The annual Australian Dance Awards (ADA) recognise and honour professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian dance.
Ausdance Victoria and Harlequin Floors presented the 2017 Awards on Sunday 24 September at Arts Centre Melbourne.
Congratulations to the winners and 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.
Services 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.
Outstanding Achievement in Community Dance
Liz Lea with Canberra Dance Theatre, National Museum of Australia, Dance for Parkinson's ACT and KAGE 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
Outstanding 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.
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.