"Never fear in telling your truth, be proud of your stories, have fun and learn from the process AND collaborate, collaborate & collaborate"

Roman Berry, Filipino Australian

(He/ Him)

As a creative, an immigrant and an arts advocate, I acknowledge that I create, collaborate and work on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. I recognise their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to land, waters and skies, and their rich contributions to our shared society. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded.

Biography

Filipino‑Australian Theatre Maker, Director & Creative Facilitator

About Roman

Born in Cebu City, Philippines, Roman Berry discovered theatre after migrating to South Australia. Trained at the Drama Centre, Flinders University, his career has spanned Melbourne, London and beyond — from Miss Saigon and Melbourne Theatre Company to a decade directing new works in London’s Off West End, including serving as Artistic Director for the Commonwealth Youth Games Ceremonies. A creative, immigrant and arts advocate, he continues to champion new, diverse and community-driven work as Artistic Director of Divergent Theatre Collective, Drama teacher and Workshop

Leadership and Curation

Roman directed and curated Kasaysayan 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, performance showcases developed through The Couch Theatre Workshops, where he also facilitates weekly theatre training for international students.

As a devising artist, Roman is the creator of the Tinikling Devising Framework — an embodied, intercultural methodology for theatre‑making and play development. First conceived during his Vitalstatistix Adhocracy residency, the framework continues to evolve through ongoing creative research, ensemble testing and community‑engaged practice.

Artistic Practice

Roman’s work spans directing, movement direction, devising, dramaturgy and facilitation. His approach draws from embodied cultural knowledge, physical storytelling and collaborative authorship. He has produced works for La Mama’s Mother Tongue Festival, collaborated widely across the Filipino‑Australian community, and continues to build pathways for emerging artists through trauma‑aware, culturally grounded facilitation.

His ongoing work with The Couch – International Student Centre supports international students in developing confidence, creative agency and community through theatre. Roman’s artistic leadership is shaped by a belief in theatre as a site of cultural exchange, collective authorship and embodied memory.

Current Focus

Roman’s current projects explore immersive and participatory forms that dissolve boundaries between audience and performer, drawing from Filipino cultural practices, movement vocabularies and lived experience. His research and development of the Tinikling Devising Framework forms a major part of his ongoing artistic inquiry.

Availability

Roman is available for workshops, facilitation, devising support and cultural consultancy.

Main Image: Daniel Labayan
Gallery Image: Aimee Bush

AFFILIATIONS

Director | Movement Director | Choreographer | Creative Facilitator | Cultural Adviser | Performer

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