Tracks Choreographic Program provides an opportunity for emerging makers to explore the mechanics and creative scope of choreography in a process-led environment. The workshop series encourages participants to flex their choreographic muscles (brain and body!) within a supportive studio setting.

In 2021 we have 14 local participating artists: Steph Spillet, Peta Goodrem, Sita Valadian, Eleni Vettos, Stephanie Thompson, Nicky Fearn, Mave Ward, Katy Moir, Rachal Van Wyk, Kate Boston Smith, Raj Pillai, Omaya Dona Padmaperuma, Cat Hart and Felicity Wardle.

With just two weeks until the Choreolab showings for the public, we thought we'd catch up with the artists to hear about their experience so far...

Steph Spillet

What do you love about moving and dancing? 
There is no right or wrong, it’s good for the body and mind, I can make it my own.

What does Tracks mean to you at the moment?
Tracks will always be my dance family, somewhere I can always come to even if I’ve been interstate. It's somewhere I can create, a safe place to be myself, and where I know I will be mentored to be my best self.

Peta Jane Goodrem

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program?
I wanted to do something that I felt was out of my depth and challenging, and be a part of an experience that tuned me into my body.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
Visual Art (bodies and plants), music, singing and sculpture.

Sita Suren Arya Valadian 

What do you love about moving and dancing?
I love the expression. Taking something from within me and bringing it out into the world.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
Poetry. I love writing poetry. I took it up to express myself when my body couldn’t dance any more.

Eleni Vettos

What do you love about moving and dancing?
Not being in control for a moment.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
I'm interested in paint-by-number sets, exploring Darwin and RuPaul‘s drag race.

Stephanie Rebecca Thompson

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
I started teaching burlesque and choreographic solos, and choreography did not come easily to me. I didn’t trust my creativity and wanted to learn choreographic elements and grow with other artists and movers.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
I'm interested to go Kayaking in Katherine Gorge.

Nicky Fearn

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
Why did I apply? To have fun, and learn new ways of creating work, to share a passion with others / people from very different experiences and backgrounds.

What does Tracks mean to you at the moment?
Tracks means new opportunities at my later stage in life and career, freedom to explore, to have no judgement / outcome, free to find / fail / fully have fun.

Mave Ally Ward

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
To gain / expand on my dance skills as well as being able to get my name and work out into the world.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
Making bracelets. I make them out of embroidery yarn. I like the patterns and the dynamics I can create with them. I like that I can make ones with meaning and ones without.

Katy Moir

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
To expand on, and give value to, one of the most joyful things in my life.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
Shifting expectations – facing people with values and behaviours they wouldn’t expect from the “hero” of a story.

Rachal Van Wyk

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
To be part of a group that inspires me to create; let go and feel light.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
I am interested in collaborative creative processes that give people new ways to explore uncomfortable topics. I really really love yoga too.

Kate Boston Smith

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? 
All I want to do is dance and experience the world using my body in new ways. I love ageing and learning more about this radical vessel that carries my brain, my soul, my heart through the world.

What does Tracks mean to you at the moment?
Play, expression, community, new ideas for my performance, for my teaching. Passion, artistry, love, joy. Physical strength and growth.

Rajesh Pillai

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
I always had an interest to learn about choreography. I have always dreamt of one performance which includes fusion of folk with free-form.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
Well, I guess giving out small speeches with a strong message to make individuals realise their true existence in this world.

Dona Dilshani Omaya Padmaperuma

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
I heard about Tracks when I moved to Darwin, I was eager to know about the amazing performance they do and I was a big fan of it. I had a dream to get into Tracks one day. And I put the application as soon as they opened the intake. Finally I was lucky enough to get in. 

What do you love about moving and dancing?
Dance / moving opened up many parts of myself that I never thought actually existed. It also takes me to places that I could never travel to in real life. It’s kind of a meditation sometimes. It helps me to balance my life when I am stressed about other things.

Cat Hart 

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
I work in the theatre arts and am beginning to create more and more of my own works. I wanted to do the program so I could find more confidence to experiment with and focus on bringing more dance into my theatre work. I'm also aware as a dancer of how my body is changing as I age. Now in my mid-life years (and recovering from a dance injury) it was important to me to start to trust and challenge my body safely and to adapt to its changes and strengths. The program provides a safe space to explore both dance and it's relation with our body.  Lastly, simply because it's an amazing program working with a hugely diverse range of artists and creatives, being guided through so many amazing exercises and challenges. What's not to love!

Felicity Wardle

What attracted you to the Choreographic Program? Why did you apply?
I’m currently pregnant and wanted to explore my changing body, and engage in a creative process while in the creative process of pregnancy.

What are you currently interested in creatively, other than dance?
I love all forms of creativity and creative expression. Currently I am “working” on several fun projects promoting body positivity through visual art/crafts, and transforming eco-grief through dance with psychedelic-steampunk-insects.

Learn more about the Tracks Choreographic Program

Choreolab

The Choreographic Program culminates with 'Choreolab', an exciting weekend of public showings on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May at Tracks Studio and surrounds.

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