Mark Olive, better known as Black Olive, was born in Wollongong, NSW. Leaving school early, Mark embarked on a successful career as a chef for 15 years. In 1993, inspired by his interest in film and television, Mark decided on a career change. Mark studied a short course at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and went on to work as a runner for pre-production of Baz Luhrman's film Romeo and Juliet. In 1997 Mark's short film Passing Through was produced as a part of the critically acclaimed series Shifting Sands for SBS. In 1999 Mark moved to Melbourne and studied a Diploma of Small Companies and Community Theatre (Indigenous Performing Arts) at Swinburne University after which he applied for the VCA's School of Film and Television. Mark finished his final year of a BA Film and Television at VCA in 2003.
After finishing her schooling at Rosny College, in her home state of Tasmania, Bree decided to pursue her interest in performing. Bree relocated to Melbourne to pursue her love for musical theatre in one of Australia's first music theatre courses offered at a tertiary institution. Bree is interested in all aspects of performing - dancing, acting, and singing. Bree completed the VCA's School of Music Foundation Program in Music Theatre and is pursuing a career of acting and singing in musicals, television, theatre and film.
Naretha Williams, a Wiradjuri woman, has participated in the performing arts at all levels throughout her life. Naretha has a strong circus arts background having performed with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus between 1985 and 1993 and with the Women's Circus. Naretha has also worked in Aboriginal health and radio, before deciding to concentrate on managing performing arts productions and various festivals and events. Naretha studied the School of Production's Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts (Events and Production Management) in 2001 and has been busy working ever since! Naretha was Production Manager for Circus Tarrangos, an Indigenous Youth Circus of which she was also circus trainer, training co-ordinator and company co-director, has production managed for Nextwave Festival Primetime, taught a circus course at Swinburne, event managed Keep the Fire Burning Indigenous Festival at VCA and co managed the following year, stage managed for local and interstate touring productions.
A Victorian College of the Arts and Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts graduate, Jadah is a proud Palku woman, who works as an artistic director, actor, playwright, dramaturge, animateur, director, tutor and event coordinator. Jadah has produced a series of short stories for Radio National's Awaye program and published articles in magazines Ignite and Spark. Her plays include- Jidja - Brisbane Festival '98, musical drama The Promise - VCA '98 and ANPC 2000, cross discipline Journey to Adolescence- Osaka and Los Angeles tour and The Sand Crab - Bayside Spring Festival and most recently Touch the Air for Terrapin Puppetry Company and Crow Fire produced by Playbox/ Ilbijerri (published by Currency Press). Her play, Crow Fire was shortlisted for the Malcolm Robertson Prize 2002, the Kate Challis Raka Award 2002 and the NSW Premier's Literary Award 2003. Jadah is an International Ensemble Member of 'Full Circle' Native Performance Company in Vancouver, Canada and is an experienced ensemble trainer in theatremaking. She has been involved as co-devisor, animateur and dramaturge on numerous projects in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and is currently working with Melbourne Workers Theatre on Scratchin a hip hop musical and undergoing proffessional development and research into Aboriginal methodology of performance and dramaturgy with Canadian companies Takwakin and Full Circle.
Johnnie Targan, better know as Targan, is born and bred Fitzroy. Targan is a graduate of Swinburne University's Diploma of Small Companies and Community Theatre (Indigenous Performing Arts) and has a well-developed acting career, having featured in many commercials, films and television including Blue Heelers, and the movie Chopper. A gifted painter, Targan has developed his skill over many years at the VCA, proudly completing a Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting), a Graduate Diploma in Fine Art (Painting) and a Master of Visual Art. Targan and a select group of VCA graduates and artists operate a gallery called S.W.A.G. in North Fitzroy, which features a multitude of paintings, sculptures and other artworks. Targan is currently applying to study for his Doctor of Philosophy in the VCA's Centre for Ideas. Targan will concentrate on the effects of genocide on Indigenous people.