BOARD
PRESIDENT
Ruth Osborne
Vice President
LINDA LUKE
member
timothy farrar
MEMBER
ZEBASTIAN
HUNTER
MEMBER
THERESA
HUXTABLE
MEMBER
FRAN CURTIS
MEMBER
ALAN SCOTT
STAFF
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Michelle Maxwell is the Founding Artistic Director of AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, an accomplished teacher, choreographer, and advocate for emerging artists. Her driving passion for empowering the next generation through professional opportunities, mentorship, and creative guidance has become a hallmark of her career, inspiring countless young dancers to realise their potential.
Michelle began her formal training with full-time ballet studies at the Saill Academy of Dancing before attending Sydney’s renowned Bodenwieser Dance Centre, where she worked with influential artists including Margaret Chapple, Jane Beckett, and Patrick Harding Irmer. These formative years shaped her artistry and instilled a deep respect for innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
Since establishing AUSTI., Michelle has led the company to become a vital force in the Illawarra’s cultural landscape. For more than a decade, she has created a professional, supportive environment for emerging artists, facilitating collaborations with nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographers and bringing world-class contemporary dance experiences to local audiences. Her visionary leadership has drawn recognition beyond regional borders, attracting national and international interest in the company’s work.
Michelle’s choreographic practice often draws on real-life situations, global events, and personal narratives, resulting in works that are both socially resonant and artistically distinctive. Her repertoire includes bold and varied concepts, from the urban rhythm of the New York subway (2016) to the science of neuroplasticity (2014), to a quiet moment waiting for a bus in Kenya (2011), and the lived realities of life in the Gaza Strip (2015).
A committed lifelong learner, Michelle is currently undertaking a Master of Fine Arts in Cultural Leadership at NIDA, further developing her skills to influence and inspire within the broader arts and cultural sector.
Director’s Assistant
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An independent dance maker and artist from Sydney, NSW, bringing with her a wealth of experience in dance performance and arts management. A graduate of the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) with a Bachelor of Dance Performance in 2018, Sarah also holds a Certificate III in Arts Administration from TAFE NSW. Since then, she has made a name for herself working with a range of companies and collectives, including AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre, Dance Makers Collective, We Are Here, and Twisted Element. Most recently, Sarah served as General Manager of Ausdance NSW, furthering her impact on the broader dance community. Her experience with nationally and internationally acclaimed companies and choreographers will be a tremendous asset to our team.
COMPANY PATRON
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Maurice Causey is an American born European based artist. He began studying Ballet at the age of 15 in his hometown of Florence, Alabama. His training includes School of American Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre School, and the Joffrey Ballet in New York City.
Maurice was eight years a Principal Dancer with William Forsythe's Frankfurt Ballet. He also danced with the Cleveland Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, and as Principal Dancer with the Gothenburg Ballet is Sweden.
Maurice Causey has also been Ballet Master for both the Royal Sweden Ballet (2002-2003) and The Netherlands Dance Theatre 1 (2004-2010). He has choreographed original works including The Netherlands Dance Theatre 1,Northwestern Professional Dance Project, Hubbard Street 2, Milwaukee Ballet, Company C, Stockholm 59 North, Augsburg Ballet, O Dance and dance company iMEE.
Maurice has also guest taught for companies such as Cullberg Ballet, NDT 1 and 2, Royal Swedish Ballet, Norwegian Institute of the Arts, HJS in Amsterdam and Wayne McGregors Random Dance in London, England. Maurice has choreographed for Galas, Schools and competitions through-out the US, Canada, Europe, Korea and Australia.
COMPANY
COMPANY ARTIST
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COMPANY ARTIST
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COMPANY ARTIST
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Alumni
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Metamorphosis Dance (Spain); Grey Rhino (Cass Mortimer Eipper & Charmein Yapp for Sydney Festival)
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Independent Artist (Proper Motion; Readymade; Dance Makers Collective)
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The House of the Dancing Water; Cirque de Soleil
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Danza Del Arte (Paulina Quinteros); Independent Artist
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Independent Artist
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ItIndependent Artist;
Funded residencies - LGI moving forward residency, VCA Alumni 50 Artist grant, Chunky Move Minimax Residency, Geelong arts centre residency, Tanja Liedtke Studio Residency with Australian Dance Theatre, 2024 Independent choreographer program cohort
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Black Lux Project (Lucky Lartey); Sydney Dance Company teaching/educational artist; NSW Arts Unit Teaching Artist
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Independent Artist
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Independent Artist (Proper Motion)
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Kairos (Meryl Tankard); Bat Lake (Eliza Cooper); Opera Australia; Independent Projects
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Lucy Guerin Inc; Chunky Move; TasDance
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Catapult Dance Co.
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Theater Regensburg (Germany)
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Twisted Element Co.
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Independent Artist
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Lionheart Dance Company; Twisted Element Co; Dances for iPhone; Set-A-Part
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Independent Artist (Catapult Dance Co; Proper Motion; Omer Backley Astrachan; )
Creatives
Nick Hollman
Videographer
Nick is an independent videographer who produces all our promotional videos. He also captures the footage of our works and productions.
Simone Coleman
Photographer
Simone is our resident photographer. She runs her own business, Children of the Revolution, a photography company based out of Bulli.
STUDIO HELM
DIGITAL DESIGN
Studio Helm is a small but responsive boutique design studio based in Sydney, specialising in digital, branding & print.
