Holding Space is a new Restless Dance Theatre multidisciplinary project that brings together generations through storytelling, performance, and installation. Designed to honour the lives of older Australians—particularly those living in aged care facilities and/or with disability —the work will be shaped by interviews with a diverse group of elders, including multicultural and First Nations voices. These recorded stories will be embedded into the audio design, forming both the emotional and narrative backbone of the performance.
The work is centred around in-depth interviews with older people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including Indigenous elders. Their stories will form the foundation for two creative outcomes:
- A live performance created specifically for aged care facilities, bringing high-quality contemporary dance and storytelling to audiences where they live.
- A touring sound and story installation designed for public libraries, community centres, and galleries, preserving these voices and offering a long-term cultural legacy.
This is a natural extension of Restless’ long-standing commitment to placing artists with disability at the centre of contemporary practice. The majority of aged care residents live with disability, making Holding Space a deeply relevant and resonant artistic synergy—young disabled artists interpreting and uplifting the lives of their elders.
Importantly, Holding Space builds on our experience in sensitive and non-traditional settings, specifically through our work in hospital environments with Écoute Pour Voir and The Lensical. These projects have taught us how to bring intimacy, care, and creativity into spaces that are not traditionally theatrical, and how to honour personal histories with dignity and imagination.
Holding Space is structured as a three-year project to allow the time and care needed to build genuine, respectful relationships with Australians — particularly those in aged care settings. This extended timeline ensures that all relevant protocols, safeguarding measures, and ethical considerations are thoroughly planned and implemented. Most importantly, it allows the creative process to unfold in a way that is not rushed or extractive, but grounded in trust, reciprocity, and deep listening. Authentic engagement cannot be fast-tracked. By investing in long-term collaboration, Holding Space upholds a commitment to artistic integrity, community respect, and meaningful intergenerational exchange.