As the end of the academic year approaches tertiary institutions around Australia are rehearsing for their end of year shows. The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) all have their dance department graduation shows in the next month and these programs are a great way to see the next generation of dancers in action.
QUT dance is celebrating its 35th birthday with a performance of Graeme Murphy’s Berlin. Excerpts from the work are being restaged by QUT alumnus and Sydney Dance Company ex-principal dancer Tracey Carrodus. It’s the first time a dance training institution has been allowed to stage a Murphy piece.
The program will also include a new contemporary work by Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Daniel Riley-McKinley, a new neoclassical work by Taiwan National University of the Arts teacher and freelance choreographer Graeme Collins, a new contemporary piece by QUT resident choreographer Csaba Buday, a new Broadway inspired work by former Jersey Boys resident choreographer Jason Duff, selected excerpts from works by Natalie Weir, a new contemporary piece by QUT dance adjunct professor, Shaaron Boughen and an excerpt from a recent work make for Queensland Ballet by current MFA(Dance) student Gareth Belling.
QUT’s end-of-year program plays the Gardens Theatre, 5-9 November.
This semester VCA’s graduating dance and production students have been studying under guest choreographers Frances Rings, and VCA alumni alumni Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal (Master Choreography, 2009) and Feng Feng Wang (Master of Choreography, 2005). The resulting program will be performed 14-21 November at VCA’s Space 28.
WAAPA’s second and third year students will present “Jardi”, a program which includes two new works by Australian choreographers Leigh Warren and Sue Peacock, as well as a remounting of Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat and a restanging of highlights from Coppelia by WAAPA co-ordinator of classical ballet Kim McCarthy and colleague Andries Weidemann.
Students and staff alike are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with prominent Australian choreographer, Leigh Warren. Warren’s new work is entitled There’s No Time Like the Present.
“Jardi” will be presented at the Geoff Gibbs Theatre at WAAPA, 16-23 November.
Bookings
QUT: here
VCA: here
WAAPA: here
Jardi Tancat (WAAPA). Photo: Jon Green.
VCA students in Impermanence (2013) br Frances Rings. Photo: Jeff Busby.