k a s a y s a y a n
cebuano (N)
unfolding of stories
Introduced in 2022, DIVERGENT THEATRE COLLECTIVE'S "IT'S ALL IN THE PROCESS" INITIATIVE - kasaysayan (unfolding of stories) continues.
Kasaysayan is Divergent Theatre Collective's ongoing initiative for emerging writers, theatre-makers and performers — a space to work and play, to discover and develop, without the pressure of a finished product.
Anyone is invited to bring a new piece or an existing idea — something unperformed, something still finding its shape. DTC welcomes work that is multilingual, hybrid and genre-crossing — text, movement, music, visual art, spoken word, drama. Whatever the work needs to be.
We offer support, feedback and genuine creative companionship through DTC's Embodied Cultural Safety Practice — meeting each artist in their body, their language and their story. The focus is always on the process and the discoveries along the way — not the outcome.
Sessions are in-person, creating a space where creatives can take real risks, push their boundaries and find what their work is truly capable of. DTC Artistic Director Roman Berry and associates work alongside each participant — not ahead of them.
Open to all emerging creatives, with particular encouragement for artists from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Each participating artist documents their journey — their reflections, their collage of work — shared through our platforms as a growing archive of living creative practice.
The stage is open. Bring what you have.
Kasaysayan 4.0:
Unfolding of Stories
International Students Take the Stage at The Couch
Adithya Vikas, Zhafira So, Zoe Qi, Renisha Jesvita Fernandes, Netree Jadhav, Shruti Kinkhabwala, Vinsensia Josephine, Sam Chan, Anas, Christopher Alory, Jasmine Vo, Lizanne Fernandes, Aida Zaffir, Alecx Keanne Barredo
"The body carried it. Tonight it speaks."
Event Details
Kasaysayan 4.0: Unfolding of Stories
Tuesday 28 July, 5:30–8:30pm
The Couch International Student Centre
Free entry, bookings essential.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1616149
Media contact: romanpberry@gmail.com or divergentthetarecollective.com
Melbourne, VIC. On Tuesday 28 July, Divergent Theatre Collective (DTC) will present Kasaysayan 4.0: Unfolding of Stories, the fourth iteration of its ongoing theatre development showcase, at The Couch International Student Centre from 5:30–8:30pm. Entry is free, with bookings essential.
Kasaysayan is Cebuano for "unfolding of stories." It's DTC's platform for emerging writers, theatre-makers, and performers to develop new work without the pressure of a finished product. This year's showing features 13 student performers from India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, France, Macao, and the Philippines, presenting original monologues for the first time in a development showing, pages still in hand, work still finding its shape.
Every piece was built using DTC's Tinikling Devising Methodology, a movement-based creative process developed by Artistic Director Roman Berry through the 2023 Vitalstatistix Adhocracy residency. The method moves participants through a structured sequence: Object, Body/Senses, Fragment, Cut to 3, Shape, Present, using a two-minute timer as a core creative constraint, and draws on personal memory and embodied storytelling rather than traditional scriptwriting.
The evening also marks a milestone for DTC's Open Stage Leadership Programme, launched this year as a fortnightly, seven-session pathway for participants of Tuesdays at The Couch. Five participants will complete the programme at Kasaysayan 4.0, becoming its inaugural graduating cohort and receiving DTC Certificates of Participation.
Kasaysayan 4.0 is directed and curated by DTC Artistic Director Roman Berry, with Aida Zaffir and Alecx Keanne Barredo as Assistant Directors, in partnership with The Couch International Student Centre, a Salvation Army Project 614 initiative, where Elle Phan serves as Couch Coordinator.
About Divergent Theatre Collective
Founded in London in 2015 in response to multicultural communities feeling unseen, Divergent Theatre Collective creates theatre "For All. Always." Under Artistic Director Roman Berry, DTC runs multiple community and development programs across Melbourne, including Tuesdays at The Couch, the Body–Mind–Wellness workshop series with Voice of Domestic Workers UK, and Flying Fox inclusive theatre workshops for neurodiverse, non-verbal, and disabled teenagers.
Kasaysayan 3.0 - Train to Tomorrow: Echoes of Departure, Songs of Arrival
In its 3rd iteration, Kasaysayan 3.0 was performed by international students attending the regular program at The Couch. Sharing our recent writing collaboration with international writer & educator Israel Segal. This a world premiere of the first Performance Reading on a collaborative new work. in development titled “Train To Tomorrow: Echoes of the past, Songs of arrival”.
Concept: Izzy Segal
Written by Theatre Workshop Participants
Dramaturgy by Roman Berry
Time to celebrate the students progress from the Theatre Workshop.
Directed by DTC Artistic Director Roman Berry.
Tuesday 2nd December | The Couch International Student Centre | 5.30 to 8.30pm.
2nd THEATRE WORKSHOP SHOWCASE
KASAYSAYAN
(Unfolding Of Stories)
2nd Theatre Workshop Showcase 2025
Performed by a few of our international students attending the regular program in 2025 at THE COUCH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE. Directed by DTC Artistic Director Roman Berry.
Sharing their stories and celebrating their progress at the Theatre Workshop. This is a Divergent Theatre Collecrive Project in partnership with THE COUCH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE. The Couch is a Salvation Army Project 614 initiative.
Tuesday 06 May | The Couch International Student Centre | 5.30 pm to 8pm.
The Couch is a Salvation Army Project 614 & City of Melbourne initiative.
THEATRE WORKSHOP SHOWCASE 2024
A PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUCH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE
Our Inaugural THEATRE WORKSHOP SHOWCASE
KASAYSAYAN
(Unfolding Of Stories)
Inaugural Theatre Workshop Showcase 2024
Performed by a few of our international students attending the regular program at THE COUCH INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE.
Sharing their stories and celebrating their progress at the Theatre Workshop. Directed by DTC Artistic Director Roman Berry. This is in partnership with THE COUCH INTERNATIONAL CENTRE. The Couch is a Salvation Army Project 614 initiative.
Tuesday 28 May | The Couch International Student Centre | 5pm to 8pm.
Kasaysayan V.1
Introducing Inaugural Creative/ Collaborator Matcho Makata Cassidy
February | March 2022
Divergent Theatre Collective is excited to be a part of Matcho Makata Cassidy's exploration on his new work in development. He is an Artist / Poet / Producer / Actor / Dancer and a Community Leader.
His work around Identity and cross culture initiatives, as well as 'bringing light' POC related issues and stories, is to be celebrated and supported. We look forward to sharing some of Matcho's creative process and 'new work' at hand.
