Expressions Dance Company

Sietsma and Valls founded the company in November 1984 and have guided it to become one of Australia’s most successful contemporary dance companies. Their extraordinary achievements have been recognised with numerous national awards, two of which were awarded only last year. While they have become a State cultural treasure, they also receive critical acclaim nationally and around the globe. Their last American tour (2007) drew standing ovations at each performance.                                                                                    Expressions’ seasons in Brisbane, interstate and overseas showcase Queensland’s creative talent to an ever-widening audience. However their influence in the world of dance is farreaching and forward looking. The nurturing of talent has been a strong feature of the Company’s ethos and it is no coincidence that many dancers and choreographers, who trained and danced with Expressions, have gone on to illustrious careers nationally and overseas.             The Chair of the Expressions Board, Sophie Mitchell said, “The Board fully but regretfully supports and understands the decision made by the company founders, Maggi Sietsma and Abel Valls. The two of them have worked tirelessly, and often in difficult conditions, to successfully establish this multi-award-winning company which has become one of Australia’s cultural icons, acting as an ambassador for the State on the national and international stage.”                                                                        While acknowledging that Expressions Dance Company has been the sole creation of Sietsma and Valls, Ms Mitchell said that every effort will be made to keep the company going. “A transition plan has been activated and the position of Artistic Director will be advertised shortly.”
Sietsma has always been acknowledged as a choreographer whose work speaks of the universal rather than blindly following short-lived dance trends. Her independent approach has paid off. As she says, “I have achieved every goal I set out to achieve when I first started the company.” At the same time, she is by no means at the end of her career. “I’m not retiring. I’m looking at other adventures,” she says.
She will leave the company in January 2009 after their New York performances.
Her current concerns are for the Company’s dancers , production and administration staff. She says, “professional dance offers, at the best of times, a precarious working environment, I sincerely hope the Queensland Government will support the transition, ensuring the artists and Arts workers are valued and protected. Without this support the potential for a true career path in dance in Queensland will be greatly diminished.”
For his part, General Manager Abel Valls says he can look back on a full and fascinating twenty-four years but he admits that changes in funding arrangements with the State have taken their toll.
“Funding stability is essential for a company like Expressions. We are greatly appreciative of the assistance the company has received in the past but without the funding stability offered by triennial grant agreements, it becomes impossible to plan ahead.”
Valls is currently working hard to ensure the Company is in the best possible shape for the upcoming transitional phase. Like Sietsma, he says he feels ready to explore other creative options but looks back on his time with Expressions with pride. “It has been most satisfying to have been part of contemporary dance development in Queensland and Australia over these years,” he says.

Contacts:
Abel Valls – General Manager, 3257 4222
Sophie Mitchell – Chair of Expressions Board, 0418 244 718 DOWNLOAD PDF MEDIA RELEASE

NEW WORK - On Thin Ice by Maggi Sietsma

With superb new dancers joining the Expressions ensemble, the company proudly presents the electrifying new work choreographed by Maggi Sietsma.

On Thin Ice”, fuses movement, film, text and atmospheric sound into a compelling, visually rich and physically exciting dance work, which looks at the dysfunctional mix of science, nature and humanity.

When: PART 1 OF SPLIT SEASON MONDAY 14 JULY 8.15PM – PREVIEW TUESDAY 15 JULY 8PM – OPENING NIGHT PART 2 OF SPLIT SEASON WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 11.30AM SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 8PM TUESDAY 12 AUGUST 11.30AM TUESDAY 12 AUGUST 6.30PM THURSDAY 14 AUGUST 11.30AM FRIDAY 15 AUGUST 8PM SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 8PM

Where: Judith Wright Centre 420 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley

Tickets: Adults $32 Concessions $22 Preview $25 School Bookings – Contact Expressions

For Information and Bookings Phone Expressions Dance Company on 07 3257 4222 Or visit www.judithwrightcentre.com For Information visit www.expressions.org.au

VISIT ON THIN ICE IMAGE GALLERY...

International News...

Expressions Dance Company is the only Australian dance company to be invited to the Guangdong Modern Dance Festival, China’s most prestigious modern dance festival. The company will be in residence from July 21 to July 25 presenting performances and conducting workshops and masterclasses. The company will be performing Cheng Tsung Lung’s Fragments of Memory and excerpts of Maggi Sietsma’s On Thin Ice during the residency.

When: Performance on Thursday 24 July
Where: Huanghuagang Theatre

For more information please email: admin@expressions.org.au

Expressions Online

Expressions connects with Express Interchange, a weblog designed as a point of dialogue between young people and the company. The Interchange expands the company’s commitment to youth and education by providing behind-the-scenes access to young people (or those young at heart). The Interchange features a weekly journal by Maggi Sietsma, detailing the creative process of choreographing her much-anticipated new work, On Thin Ice. The Interchange also features The Greenroom, where students and fans can post comments and questions for the company dancers. Expressions is enthusiastic about the future developments of this exciting hyperspace community.

Visit: http://expressinterchange.wordpress.com/

Expressions is also excited to announce the launch of a new Facebook Page! To connect with fans and peers, Expressions has launched its new Facebook page complete with image album and uploaded videos. Expressions sends updates and event invites for all performances and major events to subscribed fans, providing yet another point of contact between the company and the general public.

Visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-Australia/Expressions-Dance- Company/11285933311

For more information please email: admin@expressions.org.au

July 2008