ACKAMARAKUS

AKAMARAKUS is a word that can only describe the indescribable, the nonsensical, this show and the world we live in. Ackamarakus is a dark yet endearing show that transforms the relationship between audience and performer. This clown show was birthed from the mind of Tom Weinert and Vile Production company, their second original production. Tom plays Kus, A voiceless young clown, birthed into the world for your entertainment. Throughout the show, you, the audience, will get to witness Kus’ life from birth to breakdown, as he navigates all the big questions of life; what is right? What is wrong? Who am I? How do I take care of a little pet cat? Don’t you like to win trophies? All the big ones. Kus is helped along by ‘the voice’, an omnipresent figure that attempts to mold Kus in his image. The audience goes on this journey of self-actualisation with Kus as he steps into his true self. VILE Production Company: VILE is a new production company founded in 2025 by emerging Naarm-based actors and devisors Louisa Cusumano, Ez Kenworthy, Tom Weinert and Sam Morris. What can I expect from VILE? I hear you ask.. Expect camp, vulgarity, genre-bending original works tackling queerness in the modern world, political and interpersonal relationships in Australia and globally, and our perspectives as young people with four unique yet intertwined tastes and creative practices. VILE aims to create and elevate opportunities for young emerging creatives from all walks of life and all creative disciplines including acting, directing, writing, costume and set design, and musical composition. Tom Weinert (he/they) is an emerging director, theatre maker, performer and deviser, based in Melbourne/Naarm. Tom’s practice leads with a focus on immersive, interactive and traditional theatre styles. He is an aesthetically-led theatre maker, focusing on telling stories utilising classic horror conventions, with a creative passion for psychological, slasher, cult and thriller based narratives, whilst genre-bending with elements of absurdism and comedy. Tom’s theatrical style aims to immerse audiences in original scenarios and storylines through extensive dramaturgy. Throughout their works, Tom bridges the worlds of interactive theatre and horror together to create an active experience for those who seek thrills, sensory stimulation and interactive, original storylines with an air of mystery. Louisa Cusumano (she/her) is an Italian-Australian queer actor and writer based in Naarm/Melbourne who grew up in Eora/Sydney. She moved to Melbourne in 2021 to study at the Victorian College of the Arts. Louisa is part of the graduating class of 2023, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting). Her credits at the VCA include; Stan in ‘Sweat’ (dir. Tasnim Hussein), Warwick in ‘Hibernation’ (dir. John Marc Desengano), Jane in ‘Roulette’ (dir. Georgina Naidu) and ‘The Palace of Illusions’ (dir. Sonya Suares). Beyond her work at VCA, Louisa is also a passionate writer. In 2024 Louisa co-wrote, directed and starred in her debut play, Out of Date, at the Butterfly Club. In 2025, Louisa co-wrote, co-directed and performed in VILE Production Company’s debut show, Playing Haus at Theatre works for Melbourne Fringe Festival. Louisa has also performed in Stephanie Lee’s SLAY at Explosive’s Factory (2025), and Flick’s GAG REFLEX at La Mama (dir. Tansy Gorman, 2026). Ez Kenworthy (they/them) is a queer writer, actor, director and producer with a passion for multi-form performance works, hybridising elements of visual art, film and theatre. Ez’s work depicts themes of gender and identity, psychology and the deconstruction of hierarchies and power structures, breaking down universal experiences of loss, desire and hope. Their aesthetic interests lie in the abstract and absurd, often depicted through performance art and poetry. Examples of their work as a divisor and creative director include their original play ‘Body Irrelevant’ alongside Jay Gold at 2023 Midsumma Festival, and creation of original physical performance piece ‘Angelfood’, shown as part of the VCA Theatre 2023 graduating season.