Cast Archives

October 6, 2016 6:34 PM

unleaSHEd

unleaSHEd

unleaSHEd

Following an audition process, Ashley, Paula (back row L to R), Catherine, Prue and Joanne (front row L to R) have been selected to form part of the exhilarating newly formed group, unleaSHEd. Choreographed by Alana Greig, unleaSHEd will open UNBOUND in a piece about being wild and free.

unleashed-group-shotPaula
Paula began pole on a whim and fell in love with it in her first lesson. She has now been pole-ing for 1.5 years and is really motivated by the grace, fitness and flexibility of pole dancers. Besides pole, Paula also enjoys dance, with experience in ballet, contemporary and hip hop dance. She is also a classical pianist and currently studying at the Conservatorium of Music. Paula aspires to be fitter and to have a stronger pain tolerance so she can perfect more pole tricks! She’d also love to perform on more pole dance stages in future.

Prue
Prue has been dancing for as long as she could walk, and grew up training and competing in tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop dance styles. Choosing to focus on her university studies, Prue took some time off from dance but found that she was looking for a new challenge to fill the void. 2 years ago she joined a pole class on a whim and quickly fell in love with the new challenging dance style, in particular the mix of flexibility and strength that pole demanded. When she’s not upside down on a pole, Prue is pursuing her other great passion, rock climbing. Prue’s pole goals are to improve her flexibility and take on more opportunities to perform pole on stage.

Joanne
Joanne has always loved performing. She participated in Rock Eisteddfod 4 years in a row during her high school years and took hip hop/RNB dance lessons for 3 years during university. She has been a part of many different performances and loved every moment on stage. Joanne took a liking to pole dancing many years ago, admiring the elegance and strength pole dancers displayed. About 2 and a half years ago, she finally mustered the courage to join pole dancing with a few friends and had fallen in love with it ever since. Joanne aspires to get stronger and more flexible so she can be able to perform a larger variety of tricks on the pole.

Ashley
Ashley has been frequenting the pole scene for a little over a year now, and she firmly believes she is the fittest she has even been. Having dabbled in dance culture such as hip hop and street jazz, as well as martial arts such as Taekwondo in the past, Ashley sought pole fitness as a means of getting her fitness back after years of neglect and hiatus. Since then, Ashley has gained her fitness back, and attributes pole dancing to her lithe body and strength. Ashley believes she’s always had the flexibility of a solid oak tree. With pole fitness, she is hoping to improve this flexibility and to gain more strength. Being able to participate and be part of the fun of upcoming pole dance shows is also an aspiration of hers.

Catherine
Catherine has been pole dancing for over 2 years, and was inspired to join when she saw how artistically beautiful the dance style was. Every aspect of pole dancing, including the elegance, strength and flexibility amazed her. It was a form of art that never failed to impress anyone. Having no dance background and flexibility, Catherine joined pole dancing as a way to relax from work while improving her fitness levels. She aspires to become stronger and more flexible, in hope to be able to participate in more upcoming pole performances.

A note from the Choreographer: ‘I wanted to make a dance that was exuberant, strong and different. When I think of UNBOUND, I think of an animalistic nature and I wanted to explore that. These ladies were great to work with and I am extremely proud of how hard they have trained and rehearsed to make a mesmerising performance.”

    September 8, 2016 5:51 PM

    Kay Munnie

    Kay Munnie

    Kay Munnie

    Born in Hawaii, Kayla tried many forms of dance as a child; however it wasn’t until she joined her high school cheer-leading squad that she discovered her enthusiasm for dance. During her time as a cheerleader, Kayla competed in both state and national championships. She also began experimenting with other forms of dance such as hula, jazz, tap and belly dance.

    When Kayla made the move to Australia in 2011, she took a break from dance until she stumbled across a pole studio on the NSW South Coast. Kayla has now been pole-ing for 2 years, and recently qualified and competed as a finalist in the NSW Pole Championships.

      August 5, 2016 7:48 PM

      James O’Young

      James O’Young

      James O’Young

      James started pole in 2014 after he was inspired by Felix Cane and Jenyne Butterfly. He one day hopes to add their softness, etherealness, artistry and storytelling into his own style.

      In addition to pole, James also love yoga and found the courage to try dance in his late 20’s – which shows that it’s never too late to start!

      James will be making his Pole Evolution debut in UNBOUND. Passionate, with a love of music and language, he strives to create a story that “stirs the heart and brings you along with him”.
       

        August 4, 2016 7:45 PM

        ORYX

        ORYX

        ORYX

        After years of playing with experimental noise, Oryx has found a new voice through dance. She loves flying with the freaks and outsiders who are drawn to pole dance because they can create spaces for freedom of expression, body positivity, self-love and art.

        Oryx loves pole dance because it can be so radical, powerful and positive. It resists absolute definition as it’s a space where you can express anything.

        She has previously performed in Elements in 2014, as well as in the Encore! Pole Show in 2014 & 2016.

        Some of her dance heroes are Alethea Austin, Pina Bausch, Oona Kivela & Felix Cane.

          August 3, 2016 7:13 PM

          Yasmine Loupis

          Yasmine Loupis

          Yasmine Loupis

          Yasmine began pole fitness at Studio Verve in 2014, having competed at a national level in artistic gymnastics, trampolining and sports acrobatics from the age of 5 through to the completion of her Undergraduate degree.

          In 2012 Yasmine delved into the aerial arts, discovering a particular passion for silks and lyra. Yasmine has performed aerial routines for The Sydney University Movement and Dance Society’s Major Showcase ‘Nocturne’ in 2012, and experienced her first taste of pole performance at a Studio Verve Open Night in 2014.

          Although Yasmine does not come from a dance background, she enjoys the cognitive and physical challenge of incorporating acrobatic elements into her pole routines and enhancing the fluidity of her movement.

          Last year, Yasmine performed two routines in Polarity. One was a stunning doubles piece with Wesley (who is also performing in UNBOUND) and the finale group routine.

          In 2016, Yasmine will be making her solo debut on the Factory Theatre stage with a piece inspired by her experiences growing up as a gymnast.

            August 1, 2016 8:16 PM

            Phoebe Shand

            Phoebe Shand

            Phoebe Shand

            From a young age Phoebe has enjoyed all forms of movement – from dancing to acrobatics to soccer. During her high school years, Phoebe tried many types of dance: jazz, tap, Irish, belly-dancing and she loved them all for different reasons. Each form of dance had its own variations and strengths that gave them all unique places in her life, and she is yet to find a more amazing form of self-expression than the one she can achieve through dance.

            Phoebe was also a part of the ‘Spaghetti Circus’ – a local circus school in the hills of the Byron Bay Shire. It was here that she developed her love of acrobatic and tumbling skills, and began developing her flexibility. Her favourite skills are tumbling and static trapeze. Phoebe is often referred to as ‘the super base’ for her ability to be a strong and reassuring ‘base’ for her partner when learning any doubles or tumbling tricks in class.

            Phoebe is also a qualified PoleFit instructor at Studio Verve Dance Fitness. Phoebe’s passion for pole dancing is ever growing, having also qualified and in 2015 she competed as a finalist in the NSW Pole Championships group division with ‘Fusion Five’, and appeared in Polarity in both a group routine and a Doubles Pole act with Brook Lam.

            She is very excited to be returning to the Factory theatre this October to appear in UNBOUND.

              August 1, 2016 8:15 PM

              Brook Lam

              Brook Lam

              Brook Lam

              Always curious about pole, Brook attended her first open night at Studio Verve® in May 2011. This spurred her curiosity further and she signed up to PoleFit® Level 1 the next day. Growing up playing basketball and Oztag, sport has always been a big part of Brook’s life. At a very young age, this girl decided she loved to sweat!

              Driven by the mental and physical challenges of pole, Brook likens pole to ‘a marathon, not a sprint’. Though it sometimes takes some time to achieve certain skills, it’s an exciting and challenging journey and she credits PoleFit® for her increased strength, flexibility and most importantly, body awareness. Being able to maneuver her body in ways she would never have imagined, pole has been an empowering journey for her.

              Brook is an instructor at Studio Verve Dance Fitness, who, in 2014, qualified and competed as a finalist in the NSW Australian Pole Championships with ‘Fusion Five’. In 2015, Brook performed in both a group routine and a Double Pole Routine with Phoebe Shand.

              So far in 2016 Brook competed in the Pole Comedy division at Pole Theatre with “Fusion Four” where they took out first place in the Semi-Professional Pole Comedy category as well as the overall winner of the Semi-Professional category earning the group a place at Pole Theatre Worlds in Prague.

              She will be taking to the stage in UNBOUND in another spectacular Doubles Pole routine with her pole partner Phoebe.

                July 29, 2016 3:29 PM

                Bridget Kellie

                Bridget Kellie

                Bridget Kellie

                A former gymnast and dancer Kellie started studying tap, ballet and contemporary dance at the age of 3. In addition to pole, she also enjoys performing lyra and silks.

                She has been pole dancing for the past three years and is currently a student at Sydney Pole. Kellie performs regularly at their End of Term Showcases and studio Christmas parties. She describes her style as lyrical meets modern jazz and she enjoys nothing more than exploring concepts through dance to share with her audience.

                Kellie performed at the Sydney Encore! Pole Show in 2014. In 2015 she appeared as a Wild Card soloist for Glam Rock Cabaret, and both Solotude 1 and 2 at the Vanguard in Newtown.

                This is her first performance as a member of the Pole Evolution Dance Company, and she is looking forward to taking to the stage at the Factory Theatre to bring her choreography to life.

                  July 28, 2016 7:07 PM

                  Alana Greig

                  Alana Greig

                  Alana Greig

                  Originating from the snowy town of Cooma, Alana has been dancing since she was 4 years old. Starting with jazz, as she got older she soon found that it wasn’t enough and quickly took up ballet and contemporary dance as well. Having participated in her high school’s Rock Eisteddfods from year 7, she eventually began to choreograph small parts in year 12 and continued on in her gap year after finishing school. Always seeking more opportunities to express herself through dance, when Alana moved to Sydney in 2009 it didn’t take her long to discover Studio Verve® and her passion for pole dancing ensued.

                  2014 was a big year for Alana, where she competed as a finalist in the NSW Pole Championships in the group division with ‘Fusion Five’, and also directed the musical ‘Urinetown’. In 2015, Alana performed as a solo artist in Polarity as well as choreographing the closing group lyrical piece for the show.

                  2016 sees Alana returning to the competitive arena in the Pole Comedy category at Pole Theatre Sydney as a member of Fusion Four.

                  Alana is excited to be performing a solo piece as well as choreographing the Opening Act of UNBOUND and is looking forward to bringing her unique vision to life at the Factory Theatre.

                    July 27, 2016 6:37 PM

                    Jamie McGillivray

                    Jamie McGillivray

                    Jamie McGillivray

                    Jamie has been pole dancing for four years and is a dedicated student of Studio Verve. He is always looking to expand his repertoire and regularly attends dance and flexibility classes in addition to pole.

                    Jamie has performed at numerous Open Nights and ended 2015 by performing both a solo and group routine in Polarity at the Factory Theatre.

                    UNBOUND will see him back at the Factory Theatre performing in a double pole act with Wesley Leng.