One of our favourite Aussie companies celebrates 50 years in 2015. Here are just 10 reasons why we love Australian Dance Theatre.
#1. They’re at the top of their game.
The company has won nearly 30 industry awards in the last 13 years, including artistic director Garry Stewart’s Australia Council Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance this year.
#2. Their dancers are practically super-human.
They train in everything from ballet to breakdancing, and it shows. ADT dancers can do things with their bodies that seem, frankly, impossible.
#3. They’re cutting edge.
ADT has always paved the way when it comes to incorporating technology into their works. Most recently, 2014’s Multiverse, a live 3D performance and 2013’s Proximity, which combined dance with real-time video manipulation.
#4. Their outstanding collaboration with Lois Greenfield.
For their 2004 production, HELD, ADT worked with one of the most celebrated dance photographers in the world, with incredible results.
Artists from Australian Dance Theatre in ‘Held’. Photo courtesy of Australian Dance Theatre.
#5. Their commitment to young dancers.
ADT offers various education opportunities for secondary and tertiary students and graduates and in 2014 established the Australian Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble.
#6. Their 2010 work, Be Your Self.
#7. Their fresh take on the classics.
G (2008) and Birdbrain (2000) are Garry Stewart’s answers to iconic ballets Giselle and Swan Lake, respectively.
#8. For fostering the talent of Larissa McGowan.
With an international career and many industry accolades under her belt, Larissa McGowan is one of the most exciting choreographers working in Australia today. She joined ADT in 2000 and became assistant choreographer in 2008.
#9. For its rich history.
Founded in 1965 by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, ADT has a roll-call of past directors of some of the biggest names in dance, including Jonathan Taylor, Leigh Warren and Meryl Tankard.
#10. For making us think.
Current director Garry Stewart’s deep thinking and broadly creative approach – drawing on film, text, multimedia and scientific research – continues to initiate ground-breaking new works.
By Rain Francis Dance Informa.
Photo (top): Australian Dance Theatre’s ‘Be Your Self’. Photo by Chris Herzfeld Camlight Productions.
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