Lawns, Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts, Darwin City

Showing: Saturday June 13, 2009

A show & tell afternoon of experimental dance. A chance to see what Darwin’s young choreographers are thinking, feeling & creating!

In a town that bubbles over with talent, opportunities for young emerging choreographers are few and far between. Saving them a move interstate, Tracks’ Youth Choreographic Program has offered a training ground for the development of six young dance makers: Ricky Borg, Stevie Kirk-Groves, Sasha Lai, Kathryn Lawrence, Corina Nichols & Paul Viojan. These artists have poured themselves into the activity of developing and honing their choreographic skills, and in the process have generated terrific discussion, sensational one-off improvisations and now, finished dance pieces.

I have encouraged the group to explore diverse and imaginative approaches to choreography, covering journaling and creative writing, utilising music and visual art as stimuli, dreaming up environments, using postmodern structures for creating dance material and working creatively within specific sites... in their cases, this meant up trees, down stairwells and upon bench tops at Frog Hollow, which in turn became the inspiration for a dance film by Mischa Baka.

After months of workshops in the studio, a vibrant period of dance exploration and enjoying assorted-cream biscuits, the participants are now excited to strut their stuff. Today’s showing presents the work of these six delightful young people, whose dedication, energy and enthusiasm for the choreographic program has been a total joy, and awfully contagious. The result is a diverse program where their individuality & creativity is celebrated. 

Director’s Notes - Jess Devereux

Creative Personnel

Concept: David McMicken
Dance Animateur: Jess Devereux
Dance Filmmaker: Mischa Baka
Choreographers: Ricky Borg, Stevie Kirk-Groves, Sasha Lai, Kathryn Lawrence, Corina Nichols and Paul Viojan

Production and Promotion Personnel

Production Manager: Kelly Blumberg
Production Assistant: Eugenio Hallen
Front of House: Susan Congreve

Performers

Ricky Borg, Stevie Kirk-Groves, Sasha Lai, Kathryn Lawrence, Corina Nichols and Paul Viojan

Scenario

Revelry by Paul Viojan

Music: Kings of Leon
Cast: Paul, Sasha, Ricky, Kathryn, Stevie & Corina
Five Rhythms Improv Flow Staccato Lyrical Chaos and Stillness

Life by Sasha Lai

Music: Sia
Cast: Sasha & Paul
My piece of choreography is based around the correlation of two people, one of which has passed away. The movement is a reflection on the loss of someone and the connection between the two. The emotion within the movement is very raw and showcases the extent to which both characters rely on one another. A large amount of the movement is made possible through the partnership and this highlights the idea of dependency and connection. My focus was to portray the change between being there in body, to being there in soul.  

Sonata in Rick-e Major by Ricky Borg

Music: Composed by Clint Mansell, performed by the Kronos Quartet
Cast: Ricky
The work represents the musical assembly of a ‘Sonata.’ A sonata is generally a long piece of music comprising three parts or ‘movements.’ The first part being the ‘Exposition,’ made up of two or three themes, often in contrasting keys. The second part is called the ‘Development’ where theme and textural possibilities of the thematic material are explored. Lastly is the ‘Recapitulation’ which is an altered repeat of the ‘Exposition.’ I have taken the structure of the sonata and endeavoured to represent it in my choreography.

My Body, Myself by Stevie Kirk-Groves

Music: Múm & Björk
Cast: Stevie, Ricky, Paul, Kathryn, Corina & Sasha
A mind’s picture of oneself

With Every Heartbeat by Corina Nichols

Music: Robyn with Kleerup
Cast: Corina, Paul & Sasha  
Combining my own distinctive style with new choreographic ideas, I have created a dance that reflects on events in my life. The message is in the movement. I hope you find a meaning.  

In-Depth by Kathryn Lawrence

Music: Joanna Newsom & Chill Out
Cast: Kathryn & Stevie
Initially, ‘In-depth’ was a movement piece that focused on creative lighting choices and how lights enable movement to be interpreted differently, depending on where they are and how they highlight the moving body. As the choreography evolved, the piece became somewhat different. It's now focused on shadows; how shadows can bring a whole new meaning to movement performed ordinarily. ‘In depth’ is an exploration of the perception of movement, placing choreography and lights behind a screen, then revealing the choreography in front of the screen, face to face with the audience, allowing them to notice (or not notice) the similarities, differences and qualities between the two.

Group Improviation

Composer/rulemaker: Jess Devereux
Cast: Stevie, Ricky, Paul, Kathryn, Corina & Sasha

Panel Discussion

Hosted by Jenelle Saunders of Ausdance NT - an opportunity to exchange ideas and feedback with the choreographers.

Where is the Line

Filming & editing: Mischa Baka
Concept & workshop: Jess Devereux
Music: Björk & Múm
A dance film, set around the grounds and gardens at Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts. The film will be playing on a loop in the conference room throughout the afternoon’s proceedings! Check it out.

Tracks 2009

Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
General Manager (Acting): Susan Congreve
Dance Animateurs: Julia Quinn, Jess Devereux
Administrator: Gail Evans, Ciella Williams, Kelly Beneforti
Bookkeeper: Julie Ann Stark
Development Consultant: Suzanne Fermanis
Production Manager: Kelly Blumberg

Committee Members: (Chair) Jill MacAndrew, (Vice-Chair) David Taylor, (Treasurer) Glenn Bernardin, (Secretary/Public Officer) Traci Keys, (Ordinary Committee Members) Ken Conway, Nick Papandonakis, Joanna Barrkman, Donna Quong, (Ex-Officio Members) David McMicken and Tim Newth

Public Fund Trustees: Rev. Steve Orme, Dr Anita Toth, Paul Wan