The annual Australian Dance Awards recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian dance. The Australian Dance Awards are produced by the Australian Dance Council—Ausdance National.
Presented by Ausdance Victoria, Harlequin Floors and Ausdance National the 2017 Australian Dance Awards were presented on Sunday 24 September at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Congratulations to the winners and all the shortlisted nominees! And the winners are....
Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement
Services to Dance
Jennifer Irwin
For a long and prolific career producing outstanding and inspired costumes that have been applauded both nationally and internationally.
Some of Jennifer's designs for Bangarra Dance TheatreServices to Dance Education
Kim Walker
For his impact on many generations young performers as Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and Chief Executive Officer of NAISDA, and for his innovative leadership preparing our next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Kim Walker, CEO NAISDAOutstanding Achievement in Community Dance
Liz Lea & collaborators for Great Sport!
For Liz Lea’s choreography, collaboration and direction of an outstanding project with Canberra Dance Theatre and the National Museum of Australia in a stunning performance involving the GOLD company, Dance for Parkinson’s ACT and KAGE.
Canberra Dance Theatre's The Golds performing Great Sport! at the National Museum of Australia. Image by Lorna SimOutstanding Achievement in Youth Dance
Catapult Dance, The Flipside Project for In Search of the Lost Things
For an outstanding and creative collaboration led by Cadi McCarthy that produced a professional, captivating and dynamic work presented at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Catapult Dance's The Flipside Project In Search of the Lost Things. Choreographed by Cadi McCarthy and Marni Palomares. Image by Jessica CoughlinOutstanding Achievement in Choreography
Lucy Guerin for The Dark Chorus [Lucy Guerin Inc]
For a commanding and inspired new work that is innovative, engaging and challenging, with beautiful and complementary staging and costuming.
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The Dark Chorus, Lucy Guerin Inc. Choreography by Lucy Guerin. Image by Gregory LorenzuttiOutstanding Performance by a Company
Bangarra Dance Theatre for OUR Land People Stories
For a wonderful double bill showcasing superb dancing, great artistry and engaging storytelling through some breathtaking choreography and gorgeous design.
Miyagan, from OUR Land People Stories, Bangarra Dance Theatre. Choreography by Beau Dean Riley Smith & Daniel Riley. Image by Vishal PandeyOutstanding Achievement in Independent Dance
Liesel Zink for The Stance
For this site-specific dance and sound work investigating the composition of bodies in protest and the history of public protest, activism and intervention.
The Stance @ Liveworks by Liesel Zink. Image by Liesel ZinkOutstanding Performance by a Female Dancer
Ako Kondo for Coppélia [The Australian Ballet]
For a world-class and captivating performance, and for her technical prowess and virtuosity, and her commanding presence.
Ako Kondo in The Australian Ballet's Coppelia. Image by Jeff BusbyOutstanding Performance by a Male Dancer
Benjamin Hancock for The Dark Chorus [Lucy Guerin Inc]
For his superlative technique, theatrical and captivating presence, his versatility and great athletic prowess.
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Benjamin Hancock in The Dark Chorus, Lucy Guerin Inc. Image by Gregory LorenzuttiOutstanding Achievement in Commercial Dance, Musicals or Physical Theatre
Jack Chambers for Singin’ in the Rain [TEG Dainty, Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises & Michael Cassel Group]
For his superb musicality, charismatic presence and effortless mastery of elaborate tap routines, slapstick and vaudeville.
Jack Chambers in Singin' in the Rain. Image by Dylan Robinson (Courtesy The Daily Telegraph)Outstanding Achievement in Dance on Film or New Media
The Samaya Wives for The Knowledge Between Us
For a visually beautiful and stylish portrayal of the connection between two people, beautifully combining cinematic and choreographic elements.
The Samaya Wives' The Knowledge Between Us Created and choreographed by Pippa and Tara Jade Samaya