The West Australian Dance Awards is always a highly sociable affair, as this tight-knit community gathers to celebrate its achievements over the past twelve months. Last week’s presentation of the 2014 West Australian Dance Awards (WADAs) was no exception and outdoor ampitheatre and bar, Bamboo, was filled with lively and excited chatter as audience members enjoyed pre-show drinks.
The first performance began almost without anyone noticing, as dancers from STEPS Youth Dance Company infiltrated the crowd, posing as eccentric guests. Finally they made their way to the stage to perform and exuberant number. The program had begun!
The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Chrissie Parrott. With a career spanning five decades, Parrott is best known as a director, choreographer and independent artist.
The coveted awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer and Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer went to Fiona Evans and Matthew Lehmann of West Australian Ballet, for their respective performances in last year’s production of John Cranko’s Onegin.
In addition to STEPS Youth Dance Company, the audience enjoyed performances by Buzz Dance Theatre, independent dancers Jo Pollitt and Paea Leach, community dance group Nothing to Prove and the Charlesworth Ballet Instititute.
The full list of 2014 WADA winners is as follows:
Ausdance WA Lifetime Achievement Award: Chrissie Parrott
Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer: Fiona Evans for Onegin (West Australian Ballet)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer : Matthew Lehmann for Onegin (West Australian Ballet)
Outstanding Achievement in Choreography: Brooke Leeder for Mechanic.
Award for Services to Dance: David Mogridge.
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching: Phillippa Clarke.
Award for Design and/or Composition in Dance: The Standing Bird 2 + Verge team: Fiona Bruce, Lauren Ross, Ashley de Prazer, Joe Lui and Kingsley Reeve.
Award for Emerging Artist: Isabella Stone.
Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance: Megan Wood-Hill for Men of The Red Earth.
People's Choice Award for Best Production: Wheel of Fortunes, choreographed by Aimee Smith with writing facilitator Nicola-Jane le Breton and the communities of Hopetoun and Jerdacuttup.
Dance Australia congratulates the winners of the 2014 West Australian Dance Awards!