OUTSPOKEN is it’s own unique creature. Part performance, part therapy and all heart. Where the unfiltered shines through story, poetry, music and dance.
Embracing and expressing the power of being unapologetically big, brave, and OUTSPOKEN
Sharing stories with others can be a powerful step toward healing and that's exactly what we aim to facilitate through events like 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗡, creating a safe and supportive space where sharing is normalised.
Stories create bridges between us. They remind us that, despite our differences, we share common struggles, joys, and moments of expansion and contraction.
Performers
Spoken Word
THABANI TSHUMA
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Thabani Tshuma is a multi-award-winning Zimbabwean writer and performance poet. His work can be found in publications such as Dichotomi magazine, Cordite Poetry Review, CUBBY, and ABC ArtWorks’ SLAMMED segment. Thabani is co-curator of Thin Red Lines and his debut collection, 'The Gospel of Unmade Creation', released in 2023 through Recent Work Press.
Follow Thabani here:
Storyteller
CHARLIE EROTICWELL
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Charlie is a high functioning hedonist. Her heightened sensate skills have been honed through years of making immersive sensory live art which, unbeknownst to her at the time, was an antidote to her history as a childhood sexual abuse survivor. Her work of the last ten years has been to embody the permaculture principle, “the problem is the solution”; deep diving into sex and sexuality to empower herself and others. She does this through sex-positive parenting, sexological bodywork, embodied counselling and kooky kinky play parties. She loves feet and dislikes small talk.
Follow Charlie here:
Spoken Word
SEVGI BOGA
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Sevgi Boga is a captivating spoken word artist whose work explores themes of longing, nostalgia, and sensuality. As a first-generation Turkish-Australian with Middle Eastern roots, she infuses her poetry with the rich textures of her heritage, occasionally blending soulful Turkish folk melodies with evocative spoken word. Her performances are an intimate journey into the depths of devotion, desire, and belonging, creating a profound connection with her audience. Bringing a mystical, powerful energy to the stage, Sevgi invites listeners to explore the sacred spaces of emotion and identity. Recently emerging onto the poetry scene, she is passionately discovering the transformative power of live performance, leaving an indelible mark on those who experience her art.
Follow Sevgi here:
https://www.instagram.com/sevgibogapoetry/
Photo credit: Brendan Bonsack
Dance
KING OF MYSTERIES
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Jaime-Lee Willoughby (they/them) is a queer South African ceremonialist and somatic artist. Rooted in the ancestral wisdom of their mixed heritage, they weave ancient ritual with contemporary embodiment.
Their work is an offering to the liminal — to the places where grief and joy, spirit and flesh, gender and freedom all meet. As a genderless being initiated through ancestral grief and spiritual vision, Jaime-Lee walks the path of the bridge: between binaries, between worlds, between what has been silenced and what is now ready to be spoken.
This piece is a sacred unraveling of the binaries — a somatic remembrance of the moment Creator invited them to surrender to genderlessness. Through ritual movement, breath, and embodied myth, Jaime-Lee channels the threshold space between worlds: the grief of letting go, the ecstasy of liberation, and the quiet power of becoming undefinable.
A ceremony in motion, this performance honours queer ancestors, the spirits of the in-between, and the body’s ability to reveal the divine when language fails.
Follow Jaime-Lee here:
https://www.instagram.com/jaimeleewilloughby/
Photo credit: @creating.rosie
Musician/MC
WILL TAIT
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Will Tait is a songsmith with a passion for inspiring wonder and revealing the hidden potential in situations and gatherings. Through whole-heartedness, poignancy and humour he creates moments of sharing, inspiration and joy that reveal the abundance that we unlock when we recognise our connections with each other and the world around us.
As well as MC'ing this month's Outspoken he will be also be sharing a personal story that shaped the composition of a poignant piano piece, before playing that piece on the Wesley Anne's grand piano.
Follow Will here:
Musician
MILBAGS MAGEE
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Meet Milbags Magee, a soulful singer-songwriter and deep storytelling vocalist, who has been lending her talents to Dane Blacklock & the Preacher’s Daughters for the past eight years. Her voice is a blend of raw honesty, vulnerability, and sincerity, making her a wonderful addition to OUTSPOKEN.
Equipped with her saxophone and a loop pedal, Milbags’ musical style is both unconventional and irresistibly versatile. Expect a mix of heartfelt with a splash of silly, including playful nods to the taboo.
This performance intends to dive into the topic of emotional burnout and to question the self imposed pressure to improve oneself.
Follow Milbags Magee here:
Spoken Word
NIKKI VIVECA
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Nikki Viveca has been a prolific performer on the Melbourne stage, in improv, theatre, standup comedy and poetry, and has recently made a splash in Sydney appearing in Griffin Theatre’s production of “The Lewis Trilogy” and at the Sydney Opera House (!) for Bankstown Poetry Slam’s Grand Slam. A cast member of ground-breaking queer cabaret “Gender Euphoria” and the winner of multiple slam poetry competitions including Melbourne’s first Trans Slam, Nikki brings both heart and humour to her work. Her previous story telling shows include “The Femme Commandments”, “Wasp Movie”, “The Lazy Show” and “Asexual Healing.”
Follow Nikki here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikkiviveca/
Photo credit:
Samara Clifford
Beatboxing
CONNOR MALANOS
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Beatboxing, the human voice as you’ve never heard it before. Connor AKA ‘Mr C’ explores the boundaries of the human voice with a looping station, combining his classical training with a playful bonanza of colour.
Mr. C, is the Australian Beatbox Champion known for his unique musical flow and distinctive sounds.
Follow Connor here:
Storyteller
RICHIE HALLAL
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Richie Hallal is a whole thing.
Ceremony Designer, Master Theatre Maker, Coach, Uncle Marshall Rosenberg Enthusiast, Massage Therapist, Artist, Actor, Writer, an intersection in human form.
As an OUTSPOKEN audience member in April, Richie felt the pull to step onto the stage and we are glad they approached us.
Richie has graced stages for over 20 years including Fringe Festival, and major theatre companies weaving their signature mix of anarchic playfulness and heart chakra insight. At this OUTSPOKEN, they are facilitating an open experiment on the threads that weave a consensus reality and possibilities therein as the entire world as we know it crumbles.
Follow Richie here:
Emotional Support
Meg Wilson
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Meet our wonderful OUTSPOKEN Emotional Support Human.... Meg Wilson.
We know that some of the stories shared on stage can stir deep feelings or bring things up, and that’s okay. To support you, Meg will be there throughout the night, ready to offer care, kindness, and a safe presence if you need it.
We’ll also be giving trigger warnings before each story, so you can choose to step out if you feel the content might be overwhelming based on your own experiences or history.
Meg is the founder and lead therapist for Unison. For over a decade, Meg has worked in both public and private mental health settings. She is trained and/or certified in art psychotherapy, DBT, mindfulness, and emotion-focused therapy for relationships. She writes about and teaches workshops on the experience of participating in non-typical relationships and is known for her compassion, warmth, and grounded presence.
If you need support during the night, whether thats a hand to hold, a hug, someone to talk to, or just a quiet moment to regroup, you’ll be in good hands with Meg. 💛
To see more about what Meg and her team at Unison Mental Health offer visit:
OUTSPOKEN is a beautiful experience of feeling heard and held.
The audience and community spirit feels like a warm hug with everyone sitting in silence, nodding along as a story resonates, offering permission to feel, to realise we aren’t alone. There is laughter, tears, heartbreak, and an unspoken connection as the crowd absorbs each word, as if the person on stage is a dear friend, sharing their deepest truths just for them.
OUTSPOKEN happened at:
Your organisers
Eri and Nathan are thrilled to bring OUTSPOKEN to life, and to you. They bring a wealth of experience collected from countless workshops, books, podcasts and events over many years. Read more about their experience below:
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Eri (they/them) is a queer pansexual individual, dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces where people can freely express their true selves in all their vibrant hues. Their passion lies in understanding the intricacies of individuals, unraveling their quirks and passions. They find joy in human interactions where they observe people discussing the topics that light up their faces.
Eri is embracing their creative rainbow mother, wanting to nurture and support a community of people looking to expand and grow into the best versions of themselves. They weave this intention into playful events infused with depth and meaning, creating spaces for transformation, connection, and joy.
Initially drawn to a career in helping others, Eri spent a decade practicing Osteopathy before embarking on a journey to explore her artistic side. Returning to university, she delved into costume and fashion design, confronting the sustainability challenges within the industry. In 2022, she founded Costume Courtesan, offering upcycled costume commissions using pre-existing materials, along with group costume styling experiences, costume rentals, and cabaret events. The shop itself, adorned with a Dr. Seuss-inspired, vibrant forest installation, was meticulously built using 80% recycled materials by Eri, their Artist-Carpenter friend Mark, and Nathan.Active in Burner theme camps like Kamp Kraken and Syncity, Eri has contributed as a Stage Manager, Decor Lead and Performer at festivals and events like Rainbow Serpent and Comfort Creek. They played a key role in the team responsible for the Kraken Submarine, an art car prominently featured at diverse festivals and events. This mobile creation functions as a dynamic stage for performances and music. Additionally, they served as Decor Coordinator for Celebrating Sexuality Festival (affectionately known as Sex Camp) for three consecutive years. Renowned as a burlesque artist, they captivate audiences with their distinctive storytelling, infusing each performance with a blend of humour, allure, and eccentricity with her performance group, GoGo and the Peacocks. (Insta: @gogo_and_the_peacocks).
Driven by a love for self-discovery and personal growth, Eri has attended numerous health, wellbeing, and sex-positive workshops and festivals. They co-organise “Sexplorers”, a smaller sex-positive weekender event, and aims to continue creating workshop festivals with exceptional facilitators to guide individuals on their journey of self-discovery. They have a knack for networking and have a community of performers, artists, therapists and educators surrounding them, which allows them to bring together the best people to create Giddy Garden events and experiences.
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Nathan (he/him) is an open-minded, authentic, kind-hearted individual with a passion for curating memorable experiences that foster community, creativity, play, and meaningful connections.
With a robust 20-year career in IT, he has dedicated his expertise to creating and managing applications while leading teams to successful project outcomes. Beyond the tech realm, Nathan is a skilled audio-lighting artist, DJ and musician, contributing his talents to numerous performances, festivals and art installations over many decades of performing and creating.
Known among friends as Swiss Army knife (or Leatherman), Nathan fearlessly dives into diverse projects, showcasing his versatility as a builder, artist, tech whiz, and creative mind. Whether immersed in spreadsheets, construction or organising, he wears many hats with ease.
Nathan played a pivotal role in the creation of the Kraken submarine, a mutant art car doubling as a dynamic stage for performances and music at various events. He has left his mark on the live music and performance scene, particularly recently through his work on lighting and audio design for cabarets hosted by Costume Courtesan, Syncity, and Kamp Kraken.
Moreover, as one of the co-creators of Sexplorers, he actively contributes to an annual, sex-positive weekend event focused on workshops, connection, and play. The initiative aims to cultivate a supportive community, encourage self-discovery, and dramatically reduce sexual shame.
