Saving for a Rainy Day - a Model of Continuity

Tracks Artistic Directors, David McMicken and Tim Newth gave a Keynote Presentation for October Business Month on 28 October. Saving for a Rainy Day - a Model of Continuity, was a case study for change informed by the company's 32 years history of working in the Northern Territory. The keynote was contextualized by Adelaide Wood providing Creative Industry statistics and information.

• How innovation has driven our ability to adapt and change.
• Look back at lineage as a way of looking forward through personal stories of how we got to where we are now.
• Exploring how having diversification throughout our artistic plan and delivery provides a multitude of possibilities.
• Resilience: A Rainy Day Story about our Volatile Funding Environments, and COVID 19

Read Presentation

Crowdfunded Australian Film to Kick Off Tracks Fundraising Campaign

2020 has been a hugely challenging year - who thought they’d ever live through a pandemic?

Many lives have been turned upside down and sectors, such as our beloved performing arts, have ground to a halt, devastating thousands of arts workers.

Tracks New Work Fundraising Campaign looks to our Darwin community to support the presentation of a new work in the 2021 Darwin Festival. The Festival show will involve professional dancers, choreographers and a large community cast of passionate amateurs. It will also employ a host of local industry professionals, including designers, sound and lighting technicians, production crew, stage managers, musicians, security personnel, front-of-house staff, photographers and videographers. 

'Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears'

The fundraising campaign will begin with a screening of the terrific Australian Film ‘Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears’. The film is based on the very successful television series ‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries' and the Phryne Fisher novels by Kerry Greenwood.

A little-known fact about the film is that it was partly crowdfunded - not only that but the people who donated were given the opportunity to be extras in the film. What a wonderful way to promote participation by everyday folk in a fabulous film production – this gets a big Tracks tick of approval.

This fundraising event will take place on the 18th of October at the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin and will include some special Tracks flair. Doors open at 6pm with the film commencing at 7:30pm. Come along early for dinner (catered by Tracks) and some treats from the Grey Panthers cake stall.

Check out this great little documentary where the producers of the film (Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger) talk about the crowdfunding campaign and the vision behind the film.

The Tracks Choreographic Program provides an opportunity for emerging movement artists and dance-makers to explore the mechanics and creative scope of choreography in a process-led environment. The program encourages participants to develop their individual artistry within the supportive framework of an established company.

This year we have nine local participating artists: Sarah Reuben, Sean Pardy, Thevi Cheliah, Jordi Rust, Katy Moir, Kate Mornane, Ellen Hankin, Jessica Rabelo Amaral and Taylah Anderson.

The program is now at the half way mark and we caught up with the artists about their experiences so far.

What do you enjoy about moving?

Jessica: It’s a moment when I can be myself, express myself without anybody’s judgement, and it’s something that unites people. There is no wrong or right, no exact way to do it. I feel free when I dance.

Thevi: Dancing and moving using space, the different levels, learning about the creativity, and different types of movement eg. Flowing, robotic twirling, stillness.

Describe a moment of discovery from the Choreographic Program so far.

Kate: Each and every task has presented a glorious opportunity to explore to the fullest extent. Succumbing to and embracing how much I love to move and seeing the satisfaction in everyone at the completion of tasks.

Sarah: In many of the exercises I have been shocked at how once I’ve trusted myself, I’ve found the way through and the way to express myself.

A moment (or a way) the program has helped you think out of the box?

Taylah: I feel like I’ve taken it back to step one on how to create choreography. I’m usually an overthinker, so to simply create a phrase with one idea has proven to me how easy and simple it can be. 

Sean: To allow the instinct to take over and let the analytical take a back-seat.

Observations from watching others move

Katy: I enjoy watching movement because I’m constantly amazed and intrigued by how each individual chooses to move - usually in a way that I could never imagine nor physically execute.

Ellen: The joy of movement.

Choreographic Program Showings

The choreographic program will culminate in showings on the 14th and 15th of November. Save the date and sign up to the Tracks Newsletter to get all the information first.

Find out more about the 2020 Choreographic Program.

Tracks Youth Choreographic Residency 

Sept 28 – Oct 9 2020

Places are now open for the Tracks Youth Choreographic Residency (Tracks YCR) , a new program designed to give young dancers foundation skills in solo and group choreography. The eight day residency at the Tracks dance studio in Darwin CBD includes masterclasses to increase dance vocabulary and structured tasks to unlock creativity.

What is Tracks YCR about?

The course is designed and run by professional dancers Madeleine Brown and Jordan Bretherton. We caught up with them to ask about the ideas behind Tracks YCR and what participants will get out of it.

Jordan told us “Maddy and I want to offer our experience as artists to the up-and-coming youth that are considering entering the arts. We have both worked hard to be where we are today but wished we had some extra guidance to help with choreography and understanding this [dance] industry” 

Maddy added “Studying or wanting to study dance professionally is intimidating, especially when there is little planned and structured support for this in the Territory. Tracks YCR fills a gap for students moving between secondary and tertiary level dance studies and/or dance industry work”. 

“Participants will improve their dance vocabulary, their choreographic skills and their understanding of the industry. This residency is designed to build on the skills you already have and to explore pathways in movement and choreography to create new ways for yourself to develop your own solos or group work.” says Jordan

Asked If their dance teaching style were an animal, what would it be, they replied:

Jordan: “My teaching style in an animal would be a Spider", Symbolising patience, receptivity, creativity.

Maddy: “My dance teaching style would be a Toucan. Colourful, vibrant, and so surprisingly good at doing it’s thing that you want to know more about it.” 

This residency is recommended for students in grade 9 and above and scholarships are available.

Get involved

The intimacy of a single body performing

North of Centre is a co-production between Tracks and Darwin Festival. In a triple bill conceived by the Festival's Artistic Director Felix Preval, and artistically produced by Tracks Artistic Co-Directors David Mc Micken and Tim Newth, you will experience Tracks a little differently. Solo! 

The dance piece from Tracks within this triple bill is called ‘Intertwine’ and is a solo dance by Kelly Beneforti. The choreography is created by Jess Devereux in collaboration with Kelly, together they have worked with James Mangohig on the soundtrack. This team has come up with a powerful work embedded with both the beauty and forceful strength of nature.

The program also includes a duet and trio.

For more information North of Centre