Bahala/o

Buddy Malbasias is a Filipino Australian (Bukidnon-born) independent artist-researcher, director, choreographer and performer, working at the intersection of contemporary performance, waacking and interdisciplinary experimentation. Rooted in the Filipino diaspora, Buddy’s practice traverses cultural hybridity, queer identity and imaginative world-building, serving as conduits for interrogating and reimagining the ‘immigrant Filipino’ body.

Supported by funded national and international residencies, Buddy has become an exciting and dynamic voice in QLD’s artistic landscape having worked with leading global voices such as Ars Electronica Austria, Stephanie Lake Co., Studio1, QLD Museum, ADC Youth Ensemble, Catapult Dance, Blackbird Foundation and Johannes Kepler University.

A QUT Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) University Medalist (Summa Cum Laude) and scholarship recipient, Buddy has developed a compelling portfolio of live and digital works such as Lato2x (AUSTI., AIR), Anino (Awarded), Obserbahi:Observe (QLD Museum) and his debut independent work, Bahala/o presented by Metro Arts.  Through choreographic and embodied methodologies, Buddy crafts performance ecologies that disrupt conventional modes of spectatorship and invite critical reflection to provoke, connect and resonate.

https://www.buddymalbasias.com/

Clare is an emerging artist based in Meanjin, Brisbane, with a focus in contemporary dance and dance theatre.

Clare formally trained in full-time ballet in Western Australia during her late teens, followed by tertiary education at the Queensland University of Technology. Upon graduating with a Distinction in Performing Arts, Clare has since developed a growing independent practice grounded in movement and collaborative performance-making.

Clare has recently participated in a number of festivals and events, including Anywhere Festival, Backbone Festival, Horizon Festival, HOTA Underground, Stephanie Lake’s Colossus, Studio1’s Testing Site, Studio1’s Glass Raiser.

Liesel Zink is an award-winning socially-engaged choreographer, dramaturge and facilitator of Ukrainian and German descent. She has developed and presented work around Australia, Asia and Eastern Europe, often in collaboration with local artists of all ages and experience levels. 

Liesel’s practice explores the intersection of contemporary dance and community engagement, often seeing her work across disciplines and in a range of performance sites, most significantly public space. As a dramaturge she has collaborated with artists including Bridie Hooper, Courtney Scheu, Ivy Tsui (Hong Kong), Daniele Constance (Aha Ensemble), Ashleigh Musk and Michael Smith. She currently is a board member of Theatre Network Australia, is a regular provocateur for GENERATE (Situation on the Gold Coast) and was an Associate Artist of Force Majeure between 2020 – 2023.

ELLLL (Ellen King) is an Irish composer, producer, and DJ based in Berlin, working at the intersection of contemporary composition and club music. Driven by a deep interest in sound as a narrative tool, her genre-spanning, shapeshifting work explores abstraction, sub-bass frequencies, and rhythmic experimentation.

Her debut album Earth Rotation (Bruk Records, 2024) threads prepared piano, warped samples, and percussive club elements, reflecting a fluid, interdisciplinary practice that moves freely between forms. She has composed for theatre, dance, and installation, crafting immersive sonic environments, and has performed at festivals including MUTEK Japan and CTM Berlin.

A committed advocate for diversity in electronic music, she founded Gash Collective, a platform and label supporting women and gender minorities through mentorship, workshops, and releases.

Briana Clark is a Matilda-nominated Asian Australian Lighting Designer and Stage Manager based in Magandjin. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Production at Queensland University of Technology. Her niche is creating bold and experimental lighting designs, especially for contemporary circus and dance. Ultimately, her ambition is to uplift BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices, and to be involved with political, feminist art.

Lighting Design credits include: Scenes From A Yellow Peril (The Reaction Theory, Door 3, QPAC), The Last Princess of Lebanon (QT Touring, Nadia Milford, BEMAC), BREAK (The Farm and Cecilia Martin), CRIOLLO (Nudo Dance, BEMAC), Circus In A Teacup (Vulcana Circus), Rhonda’s After Party (Wynnum Fringe) and Associate Lighting Designer with Chloe Ogilvie Stunt Double (The Farm).

Stage Management credits include: Production Manager for The Last Princess of Lebanon (QT Touring, Nadia Milford, BEMAC), Stage Manager for RIVER PRIDE PARADE (Melt Festival), Assistant Stage Manager for Love Stories (Brisbane Festival), Room On The Broom (CDP Productions), 8/8/8:REST(Rising Festival), Stunt Double (The Farm), Hide The Dog (Performing Lines).

Aeron Maevin is a Filipino-Australian fashion and costume designer, as well as a skilled pattern maker, based in Magandjin. Drawing inspiration from his Filipino heritage and a deep appreciation for avant-garde, artisanal fashion, Aeron’s distinctive style is rooted in precision and craftsmanship, a reflection of the influence of his builder grandfather. 

Specialising in monochromatic designs, his work is defined by intricate pattern-making, meticulous tailoring and striking silhouettes. Aeron’s award-winning collection, Sweeping Shadows, artfully combines traditional Filipino attire with elements of British chimney sweep uniforms, creating a powerful narrative of unity and the emergence of beauty from unexpected pairings. 

Aeron also honed his skills as an intern at Gail Sorronda, where he worked closely with the designer to develop unique garments and assisted in the creation of ready-to-wear and couture pieces. This experience deepened his understanding of luxury fashion and further shaped his ability to bring avant-garde concepts to life with precision and artistic flair. Currently, Aeron contributes his expertise as a costumier and cutter at Queensland Ballet, where he continues to expand his impact within the fashion and performing arts industries.

DJ Love (Sherwin Tuna) is a pioneering figure of Budots, the grassroots electronic dance music that emerged from Davao City and has since become a defining sound of the southern Philippines. Known for his DIY spirit and unmistakable rhythmic style, he continues to represent the voice of his community while bringing Budots to global stages.

Crediting: Budots music composed and performed by DJ Love (Sherwin Tuna), used with permission courtesy of his management

Petria is an emerging stage manager dedicated to creating inclusive, sustainable and impactful theatre and a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Throughout her studies, she has had the opportunity to work in various departments within the production arts including lighting, sound and set design but predominantly as a stage manager. Petria’s recent works include The Reaction Theory’s ‘Scenes From a Yellow Peril’ at Queensland Theatre, Queensland Theatre’s Year 11 Youth Ensemble ‘The Astral Plane’, Brisbane Festival’s ‘Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show’, Brisbane Festival’s ‘Slow Boat’ at the Brisbane Powerhouse and others. Working as a stage manager for the majority of her experience, Petria has learnt to be versatile within the theatre production space and strives to make each production a reflection of both artistic excellence and environmental responsibility.