NEW WORK

OFF THE RECORD (2015 – 2016) is a new commissioned work by Carriageworks in collaboration with resident company, Force Majeure and Dance Integrated Australia. It is a light-hearted response to the societal rules we live by; weighing up the consequences of playing safe and toeing the line with risky decisions and breaking the rules.

For more information visit Carriageworks.

Photo: Gregory Lorenzutti

NO DIFFERENCE (2015 – 2017) is a new collaboration between The Arts Centre Gold Coast, Philip Channells (Dance Integrated Australia), Gavin Webber (The Farm Company) and former Moulin Rouge performer, Marissa Burgess. (currently in development)

PAST PROJECTS

Behind the Façade (2015) was a site-specific installation performance at Bundanon Trust’s Riversdale property, which is situated on the NSW South Coast. 18 collaborators from across Australia, New Zealand and the UK participated in the week-long annual project, The Beyond Technique Residency. Artistic Collaborators: Laure Bachelot, James Brown, Sean Campbell, Philip Channells, Jane Fuller, Samuel James, Lee-Anne Litton, Katina Olsen and Dominic T. Rado.

PERFECT (im)PERFECTIONS – stories untold (2014) is an international collaboration between DansiT and Dance Integrated Australia for the Multiplié Dansefestival in Trondheim, Norway. Director/choreographer Philip Channells joined forces with Trond Wiger (poet/rap artist), Arnfinn Killingtveit (sound design), Svein Inge Neergård (lighting designer) and 19 dancers from the Danselaboratoriet and Danseteateret55+.

The Main Event (2014) was performed at Jasper Corner, Federal’s Community Hall and former Anglican Church. In a week-long collaboration with Gavin Webber (Animal Farm Collective), 32 dancers from across Australia and New Zealand participated in this inaugural dance residency situated on the NSW North Coast inland from Byron Bay.

In Your Arms (2013) was the third work of the dwell – a triple bill project. This was a collaboration between Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre Inc, R.E.D. Inc, Tralala Blip and Dance Integrated Australia.  The dance (a work in progress) was inspired by the work of Northern Rivers-based visual artist, Nathan Gooley. After an initial immersion week in Alstonville in April and another week-long residency with 24 dancers with and without disability,  an art exhibition, dance performance and a panel discussion / Q&A was held at the Byron Community Centre and Byron Theatre.

Skin-deep (2013) was part of Second Skin for the Accessible Arts Catalyst Dance Masterclass Series held at the Bangarra Theatre, Sydney. Second Skin was the studio showing of the professional development project which featured works by Sue Healey, Dean Walsh & Philip Channells (Creative Director). Each choreographer developed their work over a 2-day creative process with 24 emerging and professional dancers with and without disability.

What happened on the way to the gallery? (2013) was a culmination of a series of workshops at the Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts in Brisbane. People with different life experience and a broad range of knowledge of dance participated in this 3-day event which led to a studio showing. This was part of Ausdance Queensland’s commitment to providing professional development opportunities for people with and without disability.

Enter & Exit (2013) was a 3-day performance-making workshop held at the King Street Arts Centre in Perth. Participants with and without a disability (dance trained & untrained) were members of DADAA WA’s Tracksuit company led by Paige Gordon with guest dancers from as far away a Geralton joining the ensemble. This 40-minute sharing was part of Ausdance WA’s Dance Week program which included disability-inclusive masterclasses, workshops, a forum and the Enter & Exit performance.

Second Skin (2012) was part of the Catalyst Dance Masterclass Series through Accessible Arts NSW. Catalyst provided skills development and training for dance practitioners, teachers, choreographers and dancers with and without disability working in inclusive practices. This 30-minute studio showing at the Carriageworks in Sydney, was a culmination of two days work with more than 40 dancers with a range of knowledge and life experience.

inPerspective #1 (2012) is a new research and development project in collaboration with Ebony James Chow and Margit Bruenner from the Architecture Department of the Adelaide University, independent artists with a disability and dancers from the Adelaide College of the Arts. This early stage development will inform an ongoing relationship between dance and architecture for future treatments of the work and was presented at the Australian Dance Theatre’s ‘Rough Draft’ program and Ausdance SA’s ‘Choreolab In-Theatre’ season.

Lythophytes & Epiphytes (2012) was part of the Australian Youth Dance Festival’s site specific performance Shades of Us at the Mt Penang Gardens, Gosford in regional NSW. Dancers with and without a disability were challenged and inspired to look for a new and authentic quality of movement specific to them. Based around a process of improvisation in the performance space, they explored an embodiment of plants that live on air, that cling to life on the side of a cliff, a staircase that engulfs life and the drama of a murder mystery film.

Next of Kin (2010) investigates how we inherit those things that flow from our brothers and sisters, parent to child; who makes decisions for us and who takes responsibility for the things we choose to leave behind. It explores life choices; privileges and our rights to determine our future; as well as how we hold a secret and how we tell it. This was an intergenerational work with family and friends of the Youth Ensemble dancers performing together – some for the very first time…ever.

From The Ground Up (2010) was an outcome of the Creative Education Partnerships | Artist in Residence (CEP | AIR) project based at the Riverland Special School in regional South Australia. Another Restless Dance Theatre project, the work explored themes around individual identities, a sense of belonging and trust. 30 dancers with a disability worked weekly across two school terms to build their dance vocabulary and creative expertise, confidence and self esteem, and a sense of accomplishment for having challenged themselves to try something new.

the fascination of endurance (2009) is an Australian/UK collaboration directed & performed by Kaz Langley & Philip Channells with Kwesi Edman (composer/musician) performing live cello. In its first stage development (2009) other collaborators included Candoco Dance Company’s founding artistic director, Adam Benjamin (movement direction) and Graeae Theatre Company and London Paralympic Opening Ceremony artistic director, Jenny Sealey (access direction).
This work will be physical theatre with a difference.

wish You were here (2008) used still images of daily Carribean life and was inspired by the colours, smells & tastes of island culture to create new movement vocabulary. With an integrated cast, this short work highlighted the strengths and individualities of some of the students with disabilities from The Avenue School collaborating with students from Christchurch School, Reading UK. The work celebrated the warmth and flavours of island life and a shared experience of working creatively together. It was the highlight of The Proms at the Hexagon Theatre.

Photo: Tim Standing / Daylight Breaks from What happened on the way to the gallery?