Restless Dance Theatre, formerly Restless Dance Company, is a dance theatre company based in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Founded in 1991, Restless works with people with and without disability.
History
The Restless Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Sally Chance and Tania Rose and was incorporated in 1996.[1]
The company changed its name to Restless Dance Theatre in 2008. At that time, Ingrid Voorendt was artistic director.[1]
Philip Channells was appointed in 2009, the first artistic director with a disability of any Australian dance company.[2] He remained in the position until 2012.[3] Michelle Ryan, a dancer and choreographer with multiple sclerosis, took over the position in 2013.[4][5]
In April 2020, the company heard that they had not been included in the 2021-2024 funding round by the Australia Council for the Arts.[6][7]
Description
The company presents dance theatre works in multiple mediums to diverse audiences. Restless has an extensive workshop program for all ages.[1]
As of August 2023[update] the artistic director is Michelle Ryan.[4]
Notable performances
From 4 September to 2 October 2020, Restless performed "Seeing Through Darkness", inspired by Expressionist artist Georges Rouault, at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA). All of the 15-minute performances were sold out,[8] with only 10 people allowed per performance owing to social distancing restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. AGSA had invited artistic director Michelle Ryan five years earlier, and Ryan chose nine works which focused on the human body and experience, rather than Rouault's religious works. Six dancers were accompanied by an original score by Hilary Kleinig and Emily Tulloch (of the Zephyr Quartet[9]), with lighting designed by Geoff Cobham (artistic director of Patch Theatre) and Meg Wilson.[10][11]
Awards
- 2010: Winner, Australian Dance Awards, Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance, for Bedroom Dancing[12]
- 2017?: Winner, Adelaide Critics Circle Award, Group Award (Professional Theatre), for Intimate Space
- 2017: Winner, Ruby Award, Artistic Innovation and Enterprise, for Intimate Space
- 2017: Nomination, Helpmann Award, Best Dance Production, for Intimate Space
- 2018: Nomination, Helpmann Award, Best Dance Production, for Intimate Space
- 2017: Nomination, Ruby Award, Best New Work, for Intimate Space
- 2019: Winner, Ruby Award, Sustained Contribution by an Organisation
- 2020?: Nomination, Ruby Award, Best Work or Event outside of a Festival, for Seeing Through Darkness
- 2022: Special Commendation Ruby Award 2022 - Best Work or Event Within a Festival, for Guttered
References
- ^ a b c "Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Restless Dance Theatre. 23 June 2010. p. 2,4-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ "Philip Channells – Artistic Director". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 8 November 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "People". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
- ^ a b Freeland, Anna (29 August 2023). "Michelle Ryan's Restless Dance Theatre puts vulnerability centrestage with moving Sydney Opera House debut". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "People". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
- ^ "Restless Dance Theatre 'devastated' after shock Australia Council funding loss". The Adelaide Review. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Smith, Matthew (9 April 2020). "Australia Council funding cut leaves dancers with disabilities in limbo". ABC News. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ "Restless Dance Theatre: Seeing Through Darkness - Performance". AGSA - The Art Gallery of South Australia. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ Marsh, Walter (2 September 2020). "Restless Dance sees through the darkness (and out of the COVID bubble)". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ Keen, Suzie (3 September 2020). "Restless dancers shed new light on expressionist artworks at AGSA". SALIFE. Photography by Shane Reid. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ Hervey, Roz. "Seeing Through Darkness 2020". Restless Dance. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ Northover, Kylie (21 June 2010). "Top honours for Bangarra". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 February 2012.