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WAAPA dancers unleash their creativity

WAAPA’s graduating dancers are set to unleash their choreographic talents in a short season of original dance works performed in the intimate setting of the Dolphin Theatre.

Unleash is a unique celebration of the incredible talent on display at WAAPA, with the self-devised pieces of the 3rd Year Dance students being performed by their peers and set to original music composed by the Composition and Music Technology students.

The students’ evocative, inventive dance works encompass a wide range of themes, providing a fascinating insight into the interests and concerns of these talented young artists.

These highly creative, 10-minute works navigate the hopes and fears of their young creators covering everything from serious issues and social concerns through to whimsical, comedic subjects. With such a stimulating diversity of subject material, Unleash promises to be an entertaining evening of contemporary dance from exciting young choreographers on the cusp of their professional careers.

Performance Details for Unleash

Where: DOLPHIN THEATRE, UWA, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley
When: Tue 29, Wed 30, Thu 30, Fri 31 August at 7.30pm | Matinee Sat 1 September at 2.00pm
Cost: Tickets $27 Full / $22 Concession and Friends

Choreographed by: WAAPA 3rd Year Dance students
Performed by: WAAPA Dance students   
Music by: WAAPA Composition and Music Technology students
BOOK NOW: Tel: (08) 9370 6895 or online at: waapa.ecu.edu.au/boxoffice

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WAAPA graduate returns to Mindarie Senior High School

Waapa dance teacher

Dance Teacher Pamela Konijn with Alumni Student Jessica Cruse and Collene Coote (In Orange). Photo, Matt Jelonek.

 

A WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) graduate recently returned to her high school to teach a student there.

Mindarie Senior College recruited Jessica Cruse, who finished at the school in 2012, to create a solo for current Year 12 student Colleen Coote.

“Jessica is a great success story for our dance department,” dance teacher Pamela Konijn said. “Jess completed a Bachelor of Arts (dance) at WAAPA, where they audition and take the top 18 dancers from the country for the course. “Jess was the ‘poster’ girl for her final year WAAPA showcase and the lead role in the ballet piece.”

Mrs Konijn said the former student went on to train at the Melbourne City Ballet and would embark on an audition tour of the USA in April.

“We love it here at MSC when past students come back to work in the college,” she said. “We currently have three teachers who are all ex-MSC alumni.”

 

Story by Community News

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Pulse, a brilliant mix of contemporary works

Pulse is a showcase of cutting-edge contemporary dance from four groundbreaking international and Australian choreographers.

 

The program, to be performed by WAAPA’s 2nd and 3rd Year student dancers, includes works by Chinese choreographer Xianrong Xiao, Dutch choreographer Nils Christe, LINK Artistic Director Michael Whaites and WAAPA alumnus and ex-SDC dancer Kynan Hughes. Pulse will be performed in WAAPA’s Geoff Gibbs Theatre from Saturday 2nd May through to Friday 8th May at 7.30pm.

 

Renowned Chinese choreographer Xianrong Xiao brings his fluid and organic stylings to a new work that will be devised with the graduating dancers. Acclaimed Dutch choreographer Nils Christe and his co-assistant wife, Annegien Sneep, will remount Christe’s famous ballet, SYNC. This is the first time a student group has been given permission to remount this acclaimed piece.

 

Watch the Royal Swedish Ballet perform SYNC in this 2011 video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8rAjSM1Dec

 

“SYNC is a fast paced, high voltage piece that combines both classical and modern dance techniques, for a cast of nine women on point and three men,” says Christe. “Originally created for the Washington Ballet, this will be the first time that a school will perform parts from the original 45-minute piece.”

“The WAAPA 3rd Year dancers are very versatile, and they are picking up on the style and movements extremely well. We are all excited about bringing SYNC to the stage here in Perth.”

Completing the Pulse program will be works by local LINK Artistic Director, Michael Whaites and WAAPA alumnus and ex-SDC dancer, Kynan Hughes.

 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: PULSE

GEOFF GIBBS THEATRE, ECU, 2 Bradford St, Mount Lawley

Tickets $25 / $20 Concession and Friends

Sat 2, Mon 4, Tues 5, Wed 6, Thurs 7, Fri 8 May, 7.30pm

Performed by: WAAPA 2nd and 3rd Year Dance students

Choreographers: Nils Christe, Xianrong Xiao, Michael Whaites, Kynan Hughes

BOOK NOW: Tel: (08) 9370 6895 or online at: waapa.ecu.edu.au/boxoffice

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