Australia Dancing - Dance North (1985

Dance North (1985 - )

Kelly, Ned: Debbie Clements and Csaba Buday in Graeme Watson's 'World Cafe', Dance North, 1993

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Dance North, based in Townsville, Far North Queensland, grew out of a community organisation, the North Queensland Ballet and Dance Society, which was established in 1969 to provide a performing outlet for students from local dance schools. The non-professional company that initially emerged, North Queensland Ballet Company, was directed by Ann Roberts and gave its first performance in 1970. In 1982, under the direction of Gary Hill, a core of professional dancers worked with the community participants. The final transition to a fully professional company was made in 1985 when the name change to Dance North also occurred.

Dance North as a professional entity was directed by Cheryl Stock from 1985 until 1995. Stock was also the company's resident choreographer during this period, although she commissioned works from a broad selection of Australian choreographers. In addition, under Stock, Dance North toured to over sixty centres throughout Australia and internationally to six countries. Both community outreach programs and cultural exchange with countries in the South East Asian region were major aims of the company at this stage in its development. Towards the end of Stock's term Wendy Wallace took over as acting director. She continued to act for an interim period until the appointment of Graeme Watson as artistic director in 1996.

From 1998 until March 2005, Jane Pirani was the company’s artistic director. During that time she was principal choreographer but also commissioned from a variety of choreographers including Natalie Weir. In June 2005, Gavin Webber was appointed the company’s fifth artistic director. Under his direction the company toured internationally to England, Germany, Japan and Singapore, and nationally to Perth and Sydney as well as extensively within Queensland. Webber left the company in December 2008 and in May 2009 New Zealander Raewyn Hill was announced as the new director, taking up her appointment in January 2010.

Bibliography:

Dance North's repertoire from 1985 to 1993 is listed in The Ausdance Guide to Australian Dance Companies (Canberra: AGPS, 1994), pp. 62-71. Current repertoire is listed on the company's website which is available as a link at the top of this page.

See also: Stock, Cheryl ; Watson, Graeme ; Weir, Natalie

Research Materials

Other resources

Find more about Dance North in:

Internet - Google
Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
Pictures - Picture Australia