Australian Dance Theatre (ADT), in partnership with CreateSA, proudly announces the inaugural recipients of its LOFT residency program, a transformative initiative designed to empower independent dancers across Australia. With $70,000 in funding distributed among a talented cohort, over half of whom are South Australian artists, LOFT aims to invigorate the independent dance sector by providing critical resources, studio space, and opportunities for collaboration at the Lion Arts Centre’s dedicated Level 1 studio.
Leading the program is the EXPOUND Residency, awarded to internationally renowned Bharathanatyam dancer and choreographer Christopher Gurusamy. As the largest residency of its kind in Australia, it grants Gurusamy $30,000 and up to six weeks of studio time at LOFT to develop his innovative work, Kalki, which explores the evolution of Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, and South Asian artistry in 21st-century Australia. “I am so full of gratitude to be the recipient of the 2025 Expound Residency,” says Christopher. “Thank you to Australian Dance Theatre and CreateSA for this opportunity. I am very excited to share, create and learn in Adelaide and connect with its arts community. It will propel Kalki and broaden the trajectory of my practice.”
The 2025 EXPLORE Residencies welcome eight artists from across Australia: Ade Suharto (SA), Aimee Raitman (VIC), Alix Kuijpers (SA), Cheeky Chandler (NT), Kaine Sultan Babij (SA), Natalie Allen (WA), Thomas Bradley (NSW), and Tyler Carney-Faleatua (NSW). Each receives $3,000, one week of studio time, and the chance to lead a free workshop for South Australia’s independent dance sector, fostering skill-sharing and creative growth.
ADT’s 2025 PEAK Residency has been awarded to South Australian choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell, who will further develop Conjuring (or how to make the show between us), a daring choreographic experiment blending live, collaborative performance-making with audience interaction. Supported by a $12,000 grant, studio time, and Adelaide Fringe, this ambitious, poignant, and unpredictable work is set for a 2026 premiere. South Australian artists Zoë Dunwoodie, Janelle Egan, and Motus Collective also receive grants and studio access to nurture their projects.
LOFT, a joint initiative between ADT and CreateSA, provides a dedicated space at the Lion Arts Centre and Tanja Liedtke Studio to support independent dance. Led by Producer Viviana Sacchero, the program encourages bold experimentation, national and international collaborations, and rigorous practice, creating a vibrant hub where artists can develop groundbreaking work. For more information, visit the Australian Dance Theatre website.
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