’s skills lie in producing, production management, preparing touring schedules, working with technical staff, liaising with performers and being in the thick of things as a tour approaches.

“I am passionate about working with artists to provide the management and structure so they can focus on their show and performance– I get a kick and much satisfaction out of watching the audience enjoy the end product!”

Nadia Jade – Production & Marketing

Nadia is a marketing and public relations specialist, with a slew of skills in her toolkit, including graphic design, social media marketing, web design and media engagement. She holds a dual degree in Arts & Communications, and is undergoing professional development in philanthropy, grant-writing and media training.

Nadia’s career began with theatre and street performance training, before a gift for practical systems development saw her focus shift to hospitality venue management. She has lived in Brisbane, Melbourne and Glasgow, Scotland, and during this time has worked in a plethora of spaces including large-scale music venues, stadiums, fine dining restaurants, fast paced cafes and bars, and alternative culture venues and festivals. She has developed innovative training, stock control and accountability systems hospitality business of all styles. She is particularly adept consultant for venue openings. She has worked as a music booking agent for a number of years as well as a radio presenter. Select venues include O2 ABC (Glasgow), Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibes Festival, 4ZZZfm, SubCity Radio (Glasgow), Maz Salt venues (Melbourne), Ric’s Bar, Lock’n’load. She is currently retained by Wilde Applause as a public relations specialist.

In the last four years, Nadia has developed her skills as a live theatre and cabaret producer and promoter, working in conjunction with Brisbane circus, theatre and performing arts companies and individuals to create an ever-growing number of eclectic live performances. She was a key member of the cult collective Velvet Helmet during its tumultuous heyday.

Nadia is the Artistic Director of the eclectic underground performing arts company Moment of Inertia Productions. In 2016 she launched the review site Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane, which has an especial focus on alternative and underground arts, which has since grown to be a key voice in the discussion of new works in Brisbane.

She is a sideshow performer, hula hooper and aerialist, who likes to get on stage when she has a chance in her busy schedule.

“I’m not a full-time performer, but I love to be onstage, I love sideshow, I love to mess with presumption and perception. It keeps me fresh, keeps me sated, and helps me to be generous with my community and effective with my clients – cause I know exactly the challenges of being an artist!”

Nadia is currently a Board Member of Vulcana Circus, heading up the Fundraising Committee.

Emma Black – Operations Manager

Emma began training and performing with Brisbane’s Flipside Circus at age nine. It was from there that she fell in love with being on stage and showing off her tricks & skills to audience members. At age 17, she  went on to study full time at the National Institute of Circus Arts. Armed with a BA in Circus, Emma began professionally performing at many prestigious events such as the 2012 London Olympics and both Melbourne & Adelaide’s Fringe Festivals plus numerous corporate events including Crown Casino & Brisbane Festival as well being a resident performer on P&O Cruise Line. In recent years Emma has found her passion for Arts Administration & joined the Cluster Arts team as Operations Manager in May 2019.

She is also the director and founder of successful hula hoop company Hip Hoop Hooray that specialises in making hula hoops and teaching people how to hula hoop for both fitness and performance purposes.

Emma is also director and coach for Brisbane Trapeze Academy – Brisbane’s premier academy for flying trapeze performance & instruction.

“I love seeing circus & performing come to life. Knowing that I was a part of taking an idea from being ‘just an idea’ to actually putting it show on stage & having it come to fruition, is what I enjoy the most.”