The 2015 Australian Dance Awards shortlist has been announced and two QUT Creative Industries Faculty dance graduates have been shortlisted in three of the 11 categories.
QUT extends its congratulations to Michelle Ryan, Artistic Director of Restless Dance Theatre, and choreographer and film maker, Claire Marshall.
Associate Professor Gene Moyle, QUT Head of Discipline - Dance said Restless Dance Theatre had been shortlisted in the Outstanding Achievement in Youth Dance for its production of Salt and Michelle was also up for the Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance award for her collaboration with the Torque Show and Lavender vs. Rose for the moving work, Intimacy.
"Claire Marshall is also shortlisted in the Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media for her work on Ward of State. This powerful dance film, set in the 1930s and about a young girl taken from her parents and put into care as a "ward of the state", was inspired by her own family history," Professor Moyle said.
"Both Claire and Michelle are wonderfully talented and ground-breaking in their approach to dance. The mission of Restless Dance Theatre is to collaboratively create outstanding inclusive dance theatre informed by disability.
"Described as an exploration of worth, value and commodity, Salt premiered in 2014 and was developed for the Restless Dance Theatre's Touring Company by Spanish-based Director Rob Tannion who is also a QUT dance graduate."
Professor Moyle added that a number of other QUT dance graduates were longlisted for the 2015 Australian Dance Awards, including Sue Fox (Dance Education), Natalie Weir, Artistic Director of Expressions Dance Company for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for The Red Shoes, Elise May (Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer for her work in The Red Shoes) and Lizzie and Zaimon Vilmanis (Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance).
"I congratulate all the nominees and wish Michelle and Claire the best for the 12 September when the winners are announced in Adelaide," Professor Moyle said.
"It's a great professional honour for them but it is also an excellent testimony to the training and development opportunities on offer here at QUT's Creative Industries Faculty.
"Our dance program is world-class, our teaching team including sessionals and guest artists are internationally experienced, and we have excellent facilities for students to enjoy. The nominees' success in the real world beyond graduation only further contributes to QUT's reputation as one of Australia's premier dance institutions."
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
