Counterparts Program Notes

Show Run Time:

Approximately 70 minutes. No intermission. Show Run Order:

Things Our Mother Gave Us by Mara Glass Crowded Tension by Tayla Martin Oblique by Bryna Glass & Chloe Jarvela Homage to a Spiralling Mind by Fiona Larkin

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Things Our Mother Gave Us by Mara Glass

Mask work by Steen*

Enter the women's gallery and take a look around. We stand as statues; a museum to the things our mothers couldn't have. We are monuments to all the things they hoped for us. We are beautiful and we are tired. From the day we are born we carry it all. Maybe over time we forge our own path; feel anger, regret, resentment, relief, anxiety, urgency, confusion. The full colourful spectrum of emotions. Despite it all, eventually everything comes back around and we join the relay, passing the baton to the next generation. This work is partly inspired by my own mother starting therapy in her 40's; putting in the work to unlearn those unhelpful habits passed onto her. I think it takes a great deal of courage to recognise the need, and then make the effort, to do better. The masks themselves are inspired by works from the following artists: Lisa Congdon

Frida Kahlo

Hilma af Klint

Yayoi Kusama Georgia O'Keeffe *Steen is artistic director of the Phoenix Theatre and has been a mask artist for over 40 years. Amongst his credits are Oz Opera, Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Theatre Company and various film and stage companies. After over 40 years in the industry the decision was made to dedicate his time to mask work, which was the origin of most theatre practices millennia ago. Visage provides training in various forms of mask-based performance drawing on Steen’s extensive personal training with some of the industry’s great visionary performance makers.

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Crowded Tension

by Tayla Martin

Crowded Tension unravels the invisible forces that shape us in groups, the pressures to conform, the weight of expectation, and the friction of opposing voices. The piece dives into the struggles of belonging, resisting, and finding an individual voice within community. Who are we when we are not seeking approval from others? And why do we feel the constant need to fit in, even when it's at the cost of our true identity? 

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Oblique

by Bryna Glass & Chloe Jarvela “Being queer saved my life. Often we see queerness as deprivation. But when I look at my life, I saw that queerness demanded an alternative innovation from me. I had to make alternative routes; it made me curious; it made me ask, ‘Is this not enough for me?’” 

Inspired by the above quote by author Ocean Vuong, Oblique follows the progression of queer discovery and what it means for queer people to make their own path in a world that often does not allow for them to follow the pre-existing paths laid out for people in society. 

Artists pulled inspiration from personal experiences as well as queer media including I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, and The Queer Art of Failure, written by Jack Halberstam.

This work was developed with support from Phluxus2Dance Collective and Australasian Dance Collective.

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Homage to a Spiralling Mind by Fiona Larkin

A slide down the ladder of a disorganised mind with each train of thought interrupting the next, competing for attention and refusing to be unheard. It’s a game of chance, constantly in play and spiralling out of control. In a pattern of involuntary habits, the mind is flipped inside out, revealing the overwhelming coil of every new idea and distraction. 

Homage to a Spiralling Mind is shaped by anecdotes and referential to Sutra by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. It embodies the experience of an anxious mind left clutching at the rungs of presence and planning. 

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CAST

Sydney/Wollongong Cast

Mara Glass Mara began her dance training in Canberra and completed her RAD training at Classical Ballet Centre Canberra. She attended Queensland University of Technology (2015-2017) to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. In 2019 she moved to Wollongong to join AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre. As part of AUSTI, Mara performed at Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival, Sydney Fringe Festival, and Melbourne Fringe Festival. Throughout her career she has worked with notable choreographers: Louise Deleur, Riannon McLean, Natalie Weir, Timothy Farrar, Keith Hawley, Stephanie Hutchison, Martin Chaix, and Cass Mortimer-Eipper. In 2022, she choreographed and performed a solo work titled Ankle Deep Water. Earlier this year she appeared in Beautiful Flesh Rots Pointedly choreographed by Elizabeth Apter and Clownface choreographed by Bella Lopes de Oliveira as part of Turnout at The Phoenix Theatre.

Fiona Larkin

Fiona is a Sydney based dance artist, living, and working on Gadigal land. Fiona completed a Bachelor of Dance Performance at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). During this time, she performed in works choreographed by both her peers and leading industry professionals including Jessica Hesketh, Anton and Angela Hamilton. After graduating, Fiona enjoyed partaking in Sydney-based and international projects including ‘Partita’ (Genevieve Morris) with Dancing Under the Influence (DUTI), ‘Train Escape’, dance film and live performance (Francesca Gozdek) with Interchange Dance Projects and performed as part of the Dance Industry Performance (DIP) Crew 22 under the guidance of Abraham Trevilla. In 2023, Fiona continued training with AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, immersing herself in national dance opportunities and the choreographic process of industry professionals. More recently, Fiona has focused on professional development, participating Australian Youth Dance Festival (AYDF) with AusDance Victoria, as well as continuing performances with Interchange Dance Projects on new developments, ‘Where I was’ and ‘What If’. 

Freya Locke Patterson Freya Locke Paterson is a 19 year old contemporary dancer from Wollongong. She began dancing at the age of three and quickly developed a deep passion for ballet. She trained in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, completing her studies up to Advanced 2, and performed with the Premier State Ballet in their 2019 production of Sleeping Beauty. In 2023 and 2024, she was a company member with AUSTI Dance and Physical Theatre, and also performed with the Australasian Youth Ensemble in Brisbane as part of a collaborative project. Alongside her contemporary and ballet background, she has explored Balinese dance, broadening her movement vocabulary and artistic expression. Freya previously appeared in The Every Woman (2024) choreographed by Mara Glass.

Bella Lopes de Oliveira Bella is an Australian/ Brazilian dancer, raised in the Illawarra. A background of classical ballet is where her passion for the art began, leading her to study ballet full time in Sydney at Classical Ballet 121 with Director Gillian Revie (former Royal ballet soloist). Bella then accepted places both at The European School of Ballet (Director Jean Eves Esquire) and The National Ballet of Canada (Director Mavis Stains) where she took her training overseas for 2021-2022. Bella then returned home in search of contemporary training and accepted a place at AUSTI Dance and Physical Theatre (Artistic Director Michelle Maxwell) 2023-2024. In 2025, Bella was an actor and dancer in three music videos for Mikayla Pasterfield, joined Bonnie Curtis Projects (contemporary dance and physical theatre) and choreographed her own work (Clownface) in collaboration with two other Illawarra based-choreographers (Mara Glass and Elizabeth Apter) in the show ‘TURNOUT’. Bella has recently performed in Bonnie Curtis’ season of the contemporary and physical theatre show, Girls Gone Wild and is excited to perform in the latest project with Mara Glass, Counterparts.

Tayla Martin Tayla Martin is an emerging contemporary artist from Western Australia. She is currently completing her Advanced Diploma in Elite Performance at Brent Street under the guidance of Jessica Hesketh. Most recently, Tayla performed as part of the ensemble in ‘Overture' by Tegan Jeffrey Rushton at the 2025 Sydney Fringe Festival. She has also worked with renowned artists including Charmene Yap, Zee Zunner, Mara Glass, and Jessica Hesketh, and looks forward to further developing her performance career.

Hannah Mourin Hannah Mourin (she/they) is an emerging dancer raised in Coffs Harbour. She has a Bachelor of Dance from the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) where she worked with renowned choreographers such as Raul Tamez (MX), Francesca Godzek (IT) and Anca Frankenhaeuser (FI/AU).  In 2024, she joined AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, working with Michelle Maxwell, Cloé Fournier (FR/AU), and Elizabeth Arifien (UK). In 2025, Hannah joined both Bonnie Curtis Projects for the season premier of ‘Girls Gone Wild’ and Interchange Dance Project. Hannah aspires to become one of the industry-changing female dancers and choreographers, continuing paving the way for women and LGBT+ people.

Brisbane Cast

Bryna Glass Bryna Glass (she/her) is an independent dance artist based in Brisbane. She attended Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) from 2017-2021, where she performed in and choreographed for eight school productions, which included six stage productions and two film works. She attended Queensland University of Technology from 2022-2023, studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, before beginning her independent dance career, where she has since performed at Anywhere Festivals, North Australian Festival of the Arts, as well as for the Stephanie Lake Company at Brisbane Powerhouse.

Chloe Jarvela A curious mover and devoted artist, Chloe is fascinated by the endless possibilities of the body in motion. Brisbane-based and a graduate of Queensland College of Dance’s full-time classical/contemporary program, she’s performed in works including Perilipsi (Sydney Fringe 2025), Exocytosis (Anywhere Festival 2025 - Dance & Audience Award winner), and End of Our World with Tsunami Dance Company (2024).

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CHOREOGRAPHERS

Pictured L to R: Fiona Larkin, Tayla Martin, Mara Glass

Mara Glass Mara Glass completed a Bachelor of Dance Performance with QUT in 2017, where she staged her first professional dance work, Are You Seeing Me? as part of QUT’s ENTER season. She then went on to present The Parting Glass as part of QL2’s On Course season in Canberra later that year. In 2019 Mara moved to Wollongong to accept an apprenticeship position with AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre. During her time with the company she choreographed My Battery is Low as part of AUSTI’s uNCOILEd season. Since then, she has staged four full length works as an independent artist in Wollongong: Joy Box, Ankle Deep Water, Let Them Be Messy, and The Every Woman. In 2023 Mara completed a Masters of Dance Research for Professional Practitioners through Rambert School, with a focus on how her work as a choreographer can spark change in the community. Last year Mara presented A Universe in Tiny Form as part of AUSTI's uNCOILEd eXposed season at the IPAC. For Turnout she aims to help share what she's learned staging independent productions, and help platform other emerging choreographers. Tayla Martin Tayla Martin is an emerging contemporary artist. Originally from Western Australia, she relocated to Sydney in 2024 to pursue her dance studies at Brent Street, where she will graduate in December. Crowded Tension marks Tayla’s debut choreographic work as an independent artist. Earlier this year, she also contributed to the creation of ‘Introspect’, performed as part of Brent Street’s mid-year showcase, where she independently produced the music and collaborated within a team of 10 co-creators. Tayla looks forward to continually expressing and experimenting with her artistry and is excited to create more in the near coming future.  Fiona Larkin Fiona is a Sydney based dance artist, living, and working on Gadigal land. Fiona completed a Bachelor of Dance Performance at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA). During this time, she was given her first choreographic opportunity, creating ‘Weathered Heart’, a contemporary piece exploring the physiological implications of Broken Heart Syndrome. Since graduating, Fiona has continued honing her choreographic skills as a teacher at Dance Ink and Dance 4 fun, creating routines for all ages in jazz, contemporary, acrobatics and tap. Fiona has a keen passion for creating and collaboration with young dancers, with the hopes of expanding their understanding of what could be possible in their dance studio space. She furthered her skills by participating in Wakakirri as an Artist in Residence, facilitating a story- dance piece for a group of 60 year 6 students. In 2024, Fiona received the uNCOILEd eXposed choreographic residency while performing as a company artist with AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre. She then created her second work ‘COLLIDE’, a contemporary piece inspired by elastic and inelastic collisions, with reference to Newtons first law. Recently, Fiona has focused on developing her choreographic skills further, learning from workshops with Catapult Choreographic Hub and Australian Dance Party (ADP). As a Choreographer, Fiona aims to continually expand her creative capacity, utilising the dancers in the space to create cohesive and meaningful images. 

Bryna Glass & Chloe Jarvela Bryna Glass and Chloe Jarvela are Brisbane based choreographers. They have worked in collaboration with many other independent dance choreographers across Brisbane in dance works such as Exocytosis, Perililpsi, and Somnium. They first got the chance to collaborate with each other on Model No. WFD60DSA, as part of Phluxus2Dance Collective’s Independance project in 2024. In 2024, Bryna released her debut short dance film The Time Will Pass Anyway. Bryna finds art to be highly personal, and looks to reflect the intimate pieces of her life in her art. She also draws inspiration from literature, philosophy, and the world around us, using them as stimuli and connecting them to her personal experiences in her work. At the heart of it all, Chloe is a story-teller; guided by passion and sensitivity, and committed to continual growth. With a strong desire to travel, Chloe also seeks to connect through dance worldwide.

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Music Credits

Things Our Mother Gave Us Echorus (2013) written by Philip Glass

Performed by Chie Peters, Daniel Hope, Deutsches Kammerorchester Berlin, Rundfunkchor Berlin Baptism/ The Light (2022) by Anna Waronker & Craig Wedren

Opus (2016) by Eric Prydz Crowded Tension Isolated from the Land (2015) by Acronym Probe (2019) by Sonmi451 Therapy With Colour (2020) by T. Gowdy Mass Frequenz (2021) by Valentino Mora The Izoku (2024) by Yomi Ship Eventually (2015) by Tame Impala Nangs (2015) by Tame Impala Rebstock Fold (2022) by Francis Harris Oblique DVD Menu (2020) by Phoebe Bridgers Planetarium (Inside) (2024) by Alex G Onanist (2025) composed by Hayden Silas & Anhedonia

Performed by Ethel Cain I Can't Live Here Anymore (2017) composed by Igor Haefeli & Elena Tonra

Performed by Daughter Amber Waves (2025) composed by Hayden Silas & Anhedonia

Performed by Ethel Cain being loved isn't the same as being understood (2024) composed by Cassie Wieland Performed by Vines Homage to a Spiralling Mind Circularity (2021) composed by Philip Singer & Brianna Tam Performed by Brianna Tam Specular (2025) by Rhian Sheehan & Arli Liberman Striking Iron (2020) composed by Peter John & Cicely Parnas Performed by Spearfisher Chronos (2019) by Kirill Richter Surrender (2023) by Brianna Tam

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Special Thanks Marnie Badal for coming in to photograph our dress run on short notice. Karen Davies for your ongoing generosity and contribution to our free ticket initiative. Daniel Clarke for everything. Happy Birthday! I love you. The Phoenix Theatre, Steen and Nick for all your help with managing rehearsal spaces, and for running a space that allows for this kind of artistic endeavour with enthusiasm. Huge thanks to Mara. Love you. xx Shoutout Sarina Locke

Thank you to the incredible Dancers your consistent support, trust, adaptability and time throughout the creative process. Thank you for bringing my vision to life with your immense creativity and care. 

Special thanks to Mara Glass for the opportunity to create and for the support and encouragement throughout the process. To my family and Andrew, thank you for listening when I needed a springboard for ideas. And to my Sovereign Lord, thank you for the provision of perseverance, energy and creativity to endure the challenges of the process.