ROMAN BERRY

Available for directing, movement, workshops, facilitation and cultural consultancy

About Roman

Artistic Practice & ECSP

Programs & Workshops

Biography
Filipino-Australian Theatre Maker, Director and Creative Facilitator

About Roman
Born in Cebu City, Philippines, Roman Berry found theatre after migrating to South Australia. A community arts officer in Ceduna gave him his first stage. He trained at the Centre for Performing Arts Adelaide and the Drama Centre, Flinders University. His career has taken him from Miss Saigon and Melbourne Theatre Company to a decade directing new work in London’s Off West End. He was Artistic Director for the Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies and is Artistic Director of Divergent Theatre Collective. Theatre For All. Always.

Recent Work
In 2026 Roman returned to solo performance with LUPAD. To Fly., a world premiere at Melbourne Fringe directed by Mayen Estanero. At the same festival he directed Na-iba. The Other, a devised ensemble work at Theatre Works, and TANAN, the first phase of TRANSLATE, a research project connecting Filipino and Australian artists. He choreographed Castro’s Children for Music Theatre Melbourne in 2024 and directed The Shift, his debut short film about gig economy workers.

Leadership and Community
Roman leads the free weekly Theatre Workshop at The Couch International Student Centre. Since 2022 it has run more than 170 sessions and showcases, including Kasaysayan, and was shortlisted for the Melbourne Awards. Six alumni have gone on to perform at La Mama and Melbourne Fringe. He also runs creative workshops for young people and community groups through Flying Fox. He sits on the Whitehorse City Council Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Artistic Practice
Roman’s work spans directing, movement direction, devising, dramaturgy and facilitation. It starts in the body and in cultural knowledge, and it’s made with others. He created the Tinikling Devising Methodology during his 2023 Vitalstatistix Adhocracy residency. It shaped both LUPAD and Na-iba and keeps growing through research and community practice. He has produced work for La Mama’s Festival of Mother Tongues and works closely with the Filipino-Australian community and emerging artists. His theatre-making is trauma-aware and culturally grounded.

Availability
Roman is available for workshops, facilitation, devising support and cultural consultancy. More information: romanberry.com/about

Main Image: Daniel Layaban
Gallery Image: Aimee Bush