Rochelle Carmichael

Hi, Rochelle and Sue here from JOINT, a new intergenerational dance based project. We are bringing a new double bill physical theatre show to the Abbotsford convent in August, and we need your help to light the show. 

Liquid Skin and Utassy Productions present 

a double bill of performances at The Convent, in Abbotsford, Melbourne.

Scream Bloody Murder  premiere by Liquid Skin and 

AroundAbout are a part of the inaugural performance season of 

JOINT

A new collaborative mature and youth dance project; Our aim is to provide creative opportunities for both mature and young talented dancers and performers; intergenerational. Learning from each other, we are creating a community that is inclusive, accepting and supportive of individual experiences.  

The performances 

Scream Bloody Murder

Monsters are people too.

According to research of Australian female serial killers, society tends to believe that women can’t do heinous things. The belief that women are caregivers and kind, suggests that culturally we are in denial of women’s proclivity for aggression. That women do it differently to men, and why, is very much under-researched in Australia and world-wide. For me, there is no doubt that women approach things in their own way, and that is something to celebrate. Here I am interested in the control mechanisms woman use when threatened (imagined or actual).  

This project is for lovers of physical theatre, and the darker side of human psychology. It is also for people interested in supporting the development of new cross–cultural collaborations, and new International creative relationships.

MEET THE PERFORMERS HERE...

Performers: Catherine Underhill, Georgina Bond, Rosie Osmond, Alice Robinson, Bryan Smith, & Hadi Kazemi-Tameh

Image by Indon Zabur Karuru

Liquid Skin with Dimar Dance Theatre

Surabaya, Indonesia. 

The History of this project,. 

The initial studio development began in mid-December in Trenggalek, Indonesia, working with German and Indonesian artists, to premier in Surabaya, Idonesia and Johor Bahru, Malaysia.  This first development of physical theatre material for stage was named 'In the presence of absence', with Dimar Dance Theatre. It was part of the catalyst and driving development of the work you will see. 

Inspired by Australian female serial killers, Scream Bloody Murder’s themes and issues talk about felt perceptions of women with controlling and aggressive behaviour. I am interested in perceptions of identity and gender roles, where women are typically seen as nurturing caregivers, not predatory life-takers. 

Recently I have been collaborating with Iranian artist Hadi Kazemi-Tameh. His background in Grotowski theatre techniques has deeply influenced and challenged my creative process. I wish to continue to expand these influences in my work and have invited Hadi to act as a dramaturge in this new process of development. 

AroundAbout

"We are just people in clown suits, trying to fit in." 

The need for acceptance is basic human instinct. For some it is stronger than others. 

MEET THE PERFORMERS HERE...

Performers: Dominique Cheah, Danielle Canavan, Benjamin Gauci, Nikki Hayes, Kate Horner, Daryl Holland, Bella Punturere, Mikayla Dutton, Eleanor Desia Beveridge, Rory Spence, & Sebastian Geilings

Image by Jeff Busby

VCA. Performer Chloe Arnott.

Costume here by: Shanelle Kari

Performance Dates & Times

Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August

7.30 pm to 8 pm start. 

Venue: Abbotsford Convent

The Industrial School

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

BOOK TICKETS: www.trybooking.com

Meet the Artistic Crew

About Rochelle Carmichael M.A.

Director and Choreographer.

Independent artist, multi-award winning director, choreographer & performer.

As a performer for the Meryl Tankard Dance Theatre, Rochelle’s passion for choreography emerged. Her works are an innovative fusion of Australian and European influences. Rochelle’s works have been commissioned by major venues, performance institutions and companies since her award winning debut work RUSH slips sex & marbles (1994), followed by more than 50 new works, receiving awards including Australian Choreographic, Melbourne Fringe Movement, Dancehouse Choreographic Innovation, & nomination for Australian Dance Awards Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film/New Media .

Rochelle’s work includes recent tours within Europe, Asia and the U.S.A, ongoing commissions at the Victorian College of the Arts, collaborations with international artists, established film artists and (youth) theatre companies. She recently toured her award winning work Out of No Thing to Sydney and Malaysia, Earth to Florence, Italy, and In the presence of absence to Indonesia and Malaysia in 2019. 

Rochelle returns to the Victorian College of the Arts this year to make her tenth new work for the Batchelor of Arts (Dance) students and has recently teamed up with Iranian Director Hadi Kazemi-Tameh to develop new physical theatre workshops and performances.

Rochelle teaches contemporary dance, classical ballet and choreographic methods, working for VCA, Chunky Move, & Meryl Tankard Dance Theatre…

About Sue Hayes

Producer and Co-director of JOINT

Co Director and Principal with Kevin Hayes of Utassy Ballet School since 1980 (for 39 years) Fellow and Examiner of CDTA, Fellow MDEC, Life Member RAD, RAD Adv. trained with Bruce and Bernice Morrow, Madame Janina Cunova, Madame Marina Berezowsky AM, Laurel Martyn OBE, Garth Welch AM, Arthur Turnbull. Graduated Ballet Victoria/Victorian College of the Arts, Member of Ballet Victoria for Panov/ Petrouchka tour, Soloist Kolobok Dance Company, Choreographer and founding member of Childrens’ Dance Theatre and then later Young Dancers Theatre, Guest Teacher New Zealand, Lecturer VCA and VCASS, Adjudicator Sydney Performing Arts Challenge.

About the collaborating artists

Kevin Hayes

Co-producer and costumes design/dying for Around About

Director, Choreographer: Just a kid from the country who was interested in what was over the horizon - Studied with Algeranoff, Laurel Martyn OBE, Madame Janina Cunova, Garth Welch AM Madame Marina Berezowsky AM. Graduated Ballet Victoria. Joined company for Panov Petrouchka tour. Soloist Kolobok Dance Company, Guest Teacher New Zealand, Artist and Designer of costumes, props, sets working in close collaboration with Lighting Designer Rachel Burke.

Shane Grant

Shane is an accomplished lighting designer having worked extensively with companies like Ranters Theatre, The Torch Project, NYID and many others. Shane has a BA in Dramatic Arts (Production) from the VCA and sat on the Green Room Awards Association Theatre Companies panel 2014 - 2017. Shane is currently an artistic director of Metanoia Theatre. Shane is also a writer and theatre maker he recently enjoyed success with an adaptation of George Arnaud’s novel The Wages of Fear, and Hard Boiled Bush Noir, three tales of ice crime in the outback. Shane has written and performed monologues at Gasworks, Lamama, and the Brunswick Mechanics Institute. He continues to write and light in venues around Melbourne. 

Hadi Kazemi-Tameh

(Performer for Scream Bloody Murder, dramaturge and set design)

Hadi Kazemi arrived in Australia in 2013 as a refugee from Tehran , Iran. Hadi started his performance and directing experiences in Laboratory and Experimental theatre working with independent theatre makers (underground) in Tehran, and then went on to train at the Arak University of Theatre Arts in 2009.

Directing highlights include The Earth, and Nathan and Tabileth. Hadi co-directed Dirty Hands alongside Mehdi Mahshor, which was banned from being shown in Iran, it toured to France, Germany and New York.  Hadi has great interest in the physicality of performance. As well as directing Hadi has practiced choreography, working on the play, Man and Words, and creating an outdoor site specific dance piece for the Ta’zieh (religious theatre). Hadi’s roles expanded into performer/director, where he developed his own works China Wall, Fox Hunting, and Knight and princess…

Upon his arrival to Australia Hadi joined Chunky Move contemporary dance classes to immerse himself in the Australian Contemporary moving culture, was supported by Platform Youth Theatre to develop and present his project Shattered Dreams, celebrating and commemorating the human struggle, displacement and sacrifice for survival of our Migration and Asylum Seeking people. Hadi has a keen interest in physical theatre, drawing from his Grotowski methodologies and blending them with new creative methods he has been exposed to in Australia.

Hadi is director of Savage Art Productions.

Kay Bell

Writer

I am a Melbourne-based fiction writer. A graduate of the University of Melbourne in Arts (French and German) and Law, I’m passionate about languages and literature. Together with my thriller-writer husband, T.W. Lawless, I studied scriptwriting and video production at the Queensland School of Film and Television.
My first novel, The Lornesleigh Legacy, was published by Boolarong Press in 2011. Since then, I’ve written two more novels: Ella’s Secret Family Recipes and The American Governess.

"My life has always been about writing. These days, I write about what I love--family, food, fortunes won and lost. Then I populate my novels with people, not characters."

Shannon Parsons

Research Support

Shannon Parsons has been dancing, teaching, creating and producing dance and theatre for over thirty years. She has performed in works created by Jacqueline Pascoe, Shane Weatherby, Harold Collins, Jason Coleman, David Atkins, Katrina Rank among others. In 2005 Shannon undertook classes at the Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham schools in New York. 

Since graduating from the VCA she has created works for stage and film including Cafettes, Riasanso, Archi 4 Phases, Incursio, Part I, 60sec #01, and is currently working on Ritual vs. routine.  Shannon has variously choreographed, collaborated and produced for the following shows: Taming of the Shrew; Community platform performances 2004 & 2005; Arts in the Park; Talking to terrorists; Follow the colour; Saucy; Tales of the Pebbleverse; How to take a beating; Scream Bloody Murder; The Archivists and The Crane Project, The Right.

About the collaborating performers

Alice Robinson

Alice is a mover, she is an improviser working in and around the fields of dance, physical theater, contact improvisation, character, experimental hula hoop and object manipulation. Alice teaches and performs a range of disciplines to students and audiences of a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Alice brings a sense of experimentation, play and discovery to her relationship with her moving body and with the hoop.  Based in Melbourne, Alice has performed locally at the La Mama Theatre, and the Melbourne Fringe and Comedy Festivals and internationally in a multitude of locations, from remote indigenous communities to theatres in Bangkok, from European Juggling Conventions to the streets of Barcelona, from English pubs to stadiums in Egypt. As a physical theater performer, dancer and hula hooper she has also worked in a number of other disciplines including music, clown, fire spinning and circus. Alice's practice is also informed by Body-Mind Centering, body weather, puppetry, visual arts, butoh, mask work, hip-hop, bouffon and acrobatics.  Alice has trained at the John Bolton Theatre School. She has also trained with Alice Cummins, Andrew Morrish, Emma Kenna, Martin Hughes, Yumi Umiumare and Frank Van de Ven. Alice has a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy, and her experience working in education, youth work and community arts inform her ability to connect with and respond to her audiences. 

Catherine Underhill

After discovering dance in my early teens I became an obsessive throwing all else overboard.  I worked with Margaret Lasica and and Bob Thornycroft. Then I moved to New York.  To dance, I thought, but upon discovering the music and performance art scene of the 1980”s I dropped dance like a hot potato and threw myself into that world.   Thirty years later I went back to class and rediscovered improv.  It was like finding that favourite coat you thought you’d lost and wrapping yourself in its warmth.

Georgina Bond

Melbourne based mover Georgina, trained at Unitec NZ and gained her Bachelors in Contemporary Dance. Since graduating Georgina has worked with a number of physical theatre, dance and performance artists in Melbourne including ProjectionDance, Yellow Wheel and YW2 and of course Liquid Skin. She has completed her certificates in Pilates, Reformer and Barre and is working with Creative Learning Centre and their special needs dance classes. This year Georgina was a company member for Footnote NZs’ ChoreoCo Company season in March. Georgina relishes the physicality of working with Rochelle and is eager to share this work. 

Rosie Osmond

Rosie completed her diploma in Dance at The Space Dance and Arts Centre in 2013, and has since been working in both commercial and contemporary settings. She has performed in Vertical Shadows production The White Prince, She as a member of the Creative Behaviours collective, within theCommonthreads Wearable Art Showcase (2015, 2016) and in The Scarlet Trace commissioned by Candlelight Productions. In 2016 she made her first collaborative physical theatre work with The Human Project Company, presenting 2.0 Contact at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Rosie performed as an artist and choreographer in Dancebourne Arts' Balance 2016, Godai 2017 and Viva 2018. Rosie is currently completing a Bachelor of Production at VCA.

Alice Robinson

Bryan Smith

Bryan Smith is a performer and teacher. He began dancing with the Mildura Ballet Guild in the 1980s and completed dance training at the Centre for the Performing Arts (Adelaide). Bryan danced in JOLT (Australian Dance Theatre), Dance North and with Danceworks. He has performed in a range of contexts including Midsumma, Green Mill Dance Project, Melbourne Spoletto Fringe Festival and in numerous Independent seasons. For the last 20 or so years he has worked in education in Melbourne and Singapore, teaching and creating performances collaboratively with professional artists, colleagues and students. A strong focus has been igniting young peoples’ curiosity and engagement in the Arts. He continues to explore, train, practise and perform in movement-based physical theatre with Hadi Kazemi-Tameh and now with Rochelle. 

Dominique Cheah

Production support

Born in Melbourne, Dominique began her dance training at Utassy ballet School at the age of 7. During her time there she also danced with the Young Dancers Company from 2009-2011. In 2018, Dominique completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Whilst at VCA, she was fortunate enough to work with choreographers such as Natalie Abbott, Rebecca Hilton, Lina Limosani, Gideon Obarzanek, Lee Serle and Anna Smith, as well as taking part in workshops with Ayman Harper and Trajal Harrell. In early 2018, Dominique was part of youth company Yellow Wheel, performing in their season of NEO, as well as volunteering with Chunky Move as part of Anouk van Dijk’s Accumulation for the NGV Triennial. She began working with Rochelle Carmichael in 2017, dancing in the piece After the Fall, and has since been teaching at Utassy Ballet School. 

Danielle Canavan

Danielle grew up dancing at Utassy and has been teaching ballet, contemporary and character dance at the school for the past 18 years. During 2001 - 2005, she completed a Certificate and Bachelor of Dance at the Victorian College of the Arts, working with many different choreographers. Danielle was a founding member of ROGUE, a group of VCA dance graduates, performing in the Next Wave Festival - 2008, Dance Massive - 2009 and travelling to Korea in 2010 to take part in the International Modern Dance Festival. She is currently working as a classroom teacher and level coordinator at Syndal South Primary School.

Nikki Hayes

Utassy alumni and teacher 2013-present. Young Dancers Company 2010. Utassy 50th Anniversary, 2010 (Playhouse, Arts Centre). VCE Top Class 2012 (Melbourne Recital Centre). “While We Wait” 2012 (Kym Woodford/Utassy). Yellowwheel member 2013-2016 working with Adam Wheeler, Jake Kuzma, Amber McCarthy, Kyall Shanks; “FX” 2013 (Meat Market), “WeTubeLive” 2013 (Dance Massive, National Gallery Victoria), “Social Size Me” 2013 (Fling Physical Theatre, Bega), White Night 2014 and 2015, “Caught Yellow Handed” 2015 (Chunky Move), NGV Art Party 2016 (Nation Gallery Victoria), “Quark” 2016 (Chunky Move). “After the Fall” 2017 (Rochelle Carhmichael/Utassy). 200h Yoga Alliance Teacher Training at Samyak Yoga, 2018. Bachelor of Arts, 2017 (University of Melbourne), currently studying Masters of International Development at RMIT. 

Kate Horner

Utassy; VCE Dance Top Class 2011; Kym Woodford’s Cabaresque (Australian Choreographic Competition 2012), While We Wait 2012; Yellow Wheel 2013-2016: WeTube Live (Dance Massive Festival 2013), FX 2013, I Came Here to Dance Once (Melbourne Fringe Festival 2014), Little Makers (Melbourne NOW 2014), White Night Festival 2014-2015, Caught Yellow Handed, 2015, NGV Art Party 2016, Quark 2016; Rochelle Carmichael’s After the Fall 2017, BeBlocks 2018, Low Tide 2018; Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne; Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Australian Catholic University; Current Master of Psychology/PhD (Educational & Developmental) Candidate, Australian Catholic University.

Daryl Holland

Daryl Holland is an alumnus of Utassy Ballet School and is proudly continuing his association with Utassy as the parent of two current students (a boy and girl). Daryl also spent 10 years with Kalinka Dance Company Inc and played bass guitar for Barking at Strangers. Most recently he was Bob in the Liquid Skin production of Be Blocks. By day, Daryl is a scientist and communications specialist. 

Bella Punturere

A student at Utassy ballet school for 17 years and has assisted in teaching and currently teaching contemporary at Utassy.  She has performed in the RAD gala in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She completed VCE drama in 2016 and received a Top Acts Audition and has worked with Rochelle since 2017 and performed in “low tides” in 2018. She is currently in her third year studying a Bachelor of Exercise science and Secondary Teaching at the Australian Catholic University majoring in physical education. 

Mikayla Dutton

Born in Melbourne, Mikayla has been a student at Utassy ballet school for over 15 years and has assisted in teaching ballet for the last 5 years. She completed VCE Dance in 2014 , receiving a Top Class audition. She has also performed in RAD Gala 2015 and 2016 and is currently in her third year at Monash University studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physiology. She has worked with Rochelle Charmichael since 2017 and performed in ‘After the Fall’ (2017) in addition to ‘Low Tides’ in (2018). 

Eleanor Desia Beveridge

Eleanor began her full time dance training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance(UK). She has toured across the UK and danced for choreographers such as Laurent Cavanah, Tim Rubidge, Neville Campbell and Jeremy Nelson.   In 2006 Eleanor went to New York to study at the Martha Graham Dance Company. Eleanor also worked for multidisciplinary theatre company, Zendeh.  Their production, Silk, was a collaboration between puppetry, theatre, aerial performance, live AV and music.  Before returning to Australia Eleanor was a founding member of Newton’s Ladder, an all aerial company specialising in bespoke aerial apparatus.  Upon returning to Australia Eleanor has performed for companies such as Women’s Circus, Circus Oz and independent company Gravity Dolls. She was Circus Director working alongside theatre practitioner Steph Kehoe for the Women’s Circus production Soar.  Collaborating with Women’s Circus community members across different circus apparatus combining theatre, song and live drawing. Since then Eleanor has worked for ArtPlay in a dance work Couch Guerillas, and been a super hero for Circus Oz’s Super Hero Training Academy which has toured for 6-12 year olds throughout Australia. 

Rory Spence

Born in Sydney, Rory Speirs-Spence spends most of his free time dedicated to the arts. Initially starting dance at Mangala Studios 2005, he then joined Utassy Ballet School in 2012, where he still studies to this day. Aside from dance, Rory enjoys Acting and Musical Theater, attending the Victorian Youth Theater for 2 years from 2012, performing in multiple shows with the company. He also received the "Golden Handshake" of retirement from the National Boys Choir of Australia in 2015. Just last year Rory completed VCE Dance, and he is currently studying VCE Drama at Blackburn High School. 

Sebastian Geilings

Sebastian first discovered his passion for dance at a young age at the Utassy Ballet School. In 2013 he was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School where he furthered his studies in dance, whilst also performing as a member of the Yellow Wheel Company. In 2016 Sebastian moved to Wellington to study at the New Zealand School of Dance. During his training at NZSD, Sebastian performed and toured on a number of national and international stages. Since graduating last year, Sebastian has worked with the New Zealand Dance Company on their European “Time” tour, directed his own full-length work ‘Flying Down Sand Dunes’ (Winner of the Parkin Development Award) as part of the Wellington Fringe festival and also debuts as dancer at Footnote New Zealand Dance Company.

We are hiring a very exciting space for this inaugural performance.

Thanks to Utassy Ballet for supporting this first JOINT project and the premiere of Scream Bloody Murder.

But we still need your help. 

WE are hiring this magnificent space - please read on...

The Industrial School

is a magnificent alternative performance space located at the Abbotsford Convent. 

Because it is an alternative venue, so we will be bringing in our own lighting and sound equipment. This is where you come in. We need your support to make this an event that inspires and brings great opportunity to all involved.

This Pozible campaign will cover $2000 in total costs towards our $3000 lighting equipment hire for the space. 

(and $200 to cover costs associated with this campaign).

By donating to one aspect of this project, you are of course making a great impact on the whole thing. 

Thank you. 

Your contribution will go a long way towards this season. Every bit counts. 

No amount is too small or too great. 

We are truly grateful for your time and support. 

Also, please buy a ticket. Bring your friends, and their friends...

Pop this in your diary....Industry: open dress rehearsal

As a way to support performers and students in the industry, we are offering an open dress rehearsal on Thursday the 8th August at 8.00 pm. 

AND Footprint returns 

Workshop for movement based performers and students

On Saturday the 10th in the morning we are offering a workshop conducted by Hadi Kazemi-Tameh and Rochelle Carmichael. 

Purchase either our 'Joint Venture' reward or 'Rock dis Joint' to gain access to this special event or you might like to pass on the event to a student who would like to participate. 

You can also purchase the event separately at www.trybooking.com.au/BDPQD OR contact Rochelle at [email protected] for more information. 

The workshop is driven by; Rochelle Louise Carmichael (M.A.) and Hadi Kazemi Tameh are in the process of merging their current creative practices to cultivate a fresh approach to performance making, that sits somewhere between contemporary dance, dance theatre and physical theatre. 

We would like to invite you to join us in three hour discovery session, where you will be exposed to the work of both Grotowski Laboratory Theatre and Expressionist Dance Theatre techniques. There will be a strong focus on,

 how we experience making performances from emotional states;

 unlocking the potentials of deeper emotional connection and how these drive, support and connect you to deeper expression.

Thank you all for your support.

This project is also supported by....

• Dancentre
• West Point Ballet Academy
• AMS School of Dance
• Savage Art Productions