UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch
In 2025, celebrated international artist Julie Shanahan returned to Australia to lead the final workshop in the UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch. Once again, an extraordinary group of neurodiverse artists and artists living with disability joined us for this deeply collaborative experience. The sense of community, generosity, and shared discovery throughout the workshop was profound—creating space for trust, artistic risk-taking, and genuine connection.
The first UTOPINA Repertory Lab took place in 2024, when Restless Dance Theatre, Back to Back Theatre, and five independent guest artists with disability joined the esteemed Julie Shanahan for an intensive week of artistic exploration.
With a wealth of experience and creative vision, Julie Shanahan led the group through excerpts from Kontakthof with insight and sensitivity. Her significant contributions to the dance world are widely celebrated, and the company was thrilled to welcome the fresh perspective Julie and the artists brought to this project. Guiding the vision for this ambitious collaboration was the late great 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 early 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’s 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.
Restless Creative Producer Roz Hervey reflected 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 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. 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 choreographic techniques has been invaluable for everyone involved.”
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 we look forward to the outcomes of this collaboration and the possibility of further work with Restless Dance Theatre.”
Find more about Pina Bausch at www.pinabausch.org and about Kontakthof at https://www.pinabausch.org/de/work/kont.
Image Credit Roz Hervey and Matt Byrne
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
