Biography
Jrisi Jusakos is one of Australia’s most recognised and influential oriental dance artists. With extensive experience in cross cultural and traditional dance forms, she has carved out a unique style that is both captivating and recognisable. She is the artistic director and creator of Hathor Dance Theatre, a sought-after master teacher, performer, producer, choreographer and international sponsor.
Separating her from other performers, Jrisi is also one of the only professional oriental dancers in Australia to hold a Bachelor of Dance from UWS, majoring in choreography. She trained extensively in Western dance styles like contemporary, jazz and ballet, fusing this experience with Oriental, Flamenco, Latin and Classical Indian movement styles, which makes her one of the most experienced and sought-after artists on offer. She’s an award-winning dancer receiving 3 choreographic dance commissions in Contemporary/Oriental Fusion works.
Jrisi’s belly dance career spans 25 years; in that time she has flown around the world developing, training and researching the dance with master teachers. She is one of Australia’s first belly dance artists to obtain an Australian Council for the Arts dance grant for professional development in both Oriental and Western Dance forms in USA, Egypt, Lebanon and Germany. Her primary mentors throughout many years have been Dr Mo Geddawi, Mahmoud Reda, Mdme Raqia Hassan and Yousry Sharif.
Most recently Jrisi has invested in international sponsorship to bring master teachers to Australian. Giving opportunities for Australian dancers to further develop and experience different techniques and performance skills. She has sponsored international guests such as Jillina, Bozenka, Tamlyn Dalala, Hadia, Kaeshi Chai.
She has also produced ground breaking International Bellydance Theatre shows such as Bellydance Evolution’s “Dark Side of the Crown” and Bellyqueen’s “Journey Along the Silk Road” (Sydney Tour). This adds up to 25 theatre shows that she has produced since 2001.
Adding to her range of experience Jrisi had the opportunity to work closely with talented Arabic Musicians for the last 15 years and has produced 3 training DVDs which feature original compositions and have sold worldwide. She has taught in Singapore and toured 3 cities in Japan for workshops and performances.
As a versatile dancer, Jrisi is invited as featured artists in 3 live music ensembles such as Davood Trabizi and the Far Seas, Flamenco Red and Masha’s Legacy which have composed an original piece written especially for her, titled “Safe Haven”
Jrisi is a passionate instructor and performer who has devoted her life to the art of Oriental dance and hopes to continue to raise the profile of this beautiful art with mainstream audiences.
Biography
Finnish Australian Saara Lamberg is an actor, director, writer and producer. She has received several awards for her work, including Bronze prize at the Beverly Hills screenplay contest (Hollywood 2013), Best Actor at Comfy Shorts (Melbourne 2014), Best Drama at the Connect Film Festival (Melbourne 2014) and Best Actor (Lithuania 2004). She lived in England 2006-2010 and studied in the critically acclaimed Dartington College of Arts, graduating with a BA (HONS) degree in Theatre and Choreographic Practices in 2007.
Saara moved to Melbourne in January 2010 and received a Distinguished Talent Permanent Residency in 2012 and citizenship in 2014. In 2015, she started directing and producing her first feature film “Innuendo” which she wrote and in which she plays the lead.
Biography
Brierly Broad is a Melbourne-based actress and filmmaker, who graduated full time from the Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia. She grew up in New Zealand with a background in classical theatre, performing in Shakespeare in the Park and directing contemporary takes for the Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival.
Brierly graduated with an LLB & BA in Politics from the University of Otago, as well as being admitted to the NZ High Court as an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor. She has since returned to her passion of acting, performing in web series, theatre, and short films such as an indie horror piece “The Priest” (2015) and “Baby Powder Blues” (2014) which was made on the fly as part of the 48 Hour Film Project incentive. She has achieved Grade 8 AMEB in piano and played violin with Youth Orchestra. She is currently producing an eating disorder documentary called “Control” and sci-fi short “Broken Sleep”, both of which is close to her heart for different reasons.
In addition to her veritable talent, thoughtful work ethic and lightning-quick intelligence, Brierly’s mixed heritage as a Mauritian, Indian, Scottish, African, English and Eurasian has allowed her to step into the doorway of any and many cultures. She also delights in exploring classical texts like Shakespeare, social issues, arthouse cinema and modern comedy, or sometimes even all four at once if she can help it!