Meet the ‘Stages of Empathy’ Team
Meet the team working together to bring free theatre-based training program to make community activities more accessible for people with disabilities across NSW, VIC and the ACT.
This is a transformative, interactive training program designed to help community groups of all kinds – including sports clubs, arts collectives, hobbyist organisations and special interest groups – become more accessible for autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities. This training has been developed for community organisations using the ‘Forum Theatre’ model. Part theatre show and part workplace training, the performance will be designed to engage audience members in workshop-style discussions on how to work inclusively and accessibly with autistic people and people with psychosocial and intellectual disability.
Find out more about Stages of Empathy here!
Meet the Cast
Krystle Vicencio
Actor – She/Her
Emily Smith
Actor
Krystle is a passionate community member that started off as a participant in the community participating in various groups and activities. She then became a volunteer at a local food pantry where she was then inspired by the community sector workers, she was around to then enroll and study a diploma of community services.
She loves watching live theatre shows, movies and attending concerts. She enjoys being out in the community and immersing herself in the different communities, while learning about their different cultures and traditions.
This will be Krystle’s first time acting professionally with no prior acting experience. She enjoys developing her growth mindset and thrives on personal development so being cast as part of the Stages of Empathy ensemble has been an absolute dream come true.
She found out about the audition during a training course she attended, where the person she was sitting next to mentioned the audition and the rest is history.
Krystle looks forward to the many new and wonderful experiences this journey will bring her this year.
From an early age, Emily has had an intense passion for performing arts. She has performed in musical theatre productions of Grease: The Arena Experience, Youngharts Live and Popstars along with plays including Away and How to Vote.
In 2022, Emily was a part of Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerge Company. During her time with the Emerge Company, she was trained in performance techniques and worked to develop and perform in the original piece 503: Service Unavailable. As a dancer, Emily has been a part of the Quantum Leap Ensemble in 2022 and 2023, frequently performs alongside Liz Lea’s inclusive Chameleon Company and develops her own works. Her screen credits include Greta, A Swan Lake and UOW Early Admissions. Emily is constantly working to develop her creative abilities.
Mark Polhuis
Actor – He/Him
Zander Hanmer-Woods
Actor – He/Him
Mark is a polite and friendly person with a love for creativity and expression. He enjoys video games, going on walks, fishing, and drawing, as they provide him with both relaxation and inspiration. Mark has always been drawn to storytelling, whether through art, games, or performance.
His first experience with acting came in Year 10 when he participated in school plays. Initially, he didn’t have a strong interest in theatre, but once he immersed himself in roles—particularly in Shakespearean plays—he discovered the thrill of bringing characters to life. He found joy in the energy of live performance, the connection with an audience, and the excitement of being fully present in the moment.
Since then, his passion for acting has only grown. Mark is eager to refine his craft and take on new roles. He looks forward to future opportunities to perform on stage and continue exploring the world of theatre.
Bio Coming Soon!
Meet the Project Team
Sammy Moynihan
Artistic Director – He/Him
Verity Kimpton
Wellbeing Officer – She/Her
Sammy Moynihan is a theatre-maker, producer and arts worker with a particular interest in working with diverse communities. He is passionate about using drama techniques to foster social change, and has facilitated theatre workshops in schools, detention centres, remote Indigenous communities, and other contexts. In 2018, he toured France with Palestinian organisation, The Freedom Theatre before interning at their headquarters in Jenin Refugee Camp in Palestine.
He completed his Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) at NIDA and was the recipient of NIDA’s Lynne Williams Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cultural Leadership. He trained as a facilitator at The Centre for Theatre of the Oppressed in Brazil and delivered performance workshops with homeless communities in Rio De Janeiro. Sammy also worked as a Live Programs Officer at Belco Arts (formerly Belconnen Arts Centre) before joining Rebus as a Project Manager for Re-Emergence. He also directs and produces his own work.
Sammy has worked with Rebus both as an actor in workplace training programs, and as a tutor/director a number of our programs including Bridges or Barricades, Speaking Role, Acting Out: On Screen, Flair, Re-Emergence and Expressive Pathways before taking on the role of Artistic Director for Stage of Empathy in July 2024.
Bio Coming Soon!
Harry Bhangu
Project Manager – He/Him
Yenn Purkis
Accessibility Manager – They/Them
Harry joined the team in 2024 as the Project Manager for Stages of Empathy. Harry comes from a background in event and venue management in the performing arts, community services and hospitality sectors, and also has tertiary qualifications in Business Management.
Growing up in the Himalayas and being involved in dance, theatre and cultural performances from an early age, Harry brings a unique perspective to Rebus. One of his earliest memories is writing poetry in the sugarcane fields and singing centuries-old Persian songs while he helped on the family farm. Since moving to Australia, Harry has also performed in local community theatre productions and is an avid visual artist.
Harry has also been a carer for his brother, who lives with multiple disabilities, and is passionate about inclusivity and accessibility in the arts and diverse representation on stage. Harry led the implementation of ‘relaxed performance’ protocols in his previous role at Cairns Performing Arts Centre to increase the accessibility of theatre and music for those in the community with sensory needs and he has been an active crusader in environmental, political and First Nations spaces all around New South Wales.
Yenn Purkis is an autistic and ADHD, Asexual and non-binary author and advocate. They also have a psychosocial disability. Yenn has been giving presentations since 2002, including two for TEDx Canberra. Yenn has written and cowritten 18 books all on elements of inclusion around neurodiversity. Yenn is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent and Queer folks and loves their work in this area.
Yenn has been writing a blog for over 10 years, and they had a weekly radio show on Canberra Radio 2CC called ‘Talking Disability’ in 2017 -2018. They were part of a documentary called Alone in a Crowded Room which aired on ABC TV in 2010. They have a bunch of awards including the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award and the ACT Volunteer of the Year. And Yenn has no intention of slowing down any time soon!
Yenn brings their passion for accessibility and inclusion to their role at Rebus. They are a firm believer in the transformative power of the arts and how theatre, art, dance, music and writing can change the world – in a good way! Yenn also brings their love for empowerment and inclusion for Disabled folks and LGBTQA+ folks to their work with the team at Rebus.
Yenn lives in Gungahlin with their therapy kitty and feline overlord, Sunflower the naughty tortie. Yenn is a visual artist and their home is filled with hundreds of artworks as well as cat-related things, fidgets, shiny things and rainbow stuff. Yenn has been in this world for over 50 years – and they plan to age as disgracefully as they possibly can.
