Five Restless dancers share director’s chair

As Adelaide’s award-winning dance company working with young people with and without disability, Restless Dance Theatre will present the premiere of debut 5: the dancers direct in the Restless Studio from 20–29 October. Debut 5 will also mark the first public performances in the new Restless Dance Studio.

Debut 5 is comprised of five diverse short works, each directed by a different Restless dancer. Three are from the Restless Senior Ensemble and two are from the Youth Ensemble. The dancers directing are James Bull, Josh Campton, Chris Dyke, Jianna Georgiou and Rachel High.

Each dancer/director has been paired up with a professional guest mentor. The mentors are Nadia Cusimano, Gina Rings, Larissa McGowan, Peter Sheedy and Lisa Heaven. Plus, the production will feature designs by Ailsa Paterson and lighting design by Geoff Cobham.

Debut 5 is a result of the company’s successful 25th anniversary fundraising campaign. Restless was one of 31 organisations around Australia chosen to receive a matched funding opportunity through Creative Partnerships Australia Plus1. Restless raised $38,420 earlier this year and the Australian Government matched it with a further $35,420. The company also received $20,000 for debut 5 from Arts South Australia through the Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Fund.

Restless Artistic Director Michelle Ryan said, “It is so exciting to see the creative ideas of our five emerging directors coming to life on the stage. There is an eclectic mix of works that are bold, insightful and bursting with creativity. And, thanks to the generous people that gave to our Give Me Five fundraising campaign earlier this year, we are able to present these five works professionally in our new studio.”

Ryan added, “Restless plays an important role in nurturing and supporting the professional development of our artists and we can’t wait to share their works with you.”

Restless Dance Theatre creates eloquent, yet uninhibited, dance theatre. It is Australia’s leading dance theatre company working with young people with and without disability to collaboratively create outstanding inclusive dance theatre informed by disability. It has received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance at the Australian Dance Awards and a SA Ruby Award for Sustained Contribution by an Organisation. In 2015, Restless was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance for Salt at the Australian Dance Awards.

In total, the company has mounted 31 major productions to widespread critical acclaim and conducted 22 major community workshop programs. It’s also produced award-winning film works.

To book tickets to Debut 5 head to www.trybooking.com. Visit www.restlessdance.org for more information on the company.

Photo: Dancers in rehearsal for Debut 5. Photo courtesy of Restless Dance Theatre.