(RE)CONNECT (RE)GENERATE (RE)IGNITE
AYDF 2022
Presented by Ausdance VIC in partnership with the Australia Youth Dance Initiative
AYDF 2022 united young and emerging contemporary dance artists and the professional allies who work with them for a week of collaboration and creation designed to regenerate the youth dance sector in Australia.
After two years spent apart and online, AYDF 2022 motivated the youth dance sector to (RE)CONNECT, (RE)GENERATE, and (RE)IGNITE. The festival was dedicated to elevating youth voice and sharing the diverse practice of the youth dance sector and contemporary dance practice at large.
Co-Artistic Directors
Click image to view bio
Click image to view bio
Youth Ambassadors
QL2
DRILL
FLING Physical Theatre
Yellow Wheel
QL2
FLING Physical Theatre
Catapult The Flipside Project
AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre
Stompin Youth Dance Company
Stompin Youth Dance Company
Catapult The Flipside Project
(RE) GENERATE Performance
(RE) GENERATE was a live exploration of Youth Contemporary dance in Australia. Programmed by Co-Artistic Directors Caitlin Comerford and Kyall Shanks this performance was an intimately presented journey showcasing the talents of Youth dance from around the country.
Youth Dance Program
Dance participants worked with inspiring and highly regarded industry professionals in a week long program of professional practice, skills development workshops, performance making, the development of sector literacy, and studio based sharing.
Think Tank and Industry Forum
Running alongside the festival, Dance Think Tank and Industry Forum were two symposium style events opportunities for artists, educators and leaders working in dance or youth arts programs.
Dance Think Tank created a space for youth dance leaders to share ideas and plan future development and advocacy opportunities for the sector.
The Industry Forum was open to anyone working in arts and creative industries, including local government authorities, and those working with (or interested in working with) young people. The forum was a professional development opportunity for teachers, leaders, artists, and educators focused on supporting, promoting, and sustaining contemporary youth dance practice in Australia.
Facilitated by contemporary dance artist and Youth Dance alumni Adam Wheeler, the forum panel included; Access and Inclusion advocate, CEO and Artistic Director of Arts Access Victoria Caroline Bowditch, dance maker and independent producer of Filipino descent Efren Pamilacan, Taiwanese-Australian dancer and choreographer Jennifer Ma, Artistic Director of Hobart based youth dance company DRILL Performance Isabella Stone, and Executive Director of Ausdance VIC Michelle Silby.