Hidden Movements is a creative development program where up to 10 young dancers across Perth and the Mandurah region will work under the guidance of local dance artist Bernadette Lewis to develop their skills in choreography, improvisation, and performance. Hidden Movements places emphasis on performance based learning through a completely unique platform that reduces rehearsal time and increases stage time. Dancers will access quick fire, creative decision making through mentoring to devise a short solo work to be presented in a season of three performances.

In 2019 there will be an opportunity for both Metro and Regional dance artists (currently living in the Peel region) to participate.

Metro:
Presented by Propel Youth Arts WA for Youth Week WA KickstART Festival 2019 with performances at The State Theatre Centre of WA.

Regional:
Presented by the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre as part of the You Are… Festival with performances in MANPAC’s Fishtrap Theatre.

How does Hidden Movements work?

To cater specifically to each location, the Metro and Regional programs will run with their own bespoke design.

Metro:
Perth’s iteration will run across just over 3 weeks and will comprise a single tier mentorship model. Up to 5 emerging dancers (aged 18-26) will work with mentor Bernadette Lewis in group and one-on-one sessions to develop and devise their solo work. Although the rehearsals will be guided by Bernadette, participants can work as independently as they wish. Peer support and mentoring will also be encouraged as a means to foster critical thinking, dialogue and creative nurturing. Basic sound and other technical elements will be available for the performances.

Regional:
Mandurah’s iteration will run across approximately 6 weeks and will comprise a dual tier mentoring model, and is open to participants currently living in the Peel region. Up to 5 young dancers (aged 15-26) will work with mentor Bernadette Lewis and three Perth-based professional dance artists, acting as co-mentors and performers in the program. Sunday rehearsals will include a contemporary dance warm up led by one of the 4 mentors, followed by choreographic and improvisation skills development and finish with individual creative development time. Basic sound and other technical elements will be available for the performances.

About the mentor

Bernadette Lewis graduated from WAAPA’s honours program, LINK Dance Company in 2011. In 2012 she toured Australia with Tasdance, performing in works by Anton, Frances Rings and Marnie Palomares. Locally, Bernadette has performed in works by Buzz Dance Theatre, Sue Peacock, Aimee Smith, Jo Pollitt, Patrice Smith, Claudia Alessi, Didier Théron, Natalie Allen and most recently in Maxine Doyle’s Sunset, commissioned for Perth Festival. In 2014 she was nominated for most outstanding female performer at the WA Dance Awards.

Her choreographic work includes new commissions by WAAPA, various residencies (STRUT Dance, Chunky Move, MANPAC) and movement consultation for new theatre works by The Last Great Hunt and Riptide. The Honeymoon Suite, curated by Paper Mountain for Peaks 2018 was the recipient of the FRINGE WORLD Dance and Physical Theatre Award.

Bernadette also works passionately in the field of teaching and community engagement, partnering and freelancing with leading organisations such as Co3 Australia, DADAA, TRACKSUIT, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, STRUT, WAAPA, WAYTCo, WA Ballet, Ausdance WA, FORM and Dance For Parkinson’s.

Who should apply?

Metro:
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 26 years old. Emerging dance artists either currently in tertiary training or within their first 5 years of professional practice are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those who are interested in devising solo, improvisation based work. 

Regional:
Applicants must be aged between 15 and 26 years old and currently living in the Peel region. Dance students currently studying ATAR or similar and contemporary dance enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be interested in devising own choreography and feel comfortable performing structured improvisation and as a soloist.

Key Dates

 Application Process:

·      Monday 4 February: Applications open

·      Friday 8 March: Applications close

·      Monday 11 March: All applicants notified

Metro:

·      Monday 1 April: First meeting and briefing session 5:00pm - 7:00pm

·      Monday 8 April: Second meeting and creative development 5:00pm - 7:00pm

·      Sunday 14 April: Creative development 10:00am - 2:00pm

·      Monday 15 April: Creative development 4:00pm - 9:00pm

·      Tuesday 16 April: Creative development 4:00pm - 9:00pm

·      Wednesday 17 April: Plotting, dress rehearsal, performance 2:30pm -8:30pm

·      Thursday 18 April: Rehearsal, 2x performance 3:30pm - 8:30pm

·      Tuesday 23 April: Final meeting, debrief and feedback session

Regional:

·      Thursday 28 March: First meeting and briefing session 4:00pm - 6:00pm

·      Sunday 31 March: Creative development 10:00am - 4:00pm

·      Sunday 7 April: Creative development 10:00am - 4:00pm

·      Sunday 28 April: Creative development 10:00am - 4:00pm

·      Wednesday 1 May: Creative development 4:00pm - 8:00pm

·      Thursday 2 May: Creative development, plotting 4:00pm - 8:00pm

·      Friday 3 May: Dress rehearsal, performance 2:30pm - 7:30pm

·      Saturday 4 May: Rehearsal, 2x performance 12:00pm - 6:30pm

·      Wednesday 8 May: Final meeting, debrief and feedback session

How do I apply?

Click the below button to fill out the Expression of Interest application form before 5.00pm on Friday 8 March. Late submissions will not be considered. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about this opportunity or the application process, please contact Bernadette Lewis, Dance Engagement Officer, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, by phoning 08 9550 3986 or emailing bernadette.lewis@manpac.com.au.

 

Further Information

The Youth Week WA KickstART Festival 2019 is presented by Propel Youth Arts WA, and is supported by the Government of Western Australia. KickstART Festival is also supported by Lotterywest, the City of Perth and the Perth Theatre Trust.

The You Are… Festival 2019 is presented by the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, and is funded by the Government of Western Australia. Mandurah Performing Arts Centre acknowledges the support of Halls Head Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank as the strategic youth partner for the 2019 You Are… Festival.

All enquiries can be directed to hello@propel.org.au or 08 9328 5855.