Production: we are blooming

Creative Producer, Director & Writer / Composer

Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’ (he/him) is a Nigerian-born, award-winning Creative Producer, Curator, Disability Support Worker, Writer, and Performer. Now based in Boorloo, he holds a BA in Journalism & Media from the University of Hertfordshire and an MArts in Screen Arts from Curtin University. Co-founding The Outsiders theatre group in 2021, Ayo has co-produced, written, and performed at numerous shows, including ’An Evening of African Poetry & Storytelling’ at The Blue Room Theatre (Nominated for Outstanding Overall Design at The Blue Room 2024 Awards). He also performs poetry and live music at festivals, including FRINGE WORLD 2025, Perth Festival 2025, St Kilda Festival 2024 and SXSW Sydney 2024. Ayo serves on the boards of WAYTCo and Regional Arts WA.

Performer

Hannah-Mary Anderson is a Perth-based Seychellois-born actor, improviser and writer. After graduating with a double major in English and Creative Writing and Theatre and Performance at Murdoch University, she completed a Diploma of Screen Performance at WAAPA in 2022. Hannah-Mary’s recent screen credits include the feature film The Travellers, directed by Bruce Beresford, as well as starring in numerous television commercials, including Great Sorts, Transperth WA and REIWA. In 2025, Hannah-Mary toured nationally, performing at Perth’s FRINGE WORLD, Adelaide Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Hannah-Mary recently performed in Josie Walsh’s Red Ticket (2026) at The Blue Room Theatre and is excited to be returning in Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’s we are blooming (2026).

Performer

Shelby McKenzie is an actor, theatre-maker and movement artist. They graduated with First Class Honours from WAAPA, where they focused on embodiment in live theatrical performance, using a hybridisation of theatre techniques to build character and world. Most recently, Shelby acted in West Australian Opera’s Il Trovatore at His Majesty’s Theatre and The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer. Shelby was named one of the four inaugural Associate Artists for Blue Joy Theatre Company and will continue into 2026 with multiple interstate projects with the company.

Performer

Sanna Ansaldo is a Swedish-Italian actor and theatre-maker based in Boorloo/Perth. She graduated from WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making) in 2026 and is represented by Actors Management International. Before moving to Australia, she trained at Calle Flygare Teaterskola in Stockholm. Sanna works across theatre, film and new writing, and is particularly drawn to collaborative, politically engaged work that explores identity, belonging and human connection. Alongside acting, she teaches yoga and develops her own theatre and screen projects.

Set & Costume Designer

Nikita Bernardo is an emerging set and costume designer in Perth. Since graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2021, Nikita has worked on many projects around Perth, including independent theatre works, dance and high schools. She has recently designed the set for the Fringe award-winning show Hyperfantasia with Enneagon Movement at The Blue Room Theatre (2025) and worked as Design Assistant for Leon Hendroff on Level Up! (2026) with Monkey Brain Theatre and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, where she expanded her skills into puppetry. Nikita is also currently in her third year at Curtin University studying Interior Architecture.

Lighting Designer

Katrina Johnston has been involved in theatre since she was a child, transitioning to lighting design in 2010. Katrina has worked with a wide range of Perth companies, including Blue Joy Theatre Company, Tempest Theatre and JackRabbit Productions. Most recently, she has designed for New Beginnings, presented by Blue Joy Theatre Company and FRINGE WORLD (2026); Playworn, presented by Lizzy McDonald and Liz Walker and FRINGE WORLD (2026); and Sunday Reset, presented by Medina Dizdarevic and The Blue Room Theatre (2025).

Sound Designer

Tao Issaro is an Indian/Australian multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound designer and performance maker based in Boorloo, WA. As a composer and sound designer in Australia, Tao has worked with Encounter Theatre, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Tura New Music and Ochre Contemporary Dance Company, to name a few. In 2024, Tao was nominated for two PAWA Awards for Outstanding Composition and Sound Design for his work on Encounter Theatre’s Beneath The Music. As a performer, he is currently working with Sensorium Theatre, providing bespoke sensory theatrical experiences for neurodiverse children in schools across Perth. Tao also works as Captain Starlight at Perth Children’s Hospital, providing a playful and creative environment that supports sick kids in coping with the uncertainty and worry of hospitals and treatments. In 2025, Tao won the FRINGE WORLD Weekly Award for Music and Musicals with Boorloo-based pop outfit TAB Family, as well as winning WAM’s Song of the Year in the Global category with his group Tchega. Tao’s music is available on all streaming platforms online.

Stage Manager

Ella Wakeman is an arts administrator, technical stage manager and performing artist born and raised in Boorloo. Having completed their Bachelor of Theatre Arts at Curtin University, Ella is currently the Program and Engagement Officer at Don Russell Performing Arts Centre. Passionate about the local arts scene, Ella is a community-minded art maker who spends their days working in arts administration and operations, and their free time bouncing between stage management for theatre and performing and teaching variety dance in the queer nightlife arts space.