Wollongong has the chance to see world class dancing at the Phoenix Theatre from this Thursday to Saturday
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Austinmer Dance Theatre works with some of the best young dancers in the nation and has enlisted ther held of three internationally renowned choreographers in a new production called Connect.
Artistic director and choreographer Michelle Forte is working with European choreographers Maurice Causey and Ashley Wright to bring to life a contemporary dance production for the rising dance stars aged between 16 and 23.
“We open on the 24th at 7pm with a student performance where all tickets are just $15. Then Friday is 8pm and Saturday is 2pm and 8pm,” Ms Forte said
“There are 18 dancers in the show. They are pre-professional. We bridge the gap between full time training, tertiary education and the professional career. They are not students. They are dancers who are just about to turn professional. We call ourselves and professional company”.
Emerging dancers from all over Australia come to Austinmer for the opportunity Ms Forte provides. “I have had a lot of people say to me I should base the company in Sydney but I am determined to keep it in Wollongong”.
“I grew up here. There are a lot of dance schools in the area and I just think it is really important,” she said.
“We have three dancers from Queensland, one from Victoria, two from Nowra, six from Sydney and six from Wollongong. The interstate people all move here specifically to work with the company after they successfully audition.”
Ms Forte said many people in Wollongong do not know the city has a company providing opportunities for dancers at such a high level. This week’s shows will help help showcase that.
“The reason we get international choreographers here is because it gives dancers the experience of working with and be seen by professional choreographers in the industry who are working with companies all over the world.”
Most of the dancers at Austinmer Dance Theatre aspire to perform with the top Australian and European companies.
But Ms Forte has to do what she does on a very tight budget.
As a not-for-profit organisation she is hoping for plenty of interest in this week’s production to give the dancers a sense of occasion and provide a little more financial support to the company.
Austinmer Dance Theatre has already had some good news this week.
“We just found out that we have been successful in applying for Melbourne Fringe Festival,” she said.
“Once you are in you need to find a theatre that wants your show and we found out that the premier dance theatre in Melbourne has picked us up. We are super excited about that. It is amazing news. It is a big stretch for us financially. I said to them we don’t have the funds to do it. But they had a meeting and are going to raise the money so we can do it. And we are going to do some Crowd Funding because to have this theatre pick us up and want us to be there is just phenomenal.”
Ms Forte said this week’s production of Connect will involve contrasting and complementary movements and showcase the power and strength of each dancer as individuals.
She said the production was about the beauty of movements and emotions interpreted during the performance.
“It is three very diverse works from three very diverse choreographers that will showcase the high technical skills of the dancers,” she said.
“Connect has been heavily influenced by the European contemporary style with movement developed through the process of improvisation, refined and presented as an engaging triple bill of contrasting pieces”.
“Our guest choreographers Maurice Causey and Ashley Wright challenge the modern contemporary style, creating a standout production. We are very proud to be showcasing the talent of these dancers to the Illawarra audience”.
Mr Causey arrived on Monday. He is the former ballet master of The Netherlands Dance Theatre and is Austinmer Dance Theatre’s patron.
“I love working with the incredible talented dancers from Austinmer Dance Theatre, as they each bring so much passion and authenticity to each of their performances,” he said.
“It is wonderful to be a part of this fantastic production and I look forward to bringing a unique performance to the Illawarra”.
Tickets at https://austinmerdanceconnect.eventbrite.com.au.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
