Harley Mann, a Wakka Wakka man from Queensland, Australia, is a leading figure in contemporary circus, drawing inspiration from his Aboriginal heritage. In 2017, he founded Na Djinang Circus, now recognized as one of Australia’s most exciting contemporary circus companies and a pioneer in the First Nations Circus sector.
A graduate of the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), Harley has worked with some of the world’s top contemporary circus companies, including Circa, Circus Oz, Casus, and Les Sept Doigts (The Seven Fingers). In 2018, he won the Melbourne Fringe Award for Best Emerging Circus Artist.
In 2022, he became the artistic director of Circa Cairns, leading a diverse team to create bold new works in Far North Queensland. Harley’s accolades include the 2021 Circus Oz Fellowship and a spot in the Australia Council for the Arts’ Future Leaders Program. He has also held leadership roles as a board member of Theatre Network Australia, PAC Australia, and co-convenor of TNA's CaPT Advisory panel.
