City of Melbourne 2026 Annual Arts Grant

“Platform 9”—Migrant stories of Flinders Station

Original theatre work by Manuel Saez

The project

“Platform 9” is an original theatre work inspired by real migrant experiences intersecting at Flinders Station—Melbourne’s iconic heart. Created and performed by migrant artists, our actors embody the work’s themes of isolation, resilience, and connection. The stories in this show are based on their experience as migrants in Melbourne, and the significance of Flinders Station in their journey.

Key information

Dates: 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th of May 2026
Proposed Venue: Irene Mitchell Studio Theatre
Director: Manuel Saez Kifafi / Grant Applicant
Language: English

Platform 9

"Platform 9" is an original theatre work inspired by migrant experiences intersecting at Flinders Station—Melbourne’s iconic heart. This historical building’s profound connection to its transient community inspires a narrative centered on a pivotal moment: a power outage strands three migrant strangers in the last carriage of the train. Held at Irene Mitchell Studio Theatre, this production transforms isolation into shared humanity, revealing that no migrant’s solitude is singular, and every struggle echoes in another.

Migrant stories and Flinders Station

Melbourne’s landmarks gain meaning through lived stories, yet migrant narratives often disappear in urban flux. As emerging migrant artists, we uniquely preserve these time-sensitive experiences tied to Flinders Station—capturing voices before they’re lost and ensuring our city’s cultural memory remains inclusive.

Audience & Impact

All Melburnians: Deepens understanding of hidden journeys within shared landmarks.
Migrant Communities: Validates lived experiences through authentic artistic representation.
Cultural Fabric: Strengthens Melbourne’s identity by documenting diverse stories of it’s most iconic landmark.

Key Activities

In Situ Fieldwork: Narrative development via memory-reviving exercises at Platform 9.
Autobiographical Creation: Actors author and perform stories drawn from their migration experiences linked to Flinders Station.
Live performance and Q&A: 4 shows at Irene Mitchell Studio Theatre.
Immersive Staging: Using sensory design to reimagine the station’s metaphorical power. We'll incorporate real audio recordings from the station (announcements, rails, noise) to create unique music/leitmotif.

Alignment with City of Melbourne Priorities

Preserves and Promotes Cultural Heritage: Documenting contemporary migrant voices tied to a historic landmark.
Promotes Inclusion: Making underrepresented experiences visible through theatre.

Outcomes

Cultural: Redefines Flinders Station as a symbol of migrant resilience and shared humanity.
Social: Fosters empathy by revealing how isolation transforms into connection.
Artistic: Provides a platform for emerging migrant artists to lead city storytelling.

Letters of Support

About me

Manuel Saez Kifafi
Theatre Director / Grant Applicant

Manuel Saez is a professional actor trained at Universidad Arcis and holds a Master's in Theatre Direction from Teatro la Memoria in Santiago, Chile. During his career in Chile, he served as an acting teacher at Universidad de Chile, Arcis Institute, and Arcos Institute. Now based in Melbourne, he creates and facilitates theatre courses for diverse migrant communities in English and Spanish, consistently amplifying stories of those who shape the city while fostering community connection through storytelling.

With over 20 years of experience, Manuel has directed plays across Santiago, Wellington, Auckland, and Melbourne. His commitment extends to testimonial narratives, where he explores migrant experiences and transforms them into powerful theatrical works. Manuel's practice celebrates theatre's transformative power in building bridges and fostering cultural dialogue.

Key artists

Camila Fernandez

Marketing and Design
Camila Fernandez is an accomplished graphic designer, advertiser, and art director. She holds a degree in Graphic Design and Advertising from Universidad del Pacífico, Chile, and specialized as a UX Designer at RMIT University, Australia. Camila brings strategic design expertise and marketing acumen to her work, promoting objectives and connecting with diverse audiences. Proficient in web design, animation, photography, filmmaking, campaign creation, user research, and digital tools, she shapes compelling visual identities and brings innovative concepts to life across digital and physical platforms. Her creative vision ensures narratives resonate deeply for lasting impact.
Beyond her professional role, Camila is a dedicated creative entrepreneur pursuing independent filmmaking and illustration. Driven by a passion for visual storytelling and collaboration, she works alongside fellow artists to realize unique visions. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges computing design with analog techniques and profound visual curiosity, making her a uniquely versatile creative professional.
Candela Gonzalez

Actress
Candelas Gonzalez Tonon is an Argentinian theatre artist and yoga teacher based in Melbourne. Trained in Acting at the National University of Fine Arts (Buenos Aires) and certified in Yoga Teaching (ALG, Melbourne), her work integrates performance, movement, and mindful connection to foster enriching experiences.
Her background includes theatre production, having coordinated performances from conception to execution as a Producer for Salida de Emergencia Theatre Company. As an Actress and Dancer, she performs in Melbourne's independent circuit, including with the musical project "Fire Verde." Currently teaching Vinyasa and Slow Flow yoga, Candelas channels her passion for expression into creating safe spaces for creativity and community engagement across artistic and wellness practices.
Ana Sanchez

Actress, Visual Artist
Ana Sanchez is a Colombian interdisciplinary artist from Bogotá working across visual arts, cinema, and theatre. Her practice centers on exploring public space as a site of encounter, friction, and collectivity. Through interventions, installations, performances, and audiovisual works, she addresses themes like vulnerability, memory, and the political dimensions of everyday life. Sanchez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts (audiovisual focus) from Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, supplemented by theatre and cinema training. She further developed her focus on art as a critical and transformative tool in public space by completing a Master of Arts in Public Space at RMIT University in Melbourne in 2023. Her work is characterized by using the body as both a narrative and political device on stage and screen. Through this interdisciplinary approach, she investigates silenced narratives, creates space for intimacy and discomfort, questions power structures, fosters collective reflection, and challenges contemporary individualism.
Giovanna Yate Gonzalez

Light Designer and Operator
Giovanna Yate Gonzalez is a lighting designer based in Australia, originally from Colombia. She began her career as a dancer before moving into lighting design, bringing a unique understanding of movement to her work. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Giovanna has designed lighting for several notable productions including Siren Dance (Sydney Dance Company) and the award-winning show LUSH at Melbourne Fringe.In 2023, she was selected for Malthouse Theatre's Besen Artistic Program. The following year, she worked as Associate Lighting Designer with Amelia LeverDavidson on The Children's Bach. Her other credits include Coded for Midsumma Festival 2025 and Sad Eyes and Coded with choreographer Amelia O'Leary at Abbotsford Convent and DanceHouse. Giovanna is currently part of the Melbourne Theatre Company's FUTURE CREATIVE program, where she continues to develop her craft. Her lighting designs often explore the relationship between light and movement, drawing on her background in dance. She enjoys collaborating with other artists to create clear, effective lighting that supports the storytelling on stage.