Jianna is a professional dancer, director and choreographer whose relationship with Restless Dance Theatre spans more than two decades. She first joined the Restless Youth Ensemble in 2006 and has since become an integral member of the Company, performing nationally and internationally across a wide range of Restless productions.
Alongside her work as a performer, Jianna has developed her practice as a director, choreographer and educator. She has created and directed works for Restless’ Debut seasons and collaborated with artists and organisations including Meryl Tankard, Antony Hamilton, Chunky Move and Candoco.
Jianna is passionate about creating and performing work that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences. She has received recognition for her contribution to the arts, including the Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards.
Career Highlights
- Performing at the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremonyalongside Archie Roach and Amy Shark in 2018.
- Travelling to the UK for the creative development of Rewards for the Tribe, a collaboration between Restless Dance Theatre, Chunky Move and Candoco, directed by Antony Hamilton in 2019.
- Performing Zizanie, directed by acclaimed choreographer Meryl Tankard, as part of the Adelaide Festival in 2019.
- Receiving the Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awardsin recognition of her achievements and contribution to South Australian arts and culture in 2020.
- Performing with Restless internationally, including Intimate Space at the Seoul Street Arts Festival and Ecoute Pour Voir | Listen to See at Singapore’s Esplanade Festival.
- Performing in the sold-out premiere season of Private Viewat the Adelaide Festival in 2024, followed by its Australian tour.
- Performing Shifting Perspectives at Vivid Sydney and Dancing Against the Odds and Counterpoise as part of OzAsia Festival and Adelaide Film Festival in 2024.
Awards
- Finalist in the Channel 9 Young Achievers Awards, 2015
- Winner, Ruby Awards Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award, 2020
Performances
- Rebel Rebel, 2007
- The Heart of Another is a Dark Forest, Queens Theatre, 2008
- Bedroom Dancing, Come Out Festival, 2009
- Necessary Games fil, 2009
- Next of Kin, The Opera Studio State Opera of South Australia, 2010
- Take Me There, Come Out Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre Banquet Room, 2010
- Beauty, Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centr, 2010
- Howling Like A Wolf, Queens Theatre, 2012
- inPerspective #1, 2012
- No Time Like Now ,2013
- Spirited Gardens, Australian Youth Dance Festival, Renmark, 2014
- Salt, 2014
- In the Balance, The Odeon, Adelaide, 2014
- Touched, Naturally, 2015
- In the Balance, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, 2016
- A Mysterious Lake, Debut 5: The Dancers Direct, 2016
- Free and Fearless, Debut 5: The Dancers Direct, 2016
- Intimate Space, Adelaide Festival, Hilton Hotel, 2017
- Intimate Space, Bleach* Festival, Gold Coast, 2018
- Creating the Spectacle, Adelaide Film Festival, 2018
- Zizanie, Adelaide Festival, 2019
- Rewards for the Tribe, Rising Festival, Melbourne, Warwick City of Culture Festival UK, Adelaide, Odeon Theatre 2022
- Intimate Space, Seoul Street Arts Festival, 2019
- Seeing Through Darkness, Art Gallery of South Australia, 2020
- Guttered, Adelaide Festival, Kingpin Norwood, March 2021
- Ecoute Pour Voir | Listen to See — DreamBIG Festival, 2021
- Guttered, Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival and Sydney Festival, 2021
- Exposed, FRAME: A biennial of dance, Arts House, March 2023, Regional tour 2023, Sydney Opera House, Theatre Royal Hobart, SIDance Festival, Seoul South Korea, September 2023
- Ecoute Pour Voir | Listen to See, DreamBIG Festival and WOMADelaide, 2023
- Shifting Perspectives, Illuminate Adelaide, Queens Theatre, July 2023
- Private View, Adelaide Festival, Brisbane Festival and Alter State Melbourne, 2024
- Ecoute Pour Voir | Listen to See, Esplanade Festival, Singapore, 2024
- Shifting Perspectives, Vivid Sydney, 2024
- Counterpoise & Dancing Against the Odds, OzAsia Festival / Adelaide Film Festival, 2024
- Seeing Through Darkness, WOMADelaide, DanceX: A Festival of Dance, The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2025
- Guttered, Joondalup Festival, 2026
