Restless Dance Theatre

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Restless Dance Theatre, formerly Restless Dance Company, is a

dance theatre company based in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Founded in 1991, Restless works with people with and without disability
.

History

The Restless Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Sally Chance and Tania Rose,

Carclew Youth Arts Centre.[2] Restless was incorporated in 1996.[1] It was the first professional dance company for people with disability in Australia.[2]

The company changed its name to Restless Dance Theatre in 2008. At that time, Ingrid Voorendt was artistic director.[1]

Philip Channells was appointed in 2009, the first artistic director with a disability of any Australian dance company.[3] He remained in the position until 2012.[4] Michelle Ryan, a dancer and choreographer with multiple sclerosis, took over the position in 2013. She had formerly been a professional dancer in the Australian Dance Theatre until six months after her MS diagnosis, when she was aged 30, and had to start using a wheelchair. In 2011 she danced again, this time using a walking stick, after being invited by Belgian choreographer Alain Platel of les ballets C de la B to both choreograph and perform a solo work for a new production, which toured Australia.[2][5]

The company's ensemble has toured widely, including performances at Adelaide Festival; Sydney Festival; and Brisbane Festival, as well as in the UK and South Korea. They have collaborated with Chunky Move in Melbourne.[2]

In April 2020, the company heard that they had not been included in the 2021-2024 funding round by the

Australia Council for the Arts.[6][7] Restless launched a fundraising campaign, and soon there was a new funding model. They hope that the Australia Council will restore some funding to it so that it can offer its dancers secure annual contracts.[2]

Description

The company presents dance theatre works in multiple mediums to diverse audiences. Restless has an extensive training program for all ages,[1] based on founder Sally Chance's dance method. Disabled and non-disabled dancers work together to choreograph work.[2]

As of August 2023 the artistic director is Michelle Ryan.[2]

Notable performances

From 4 September to 2 October 2020, Restless performed "Seeing Through Darkness", inspired by

Patch Theatre) and Meg Wilson.[10][11]

In March 2022 a new work created by artistic director Michelle Ryan based on her and the other dancers' own experiences, Exposed, premiered at

Hilary Kleinig and Emily Tulloch (formerly of Zephyr Quartet).[14]

Awards

Company

  • 2010: Winner, Australian Dance Awards, Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance, for Bedroom Dancing[15]
  • 2017?: Winner, Adelaide Critics Circle Award, Group Award (Professional Theatre), for Intimate Space
  • 2017: Winner,
    Ruby Award
    , Artistic Innovation and Enterprise, for Intimate Space
  • 2017: Nomination,
    Helpmann Award
    , Best Dance Production, for Intimate Space
  • 2018: Nomination, Helpmann Award, Best Dance Production, for Intimate Space
  • 2017: Nomination, Ruby Award, Best New Work, for Intimate Space
  • 2019: Winner, Ruby Award, Sustained Contribution by an Organisation
  • 2020?: Nomination, Ruby Award, Best Work or Event outside of a Festival, for Seeing Through Darkness
  • 2022: Special Commendation Ruby Award 2022 - Best Work or Event Within a Festival, for Guttered

Individual

  • 2020: Jianna Georgiou, Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Restless Dance Theatre. 23 June 2010. p. 2,4-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Freeland, Anna (29 August 2023). "Michelle Ryan's Restless Dance Theatre puts vulnerability centrestage with moving Sydney Opera House debut". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Philip Channells – Artistic Director". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 8 November 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  4. ^ "People". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  5. ^ "People". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Restless Dance Theatre 'devastated' after shock Australia Council funding loss". The Adelaide Review. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  7. ^ Smith, Matthew (9 April 2020). "Australia Council funding cut leaves dancers with disabilities in limbo". ABC News. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Restless Dance Theatre: Seeing Through Darkness - Performance". AGSA - The Art Gallery of South Australia. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  9. ^ Marsh, Walter (2 September 2020). "Restless Dance sees through the darkness (and out of the COVID bubble)". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  10. ^ Keen, Suzie (3 September 2020). "Restless dancers shed new light on expressionist artworks at AGSA". SALIFE. Photography by Shane Reid. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  11. ^ Hervey, Roz. "Seeing Through Darkness 2020". Restless Dance. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Exposed". Sydney Opera House. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  13. ^ Dong-hee, Hwang (28 August 2023). "Seoul International Dance Festival explores death and aging through movement". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Sydney Opera House debut for Restless Dance Theatre". AussieTheatre.com. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  15. ^ Northover, Kylie (21 June 2010). "Top honours for Bangarra". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 February 2012.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Restless_Dance_Theatre&oldid=1173262550"