I Met an Angel Named Jacques

Meet the Artists

• Gideon D. Wilonja

  

  Gideon D. Wilonja is a Congolese-born multidisciplinary artist based in Naarm, whose work explores the intersection of gender, sexuality, and identity. Through a distinctive blend of feminine and masculine aesthetics, Wilonja crafts imagery and narratives that are both bold and nuanced, offering a fresh perspective that challenges conventional norms. His work centers on amplifying Black and queer voices, drawing from his own experiences as a queer Black man to tell stories that are often marginalized by mainstream media. As the founder of Mwangaza Theatre, the first African theatre company in Australia, Wilonja is at the forefront of reshaping the theatrical landscape in Melbourne. His debut play, “Do Black Boys Go to Heaven?” received critical acclaim, and his recent production—a reimagining of the off-Broadway classic *Bare: The Musical* with an all-Black cast—further solidified his reputation as a groundbreaking artist. Wilonja is deeply committed to empowering his community to reclaim and define their own narratives. In recognition of his innovative work, Wilonja’s piece “Soft” was awarded the grand prize at the 2021 Wyndham Art Prize. His contributions continue to challenge the status quo in the world of art.

• Ras-Samuel

  

  Ras-Samuel: Ras-Samuel is an Actor, Filmmaker, and Theatre Maker. He grew up in the highlands of Tigray, Ethiopia as a shepherd herding goats and cattle protecting them from wild animals. To pass time spent a lot of time creating stories, playing improv games, and climbing trees to get exotic fruits with his fellow shepherds. He came to Australia in 2006 and his acting journey began as a teenage acting student at Greentree Acting School, and he further honed his skills through a 12-month Program at Brave Studios. It was announced on Deadline that Ras-Samuel was cast in one of the longest on going franchises in history ‘Kindom of the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Fox) his other credits include The Clearing (Disney+), Woodywoodpecker (Universal Studios), and The Abandoned (Panorama) Neighbours ( Freemental media ). Notably, he has also written, produced, and starred in films like Jebena Genie, The Last Supper, A Good Boy, and BLVCK GOLD. His film BLVCK GOLD received accolades, with an Australian premiere at the St Kilda Film Festival in 2022 and a Best Actor nomination. It also won Best Cinematography at FlickerFest in the same year. In the world of theater, Ras-Samuel will be playing the role of Booth in the Pulitzer winning play TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, HE made his mainstage debut with Because The Night at Malthouse Theatre, Happy End at Victorian Opera. Independent theatre credits include Do Black Boys Go To Heaven? ( Mwagaza Theatre ) Twelfth Night ( Melbourne Shakespeare Company) The Importance of Being Earnest ( Sonnet 66 ) and Huckleberry Finn at Chapel Off Chapel.

• Lyndon Watts

  

  Lyndon Watts is a Naarm artist-working on Wurudjuri country as an actor, musician, model and designer.

  Lyndon starred as Aaron Burr in the original Australian production of HAMILTON, earning a Sydney Theatre Award. He was a lead singer in Disney 100 at the Sydney Opera House and has appeared in major fashion runways and publications like Australian Fashion Week, GQ, and Vogue. A 2014 graduate of WAAPA, he has toured in productions such as Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, Disney’s Aladdin, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, A Chorus Line, and West Side Story. Recently, he guest-starred in the TV series PAPER DOLLS and performed in the 25th anniversary of The Laramie Project. In 2025, he will star in CANDIDE at the Sydney Opera House and play Paris/Patroclus in Malthouse Theatre’s TROY. Outside acting, Lyndon writes music under the name LYNDON, with his latest release featured on MTV and Vogue. He is also the creative director and owner of Socaboy Studio.

• Chichi Nwokocha

  

  Chichi Nwokocha, aka Cheech, is a Nigerian British Artmaker specialising in spoken word and theatre. With a background at the National Youth Theatre and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, she has produced events at Theatre Royal Stratford East in London, including, ‘An Evening with Wole Soyinka’.

  In Australia, Cheech has immersed herself in the arts scene, collaborating with Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Theatre Works, and producing Ararat Youth Hip Hop Festival. She facilitates poetry workshops for Connection Arts Space and councils including Casey.

  As a mentee of The People of Cabaret, she features in their award-winning, ‘We Are Here’, Digital Fringe show and performed in their Parlour Takeover, for Stonnington Council.

  A regular at Drum theatre, Cheech is also a 2022 Green Room award winner with her collective TAKE BACK, striving to diversify POC in the arts.

  In 2023, she performed in, ‘On the 23rd Day Mars Was in Gemini’, for Midsumma Festival.

  Most recently was a spoken word artist for the 2024 NGV Triennial EXTRA – Afrocentric, curated by Candy Bowers.

  And the 2024 NGV Africa Hair Shop Pop-Up showcasing ‘The Afro Hair Experience’ in Melbourne through captivating short dramatisations and powerful spoken word performances.

• Jordan Fraser-Trumble

  

  Jordan has built a diverse career spanning film, television, and theatre. His most recent role in The Cost earned him significant acclaim, including multiple Best Actor nominations at both national and international film festivals, and a win for ‘Best Oceanian Actor’ at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam. In addition to his screen work, he has worked with leading theatre companies including the Melbourne Theatre Company, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, and the State Theatre Company of South Australia. Outside of acting, Jordan is also a film producer, acting coach, and a performing-arts mental health coach.