A NIDA Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design graduate (2003) along with a Master of Fine Art Degree specialising in Painting from the National Art School, Lucy began her career as an artist at The Electric Canvas, and then co-founded Ample Projects Animation Studio before joining Destination NSW as the Vivid Sydney, Light Festival Curator (2018 – 2021). In 2018, Lucy also became the Director of Public Art Australia before joining Luna Park Sydney in August 2022 as the Head of Strategy and Experiences. Lucy discusses the new immersive experience Dream Circus opening on 22 December 2023 and her support of local creatives.
Behind the Scenes, Sydney Luna Park’s Dream Circus
What inspired you to create Dream Circus?
As one of the most intact art-deco amusement parks in the world, Luna Park Sydney’s transformation will find harmony between the best of the old and the best of the new, elevating the Sydney icon onto the world stage. Luna Park’s Dream Circus is the first immersive experience on site and marks the beginning of a significant transformation for Sydney’s rare 1930s’ amusement park. I worked together with CEO John Hughes to curate and commission this first show. We met with many creative teams around the globe and decided that the best talent in the world is right here in our backyard. We are pleased and proud to be developing the Dream Circus with Sydney’s own Artists in Motion.
How did you select and collaborate with the local creative talent that worked on Dream Circus?
We prioritised investing in the talent of unique local specialists. Dream Circus is a collaboration between the team here at Luna Park, Artists in Motion, Technical Direction Company, and Auditoria and Stage Kings.
Were any NIDA alumni involved in the creation of Dream Circus?
Of course! NIDA graduates are everywhere…. Blake Garner is developing a complex star cloth lighting system. Charles Coy (BFA Production 2010) assisted with the budget and production plan during pre-production, recent graduate Claudia Kryszkiewicz (MFA Design 2021) is currently designing costumes for our in-park performers who will bring the Dream Circus to life in the park, and finally we are currently looking for performers – so I hope we will soon be employing many more NIDA graduates!
NIDA Design (2003) Alumna Lucy Keeler and the Dream Circus set.
As an advocate for providing pathways for creative industry graduates to work at Luna Park through productions such as Dream Circus, how did you implement this strategy?
The unique experience has been cultivated by Sydney-based specialist creatives and technicians including Artists in Motion, TDC and Auditoria who have worked across some of the most complex creative projects in the world.
Sydney’s Immersive Big Top is a 3,000sqm multi-purpose entertainment venue comprised of state-of-the-art Barco projection technology, a spatially mapped audio system, hologram technology, motion-activated LED screens and the latest in lighting technology. The resulting effect will be 360-degree visual and audio immersion with an activated surface area of more than 3,500sqm.
Future technologists in Sydney will also have a state-of-the-art new training facility with the advanced environment of Luna Park’s Immersive Big Top, enabling a unique skill development opportunity for a vocational pathway into the growing immersive experience industry.
What are some of the Dream Circus highlights and cutting-edge technology used to create this immersive experience?
Sydney’s Immersive Big Top will be an unsurpassed technological ‘Magic Box’ with hidden capabilities including 360-degree projection, hologram technology, spatially mapped audio and the latest in lighting technology.
Sydney Luna Park’s ‘Dream Circus’ set.
Reflecting on your training at NIDA, what advice would you give to anyone considering studying at NIDA and pursuing a career in Design?
When I graduated from NIDA immersive experiences and light-technology art didn’t exist as the vibrant creative sector that it is now. So, all I would say to graduates now is that your working life from now into the future is going to be what you make it. Take it one day at a time and be prepared to experiment.
How do you envision the future of Luna Park?
This ambitious next chapter will deliver a world-class, multi-layered, and technology-driven experience destination aligned with Luna Park’s 1935 ethos of wonder, escapism, and joy. This will ensure Sydney’s cultural icon remains vibrant, viable and relevant for current and future generations.
