18. 10. 2016

Tumbling Workshops

Contemporary dance is a style that is ever expanding. It fuses movement from classical ballet, jazz, yoga, break dance and everything in between. As a performer and choreographer, this style of dance is exciting to work in because it allows you the freedom to explore an expansive palette of movement pathways. In my career I have learnt and performed many of these and continue to explore as I go forward.

Tumbling has been a unique asset in my career. During my time spent with Australian Dance Theatre and independently in the contemporary field, I have need this skill many times. Luckily when I was younger I studied gymnastics. And I have been ever so grateful I did!

Since tumbling has become such a huge part of contemporary dance, I thought it necessary to offer a tumbling workshop to the regional schools. I took with me an independant artist, Lewis Rankin, who has worked closely with me as well as with Acrobatics troupe Gravity and Other Myths.

It was great to see the enjoyment in learning this skill but also the want and need for more workshops or classes like this. Tumbling is a virtuosic style and if thrown into dance choreography randomly can look like a trick. It takes practice to fuse dance movement with the skill making it look more like part of the choreography rather than a random spectacular trick.

This workshop was in the lead up to Circa performing their work ‘The Carnival of Animals’. Although this is more circus, it was a great way to see some of the skills they have learnt put into practice on these elite performers.