About Tony Kishawi
Since graduating at the VCA in 1980 Tony has been pursuing a love of performance theatre through Commedia dell ‘Arte incorporating extensive training in mime, clowning, movement and street theatre. Tony has worked in the theatre industry as an actor, director, creator, producer and successful Queensland Arts Council contributor. He has also taught at NIDA and undertaken many community based theatre projects and events.
One of Tony’s fondest memories from his earlier days of education, training and travel was when he studied at the International School of Comic Acting in Italy with Antonio Fava, one of the masters of commedia. “It definitely felt like coming home to the source of all my experiments with mask work.” Tony says, noting Fava as being one of his role models. You can take advantage of the diversity of Tony’s experience when you work with Lightwire Theatrical Productions.
While Tony has an extensive performing career spanning 35 years he discovered a life time passion in developing other performers. Conducting workshops Tony has created a number of successful workshop and classroom plans which bring out the best in those participating. His experience and knowledge in the field of Commedia dell ‘Arte had Tony invited to lead a master class at the Queensland Drama Teachers Conference in 2009.
Released in May 2010, Tony’s first book Teaching Commedia dell’Arte is a teaching manual that enables teachers to successfully convey the magic and history of Commedia dell ‘Arte in a method understood only by a performer.
Commenting on how he feels about his role as teacher, leader and friend to so many students, Tony says ‘the most rewarding thing is that a number of the performers I worked with have had sustained careers in the industry… some of them are even teaching workshops and classes’.
- 2012 Program Guide
Click here to see the full guide, or click on the images on the left to view presenters’ pages. - Tony Kishawi
A circus child, Tony spends adulthood reminding the world how to have fun. His work brings the joy of performance – especially Commedia Dell’arte – to thousands of actors and audience members. - Dan ReadDan lives and breathes music. His debut EP “Life Doesn’t Get Any Better”, created with talented fellow musicians, is an ode to overcoming obstacles with joy, humour and song.
- Jody Allen
Jody Allen is the owner and founder of Stay at Home Mum, a blog on how to save money around the home. She has over 90,000 followers on Facebook and after a mere 13 months has the 13th largest parenting website in the country. - Colin Graham
Colin makes entrepreneurship possible. His career in industry, universities and now as a business consultant has earned Colin ample recognition for thinking differently and making a difference. - Becky McCray
Colin makes entrepreneurship possible. His career in industry, universities and now as a business consultant has earned Colin ample recognition for thinking differently and making a difference. - Geoff Kirkwood
Geoff connects people through public speaking and leadership. A self-declared ‘referrals master’, Geoff has gained recognition in Australia and abroad for his ability to market innovative ideas. - Alexina Johnson
Alexina draws upon her farming and community building passions to talk about share-farming, networking and how small and local really is the best way to farm and eat. - Kelly Chambers
Kelly has travelled the world as a didgeridoo seller, commodities trader, student, courier and care-giver. Now, he accompanies non-traditional students on their educational journeys. - Ernesto Sirolli
Italian-born, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli has worked in Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Mongolia, and the U.S.A. in the field of local economic development. More than 300 communities and businesses around the world have adopted his responsive, person-centered approaches to local economic development known as Enterprise Facilitation® - Tracie Regan
Tracie works with stakeholders across the training spectrum to understand the uses of technology in Australian Vocational Education and to investigate the implications of various innovative teaching strategies for the improvement of lifelong learning experiences. - Greg Nash
From career beginnings as a baker, Greg now lectures and researches at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he empowers first year students to communicate with confidence. - Mary-Lou Stevens
Mary-Lou makes radio magic happen at ABC Coast FM, as a presenter and producer. All about telling stories, she has also penned a meditation memoir, which will be released in early 2013. - Pru Millear
Dr Millear has a wide range of research interests, around psychological development in adults and the choices they make about jobs and relationships. Underpinning these projects is the belief that each person is actively involved in constructing their own lives. - Robert Prestipino
Robert helps towns to be better places. By identifying trends in regional development, he proposes approaches that will make sure our children and grandchildren inherit a world worth living in. - Jasmine Crouch
As Head of Campus at Gympie’s Flexible Learning Centre, Jasmin is a visionary, a dreamer and a supporter of dreams and so is a mentor to many who share her dream that anything is achievable. - Tony Ryan
Tony is fascinated by learning. He fosters innovation through his presentations, books and leadership in education and organisational development. - Helen Fairweather
Helen thinks and works strategically for a better environmental future. An engineering academic, a political campaigner and an alternative energy advocate, she pursues innovation and sustainability. - matty-witney
Matty Witney is a dynamic performer with a penchant for the shimmering. His performances are soulful, grooving, and lyrically engaging, and they entwine elements of soul, jazz, folk, and r’n’b.