Home » In Development » UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch

UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch

In 2024, Restless Dance Theatre, Back to Back Theatre and five independent guest artists with disability joined the esteemed Julie Shanahan for the UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch workshop.

With a wealth of experience and creative vision, Julie Shanahan lead an inspiring journey of artistic exploration. Her significant contributions to the dance world are widely celebrated and the company were excited to see the fresh perspective Julie and the artists brought to this workshop. Leading this ambitious project was Roz Hervey, Restless Dance Theatre’s Creative Producer, Creative Collaborator, and Dramaturg. Roz’s professional relationship with Julie Shanahan spanned four decades, beginning with their work at Australia’s premiere dance theatre company, One Extra Company in the 1980s. Roz had long admired Pina Bausch’s work and Julie, a principal dancer with Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal for 36 years. Even though Roz is no longer with us, this project is a testament to her hard work and ingenuity and will continue in her legacy.

Creative Producer Roz Hervey said “In 2022, we reached out to Julie with an idea to bring her back to Australia to work with Restless to host a UTOPINA Repertory Lab for Australian artists with disability. As part of this we were keen to involve the extraordinary artists from Back to Back Theatre, creating a unique opportunity for our organisations to collaborate.”

The Pina Bausch Foundation, established in 2009, preserves and promotes the legacy of the renowned choreographer Pina Bausch by managing her artistic work, supporting contemporary dance projects, and fostering international cultural exchange. Restless Dance Theatre expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Salomon Bausch and the Pina Bausch Foundation for this remarkable opportunity.

Restless’ Artistic Director Michelle Ryan added “Working with international artist Julie Shanahan on this UTOPINA Repertory Lab was transformative for our dancers and the opportunity to collaborate with Back to Back and guest artists from around Australia was incredible. This is a very important time for Restless, as it enriches our artistic repertoire and opens our dancers to a different creative process. The exchange of chorographical techniques has been invaluable for everyone taking part in the process”.

Bruce Gladwin Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Back to Back Theatre stated “It’s a pleasure to work with Julie Shanahan on the UTOPINA Repertory Lab, and look forward to the outcome of this and the possibility of further collaboration with Restless Dance Theatre.

In 2025, Julie Shanahan will return to Australia for the final workshop in this series.

 

Find more about Pina Bausch at www.pinabausch.org and about Kontakthof at https://www.pinabausch.org/de/work/kont.

 

We are currently seeking investment for the upcoming development of this project.

If you are interested in joining the Chairman’s Circle please contact Restless CEO Julie Moralee via email julie@restlessdance.org or 0419 366 669 

 

Julie Shanahan was born in Adelaide, Australia. In 1981 she graduated from the Centre for the Performing Arts. 1981 – 1984 she performed with the One Extra Dance Company in Sydney. In 1984 she joined Rheinhild Hoffmann’s Bremen Dance Theatre until 1986 and moved with the company in in 1986 – 1988 to the Schauspielhaus Bochum.

In 1988 she joined Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch as a dancer and remains there to the present day as a dancer and Rehearsal Director. Julie also works as a restager of Pina Bausch’s repertoire for the Pina Bausch Foundation.

In recent years Julie has made creations with Tim Etchells, Alan Lucien Øyen and Rainer Behr. In 2021 she performed and toured in Robert Wilson’s piece “I was sitting on my patio this guy appeared I thought I was hallucinating”. Since 2022 she has performed and toured extensively in the piece L’Etang, which was directed by Gisèle Vienne.

Back to Back Theatre

Over the last 30 years Back to Back Theatre has made a body of work that questions the assumptions of what is possible in theatre, but also the assumptions we hold about ourselves and others.

As an ongoing dialogue with their audience, each new project is an investigation seeking answers to questions raised in previous works. Their attention lies with design, light and sound. The stories they pursue weave the personal, the political and the cosmic. Back to Back Theatre work to curiosity and interest in the live moment, to what sits within and between.

Information for presenters coming soon!

Information for Presenters




195 Gilles Street
Adelaide South Australia 5000
T 08 8212 8495

Restless is on a journey of understanding the Spirit of Place. We know this place is ancient and that the living spirit of the first peoples still breathe here. We respect the continuing living spirit of culture which lives through their generations today. Restless acknowledges the family clans of the Kaurna Nation and we shall walk softly and with respect as we feel the footprints of their ancestors.

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