Collective-In-Training
Meet the new members of our Collective-In-Training – seven emerging artists who will develop their skills in writing, performing and creating original works over the next two years. Collaborating with mentors and industry professionals, Fay Abdul, Ioane Ale Brown, Sina Brown, An Dang, Milana Markovic-Matovic, Chala Mohammed and Kiril Stamenkov are the latest talents to take part in our Level Up Professional Development Program after Sub30 Collective‘s hugely successful run.
Reconnected
In March 2022, the Collective-In-Training debuted as an ensemble in Reconnected, Western Edge’s first live performance in over two years.
Presenting: Collective-in-Training
In November 2022, with new additions, Ioane Ale Brown, An Dang and Milana Markovic-Matovic, the Collective brought a collection of scenes and monologues to Newport Community Hub. The special showcase gave us a glimpse of what’s to come – and we’re excited to see the Collective begin to carve out their own niche this year.
Fay Abdul
Fay is an actor from Melbourne. She joined Western Edge in 2019, playing Princess Helena in the Edge Ensembles production of The Watching, and has been with the company ever since. While acting is her artistic passion, she is also interested in developing her skills in screenwriting. Fay is eager to grow as an artist and work on her craft through the Level Up program.
Sina Ale Brown
Sina is a Samoan actor based in Melbourne. Sina has worked closely with Western Edge for five years as a participant and performer in various programs and productions. Her credits include Lele, Butterfly (Western Edge, 2018), The Watching (Western Edge, 2019) and Security, written by Michele Lee, in 2022. Sina is passionate about bringing stories to life and bringing joy to people through the use of acting and art. She hopes to reach her full potential with the Level Up program, learning and gaining more knowledge and skills within the industry.
Chala Mohammed
Chala hails from the Oromo tribe in Ethiopia. Chala played the role of Prince Henry in the 2022 Edge Ensembles production of Distortion. Currently working towards becoming a professional actor, Chala has a passion for acting and physical theatre. He is interested in developing his acting, writing and screenwriting practice through the Level Up program.
Ioane Ale Brown
Ioane is a Samoan actor based in Melbourne. Ioane has been working with Western Edge since 2018, joining Edge Ensembles as a participant and performer for the production of Lele, Butterfly. In 2022, Ioane played the role of Jeanjay in the 2022 Edge Ensembles production of Distortion and Ismene in Lele as part of the 2022 Neighbourhood Festival. Ioane has been interested in acting and performing since he was young, and is excited to learn more about the industry through the Level Up program.
Kiril Stamenkov
Kiril is a dedicated performer, writer and aspiring director who was born and raised in Macedonia. He moved to Australia in 2010 and found his passion for acting after performing in high school plays. Kiril attended acting classes at Mooregrace Acting Studio in Geelong and later attained a diploma in Film and TV Production at JMC Academy in 2017. In 2018, Kiril joined Western Edge’s Geelong Edge ensemble. He played Haemon in Antigone and co-wrote and performed in North Geelong Edge’s original comedy piece Share House to a full house at Courthouse Youth Arts. As a Western Edge Support Artist in 2022, Kiril helped to facilitate the Edge Ensembles program and the original production of Distortion.
An Dang
An is an actor, dancer and singer with a background in circus, where she trained with the National Circus of Vietnam as a contortionist. An has a passion for both theatre and film and is currently training at Melbourne Actor’s Lab and Melbourne Teen Actors, while also studying languages at university. Her recent credits include a sold out season of The Mermaid at La Mama Theatre and an originating role in Under the Influence the Musical.
Milana Markovic-Matovic
Milana has performed at the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Southbank Theatre in The Master and Margarita, Almost Maine, and Fess up! These performances happened throughout her full-time studies in Theatre Arts (Acting) at Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School, graduating in 2021. In 2022, Milana was a part of the touring Edge Ensembles show Distortion as the evil witch rogue Monica Thorne. Milana has been in short films and ongoing screen work; she is also interested in and has been involved in making films. She has completed courses for screen and stage at NIDA, acting classes at the National Theatre Melbourne, and has been in several other shows throughout her youth (Coriolanus, After Kafka, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).