David graduated in 2000 from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Technical Production). He has been working professionally in the theatre and events industry for the last eleven years across a variety of production roles. He has worked on several major musical theatre productions including the world premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2006), the Australian tour of Westside Story (2010), and the Australian premiere of Love Never Dies (2011). Koumans has worked for companies such as Company B and Back Row Productions, and currently holds a position as a co-producer and director with the independent theatre collective WOOF/meow.

Mario Brce — Producer

Mario is currently completing his third and final year of a Bachelor of Media, majoring in screen production at Macquarie University. Brce has been involved in theatre production from a young age working at all levels of production, from direction to performance. Brce made his start in children’s theatre, performing in several productions with the Marian Street Theatre for Young People (MSTYP). Mario then moved into executive positions with Macquarie University’s drama society (DRAMAC), as Executive Producer and publicist in his first year of university. During 2010, Brce furthered his directorial career, acting as director/co-director for a number of on-campus shows, including You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Over the last few years, Brce has worked at Mark Tanner Sound, where he has assisted in the production of shows such as Mythbusters, Weaponisers, Australia’s Funniest Home Videos, and most recently, Toybox. In early 2011, Brce was involved in the production of a short documentary, A Finite World. In the future, Brce aims to complete post-graduate studies at AFTRS or pursue a career in television production.

Mitch Lagos — Associate Producer

Mitchell is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Media) at Macquarie University. Lagos studied theatre and production alongside producer Mario Brce at Marian Street Theatre for Young People. Lagos has performed extensively in theatre with a number of ensembles including Sydney Youth Musical Theatre, Sport for Jove Theatre, Barker College and the Berowra Musical Society. He has also worked as a performer in a number of short films, currently acting in a film with 7Shells Media, written and directed by Jeremy Dylan. In addition to his performance portfolio, Lagos has undertaken production roles in the areas of film and theatre. Most recently, Lagos worked as the Production Secondment for the Sydney leg of the nationally toured production of West Side Story (2010). In the future, Lagos hopes to further his career as a performer, whilst working in the media industry.

Oliver Minnett — Camera

Oliver recently completed his Bachelor of Communication with a major in Journalism at Charles Sturt University and is currently employed as a project manager for a small digital agency based in Redfern.

Minnett has an extensive background in photography, having documented gigs for major bands including Jimmy Eat World, Two Door Cinema Club, Anberlin, and Bayside. He has also worked in a variety of photography-focused environments, aiding in the development of the Bondi-based project The Camera Club. Minnett is currently balancing his career in advertising with his love of photography, and is compiling a portfolio of his work. He hopes to one day shoot for major festivals. Minnett’s photography can be viewed at Oliver’s Photos.

Jonathan Nguyen — Camera

Jonathan is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Media combined with a Bachelor of Law at Macquarie University. Nguyen has worked behind the camera, as well as in front of it. He has worked both as a director and camera operator, primarily producing music videos. Nguyen has shot music videos for the Nashville-based band DayLight Trade, and is currently in the process of shooting a music video which will take him to the US and Canada in September.

Along with this, he has also performed as an extra in several major motion pictures including the Australian film The Black Balloon, and international blockbuster Superman. Following the completion of his tertiary studies in Australia, Nguyen plans to further his film career in the United States. His work can be viewed at JonnysVideos.

Blake Guy — Sound Recordist

Blake Guy is a Southern Sydney-based video editor and sound engineer. Guy has completed a degree in Media & Communications at the University of New South Wales and is currently completing a Diploma in Sound Production at North Sydney TAFE.

With a background in television and film post-production, Guy is currently expanding his repertoire to include music production and sound design. He has worked as an editor in the past for a number of university productions, which included working as content manager and editor for the 2010 media exhibition Whack the Moon.

Guy hopes to pursue a career in video editing or sound production for film and television. His portfolio and showreel can be viewed at www.blakeguy.com

Peter Davidson — Production Design

Peter Davidson is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Art Education with a major in Spatial Design/Environments and Jewellery at the UNSW College of Fine Arts. Davidson has experience as an actor, composer, set and jewellery designer. Following his final year in high school, Davidson was awarded a scholarship to study a short course in Interior Design at the Whitehouse Institute of Design. Aside from studying, Davidson produces his own line of jewellery and is available for private commission. Davidson has plans for expansion of his jewellery line in the future. Following his studies, Davidson aims to pursue a career as a designer within the film/theatre industries, while continuing to act and teach on the side.

Nick Bruce — Editor

Nicholas Bruce is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Media at Macquarie University. Bruce has experience as a filmmaker, having worked on a number of short films. In 2009, Bruce acted as Assistant Director for the short film and Tropfest entry Thieves.  Most recently, Bruce completed a documentary piece about a window cleaner, entitled Maurice, which has been entered into the 2011 ATOM Awards. Bruce is currently acting as Editor/D.O.P for a major university film production, due for completion in late 2011. Upon completion of his studies, Bruce hopes to pursue work in film/television production, hoping to one day own his own production house.

Natasha Millist — Editor

Natasha Millist is studying a Diploma of Filmmaking at the SAE institute. As a filmmaker she has worked extensively as an editor and director, with a number of her short films featured at moose&tash. When not focussing on her studies, Millist produces films in her spare time. She sees a key aspect of her filmmaking as capturing the personalities of her subjects and making other people see what she sees in them. In the future, Millist hopes to work as an editor for film and television.

Angus Ware — Editor

Angus Ware is currently undertaking a BA Communication (Media Arts and Production) combined with International Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. Ware has written, directed, shot and edited a number of personal short films. His 2008 short Go Fish [and Chips] placed 2nd in a state government film competition, followed by Wild Turkey (2008), which was entered into Tropfest. Ware also has experience as a developer across a number of platforms. As a web developer, Ware co-designed and developed the website Transferr, which has gained a substantial following Portugal. Ware also has experience in developing for the iOS platform, acting as co-developer on the app It Lives! which is available for purchase in the Apple App Store. Ware has hopes of directing feature films or starting an independent television/music video production company.

James O’Doherty — Music Writer

James O’Doherty is in his second year of a combined Media Communications and Law degree at the University of Sydney. He currently writes for The AU Review and Honi Soit, the Sydney Uni newspaper. O’Doherty’s media experience includes writing profiles for Sydney startup arts magazine Happenstance, inconsistent blogging and internships for assorted commercial and public radio stations.
His passion lies in following local bands and keeping up to date with contemporary art and music scenes. In the future, O’Doherty hopes to pursue a career in radio presenting, magazine editing, or media mogul-ship. His writing work is showcased online at ill jams.

Ryan O’Donnell — Head Writer

Ryan O’Donnell is currently undertaking a BA Communication (Media Arts and Production) at the University of Technology, Sydney. O’Donnell is a writer, and filmmaker. Emerging as a writer, his early work was shortlisted for the 2007 Sydney Theatre Company Young Playwrights Award and for his skills as an art writer, O’Donnell was awarded the 2010 University of Sydney Kathleen Garnham Laurence Prize for Fine Arts. O’Donnell began working with video in 2006 and has directed and edited his own personal short films since including the 2009 short, Persona Non Grata. In 2010 O’Donnell worked as a production assistant for Altaire Productions and Publications, and currently works as a freelance video editor. O’Donnell hopes to pursue an academic or curatorial career in the field of art/film history and theory.

His personal writing work is featured at RPO.

Flora Grant — Artist Liason

After a brief stint studying law, Flora Grant is now studying a BA (Media & Communications) with a major in Art History at the University of Sydney. Grant currently works at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), where she has been involved in the organisation and development of a number of large-scale performances and installations. Aside from working as head artist liaison for Canvas, Grant is also currently working on the development of an art project for the University of Sydney Verge Festival. In the future Grant aspires to pursue a career in PR or programming, and hopes to continue working with large-scale public art events.

Katie Cox — Publicity

Katie Cox is currently undertaking a BA Communication (Public Communications) with a major in Public Relations at the University of Technology, Sydney. Alongside her university studies Cox volunteers as a gallery assistant at Sydney ARI, Firstdraft Gallery. With an interest in curatorship and events/venue promotion, Cox hopes to pursue future postgraduate study in the area of arts administration.

Izzy Smith — Graphic Design

Selling her first painting at the age of ten, Smith realised her passion for the arts early in life. At the age of fifteen, Smith began her journey towards being a graphic designer. Over two years, Elizabeth completed a Certificate 3 in Information Technology, a Certificate 4 in Digital Media and a Diploma of Interactive Digital Media. She is currently undertaking a 6-month music performance course, which will hopefully be followed by a degree in Art and Animation.

As a designer, Smith was awarded a bronze medal in the World Skills Australia Regional Finals in the category of IT Software Applications. Smith is currently illustrating and editing a collaboratively written book, A Cookbook for Dreamers and Poets along with the cover art for Trinkets and Honey’s new EP.

Michael Page — Sound

Coming from a background in theatre, Michael comes to Canvas having completed an Advanced Diploma in Live Production Theatre and Events. Making his start in theatre with Marian Street Theatre for Young People in 2006, Page has branched out into the entertainment sector, working as a contractor and in event communications with The P.A People. Page has done camera work for major events including work for MoshCam and CX Magazine, along with coverage of sporting events at the SCG, SFS and ANZ Stadiums. While occasionally working on shows with Belvoir Street Theatre, Page aims to further his contracting career and pursue further studies in audio technology.

He’s also Jem’s little brother…

Jem Page — Web Development

Jem comes to The Canvas Project having just completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Literature at Macquarie University. He’s no stranger to the Sydney independent theatre scene, having worked both on stage and backstage with a number of productions. Page has worked backstage on productions such as Parkie (woof/MEOW, 2011), Hannah and Martin (DRAMAC, 2010), and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (MacMS, 2010). Presently, Page is working with the Macquarie eLearning Centre of Excellence at Macquarie University, designing and evaluating innovative ways to use technology in the classroom and in distance learning.