IPSWICH has produced its share of creative forces, but few partnerships capture the city’s artistic heart quite like this one.
On one side is Dr Meg Hooper – one of Ipswich’s great creative dynamos, a passionate community builder who has spent almost a decade turning an ambitious grassroots idea into Circus Ipswich and creating a place where young performers can discover just how far their talents might take them.
On the other is Bremer State High School alumnus Fez Faanana – the fearless performer, director and Briefs Factory co-creator who took an Ipswich creative spark to stages around Australia and the world.
Now those creative journeys are coming together, with Faanana appointed Artistic Director of Circus Ipswich following Arts Queensland funding as the organisation prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027.
“Fez’s appointment represents a quantum leap for Circus Ipswich,” Dr Hooper said.
“We have been bootstrap funding our work for the last nine and a half years and to have that recognition and trust in us was wonderful.
“Now to be able to appoint someone of Fez’s calibre and experience in creating, directing and performing on our team is mind blowing.”
The pair’s creative connections stretch back years.
“We have performed at a couple of the same festivals,” she said.
“Fez’s brother Natano was one of my first circus instructors when I started as an amateur mature-age performer.
“It wasn’t until Fez performed at the Gala Cabaret Éclat as part of the Ipswich Circus Festival this year that we discussed him coming back to Ipswich more often to take on the Artistic Director role.”
While Faanana is best known as co-creator of the internationally acclaimed Briefs Factory and for a career spanning drag, cabaret and contemporary performance, Dr Hooper said his extensive youth and community work made him an ideal fit.
“He spent many years teaching youth circus at Flipside Circus, facilitated youth dance projects in Indigenous communities and coordinated workshops for young people in detention,” she said.
“He is the co-founder of the Common People project and although he is famous for drag and cabaret, his community and youth work is also impressive.”
Dr Hooper said Faanana would build on Circus Ipswich’s creative philosophy while bringing decades of professional experience.
“He is bold and theatrical and completely unafraid to bring drama into our shows,” she said.
“He will bring a level of performance skills to our young people that I have always aspired to.”
The partnership brings one of Ipswich’s internationally successful creative exports home to work alongside one of the people who has spent years building the city’s creative opportunities from within.
“The arts scene in Ipswich is thriving thanks to a committed City Council and the number of creators willing to put themselves out there, make art, run arts events, and collaborate with each other to do great things,” Dr Hooper said. “Fez’s appointment is so exciting for artists of all disciplines.”
