Restless Dance Theatre

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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.

Contents

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. [2]

In April 2020, the company was shocked to hear that they hadn't been included in the 2021-2024 funding round by the Australia Council for the Arts. [3] [4]

Description

The company presents dance theatre works in multiple mediums to diverse audiences. Restless has an extensive workshop program for all ages. [2]

As of April 2020 the Artistic Director is Michelle Ryan, who has been the Artistic Director since January 2013. [5] [3]

Performances

From 4 September to 2 October 2020, Restless perform "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, [6] 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 [7] ), with lighting designed by Geoff Cobham (artistic director of Patch Theatre) and Meg Wilson. [8] [9]

Awards

The company won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance at the 2010 Australian Dance Awards for Bedroom Dancing. [10]

*Special Commendation Ruby Award 2022 - Best Work or Event Within a Festival Guttered

*Winner Ruby Award - Sustained Contribution by an Organisation 2019

*Winner Ruby Award - Artistic Innovation and Enterprise 2017 Intimate Space

*Winner Adelaide Critics Circle Award - Group Award (Professional Theatre) Intimate Space

*Nomination Ruby Award – Best Work or Event outside of a Festival Seeing Through Darkness

*Nomination Helpmann Award - Best Dance Production 2017 Intimate Space

*Nomination Helpmann Award - Best Dance Production 2018 Intimate Space

*Nomination Ruby Award - Best New Work 2017 Intimate Space

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References

  1. ↑ Annual Report 2008, p. 2.
  2. 1 2 Annual Report 2008, p. 4.
  3. 1 2 "Restless Dance Theatre 'devastated' after shock Australia Council funding loss". The Adelaide Review. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  4. ↑ Smith, Matthew (9 April 2020). "Australia Council funding cut leaves dancers with disabilities in limbo". ABC News. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "People". Restless Dance Theatre. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Restless Dance Theatre: Seeing Through Darkness - Performance". AGSA - The Art Gallery of South Australia. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  7. ↑ Marsh, Walter (2 September 2020). "Restless Dance sees through the darkness (and out of the COVID bubble)". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Keen, Suzie (3 September 2020). "Restless dancers shed new light on expressionist artworks at AGSA". SALIFE. Photography by Shane Reid. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  9. ↑ Hervey, Roz. "Seeing Through Darkness 2020". Restless Dance. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  10. ↑ Northover, Kylie (21 June 2010). "Top honours for Bangarra". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 26 February 2012.
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