2016 - Strong Women Project - Circus Oz

I’ll be in  Melbourne August 15-19, 2016 to work in the Strong Women Project at Circus Oz. I’ll be Movement  Trainer, along with a great team of Maude Davey ( Lead Director) and Rudi Mineur (Group Acro balances). Here is a video from last year’s Circus Oz Strong Women project where I was also Movement Trainer. Looking forward to it!


2015 - Slow Boat - Creative Development

I am delighted to announce that Slow Boat , an ensemble physical theatre new work based on the story of my father and about 580 Chinese men who were evacuated to Australia during World War 2 from Nauru, sent to Central Australia to mine, and then worked for the US Army in Bulimba, has been funded for a n initial Creative Development period.

The Creative Development Team is:
Writer / Co-Director  Anna Yen; Dramaturge / Co-Director Therese Collie; Designer Georgina Greenhill; Musical Director / Performer Nicholas Ng; Performers – Luke Ha, Joel Chia, Julian Wong and Harry Tseng.

This wonderful creative team came  together for two weeks of devising and creative development from March 30 – April 10, 2015. I am now writing a new draft of the script based on the discoveries of the creative development.

– photos Suzon Fuks –

SLOW BOAT is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.  SLOW BOAT is supported by BEMAC and Flipside Circus.

My huge gratitude to all these organisations for their support in helping SLOW BOAT to set sail! Thank you also to the Bulimba Historical Association for their valuable support


2011 - Phoenix Rising - Woodford Folk Festival

In December 2011, James Cunningham, Suzon Fuks, Skye Nicholls, Jeff Turpin, Anna Yen, created ‘Phoenix Rising’ for the Folkloric Stage at Woodford Folk Festival.

Through Chinese wushu (broadsword, fans) and physical / visual images, Phoenix Rising evokes a woman’s quest for freedom and transformation. Phoenix Rising is inspired by inner journeys reflected in outer physical actions.
How do we come from fear to freedom?
What is the part of courage, humour and travelling companions?

Photos Steve Swayne & Sylvia


2010 - Performers for Peace

Anna has been working as director / dramaturg with Performers for Peace (P4P) http://www.wilpf.org.au/performers-for-peace to develop short pieces of street theatre to support the activism of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).

Over the past eight years P4P, with Anna’s support, have developed and presented 8 pieces: Votes for Women, Margaret Thorpe and the School of Arts, A Modern Day Fairy Tale, A Few of Those Dangerous Things, UNSCR 1325 Blue Silk Dreaming, Sustainability: Need vs Greed, Emma Stands Up for Peace, and Listen – Give Racism the Flick!