2022
Performed at
QUT Garden’s Theatre
Merge Dance Theatre’s company dancers follow the harrowing journey when forced to flee hometown conflict in search of refuge.
Artistic Director / Choreographer:
Dramaturg:
Guest Teacher / Choreographer:
Any questions? Just ask.
We’d love to discuss your transition to MERGE.
Simon Kuban is a freelance choreographer and contemporary dance teacher from the Czech republic who has created 3 original works for Merge Dance Theatre – ‘Seven’ in 2023, ‘Elements’ in 2024 and ‘Body Talk’ in 2025.
He has choreographed in the United States for Ballet Arkansas, ACPW Company, Northern California Conservatory of Dance, and in Europe for companies and universities such as Palucca University, Codarts Rotterdam, Delattre Dance Company, Prague Chamber Ballet, Private Conservatory Kosice, Ballet Prague Junior, Bohemia Ballet, Skopje Dance Theatre and others.
He has led workshops in Singapore, Germany, Austria, Italy, Macedonia and Czech republic.
Simon has danced in companies such as Ballet of South Bohemian Theatre, Prague Chamber Ballet, State Opera Prague, Opera of National Theatre Prague, Ballet d’Europe, Vortice Dance Company.
Since 2022 he has been a teacher at the Dance Center Prague Conservatory.
Grace Campbell (b. 2001, Meanjin/Brisbane), is an interdisciplinary performer whose work traverses movement, sound, and visual arts to explore identity, connection and the habits that make us fundamentally human. Their practice mingles choreographed and improvised movement, in both stage and site-specific contexts.
Since graduating from QUTs Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance Performance) with Honours in 2022, Grace has performed in works at Anywhere Fringe (Brisbane, 2024 and 2025), HOTA (Gold Coast, 2024), and NAFA (Townsville, 2024). They have also choreographed and performed in the music video for CLAY PIGEONS’ single “UH OH”.
Grace is currently a guest choreographer for youth contemporary company, Merge Dance Theatre, after being a member of the company since its fruition in 2016.
In 2023, Grace directed and produced her first work as an independent artist, and was the winner of the 2023 Anywhere Festival Award for Dance and Circus.
Jacob Watton, a dynamic performer and creator from Queensland, Australia, graduated with first-class honors in dance performance from QUT in 2017. His innovative creations, like “1:1” showcased at the Ars Electronica Festival, and “and JULIET” presented at the Busan International Dance Festival, have garnered international acclaim. Jacob’s ground-breaking technology-infused performance, “Alexa, Turn on the Lights,” premiered at the Curious Arts Festival, followed by successful tours to festivals like Adelaide Fringe, HOTA’s Underground Festival, and Perth Fringe World. Most recently, his children’s theatre production “The Great Beach Adventure,” co-created with Courtney Wagner, has been presented at Backbone’s Awaken Festival, Skypoint, and the Woodford Folk Festival.
Alongside his own projects, Jacob has collaborated with esteemed directors and companies, touring works from the Shanghai Dance Festival to local communities in Central Queensland. Currently, Jacob is involved in various exciting projects, including Trent Dalton’s “Love Stories” for Brisfest 2024 and RAVA Productions’ “Fairy Tales”. Jacob works regularly with young people in primary and high schools as well as private studios and youth dance companies demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers and creators. With a diverse portfolio spanning choreography, theatre making, and performance. Jacob continues to push artistic boundaries and inspire audiences with his unmatched creativity and passion for the arts.
Monique graduated in 2018 from Promenade Dance Studio’s Classical/Contemporary Fulltime Course. During that time she completed her Diploma in Dance and her RAD Advanced 2 exam.
Monique then went on to perform in a number of productions including Force Majeure Dance Company’s piece ‘FLOCK’ for the Commonwealth Games Festival, LOcREaDO Dance Companies Brisbane debut of ‘Nothing’, Topology’s show ‘THREE’ at The Arts Ablaze Festival as a tap soloist, was casted as a featured dancer in the musical ‘Wicked’ at HOTA, danced in a K2 active wear commercial and performed in the 2020 Lord Mayors Christmas Carols on Chanel 9.
Monique has performed in Merge Dance Theatre’s last six seasons and during that time was offered a position to be assistant choreographer for Merge Dance Theatre’s Training Programs. Monique’s ultimate career goal is to be a successful contemporary company dancer overseas.
BA Griffith University, ATCL Trinity College London, MFA Directing NIDA
Timothy Hill is a freelance director of Musical Theatre, Plays, Cabaret, Dance and Film. In 2015 he completed a Masters of Fine Arts, Directing at NIDA under the tutorship of Dr. Egil Kipste. During that year he worked on a research thesis studying the application of various directing and acting techniques to Musical Theatre. In 2018 he will direct Rent (QPAC), This Is Our Youth (Underground Broadway/Between The Flags Productions) and Wheel Of Fortune (TAM/Metro Arts).
Recent directing credits include Rent (Matt Ward Entertainment/Powerhouse), new Australian Musical Showtrain (Federation University) Mary Poppins (Arts Centre Gold Coast), Into The Woods (The Performers Studio/Arts Centre Gold Coast) and Cabaret, A Cabaret (The Performers Studio).
His directorial work in film includes: film clip Gold for Triple J unearthed artist Donatachi in 2015. As assistant director Stranger I Am (NIDA- Craig Ilott).
Tim has worked as a dramaturg on many previous shows for Merge Dance Theatre and brings an unmatched passion for narrative clarity, innovation, and audience engagement.
As a teacher he has conducted his acting, acting for musical theatre, theatre and production classes at leading training and tertiary institutions around the country.
After graduating from the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, Deanna attended the Queensland University of Technology where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Dance. Throughout her degree, Deanna worked with leading artists such as Natalie Weir (former Artistic Director, Expressions Dance Company), Anton (Adelaide Dance Theatre), and Harold Collins (former Artistic Director, Queensland Ballet), and was selected to perform at the Tari Dance Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After completing her degree, Deanna went on to perform for several years with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines during which time she progressed to the role of Dance Captain.
Deanna has extensive experience both teaching, choreographing and adjudicating pre-professional students. She has also coached students in contemporary variations for the Prix de Lausanne (Switzerland), Youth America Grand Prix (America) and Alana Haines (New Zealand).
For many years, Deanna has taught and choreographed for leading pre-professional and full-time dance colleges and is currently the head of Contemporary Dance at the Queensland College of Dance.
Most recently in 2023, Deanna was invited as one the judges on the panel for the prestigious PACANZ competition in New Zealand.
In 2017 and 2018 Deanna’s choreography in Merge Dance Theatre was nominated for an Australian Dance Award (Outstanding achievement in youth dance).
Deanna’s passion lies in contemporary dance, and the creation of new and exciting, collaborative work.
Her vision is to incorporate an integrated and holistic approach to educating, training, and mentoring aspiring, young dancers to enhance their artistic abilities and lift their contemporary dance skills to a professional level.
