Circus in a Tea Cup was an exquisitely beautiful contemporary circus performance presented by QPAC in 2021, in which Vulcana Circus ensemble members collaborated with survivors of gender-based abuse to tell true stories of recovery, resilience and triumph.
Of the power of circus to express deeper truths, Vulcana Artistic Director Celia White says:
“One of our performers said ‘we want this show to be a warning. We can’t wait for policy, we can’t wait for violence to just evaporate. We have to take action'.”
Vulcana worked in partnership with Brisbane Domestic Violence Service, part of Micah Projects, to deliver circus workshops and a performance season of Circus in a Teacup with women who are survivors of gender-based violence.
The production provided a creative context for participants to share experiences, exchange insights, build new relationships and explore an empowering physical language that built self-esteem and confidence. The performance was a great success for audiences and participants alike
One year on QPAC delivered Reflections in a Tea Cup, a conversation reflecting on the project and how it has affected the lives of the participants since.
Partnering with Vulcana Circus, Brisbane Domestic Violence Service/Micah Projects and Chrysalis Projects the event in the Cremorne Theatre and kicked off 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Around 60 people attended Reflections in a Tea Cup including those who invested in the project, policy makers, friends, family and invited guests.
The evening included a Welcome to Country by Aunty Dawn Daylight, a performance of a scene from Circus in a Tea Cup and a panel moderated by Bec Mac from Chrysalis Projects, participants from the project, Celia White the director of the work from Vulcana Circus and Belinda Cox from Brisbane Domestic Violence Service.
QPAC's Director of Public Engagement, Rebecca Lamoin reflected on the event:
“The kind of imprint projects like this leave on participants, audiences, creatives can be one that changes our lives. It can be immediate, but it can also be cumulative. Reflections was a chance to listen and discuss how significant making art together can be.”
Hear from the participants
Look back on what the Director and some of the cast said about the life-changing experience of taking part in Circus in a Tea Cup in the video below.
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