About Us

Weird Nest creates experiences of exploration, connection and serious enjoyment. In addition to regular performances, we run regular workshops for young people with disabling neurodivergence, and with them we work towards sizable professional presentation outcomes.

We seek to enable a world where everyone is able to express themselves, be heard, understood, respected and valued.

Directors

!APAXInfinite Item-150.jpg — Dean Walsh

Co-Director of Weird Nest. Dean is an award-winning Australian contemporary dance and performance practitioner, teacher and writer. He is Autistic (higher functioning) and identifies as living with disability through a co-morbidity of ADHD and Complex-PTSD that influences his Autism and life significantly.

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Artistic Collaborators

Featured

Martin Fox

In the performing arts community, Martin has collaborated as video artist with many artists, including: Dean Walsh, DeQuincy Co, Margie Medlin, Ros Warby, Ruckus, Raghav Handa, Sandra Parker, Linda Luke and Victoria Hunt.

James Penny

James Penny is a co-founding member of RUCKUS and a slapstick comedian & impersonator. His passion for performing began in high school where he was in productions of Witches, Wizard of Oz, 12 Dreams of Nothing and Living with Lady Macbeth. He has appeared on stage, television, documentary and film (drama). Recent credits include; “Wild Things” at PACT in 2018, performances with Crossroad Arts in Mackay 2018, performances at the National Disability Awards Canberra 2017, Speed of Life with RUCKUS at PACT in 2016.

Fausto Brusamolino

Fausto Brusamolino is a lighting designer and creative coder based in Sydney, Australia. Fausto designs lighting for live performances and filming, creates his own lighting installations, and provides lighting designs and consultation for other artists' artworks and exhibitions.

Kate Shanahan

After studying theatre design in London, Kate began her design experience working outside the traditional ‘theatre box’, exploring run-down factory spaces with London Contemporary School of Dance, abandoned cathedrals in Brono, Czech Republic and continues her passion for the unusual with the diverse theatre, film, dance and opera companies she has collaborated with here in Australia.

Board Members

Mary-Anne Bechara

Mary-Anne Bechara is a Waverley local, and works in social services for vulnerable young people.

Josh Shipton

After over 30 years of performing, composing, conducting and curating; Sydney-based multi-instrumentalist Josh Shipton still considers himself an emerging artist who’s just hitting his stride. Active in Sydney’s singer songwriting and experimental communities, he has curated events such as TRIANGLE’s Sideshow Alley, The Sideshow Of Soloists, EVIL - Experimental Vs Improvised Live, The Sydney Cringe Festival and Keybroads; and performed in many multiple ensembles including: Cell Divide, Box Freezer Romance, Kinderschmerzen, TRIANGLE, Marquis De Sound, Meat Safe and The Murder Of Crow to name a few and is currently performing with The Valentitanic Trio, Tempi Quartet, Josh Shipton and the Blue Eyed Ravens, and The Josh Shipton Orchestra.

Fiercely independent, extraordinarily eccentric, untamed and eclectic; JoSh would have been hanged if he was born in the 19th century

Andrew Batt-Rawden

Andrew Batt-Rawden has had over 15 years experience in contemporary performance. At first, as a composer of contemporary classical “art music”, then as a composer for dance and contemporary performance, and as a contemporary performance devisor, advisor, producer, facilitator and artist. He’s been on various boards in various parts of the arts, and likes to encourage socioneurological growth.

Our Team

About Us

Directors

Artistic Collaborators

Board Members