Erin Murphy NICA Born in Sawdust Interview

Erin Murphy NICA Born in Sawdust Interview

NICA's talented graduating artists of 2015 will be stepping back through the history of circus in the new production, Born in Sawdust, which will play for a limited season at the stateof- the-art National Circus Centre in Prahran from 18 to 28 November 2015.

Born in Sawdust is a Russian phrase to describe someone born into the circus. Directed by internationally acclaimed director Gavin Robins, this new production will celebrate the rich histories of both circus performers and their trainers, which have been shaped by the spirits living in the sawdust floor beneath them.

While creating the concept for the show Gavin Robins drew inspiration from a very local source. Robins explains, 'Stories from the traditional circus worlds of the NICA trainers have been our muse for this work. NICA trainer Kostya Ibraguimov, who sadly passed away last year, provided inspiration for this performance's thematic material. The lineage of our trainers and mentors is what makes the shadows of our past materialise into the here and now."

Arturo Gomez is one of the NICA trainers whose stories were used as the starting point for this new production. Gomez says, 'Circus is my life. The kingpole is my father, the circus tent covers me like my mother, the circus wires are my veins, the circus lights are my eyes, the applause is my best food and the sawdust is my finest perfume."

Born in Sawdust incorporates digital technology to explore the interplay of projected silhouettes and live circus performance. The performance acrobatically intercuts between the shadows of the past and the performers of the present only to discover how connected these two worlds are. Audiences can expect to be amazed by daring circus skills as well as enchanted by the real life circus narratives woven into this work.

The striking digital projections have been developed by students from Swinburne University of Technology's Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (Film + TV) under the guidance of Program Coordinator Lisa Robins.

This production has also seen collaborations between NICA and Melbourne Polytechnic's Diploma of Costume for Performance and Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services students.

Born in Sawdust is a rare opportunity to see Australia's emerging circus stars perform a range of old and modern skills including; Aerial Hoop, Handstands, Highwire, Clowning and Object Manipulation, Aerial Straps, Dance Trapeze, Tumbling, Hula Hoops, Multicord, and Slings.

In 2009 Gavin Robins directed NICA's third year ensemble, At First Sight. NICA is excited to welcome back this highly celebrated director of physical theatre, circus and aerial performance in 2015. Gavin has created and performed acrobatic and aerial works in Australia and around the world, including the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, the opening of the 2012 Eurovision Song contest, DreamWorks Arena Spectacular How to Train Your Dragon and King Kong the musical, for which he won a Helpmann Award for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement for movement direction. Gavin is currently the Head of Movement at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

NICA is Australia's Centre of Excellence for training in contemporary circus arts. It is one of eight national arts training institutes and offers Australia's only Bachelor of Circus Arts. Graduates of NICA have gone on to pursue exciting careers both locally and internationally and have contributed to the development of Australia's vibrant circus arts industry. The Bachelor of Circus Arts course is accredited by Swinburne University of Technology and attracts applicants from around the world.

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) presents: Born in Sawdust
Directed by Gavin Robins
NICA National Circus Centre, 39 - 59 Green Street, Prahran
Session dates and times: Dates: 18 - 28 November 2015
Times: Wed – Fri 7.30pm, Sat 1.30pm and 7.30pm (100 minutes including interval)
Tickets: General Admission Adult - $36.00
Concession - $29.00

Child U16 - $24.00
Family (2 adults, 2 children) - $96.00
Family (2 adults, 3 children) - $115.00
Groups (min. 10 people) - $27 per person
Parental Guidance recommended (PG)
Bookings: www.nica.com.au

Interview with Erin Murphy

Erin is a gymnast turned circus artist whom has been trained in both French and Chinese Pole which created a daring and energetic style that is a unique breath of fresh air in the circus industry. She has a strong vision for how she wants the audience to see her acts as she strives for nothing less than perfection. Erin is fun to work with as she has a very happy and supportive personality and has the ability to overcome most situations. She has heavy involvement in youth circuses (Cirkus Surreal, Bathurst) which has given her a great performing background and a plethora of skills. Erin is also a high level Cheerleader and is both a base and a flyer.


Question: How would you describe Born in Sawdust?

Erin Murphy: The show is an ensemble production based on the true stories of some of NICA's beloved trainers.

The term -born in sawdust' means to be born into the circus. The performance demonstrates what goes on inside a performer's mind and what happens behind the scenes in a family circus.


Question: What role do you play in the Born in Sawdust production?

Erin Murphy: My role in the show is part of the core ensemble. Being a member of the ensemble is important as it is the glue that holds everything together. The ensemble helps set the scene, mood and story. Without us there is no show.

My speciality solo is a Chinese Pole act.

Question: Can you explain what French and Chinese Pole is?

Erin Murphy: I would describe French style pole as more movement based, with transitions and skills that flow from one to the other. Chinese style pole is drops and bigger tricks. I have been really lucky and had the opportunity to study both styles at NICA, which means I have a very unique style on my chosen apparatus.


Question: What inspired your move from gymnast to circus artist?

Erin Murphy: I made the change from gymnastics because I wanted to try something different, but not too different. My friend was auditioning for NICA and he wanted me to help him perform adagio. I agreed to train and do the audition for fun. Then we both got a first round offer and I had a week to make the most important decision of my life thus far. At the time, I was head coach at a gymnastics club, and I spent any free time with my family and friends, and I was contemplating leaving it all behind for something I knew barely anything about. It was a huge risk to just drop everything and move interstate for a career that's so hard to break into.

Yet, I took the risk, I organised my gymnasts, said goodbye to my friends and my family, and at 18 I moved out of home and 800km away.

I wanted to see if I could make it, I wanted to prove people wrong and do something awesome and different, I didn't want to blend in anymore, I wanted to stand out and show the world I exist.


Question: Can you provide an insight into the training and preparation for Born in Sawdust?

Erin Murphy: Born in Sawdust is a tech heavy show. We had to learn to counter weight one another, which included hours of hanging in harnesses and having another cast member lift us into the air. We also had to learn how to climb and descend from the roof with nothing but a harness and a single rope. Another thing we had was our film shoot where we created our 'shadows" for the show. We had to perform skills in front of the big white curtain for the Swinburne University of Technology Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (film and TV) to edit. I had to be harnessed and I got to perform my skills on my Chinese pole and actually fail at each one. My shadow was designed to show what could potentially happen if I messed up a skill since my act in the show was about fear.


Question: What's a typical day like, for you during rehearsals?

Erin Murphy: A typical day for us during rehearsals included a massive warm up that was generally group skipping, this gets our bodies and minds into an ensemble state. We would then go through each scene of the show and work on cleaning and adding more character layers. We also worked on sleight of hand magic, we use this in the show to throw around lights and noses. Whatever spare time you have left is set aside to work on your act.

Question: What is it like working with Gavin Robins?

Erin Murphy: Gavin has a keen eye for the vision he wants to bring to life on the stage. I learnt so much under his guidance.


Question: What have you learnt about yourself whilst preparing for Born in Sawdust?

Erin Murphy: I learnt that working within an ensemble you need a lot of patience and you need to stay as optimistic as possible. You need to be open to change and be ready to give everything a try.


Question: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Erin Murphy: My preshow rituals consist of warming up my three hardest tricks for my act and checking my thumb light works by clicking it 3 times. I also have a habit of calling my little sister and sending snap chats to my best friend.


Question: Why did you relocate to become a student at NICA?

Erin Murphy: I relocated to Melbourne because someone once said to me that I would never leave my home town and I'd be stuck there forever with so much talent and nothing to do with it. I wanted to experience something different, something fun and I wanted to find where I belonged. I found my place in the circus world. I will keep moving forward after my time at NICA as it has opened so many doors for me.


Question: What is your five year goal?

Erin Murphy: In five years I will be performing my solo act in a big company somewhere overseas. I may be based in Montreal or Vegas, or I'll be touring. Five years is a very long time and anything can happen in that time. I plan on keeping every door open and taking as many offers that come my way.


Interview by Brooke Hunter