Thanks to Michelle Barnett (EDC trainee), Kimball Wong from ADT for his generosity, Staycee Johns and Clive Rippon.

Thanks also to Dr Richard Brown and Dr Mark Young at Qsports Medicine.

Training Partner

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Healthcare Partner

Cover: EDC’s Samantha Mitchell & David Williams. Photo by Peter Schnetz.

EDC has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Expressions Dance Company is

Artistic Director: Natalie WeirCEO & General Manager: Libby LincolnDancers: Riannon McLean, Elise May, Samantha Mitchell, David Williams, Jack ZiesingProduction Manager: Toni GlynnMarketing & Development Manager: Asha BoydOffice Manager: Tegan DaviesBookkeeper: Evan Wright

Board of DirectorsKaren Masnata (Chair), Tony Denholder (Deputy), Ross Cunningham, Libby Lincoln, Evelyne Meier, Sophie Mitchell, Anne-Maree Moon, Natalie Weir, Paul Wilson.

www.expressionsdancecompany.org.au

Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble is

Artistic Director: Cathy SharpGeneral Manager: Adrian SchrielDancers: Lucas Balegno, Misato Inoue, Jonas Furrer, Agata Lawniczak, Eoin Mac DonnchaMusic & Video Designer and Operator: Thomas C. Gass Technician: Robert Pipoz

www.sharp-dance.com

CSDE is funded by the Cantons of Basel-City and Basel District. Additional touring funding was provided by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.

Thank you...

Thanks also to Mr Markus Meli, Consul General, Consulate General of Switzerland (Sydney) and Mr Daniel Gschwind, Honorary Consul of Switzerland (Brisbane).

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From Basel to Brisbane

SCRIPSI SCRIPTUM was created out of a cultural exchange between Expressions Dance Company (EDC) and Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble (CSDE) from Basel, Switzerland. In 2001, EDC (under Maggi Sietsma’s directorship) and CSDE performed together for the first time, in both Brisbane and Basel, during CSDE’s 10th anniversary season. Ten years later, in CSDE’s 20th anniversary season the two companies came together once again. This time, the aim was to create a program of new choreography with one theme – the changing art of communication.

In 2011, the creation process began when the ten dancers shared hand-written letters as a means of introduction. In October, EDC travelled to Basel, to create and perform with CSDE. The outcome was two distinct works – one from each company’s director - sewn together by a short section choreographed by Natalie, Cathy and the dancers.

SCRIPSI SCRIPTUM premiered at the Roxy Theatre in Basel / Birsfelden at the end of October 2011, to an overwhelmingly positive reaction from Basel audiences. For EDC, the aim of developing Cultural Collaborations is two-fold: The first is to create a type of work that is outside the realm of EDC’s usual presentations through partnering with international companies. This allows EDC to reach new audiences and build an international reputation. Secondly, it allows EDC to share with Brisbane audiences dance companies from the world-stage.

“EDC is thrilled to host the dancers, creative team and management of CSDE in Brisbane. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy your experience in Brisbane as much as we did in Basel.” Natalie Weir

A note from Cathy Sharp

The written word can be very tactile - and the act of writing with paper, ink and pen a very sensual experience. To me, communicating in the digital age can seem colder and more distant. With new technologies designed to make life easier and more connected, it is ironic that often there is more chance of disconnection or misconnection. I chose to explore these opposing ideas through this work.

Choreography: Cathy Sharp and dancers

Dancers: Lucas Balengo, Jonas Furrer, Misato Inoue, Agata Lawaniczak and Eoin Mac Donncha

Music: a collage of music by Marilyn Manson, Redux, Thomas C. Gass, Paul Giger, Yann Tiersen, John Adams, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Ludovico Einaudi.

A note from Natalie Weir

My part of SCRIPSI SCRIPTUM focuses on human connection and the emotion words can evoke. How often have you said something you wish you could take back, or how often have you wanted to say something but not known how? How often have you said something that has been misinterpreted or misunderstood? Whether it is a box of letters from your past, a text message sent in an instant or a simple word spoken so filled with meaning, the desire to connect with others is at the heart of all human relationships.

My thanks to the dancers of EDC for their collaboration on this work and to Cathy Sharp and her dancers for sharing this program in Basel and here in Australia.

Choreography: Natalie Weir and dancers

Dancers: Elise May, Riannon McLean, Samantha Mitchell, David Williams and Jack Ziesing

Music: a collage of music by Max Richter and Philip Glass.

Production Team

Costume Designers: Sabine Bally (CSDE) and Samantha Paxton (EDC)Lighting Designer: Brigitte Dubach Music & Video Designer and Operator: Thomas C. GassLighting Realisor (Brisbane): Toni GlynnStage Manager: Sarah OatesLighting Operator: Scott Barton and Adam Copland

Cathy Sharp and CSDE

Cathy Sharp was born in Nashville, Tennessee (USA). She began her professional education at the North Carolina School of Arts, training with Duncan Noble, Peter Apple, Bill Griffith, Joop Sanders, David Howard, Pauline Koner and Sonja Tyven. From 1968 – 1973 she danced with the Atlanta Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal. In 1973, she joined the renowned Basler Ballet in Basel Switzerland to continue her career under the direction of Heinz Spoerli. As a soloist in Basel, Cathy Sharp gained international recognition for her interpretations of neo-classical and modern choreographies. She and her General Manager Adrian Schriel founded the Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble in 1991, choreographing over 20 works for the ensemble and working with numerous guest choreographers including Marguerite Donlon, Vaclav Kunes, Teresa Rotemberg, Richard Wherlock, Nils Christe, Jennifer Hanna and Félix Duméril. CSDE has developed a large repertoire of modern and contemporary choreographies, and with its eclectic style, has become a top-ranking freelance dance company in Switzerland.

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