Welcome new Fringe-rs: Introducing our new Compass Navigate peeps

Compass Navigate is our brand-spanking new inclusive mentorship program- designed to support emerging producers and self-presenting artists who may have experienced obstacles to participation in professional development programs. Each participant in Compass Navigate will be paired with an industry mentor who will help them develop their project planning, business skills and networking. In addition to the one-to-one support and advice, our Compass Navigate participants will attend a series of workshop intensives, think of them like arts industry boot camp (intense right?). Keep your eye out, you might even see some of their work in the 2018 Festival….

Now that we have finished waxing lyrical about the program, let us introduce you to the five fantastic human beings who will be joining us on this Fringe journey.

Jane Barry
Jane is a long time actor, who has graduated from the University of Southern Queensland Bachelor of Arts/Acting, in 2009, but a first time producer – and Fringe loves a first-timer.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of the Compass Navigate Program for 2018 and very grateful for the opportunity. The support, advice, the numerous invaluable workshops and informational sessions made available by the Fringe Team will give me the know-how and confidence to take that leap from Performer with a great play and great cast with a unique concept, to Performer/Producer who knows how to make that concept a reality.”

Rachel Edmonds
Rachel is an actor and theatre maker, who has recently returned from a sell-out season in Adelaide Fringe of their show Have You Tried Yoga?

“Being a part of the Compass Navigate program is an exciting opportunity for me. I am at the stage in my career where I need to jazz up my skills and knowledge in order to move forward and I am grateful to Melbourne Fringe for giving me the chance to do that.”

Heidi Everett
Heidi is an emerging producer of lived experience (mental health) arts workshops, projects and events. Heidi is the director of Schizy Week Inc, the only lived experience schizophrenia week event in Melbourne.

“My work as a self-taught producer is full time, I can’t take my eyes off the road. But I need to work smarter to handle the enormous amount of work that builds up – it’s true to the old adage ‘the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know.’ I’m so excited to be part of Compass Navigate to help me literally navigate these exponential learnings. I can’t wait to poke the fire and see what sparks fly up.”

Edward Primrose
Edward is a writer and composer who embraces combining music, film and theatre as a legitimate form of art. Fringe agrees with him.

“One could say “timing is everything”, and without warning, the Compass Navigate project has suddenly appeared at a time when I sorely needed to regain access to a world of collaborators and production possibilities. I am attracted to the openness and inclusive aims of this organisation together with the capacity of the Fringe to broach so many forms and to deal with the resultant complexity.”

Leisa Prowd
A dancer and physical performer, Leisa is interested butoh, contemporary dance and burlesque as well as training with the Women’s Circus.

“I am very excited to be given this opportunity. As a performer I have always been very interested in the process of devising and putting together a show or event and know what it is to see wonderful artists working so hard on creating a piece and the satisfaction and sheer adrenaline of working together to show something truly great. I am eager to learn as much as I can about the process of producing work, as well as performing so that I can successfully pull together a group of artists who have created artistic pieces so that we can enchant an audience as I have experienced so many times as an audience member. To share oneself with a room full of supportive people is such an honour.”

Compass Navigate is proudly supported by

Image credit: International Tarp Blue, Melbourne Fringe 2017, Photo by Theresa Harrison