Meet the Team


  • EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Hailing from Sydney, Piper Jones-Evans (she/her) is an actor currently in her second year of the BFA Acting at the VCA. She is a passionate supporter of emerging artists and fresh works, especially those that showcase stories often overlooked and underrepresented.

    Having been a MUSE Artist last year, she is stoked to be a part of the MUSE team and to bring MUSE2024 to life!

  • PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Reuben James (they/he) is an Australian artist and creator whose work takes place both onstage and off, covering dance, theatre, design, and photography.

    With a passion for exploring stories that expand and diversify the Queer genre, Reuben has been writing and producing their own work since 2020, when they formed the company Variation Three. With this work, they were a finalist in the 2020 Gasworks Circus Showdown, and the 2022 Midsumma Queer Playwriting Award Showcase, and was also a commissioned artist for the 2021 Midsumma Pride March.

    They have completed training and gained qualifications from Ann Peters School of Acting, the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), and Transit Dance.


  • EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Taina Araujo is a Boorloo based theatre maker and performer in her second year of BFA Theatre. Her work is currently informed by her love of found spaces and immersive experiences.

    Taina is stoked to be involved in bringing MUSE to life this year.


  • ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Peter Liptai is a Melbourne based Lighting Designer and creative, working across live theatre, events and film.  He is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production) at the Victorian College of the Arts, specialising in lighting and stage management.

    Peter debuted his lighting design for "What A Steal!" at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival, a new 90-minute student-written musical. He is also a key member of the MUSE Festival team , collaborating on student shows across disciplines.


  • Venue Manager

    Poppy Gordon (she/her) is an emerging Stage Manager based in Naarm. She is completing her final year of a Bachelor Of Fine Arts (Production) at the Victorian College Of The Arts (VCA) where she specialises in Stage Management and Lighting.

    Her Muse credits include, Stage Manager ‘Hush’ (Muse Festival, 2023), Stage Manager ‘Air Hunger’ (Melbourne Fringe Festival), Assistant Stage Manager ‘Ocean: An Arrangement’ (VCA, 2024), Stage Manager and Lighting Designer ‘(Un)tamed’ (Muse Festival, 2024), Venue Manager And Technician (Muse, 2024), Lighting Operator and Programmer ‘A Very Expensive Poison’ (VCA, 2024) and Assistant Stage Manager ‘Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg’ (Melbourne Opera, 2025).

    Poppy is passionate about leading inclusive and harmonious working environments, she is looking forward to being a member of the Muse team once again, as a Venue Manager and Venue Technician.


  • MARKETING COORDINATOR

    Mary is currently in her third year of BFA Theatre and her second year as a part of the muse team.

    Leading the marketing team this year she can't wait to help all the artists bring their visions alive. 

  • WELFARE AND WELLNESS COORDINATOR

    Stella Heard is a Naarm/Melbourne-based actor and student currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), as part of the graduating class of 2026.

    Stella's VCA credits include her performance as Worker Seven- The Heroine in the magical realism play Studio Five (directed by D'Artagnan Holt) as part of MUSE 2024, as well as various theatre-making projects throughout her course. Her most recent public works this year feature her portrayal of Fiona in the horror/thriller play The Aevum Valley (directed by Tom Weinert) at the MC Showroom, alongside her role as Assistant Director for the play Medusa with Four Letter Word Theatre Company.

    Passionate about expanding her skills as a performer, Stella is dedicated to embracing a range of new experiences and is enthusiastic to be a part of the MUSE team, 2025.


  • MESS COORDINATOR, WELFARE AND WELLNESS TEAM

    Gryff Connah is a theatre-maker and creative based in Naarm/Melbourne, studying a BFA in Theatre at VCA.

    Having grown up in Tasmania, Gryff’s work centres a deep reverence for the natural world, and interrogates the relationships we build with the environments around us. His creative aesthetics are also predicated on queerness and aim to champion accessibility.

    Gryff is the co-president of Eleven Eleven Theatre Company (UniMelb affiliated), and a reviewer for the Dialog. He is super excited about muse this year!


  • MESS COORDINATOR, PRODUCING TEAM

    Freyjika is a theatre maker and actress studying a Bachelor of Fine arts Theatre (Co.26) at The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), actively contributing to Melbourne's dynamic theatre scene.

    In 2024, Freyjika was heavily involved in the Muse Festival starring as Worker 4 in D’Artagnan Holt's production of ‘Studio 5’, Jeffery in Cassidy Cogan and Millie Crav’s production of ‘DISCO IS DEAD’ and a Non-Plot Character in Lexie May’s production of ‘Tin Can’. Later that year, she enjoyed working as Front of House Manager for Eleven Eleven’s production of ‘Table for One’ written and directed by Lana Rosalea, a company that Freyjika continues to work closely with. In 2023, Freyjika was Head of Drama at Frensham School and graduated with a girdle, a rare academic award, to commend her contributions to the drama community.

    Freyjika is a lively and intelligent addition to the Muse team, working effectively between departments by prioritising communication and positivity.

  • Artist Management

    Alessandra is an Australian theatremaker, Performer, and Stage Manager. As a graduate of Showfit, a full-time musical theatre course at Centerstage Performing Arts School (2022-2023) Alessandra has performed in ‘Only Child’ (Chapel Off Chapel), ‘Homegrown Aus’ (Chapel off Chapel), was a Pit Singer for Stars and the Moon's. ‘The Adams Family’, and was an Ensemble member for ‘Scarlett’ (Hope New Works' productions).

    As a current Student at Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Production, Alessandra's stage management credits include ‘The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying’ (Fairly Lucid Productions at Melbourne Fringe 2024) and ‘Αριάδνη / Ariadne’ by Alkisti Pitsaki (La Mama Courthouse, Mother Tongues Festival 2024) and ‘Anatomy of a Suicide’ a play by Alice Birch (Meat Market:The Stables 2025) 

    Alessandra is very excited about the opportunity to work with the Muse Team of 2025 and would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support. 

  • Gabs Rota (all pronouns) is a Naarm/Melbourne and Gippsland based actor and creative, currently in their third year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting). 

    Last year, Gabs presented their play, 'Moonstruck', at the 2024 Muse Festival. Prior to this, they played the title role in Nuwork's theatre's production of 'Puck', and was also a featured performer in Top Class and Top Acts at the Melbourne Arts Centre and the Melbourne Recital Centre for VCAA’s VCE Season of Excellence 2022. 

    Passionate about queer and rural Australian theatre, Gabs enjoys being in collaborative and developing theatre works. Most weekends, Gabs can be found practicing monologues with their chickens (whose 'cluck clucks' don't make for particularly helpful feedback, but are appreciated nonetheless).

  • Artist Management


    Halle (she/her) is a third-year theatre maker in the VCA community who works on the wellness and welfare committee. She is excited to contribute to the creation of a safe and creative environment in which everyone can thrive.

    Last year, she worked as the production manager for Lana Tancred's interactive performance, The Dive. With a background in both production and theatre, Halle is eager to contribute to the team!