Please help us make this bold new work, which will see KAGE Creative Director's Kate Denborough and Gerard Van Dyck reunited on stage. Download a donation form here, or donate online today.
KAGE (KAGE Physical Theatre Association Inc.) is a not-for-profit organization listed on the Register Of Cultural Organisations. KAGE is an endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and has Charity Tax Concessions status. All donations to KAGE of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible and receipts will be issued. ABN: 13 792 103 355
SUNDOWNER AT ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE 8-13 MAY 2012
KAGE is delighted to have finally presented SUNDOWNER in our home town of Melbourne. We actually started developing SUNDOWNER when we were the Company in Residence at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2009. We hope you were able to catch it here before we embark on a national tour in 2013.
SUNDOWNER - GEELONG AND MELBOURNE 2012 SEASONS ANNOUNCED!
SUNDOWNER is a major work combining dance, drama and original composition to reflect the experiences and frustrations of younger onset dementia. This breathtaking performance traverses sorrow, fear and human dignity. Ultimately, though, it is a story of love: love of family, love of history, and love of life.
Staring: Helen Morse, Gerard Van Dyck, Michelle Heaven, Stuart Christie, plus the Tivoli Lovlies.
19 - 21 April 2012 Geelong Performing Arts Centre Playhouse Theatre MAKE YOUR BOOKING HERE
8-13 May 2012 Arts Centre Melbourne Fairfax Studio BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY
Sundowner is on the 2012 VCE Drama Playlist. Education notes are available for teachers and students to download here. A full DVD and soundtrack of Sundowner, as well as a booklet that documents the special knowledge and stories about dementia that were shared throughout the creative process are also available. Please contact simone@kage.com.au to purchase these additional items.
KAGE COACH - CLASSES
The KAGE COACH program used to just be about mentoring emerging artists, but it has since grown to include workshops, traineeships, secondment opportunities, volunteer positions, and even classes.
Starting on Friday 17th February 2012, KAGE is delighted to be offering weekly contemporary dance classes at the Abbotsford Convent. They will take place rain, hail, or shine so make sure you are there!
TIME: 9:15am for a 9:30am start until 11:00am
DATE: Starting Friday 17 February, then every Friday in 2012.
LOCATION: Rosina Auditorium, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford, Vic, 3067
TEACHER: Gerard Van Dyck, with special guests throughout the year.
PRICE: $10 per class.
Click here for more info.
RSVP to: Info@kage.com.au
Finish your week on a high!
15 YEARS OF KAGE
KAGE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS AND LAUNCHES 2012 PROGRAM
KAGE, the creative partnership of Kate Denborough and Gerard Van Dyck, celebrates its 15 year anniversary in 2012 – remembering the diverse, funny, original and moving body of work created over the last 15 years while looking to the company's future: launching the 2012 season, announcing the recipients of the 2012 KAGE COACH mentoring program, and providing a sneak peak of three new works in development.
KAGE makes exceptional dance theatre, works that are visually stunning, arresting, provocative, humorous and humane. The company is established as one of Australia's finest dance companies, a remarkable achievement in a challenging and competitive environment. On the eve of their 15th birthday, KAGE is thriving – the company's success a testament to the strength of Denborough and Van Dyck's visionary partnership, which has propelled dance-theatre into fresh territory, claiming international awards, recognition and new audiences along the way.
In 2012, the company presents their acclaimed work SUNDOWNER at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre from 18 – 21 April, and Arts Centre Melbourne from the 8 – 13 May. SUNDOWNER, starring actor Helen Morse, seamlessly combines dance, drama and original composition to reflect the experiences and frustrations of younger onset dementia. As with previous works such as HEADLOCK, KAGE takes a 'difficult' subject and makes a remarkable performance work from it.
KAGE is also delighted to announce the 2012 participants of KAGE COACH - MENTORING, an intensive development program for emerging artists. See news item below.
The company is working on three new pieces currently in development, to be performed in 2013/2014/2015. Working with Bruce Gladwin of Back to Back Theatre, FLESH AND BONE sees Denborough return to the stage for the first time in over 10 years, performing alongside Van Dyck. FLESH AND BONE will challenge the audience's perception and expectations about sexuality and relationships. FORKLIFT combines the talents of two contemporary circus performers, Henna Kaikula and Chelsea McGuffin, pushing the boundaries of circus and dance. TEAM OF LIFE has KAGE once again working with writer and social worker David Denborough (Sundowner, Headlock) on a work celebrating the skills, hopes, dreams and journeys of young indigenous Australians and refugees, using the physical language of football and dance.
Kate Denborough and Gerard Van Dyck met whilst completing a Bachelor of Dance at the VCA in 1992. The two formed an immediate and unique affiliation, united by a desire to incorporate drama, theatre, humour and design into their dance work.
Kate Denborough said: 'Gerard and I clicked straight away, when we were paired up in a composition class – the girls lined up on one wall, the boys on the other, with the girls all taller than the boys! We were both interested in collaborating and improvising with students from outside the dance school. We've always had faith in each other and an unspoken commitment to one another and our vision. The creative process is enjoyable, unpredictable, filled with laughter and irreverence.'
Gerard Van Dyck said: 'Everything that Kate and I shared when we first met, we still have: a strong design aesthetic, an appreciation of the power of suggestion in dance, a love of meeting and working with new people and collaborating, and an absurd sense of humour. These elements continue to inform all KAGE works.'
The company pushes the boundaries of dance and brings unusual collaborators into the creative process. Collaborators include family: Gerard's dad builds most of the sets, parents in the early days sold tickets, Kate danced with her dad in Birthday and her son starred in Look Right Through Me. KAGE has collaborated with opera singers, gymnasts, snake handlers, Australia's biggest female body builder, actors, singers, poets, designers, wrestlers, musicians, acrobats and a ring master.
Take a look at the full KAGE 2012 Program here.
KAGE COACH 2012 - THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE....
KAGE is delighted to announce the 2012 participants of KAGE COACH - MENTORING, an intensive development program for emering artists. The 2012 mentorees are Josh Lynzaat and Hannah Roe (VIC), Joshua Lowe (TAS), Helen Duncan and Elanor Webber (WA) and Alexandra Talamo (VIC). The highly sought after program provides rehearsal space, access to office facilites, DVD documentation, a professional photo shoot, introductions to industry contacts, financail assistance and the opportunity to present work at an informal showing at the Abbotsford Convent.
Run by KAGE Co-creative Directors Kate Denborough and Gerard Van Dyck with support from KAGE's General Manager, Simone Collins, KAGE COACH was originally formed out of Kate and Gerard's desire to provide emerging artists with practical advice and support as they head towards a professional career in the arts.
LOOK RIGHT THROUGH ME
Look Right Through Me premiered at the Malthouse Theatre on the 9th of September 2011. It was the second world premiere from KAGE in 2011.
"It's dance that will make you cry, gasp, and grin: it's Michael Leunig with a huge 'wow' factor." - Roger Nelson, Laneway Magazine
Watch the trailer, find out more, or make a donation to this stunning work.
KAGE ON TV - MEMORY PLAY ABOUT SUNDOWNER ON ABC'S ARTSCAPE
KAGE is proud to announce that the ABC's Artscape television program has come on board to film a documentary on the creation and development of SUNDOWNER.
The documentary titled MEMORY PLAY went to air at 10:00pm on ABC 1, Tuesday 13 September 2011, you can watch it here!
Artscape offers an intimate and in-depth journey into the minds, lives and works of Australian and international arts practitioners. Artscape is the place for discussion, analysis and celebration of works being created, exhibited and performed across the country.
The ABC have been following SUNDOWNER over the last few months as the work has been developing and have filmed rehearsals, meetings and community showings as well as having completed interviews with the cast, creatives and community focus group from Alzheimers Australia.
For the final issue of KAGE Communication, for 2010, where this huge news was first announced please click here.
KAGE COACH COMPANY CLASSES
For August only, KAGE is pleased to be opeing up our company warm up classes to you. KAGE company classes are the perfect way to unwind, get fit and improve flexibility and strength. Classes are taught by some of Australia's best dance teachers. To find out more check out the latest KAGE Communication.
SUNDOWNER WRAP UP
Sundowner premiered at the Castlemaine State Festival in April 2011 to full houses.
This breathtaking performance traversed sorrow, fears, humour, and dignity. Through the eyes of three generations, Sundowner told the stories of so many Australian families.
Chris Boyd in his review in The Australian said "Sundowner succeeds in what it set out to do; engage, educate and entertain."
Were you moved by Sundowner? Did a particular dancer deliver a stunning performance?
You can nominate a choreographer, a dancer, a company or a show for an Australian Dance Award.
Read alll about the success of this world premiere season of Sundowner here.
SUNDOWNER WORLD PREMIERE SEASON ANNOUNCED
Find out everything you need to know right here.
ABBOTSFORD CONVENT OPEN DAY - NOVEMBER 2010
KAGE joined in the celebrations of the Abbotsford Convent Open Day on Sunday 7 November 2010. For full details of KAGE's involvement and other activities KAGE have been up too please read the November Issue of KAGE Communication.
LAUNCH OF NEW E-NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2010
KAGE is pleased to launch a new e-newsletter to their subscribers - KAGE Communication.
If you weren't signed up in time, don't worry as you can take a look at the October newsletter here.
If you would like to join up please click on the link on the right hand side.
AUGUST MUSINGS
Simone Collins, KAGE's General Manager, was recently interviewed for the August edition of the Abbotsford Convent's newsletter - The Muse. Take a look at it here.
NEWS - MARCH 2010
Co-creative directors of KAGE, Kate Denborough and Gerard Van Dyck are excited to announce the appointment of Simone Collins as the company's first General Manager.
Simone moved to from Brisbane to Melbourne in July 2008 and quickly established herself here through working with a wide range of artists and arts organisations.
Simone's first engagement in Melbourne was with the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2008 where she produced their four Fed Square projects. She returned to Fringe again in 2009 and took on the new role of Artist Development Coordinator initiating a complete overhaul of the Fringe Awards and the judging process.
Simone was the Producer for Western Edge Youth Arts' Big West Festival show Frolic, Production Manager for The Emerging Writers' Festival, and has also worked closely with Next Wave, The Moomba Festival, White Whale Theatre Company, St Kilda Festival and Opera Australia as Project Manager for their annual fundraising gala.
'I am simply thrilled by the opportunity that has presented itself here at KAGE. KAGE create radical, emotional work and with two new works in development, Sundowner and Look Right Through Me, it's an exciting time to join. The appointment of a General Manager is a strong step for the company and a real commitment to their future.' she said.
Simone is also currently working for John Paxinos and Associates where her clients include The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Melbourne Writers' Festival.
