Our history
Tasdance is based in the regional centre of Launceston, Tasmania and is the state's professional dance company.
Original Name: Tasmanian Dance Company
Founding Date: 1981
Founder: Jenny Kinder
Artistic Director 1997 - present: Annie Greig
Artistic Directors 1995 - 1996: Karen Pearlman and Richard James Allen
Artistic Director 1981 - 1994: Jenny Kinder
Tasdance was established in 1981 as Australia's first dance in-education company, under the artistic direction of Jenny Kinder. After the first decade Tasdance broadened its role to include significantly more activity in the areas of theatre based performance, dancer development and community work. From its beginnings as a dance-in-education company, Tasdance has experienced a significant growth in stature and has earned a national reputation for the strength, diversity, innovation and accessibility of its repertoire of contemporary Australian work.
Under current Artistic Director Annie Greig’s direction (who joined the company in 1997), we have evolved into an award-winning, dynamic Australian company presenting diverse and exciting artistic programs that develop audiences and creators.
Approaching our 30th anniversary in 2011, our Launceston-based ensemble presents its work to audiences throughout Tasmania, in regional centres and capital cities interstate and, more recently, at international festivals. The company has clearly demonstrated its capacity to reinvent and reinvigorate itself within the Australian contemporary dance landscape.
In its prolific 26 year history, Tasdance has commissioned work from many distinguished Australian choreographers including Nanette Hassall, Leigh Warren, Natalie Weir, Sue Healey and Paul Mercurio and has nurtured the development of choreographers such as Neil Adams, Sandra Parker and Anna Smith.
The company has undertaken a number of national and international touring productions, including performances in Canberra, Geelong, New Zealand, Beijing, New York and most recently, Korea, where the company was invited to perform at the 4th international Asia Pacific Performing Arts Symposium.
Tasdance works to inspire young people in contemporary dance and has numerous innovative approaches to achieve a better understanding of the art form.
When Tasdance was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing arts award on 2008, this media release relating to the work of Tasdance was published:
TASDANCE: Group Award (joint)
Tasdance is rather like the little engine that could, an astonishingly productive and valiant small company based in Launceston Tasmania that has battled against the odds to create and present contemporary dance at an exemplary level. Its location and limited options to tour to the mainland means it struggles to receive the recognition it deserves.
Founded in 1981, the company was Australia’s first official dance-in-education company,
commissioned to take contemporary dance into schools, conducting workshops and
performances. It operated with a small ensemble of dancer/teachers who performed and worked with school students and teachers, delivering on one of the key goals of arts funding - to create access to the arts. Originally known as the Tasmanian Dance Company, it changed its name to Tasdance in 1987 while under the leadership of founding Artistic Director Jenny Kinder who served in that position from 1981 to 1994, followed by Karen Pearlman and Richard James Allen 1995-1996, then Annie Grieg from 1997 to the present. From the beginning Kinder aimed to develop a repertoire that represented the very best of Australia’s contemporary choreographers. This also required high standards of performance, something that the company has consistently maintained. The repertoire of Tasdance reads like a Who’s Who of Australian contemporary dance including works from Graeme Murphy, Nanette Hassell, Graeme Watson, Helen Herbertson, Neil Adams, Beth Shelton, Sue Healey, Shirley McKechnie, Sandra Parker, John McCormick, Anna Smith, Paul Mercurio, Gideon Obarzanek, Lucy Guerin, Tanja Liedtke and many others. The influence of Tasdance spreads beyond its immediate activities. Former company member Jerril Rechter established Stompin Youth Dance Company which is a vibrant creative force in Tasmanian dance. Amongst former members pursuing professional careers are choreographer/dancers Stephanie Lake and Luke George. Others have become professional teachers. Under Annie Grieg’s leadership, Tasdance continues to take dance into theatres and schools. It conducts an annual education project, establishing a student group who devise and tour an original work throughout Tasmania. Tasdance has also created many large scale, site specific works in and around Launceston, engaging the community in the process. The company has toured nationally and internationally to Canberra, Geelong, New Zealand, Beijing, New York and, most recently, Korea where the company was invited to perform at the 4th International Asia Pacific Performing Arts Symposium. Through its multi-faceted approach Tasdance has given wonderful service to both the profession and the community, advancing contemporary dance and fulfilling its mission to ‘create passion for and engagement with contemporary dance’.