Dr Alan Brissenden AM was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 2013 Australian Dance Awards by Robyn Archer AO and David McAllister AM in recognition of his distinguished services to the dance profession.
Alan has made an enormous impact on how we view dance, with an extraordinary 60 years of dance criticism and scholarly writings. His acute perceptions, developed through an eager engagement with dance and all the other performing arts, have provided insightful reflections and commentaries on Australia's constantly changing dance landscape.
Alan's contribution to dance reflects his passion for the art form and its artists. He possesses a generosity of spirit and complementary honesty for which we love and respect him. As a veteran dance and drama writer, he has proactively encouraged and supported emerging dance writers, particularly as co-editor and then editor of Brolga—an Australian journal about dance.
Alan studied at the University of Sydney and completed his doctoral research at University College, London. He has produced an outstanding record of literary achievements during his 50 years at the University of Adelaide, firstly as a lecturer, then as Chair of the English Department and finally as Honorary Visiting Research Fellow.A world-renowned Shakespearean scholar, notably on the importance of dance in Shakespeare's works, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the arts by committee membership of several organisations including the Adelaide Festival Board, the ABC Advisory Committee and for decades as a contributing member of the Ausdance network. Amongst many other awards and honours, in 1996 Alan was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the arts.
Dr Alan Brissenden AM with David McAllister AM (Artistic Director, The Australian Ballet) at the launch of Australia Dances. University of Adelaide, July 2010. We often forget that those who have not danced themselves but have spent a lifetime of intellectual endeavour in the service of dance are fundamental to its ecology. Alan brings an outsider’s eye and insider's knowledge to the discourse on dance to challenge and provoke us to see dance in diverse ways while affirming our own value and enriching our knowledge of dance, evident in his most recent publication, Australia Dances: Creating Australian Dance 1945—1965.
It is timely that in 2013 Dr Brissenden is inducted into the exclusive Hall of Fame—the 14th such honour awarded in Australia at the Australian Dance Awards (ADAs).
Read more on the Australian Dance Awards website.