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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.

“The hottest ticket in town for arty types in Darwin this month was for the Tracks Dance Company’s youth choreographic showcase… and the emerging youth dancer/choreographers didn’t disappoint – presenting a series of electric experimental dance performances which left the crowd buzzing.” Sophie Quick, Spress July 2009

"The youth choreographic showing was a typically stimulating and uniquely Tracks experience: sitting outside in the Frog Hollow courtyard watching young dancers who have been empowered to develop their understanding of choreography within their own dance and cultural context. The combination of postmodern choreographic techniques and a wide range of dance styles yielded a set of promising and intriguing experimental performances. I hope this valuable initiative can continue." Kath Papas

"It was an absolute pleasure to witness the personal growth and choreographic development of Tracks' performers. Under the gentle but steady guidance of Dance Animateur Jess Devereux, the rapport amongst the team was palpable as lots of very happy folk, young and old sat under the trees to experience contemporary dance practice in it's very practice. True empowerment comes from young people leading young people. Tracks' choreographic initiative provides this space for leadership and professional development in a safe yet challenging environment cultivating the makers and thinkers of the future. Viva Tracks!” Bec Reid

Concept

David McMicken

Dance Animateur

Jess Devereux

Dance filmmaker

Mischa Baka Production

Manager

Kelly Blumberg

Production Assistant

Eugenio Hallen

Front of house

Susan Congreve

Ricky Borg
Stevie Kirk-Groves
Sasha Lai
Kathryn Lawrence
Corina Nichols
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 IMPROVISATION
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.