Local talent highlighted by national company

By Djembe Archibald

Jul 30, 2023

Bound and free: Caly Mills with Gabbie Moulder, Ada Coonerty, Maddie King, Macey Cox, Tamara Simpson, Makayla Bolitho, Madison Mastin-Lundberg and Amy McCorry. Photo by Kellie Crosier

Dancers from The Australian Ballet will take to the stage this week, but they are not the only ones to take the spotlight.

This year the Australian Ballet has invited Awaken Dance Theatre Company dancers to perform a short piece before ballet’s ‘On Tour’ performance.

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Nine of the company’s members will enter the stage as a ‘curtain raiser’, for the ballet’s closing show on Wednesday, August 2.

Students Makayla Bolitho, Ada Coonerty, Macey Cox, Maddie King, Madison Mastin-Lundberg, Amy McCorry, Caly Mills, Gabbie Moulder and Tamara Simpson will perform.

Performance ready: Tamara Simpson Photo by Kellie Crosier

Awaken Dance Theatre Company founder and creative director Kyla McGregor said that the company had been strong for a while now.

“We have had a long-standing partnership with the Australian Ballet,” she said.

“They have a genuine interest in mentoring us.”

Ms McGregor received the invitation to perform and it was an offer she could not refuse.

“It really was a ‘pinch me’ moment,” she said.

“It’s not an opportunity that comes along often and it will be amazing for the kids.”

The performance will consist of a contemporary piece called ‘Bound and Free’.

To book tickets to see the Awaken Dance Theatre Company open for the Australian Ballet’s 60th anniversary tour at Riverlinks WestSide, Echuca Rd, Mooroopna, head to riverlinksvenues.com.au/whats-on