Tracks Dance Theatre (1994 - )

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Tracks Dance Theatre was officially launched in 1994, having developed out of a community dance program established by Sarah Calver at Brown's Mart Community Arts in 1988, which was itself an extension of the dance in education company Feats Unlimited. It was during Calver's employment as dance development officer with Brown's Mart Community Arts that she, and freelance Victorian artist Tim Newth, began working together in 1989 on a series of residencies and projects resulting in dance theatre performances that 'connected strong movement and visuals, and was founded in community development practices'. This style was to form the basis of the future Tacks Dance Theatre productions.

In 1991 Melbourne choreographer David McMicken participated in several dance development projects with Brown's Mart Community Arts, becoming full-time dance development officer in 1992, and joint dance development officer with Calver in 1993. In the following year Tracks Dance Theatre was officially established under the joint artistic directorship of Calver, Newth and McMicken. From 1998, following the departure of Calver, the company has been co-directed by Newth and McMicken.

Tracks Dance Theatre has become known for presenting large scale cross-cultural performances with a strong connection between place and culture. Tracks's, mission is 'To develop contemporary cultural expression through the movement arts in the Northern Territory'. The company has strong community connections and identifies its priority groups as multicultural, Indigenous, youth and seniors groups in both urban and remote areas. In particular it has developed a strong relationship with the Walpiri people at Lajamanu in the north of the Tanami Desert. Tracks presented the Lajamanu women's group at the 1996 Green Mill Dance Conference titled 'New Dance from Old Cultures'. Tracks has toured interstate and regularly performed throughout the Northern Territory. The company presents one major work each year as part of the Darwin Festival.Tracks Dance Theatre's large repertoire is listed on its webite which is available as a link at the top of this page.

In 2004 the company received the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award for its culturally inclusive work and in 2009 the Australian Dance Award for outstanding achievement in youth/community dance for the production Struck.

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Research Materials

Ephemera | Website | All

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Other resources

Find more about Tracks Dance Theatre in:

• Internet - Google
• Pictures - Picture Australia