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FLING - the only funded dance company in regional NSW? 1 March 2004 The announcement by NSW Ministry for the Arts of a three year commitment of funds towards the establishment of FLING Physical Theatre make it the first funded performance company ever to be based in the South East region. It is also, we believe, the only supported dance company in regional NSW. Initiated by choreographer Lee Pemberton, FLING Physical Theatre is a youth dance ensemble that has undertaken a number of performance and training projects over recent years. Most notable was Struggle in 2003, an original new work performed by 25 young people following a residency with two members of Legs On The Wall, Rowan Marchingo and Ingrid Kleining. More than one fifth of Bega's population saw Struggle in a sell out season at the Bega Showground. Based on the this success and the level of interest in youth performance, South East Arts Region (SEAR) successfully applied to the Ministry's Dance Program under Strategic Initiatives for support to establish the company at $40,000 per annum for 3 years. FLING's program in 2004 is based around two residencies by guest artists that will provide the creative and skills development for two performance seasons. A subsequent application was also lodged to the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund to support the guest residency program with just over $11,000 being secured. The first residency in June features Tess de Quincey and additional members of her company, DQC, who will conduct a ten day residential training intensive entitled Tathra Bodyweather Workshop. The program, from 4 - 13 June, is open to any interested performer and is currently being promoted nationally. (For information on registration and cost, please contact SEAR Tel 02 6499 2286). The residency with Tess will lead to FLING's first performance season, A Dictionary of Habitats, scheduled for July, in response to the environment. Discussions are currently underway with Legs On The Wall and Urban Theatre Projects for the second residency to assist in the final production for 2004. With a working title of Sick, this production will explore street culture, particularly for young males and is likely to be staged at a skate park, hopefully resulting in more male involvement in FLING and potentially its first regional tour. For core members of the FLING ensemble, there will be a regular training program. However, FLING will also provide professional support for other performing arts in the region by developing partnerships with the numerous community theatre, choir and music groups and, in particular, with the secondary schools. For example, Lee has already organised for Melbourne dance artist, Gerard De Veltre, to run breakdance and hip hop workshops during Youth Week in association with the local Shires. Lee is also inviting contact from any company or freelance artist of any discipline who may be interested in working with FLING in the future. FLING can potentially assist with accommodation, travel and rehearsal/ studio space as well as provide an ensemble to work with in one of the state's most stunning coastal locations. Got a better offer? FLING held auditions in February with places offered to more than 35 young people across the senior (15-25yrs) and junior (11-14yrs) troupes. As a physical theatre ensemble, FLING members generally bring either a dance or gymnastic background and it is in the crossover of these skills, applied to the stories and issues important to young people of the South East that FLING will look to make its mark. SEAR is very excited by this FLING thing which meets one of our core strategic objectives to increase the cultural infrastructure of the region. CONTACT
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