2024: A Year of Milestones, Reflections, and Cherished Memories

As we approach the close of this remarkable and challenging year, we are filled with gratitude for your support and compassion. This year has been profoundly difficult for our company as we grieve the loss of two extraordinary individuals: our beloved Roz Hervey—Creative Producer, guiding star, confidant, and dear friend—and James Darling, an extraordinary philanthropist and artist. Their absence is deeply felt, yet the kindness and care shown to us from the community has been a source of light, helping us navigate these losses and move forward honouring their legacy.

In the spirit of Roz’s artistic passion and vision, we take this moment to celebrate the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together in 2024.

2024 Reflections

Private View

The premiere of our work Private View captivated audiences, with a sell out season at the Adelaide Festival. The work toured to Brisbane Festival followed by Alter State Festival Melbourne. We were thrilled when Private View won the prestigious Ruby Award for Outstanding Work or Event Within a Festival. This work was made possible with the support of our incredible Donor Development Circle, whose commitment to supporting new work has provided invaluable resources, ensuring innovative projects like Private View can blossom.

VIVID

We were thrilled to perform at VIVID, Sydney’s festival of art, innovation, and technology, with a season of our immersive dance and art installation, Shifting Perspectives. Believed to be the first South Australian company to present at VIVID, Shifting Perspectives was a hit with Sydney audiences, attracting packed houses. This beautiful work was also nominated for a Ruby Award this year for Outstanding Collaboration.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our co-commissioning partners, Illuminate Adelaide, and the late, great James Darling. James, along with his partner Lesley Forwood, provided the funding, vision, and generosity that were instrumental in bringing this work to life. We honour his legacy and the enduring impact he had on this project and our company.

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

As you may know the esteemed Julie Shanahan joined the company for the UTOPINA Repertory Lab | Excerpts from Kontakthof, a piece by Pina Bausch with guest artists and Back to Back Theatre this August. We are delighted to announce that Julie will return to Australia for the final workshop in this series next year!

This exciting partnership brought together three visionary entities, each renowned for their innovative approaches to dance and performance. Restless Dance Theatre expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Salomon Bausch and the Pina Bausch Foundation for this remarkable opportunity.

Restless on Film

Our creative endeavours extended to new mediums, with the world premiere of the dance film Counterpoise and its documentary Dancing Against the Odds. These works, featured in OzAsia Festival and Adelaide Film Festival. The films garnered critical acclaim from abroad, winning awards such as Best Performance at the Experimental Dance and Music Festival and Best Editing at the Idaho Screendance Festival. Counterpoise was also honoured with a nomination for the Asia Pacific Arts Awards by Creative Australia. More success on the big screen was through our collaboration with Chunky Move: Rewards for the Tribe, delighted audiences at prominent film festivals, including Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and The Other Film Festival throughout the year.

Restless goes International

As we reflect on the year that was, we celebrate the achievements of our company and artists. Restless expanded our reach internationally with workshops, panel discussions and presentations in Paris, London, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Singapore, alongside inspiring educational programs across Australia. Altogether, our performances, workshops, and talks engaged thousands of people across the country and the globe. Our weekly Public Class Program went from strength to strength thanks to the generous support of the James & Diana Ramsey Foundation and the BankSA Foundation.

Public Programs

Back at home, our weekly Public Class Program went from strength to strength thanks to the generous support of the James & Diana Ramsey Foundation and the BankSA Foundation.

In 2025 we are looking to expand our workshops outside of our flagship CBD location. If you have always wanted to join a Restless dance class but are limited because of distance, now is the time to reach out. Participating in Restless classes provides therapeutic benefits which encourage independence and inclusion. Participants gain confidence, life-long friendships and potential career pathways in the arts. Email us info@restlessdance.org

Supporting Independent Artists

We are also very proud to share that our inResidence Program supported 83 independent artists with in-kind venue hire, totalling $27,000 in value. We at Restless pride ourselves in giving back to our community through this program.

We also welcomed new talents, hired directly from secondments, and supported emerging artists in our tutor and dance roles. These steps reinforce our commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As 2024 concludes, we eagerly anticipate new projects, expanded workshops, and thrilling performances in 2025. We can share that Seeing Through Darkness will be performing exclusively as part of WOMADelaide 2025. You can purchase tickets to the festival here. It will be the first time the piece has been performed with live musician and composers Hilary Kleinig and Emily Tulloch.

Thank you all for being part of our story this year.
We can’t wait to share what’s next. 🖤