Cluster Arts
Your backstage best friends

Cluster Arts works with extraordinary artists to bring extraordinary work to the stage. We have a passion for supporting and nurturing unforgettable acts, getting you touring, and helping you run a well-oiled business. We also offer support to producers, festivals and performance art advocacy, because a well-supported industry supports everyone!

Meet Our Team

 

Deb Wilks

Director

Deb Wilks, a seasoned Arts professional with over 20 years of experience in the Australian Circus scene, is a driving force in the Performing Arts sector. Her dedication has led her to collaborate with emerging and established artists, all while nurturing her passion for enhancing artists' business skills and the broader recognition of the Arts among non-artists.

This passion serves as the foundation for Cluster Arts. Deb is known for her quick thinking and creative approach to problem-solving, understanding the crucial role of strong governance. Her career boasts impressive roles as CEO of Flipside Circus from 2009 to 2015 and CEO of the Aboriginal Centre for Performance Arts (ACPA) in 2015. Her qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Management (Arts & Culture), and she is currently pursuing a Masters in Management (Arts & Culture).

To Deb, the Circus and Performing Arts community is a global family, and she relishes the opportunity to connect with artists worldwide. She eagerly anticipates the innovative contributions of the next generation of emerging Artists.

Kate Malone

Executive Producer

Kate, a seasoned professional with 15+ years in Queensland Arts, is a powerhouse Producer. With an impressive portfolio collaborating with Casus Circus, Briefs Factory, Company 2 (now Chelsea McGuffin & Co), Hoopla Clique, and Woodford Folk Festival, showcasing her versatility across various companies and festivals.

Kate's dedication to the sector is both fierce and passionate. As a 2020 Brisbane City Council Artistic Fellowship recipient, she brings valuable insights to arts funding panels and international circus platforms.

A festival maestro, Kate navigates the international circus market, identifying funding opportunities and balancing tight budgets. She's committed to Aussie circus growth, implementing strategies for audience development and elevating the art form globally.

Kate's mission? Putting Brisbane on the global circus map, spreading the joy of Australian circus worldwide.

Julie Rawlins

Production & Finance Coordinator

Julie is an experienced professional with a passion for the world of stage production and operations. After spending a decade honing her skills at the prestigious Royal Opera House, Muscat, she has returned from an enriching journey in Oman.

Julie's journey began in Brisbane, where she embarked on a career in the production field, orchestrating numerous festivals and events in the UK and Qatar. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with invaluable expertise in handling a wide range of artistic endeavors.

Now, as a valued member of the Cluster team, Julie brings a unique technical production perspective, elevating the team's capabilities to new heights. Additionally, she excels in providing crucial logistical support for artists on tour, ensuring seamless performances across various destinations.

With Julie's unwavering dedication and wealth of knowledge, she continues to make a remarkable impact in the world of stage production, contributing her talents to create unforgettable experiences for both artists and audiences alike.

Jennifer Hind

Production Manager

Jennifer Hind, an expert in technical production, graduated from QUT in 2006. Her journey took her through the intricate realms of Opera Australia and the Sydney Opera House from 2007 to 2014, mastering lighting, props, and stage management. In 2014, Jen ventured to Muscat, Oman, illuminating the Royal Opera House as a senior lighting technician. Abu Dhabi beckoned in 2017, where she became a technical theatre specialist at The Arts Centre, NYU Abu Dhabi. Before joining Cluster Arts, Jen was engaged by Briefs Factory in 2022. She seamlessly balanced roles until her return to Australia in August 2023. Despite her stellar career, crafting bios remains her delightful challenge.

Tania Cervantes

Associate Producer

The arts have changed my life. I started dancing at 9yo and run with the circus at 21.

I studied at Le Lido Centre des Arts du Cirque de Toulouse. I have worked in traditional circuses such as Circo Atayde, in Mexico and Circo de la Alegria in Peru.

In contemporary circuses such as No Fit State Circus in Wales and Circus Oz here in Australia.

As Office Manager & Special Events Co-ordinator I provide the much ‘home base’ support. The tasks I love are booking flights & researching for accommodation. Managing the Cluster Arts office is an extremely busy and challenging job but at the end of the day so important to the overall goals of our company.

Caroline Hunt

Queensland Tour Coordinator

Caroline embodies the perfect blend of family, compassion, and a zest for life. Her impact as a chef, hospitality trainer, community liaison officer, and volunteer is a testament to her dedication and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. With years of experience as a chef and hospitality trainer, she loves to share the art of using creativity to help others.


Beyond her culinary journey, Caroline has also served as a community liaison officer and volunteer for PCYC, pouring her time and energy into making a positive impact for over a decade. Her commitment to helping others led her to take on significant roles in challenging environments, such as working on Christmas Island and in Brisbane, where she supported refugees and 501 detainees as an officer and activities officer. Through her dedication, she shared cooking skills with detainees, providing them with a sense of purpose and empowerment.

Caroline's vision is to utilize her extensive experience working with diverse communities to enrich the world of circus and physical theatre in the wider community. With a deep understanding of cultural nuances and a passion for inclusivity, she aims to promote vibrant and empowering performances that celebrate the diverse tapestry in Australia.

Lillian Shewring

Associate Producer

As a multi-disciplinary artist, holistic integrated creative arts therapist, creative enterprise and event producer and facilitator - Lilly has a unique approach to creative facilitation, production, events, and festivals. Specialising in 'Out of the Box' ideas, eco-conscious, community-led, alternative & holistic ways of thinking, that lead to a solutions-focused approach - with a vibrant, creative and radical vision that can lead teams, ensembles and audiences into deep self-inquiry, collaborative evolution and exploration into the purpose and meaning behind the creative work and how we can ignite positive change, growth, insight and impact with our creative voices and bodies of work.

HUGO, ARTIE, SAFFRON, MILOU

The glue that holds us all together, our puppies and kids are important members of the Cluster Arts team. They are at work with us most days and greet guests at our office with lots of cuddles.

Hugo & Artie have been Cluster Arts team members since they were born. While not at the office so much anymore, the boys travel often with Mum (Kate) and regularly are seen at shows & festivals. These kids have more frequent flyers than most adults - having been to Edinburgh, Singapore, China, Noumea, New Zealand, London, Canada & all over Australia!

Saffron is a spoodle who whilst being very pretty will steal your lunch and gets quite annoyed if you sit on her couch.

Milou is a labradoodle who is very cheeky. She insists on getting her own way, but is really a big sook who will interrupt the office for pats if she thinks we're being too quiet or working too hard.

Contact us

Interested to see how we work?

Come and say hello to the team at Cluster Arts — we’re backstage, taking care of business for artists, producers and programmers.

Debbie Wilks
debbie@clusterarts.com
0433 554 801

Kate Malone
kate@clusterarts.com
0448 115 698

Julie Rawlins
julie@clusterarts.com
0475 251 926

Lillian Shewring
lilly@clusterarts.com
0423 471 194

Tania Cervantes
tania@clusterarts.com
0415 906 623

Caroline Hunt
caroline@clusterarts.com

Our Office and Postal Address is:
42 Matheson Street, Virginia QLD 4014