Caught Falling - Choreographic Program
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Tracks Dance Studio, Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts, Darwin City
Program: Sep - Nov, 2017
Showings: November 18 - 19, 2017
Tracks Dance Studio
Program
The Choreographic Program provides a unique opportunity for emerging movement artists and dance-makers to explore the mechanics and creative scope of choreography in a supportive environment. The program also focusses on weekly discussion to develop critical and articulate thinking around the creative process, which leads to artist talks as part of the public showing.
This year Program Facilitator, Kelly Beneforti, led the group through 12 weeks, with the first 6 weeks of workshops exploring and experimenting with a wide range of processes for making choreography and developing ideas. In the second half of the program, each choreographer developed their own short choreographic work, with support from the Tracks artistic, management and production teams.
“What stands out to me about this group is how readily they have let themselves be open to new choreographic possibilities, and step into the unknown. As a collective, they have been incredibly supportive of each other, which is what has allowed them to take these creative risks. This is partly what the name Caught Falling expresses” Kelly Beneforti.
Showing
The Caught Falling Choreographic Showing and Artist Talks offered short movement works for those who want to experience the up-close evocative nature of dance.
Joined by a fantastic group of guest dancers, our 7 emerging movement artists and dance-makers presented their work in the Tracks Studio.
Not intended to be finished or polished products, the showings were raw and experimental, and with an audience of just 30 people for each showing it was definitely up close and personal.
Creative Team
Program Facilitator: Kelly Beneforti
Choreographers: Kira Witte, Tara Schmidt, Virginia Spicer-Harden, Sheila Rose, Haylen Duncan, Anokai Lancaster, Cassandra Wallace
Guest Dancers: Jenelle Saunders, Daniel Ferguson, Natalie Hafsteins, Venaska Cheliah
Showing Technician: Duane Preston
Showing Scenario
Mother the Giver of Life by Sheila Rose
This work shows part of a vision I have of the multi-layers of what “mother” is…..an exploration of creation, time, space, words, bones, breathe and life.
Performed by Anokai, Cassandra, Tara, Haylen, Kira, Kelly, Virginia
Music: ‘Djilile’ - Wulfin Lieske & William Barton
The universe can and will create itself out of nothing by Cassandra Wallace
Gravity. Acceleration. Black Holes. Negative Space. How can we physicalize the infinitude of emptiness?
Performed by Tara, Venaska, Sheila
Music: ‘data.syntax’ - Ryoji Ikeda
Fertile Territory by Virginia Spicer-Harden
Performed by Kira, Haylen, Anokai
Music: ‘He Won’t Sleep’ - Jen Powell
Rainy Season by Tara Schmidt in collaboration with the dancers
Performed by Tara, Cassandra, Jenelle
Music: ‘Humid Green Haze’ - Recondite. Various sounds of nature - Nature Sounds; Life Sounds Nature; Pro Sound Effects Library
Together by Anokai Lancaster
Movement qualities. Drawing inspiration from an unfamiliar pallet. Unfolding into a familiar process, working with unfamiliar bodies, creations drawn from Caught Falling.
Performed by Kira, Haylen, Sheila, Anokai, Daniel, Venaska
Music: ‘Together’ - The XX
Disentangled by Haylen Duncan
Performed by Tara, Natalie, Venaska
Music: ‘Safe Passage’ - 65daysofstatic
Think Less by Kira Witte
Performed by Sheila, Cassandra, Anokai, Daniel
Music: ‘Terminal’ - Holly Herndon
Group Piece
Directed by Kelly Beneforti, in collaboration with the Choreographic Program participants
Music: ‘Displaced’ - Dirty Beaches
The History
The Choreographic Program has been running since 2009, and fills a much needed gap in the performing arts sector in Darwin where it is difficult to gain training and experience in choreography.
“You can not underestimate the value that supporting emerging dance makers brings to the Darwin dance scene. We watch participants grow, experiment and translate creative ideas into movement-based work. It is very exciting process to be part of! ”
Tim Newth, Tracks Artistic Co-DIrector
Sponsors
Darwin International Airport, Southern Cross TV
Government Partners
Tracks Inc is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; and is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
Thank you
Amy Hetherington, Venaska Cheliah, Mathew McHugh, David Taylor, Glenn Bernardin, Jenni Sanderson, Sally Crawford and Jade Kimm
Tracks 2017
Artistic Co-Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Company Director: Adelaide Wood
Administrator: Jessica Mellor
Production Manager: Mathew McHugh
Production Manager (Caught Falling): Duane Preston
Dance Animateur: Kelly Beneforti
Bookkeeper: Noya Chong Wah
Committee Members: Mary Durack (Chairperson), Glenn Bernardin (Treasurer), Michael Grant, David Taylor, Ken Conway, Stephanie Cvirn, Venaska Cheliah. David McMicken, Tim Newth, Adelaide Wood (Ex-Officio Members)
Public Fund Trustees: Rev. Steve Orme, Dr Anita Toth, Ippei Okazaki
Patron: Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O'Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory
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Responses
“I recently attended the choreographic showing at Tracks. Aside from the pleasure of seeing the presentation of new NT dance works, I enjoyed as much hearing the dancers talk about their work. It was great hearing the 'dancers voice' and hearing them articulate the intention behind their works and some of their creative choreographic process.
The impact of hearing these voices was also due to the way the 'artists talks' weren't an add on at the end of the work, but rather held as much weight as the actual dance works during the showing. In this way the role of critique, reflection and narrative formed as much a part of the growing up of these choreographers as the dance works. It also invited and engaged the audience into a different 'dance space'”. - Sally Clifford
“Congratulations on the choreographic showcase! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learning more about their creative process was enlightening and inspiring.” - Gwen Gaff
“The [Tracks] studio space was transformed to give an audience of no more than thirty, the opportunity of enjoying the expression of ideas through movement... a metaphor of falling jigsaw pieces... set me thinking about the wonders of the human body...the 6 performances were so engrossing...I returned home aware of how generous all the participants were.” - Kathleen Elliott
Choreographers Responses
“After participating in the program I now have a number of different choreographic tools up my sleeve and also an understanding an appreciation of the history connected to these processes...I have extended my own ability to formulate and develop a movement piece in a way that reflects my values.” - Tara Schmidt
“It is a non judgemental program that doesn’t discriminate age, culture or ability which I believe is a beautiful image/reflection I would love to see reflected in Northern Territory culture....this program is a gift that has many elements of surprise and challenges, which is like life in the NT.” - Sheila Rose
“It's been a long time since I was involved with artist talks of any kind; I enjoyed that and I found that the audience feedback often reflected the significance of this aspect of the program to further their knowledge of the artists’ processes and initial ideas.” - Anokai Lancaster
“This program has given me the opportunity to take risks in how I engage in the choreographic process. I have more tools to draw from when I am stuck and don’t know what to do...I appreciated that we got to showcase our work in a very raw form and then hold artist talks. This was a unique experience.” - Cassandra Wallace
“I am now able to confidently and creatively stand in front of a crowd (or even just a group of dancers) and improvise. I was always unsure of my improvisation and it made me very uncomfortable to do it in a group environment. The choreographic program has progressively taught me that improvisation is very broad and can be explored in various ways, with no movement being 'wrong' or 'right'. I am grateful that the program has expanded my confidence and extended my skills...Thank you for letting me be myself and create a piece that I never thought possible.” - Kira Witte
“The program allowed me to approach choreography in a different, creatively-driven way. Having been a high school dance teacher my choreography has always been 'built to purpose'...This program encouraged me...to create something much closer to 'art' than anything I've done previously...I don't think there is anywhere else in Australia where a program is available - at no cost - to those wanting to explore and learn choreographic skills in such a nurturing environment. It was very special!” - Virginia Spicer-Harden
“The program really opened my eyes to new styles of dance, also trying to imitate said dance styles and adapting it to my own style. My methods for creating movement and phrases has vastly improved...It gave me the tools necessary to express feeling and culture through dance pieces.” - Haylen Duncan