Our Team.

SOUTHERN EDGE ARTS BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Chairperson: Jessie-Leigh Barber

Deputy Chair: Terrell Lacey

Treasurer: Dale Bloor

Secretary: Clair Trainor

Committee: Joy Mealor, Jasmine Reeves, Imi Taylor, Andrew Wenzel

Youth Representative: Nyomi Johnson

Annette Carmichael SEC-Nic_Duncan-058.jpg

Photo credit: Nic Duncan

ANNETTE CARMICHAEL - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Annette is an award-winning choreographer and creative producer who is nationally renowned as a leader of artistic teams that create large-scale performances. With an enduring commitment to the health and vitality of regional communities, Annette’s previous projects have been applauded for their collaborative approach in building strength and resilience. She has created performances that feature dance, theatre, skateboarding, rollerskating, textiles, original music and visual design. Her works have been performed in major theatres, complex outdoor sites, regional halls, basketball courts and one very famous skatepark, The Snake Run.

Most recently, Annette collaborated with ecological organisation, Gondwana Link, First Nation elders, artists and scientists to create The Stars Descend – a dance project that was performed across a 1000km wildlife corridor in southern Western Australia, in March / April 2023.

As an Arts Manager, Annette has worked for West Australian Ballet, Perth Festival, STRUT dance, Ausdance WA, Regional Arts WA, Circuitwest, PAC Australia, STEPS Youth Dance Company and Buzz Dance. Locally she has worked for Denmark Arts and Vancouver Arts Centre. She is a graduate of West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (BA Arts Man. 1996).

Photo credit: Nic Duncan

CASSY TURNER - CIRCUS ARTIST

Cassy has been a circus performer for 25 years. She literally ran away to join the circus in 2011, attending the National Institute of Circus Arts for formal circus and aerial arts training. Cassy currently performs and produces work for small local events as well as large productions such as Perth International Arts Festival Journey of the Giants.
With a vision that SEA is a place where creative people are told “Yes!” no matter their age or ability. She strongly believes that circus is for everybody and every body. Cassy is often dreaming up the best ways to get members crazy ideas onto thestage.

Outside of SEA, Cassy enjoys fossicking op-shops, exploring beaches, and playing
with dogs & on trampolines (although not often together). Cassy delights in sharing her creativity and passion with young people, inspiring them to express themselves through the performing arts.

Photo credit: Nic Duncan

ZAK LAUNAY - STREET ACRO + CIRCUS ARTIST

Zak, a teaching artist for more than 8 years, has brought a range of new skills to the members of SEA; his talents in Capoeira (Afro-brazilian dance/acrobatic martial art) and parkour (French street gymnastics, running, climbing and jumping, known as “free running”) have been introduced into the new Street Acro program.

Zak trained for 10 years with the WA Capoeira federation under the teaching of Master Draga and Master Goioere, in many different countries including Brazil. He has also participated in a number of circus training activities including at the Lunar Circus school.

Zak has taught numerous groups of people including refugees, “at risk” youth, and children living in remote aboriginal communities.

His performance career highlights include Southern Art and Soul Festival, Brazil spectacular at Kulcha, Busselton beach festival, Fairbridge festival, Denmark markets, Albany Agricultural show, the Snake Run and the Beauty Index.

SIMON WOODWARD - THEATRE ARTIST

A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (1986), Simon has worked extensively across all forms of theatre including film and television, stage, radio and plein-air. He has performed in a diverse array of productions, from Peter Shaffer’s “Equus” to Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and worked with an equally diverse number of companies such as Theatre-in-Education Victoria and the Victorian State Opera.

A founding member of internationally acclaimed companies Strange Fruit and 5 Angry Men, Simon has co-devised, directed and performed plein-air works at over one hundred international festivals throughout Australasia, Europe and the Middle East. In 2007, Simon returned to his hometown of Albany where her taught drama and music at SEA until late 2014. After a 10 year hiatus, Simon rejoins SEA as our theatre teaching artist.

Photo credit: Nic Duncan

JODIE SEXTON - CIRCUS ARTIST

Jodie has a passion for circus and after attending classes at Southern Edge Arts became a teacher herself. Not long into her time with SEA Jodie discovered circus was in her heritage... back in the early 1800s, Louis Sentinella, one of Jodie's ancestors in Naples, Italy, was a circus performer who travelled and performed throughout Europe! Jodie's love for circus led to her creating SEA's Little Squircus classes to share circus basics and developmental benefits with the little squirts - kids aged 2-5 yrs. In Mt Barker, Jodie also runs the Wriggle, Giggle, Grow program at the library and previously she was a former Happy Feet presenter for 3 years, which was a dance/fitness class for 2-5 yr olds. Jodie is a dedicated board member at SEA and a loving mother of 4 children, and each of her little squirts have attended SEA.

JENNY GUENTHER - TEACHING ASSISTANT

I’ve spent eight awesome years with Southern Edge Arts, five of those in the troupe, and I’ve loved every second of climbing, creating, and exploring the world of circus. My background in aerials and acro means I’m always upside down somewhere, and I’m pretty much willing to fling myself into anything new.

I’m passionate about helping young performers grow, inspired by the incredible coaches who shaped me. My goal is to give my students that same feeling of belonging, support, and “Wow, I can actually do this!” With plenty of energy and a big love for fun, I work to create a training space where kids feel confident, capable, and excited to try new things.

And when I’m not in the circus tent? You’ll probably find me camping, adventuring, or climbing trees, still up in the air, just in a different way.

ERIN MCCAHON - TEACHING ASSISTANT

Erin McCahon has been a part of aerials and southern edge arts since 2017. What began as curiosity as a young person quickly grew into a passion and love for all things circus and aerials. After years of hard work and guidance from other coaches, Erin made it to performance aerial troupe and became more involved in performing for SEA. Then In 2021 she became an Aerials Workshop Assistant, having the opportunity to support and help young people express themselves is one of her favourite things about being a coach.

Southern Edge Arts has quickly become a large part of her life. Erin specialises in aerial lyra and brings forward a unique set of skills to now share . Erin has performance experience from working back stage to being on stage herself. She brings a fun, welcoming environment for all students, with a constant goal to further develop her skills as a performer and coach.

Photo credit: Brian McCahon

BRON ANDERSON - TEACHING ASSISTANT

Bron watched a Southern Edge Arts aerials performance at the Albany Town Hall in 2021 and was inspired to give it a try despite being in her 40’s with no experience in any sort of performance or gymnastics. She loved it from the very first moment and has found SEA to be an incredibly supportive and fun organisation to be a part of. Bron participated in Showcase in 2024 and the Creation of Now in 2025 which were amazing experiences that were both challenging and rewarding.

When SEA expanded their classes to include Denmark, Bron jumped at the chance to join the team as a workshop assistant. While she enjoys teaching the kids, she’s finding so much joy in helping adults learn to play again.

Bron lives in Denmark with her husband and two kids and is living proof that it’s never too late to join the circus!

MAE ELLIOTT - CARRYING THE FIRE WORKSHOP FACILITATOR

Mae has a diverse skill set in the arts, events, and education, and is deeply passionate about fostering a sense of belonging through community arts experiences. Growing up in Kinjarling - Albany, Mae was a participant at Southern Edge Arts, where she engaged in circus and theatre workshops and performed for over a decade. She credits her formative years at SEA for fueling her passion to continuously learn, creatively express herself, and reflect authentically on her experiences—traits that have driven her ongoing personal and professional growth.

Photo credit: Nic Duncan