JACINTA YELLAND - PERFORMER & CREATOR

Jacinta Yelland is a Gold Coast-born physical theatre creator, actor, and teacher of Torres Strait Islander and Chinese heritage. She is passionate about bringing KOAL to Australian audiences and giving back to the Queensland communities that shaped her as an artist. Jacinta’s artistic journey began in Queensland, performing at HOTA (then Gold Coast Arts Centre) from the age of six, competing in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod as a ballet dancer, musician, and singer, and St. Hilda’s School musicals and concerts. These formative experiences provided the foundation for her international career, training and performing with renowned artists across France, England, the Unites States and beyond.

Building on her extensive training and early performance experiences, Jacinta has collaborated with RealTV, Elbow Room, Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, David Gordon, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Opera Philadelphia, Quintessence Theatre Group, McCarter Theatre Center, Lightning Rod Special, People’s Light, Philadelphia Artists’ Collective, Here Arts Center NYC, Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, and The Berserker Residents. She holds an MFA in Devised Performance from University of the Arts/Pig Iron Theatre Company, completed the Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre Company Internship, and was supported by Arts Queensland to study at École Philippe Gaulier, Paris. Jacinta has been supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Queensland, American Australian Association, Network of Ensemble Theaters, City of Philadelphia, The Puffin Foundation Ltd., and The Work.