Chrissie Parrott.
Camera IconChrissie Parrott. Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek d486017

Choreographer Chrissie Parrott’s link to Co3 WA Dance Makers Project

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

THERE are a lot of ‘links’ in the curation of Co3 Australia contemporary dance company artistic director Raewyn Hill’s WA Dance Makers Project.

Not only has Hill invited celebrated Perth choreographer Chrissie Parrott to create work In-Lore Act II for the bill, but she also selected Unkempt Dance collective Amy Wiseman, Jessica Lewis and Carly Armstrong to present their first main-stage work for Co3 too.

The trio met during their year dancing in LINK, the graduate dance company at WAAPA which Parrott established in 2002 during her time as a senior research fellow at ECU.

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“The concept of having a graduate performance company meant that we could run the honours program like a professional dance company, giving them the link or bridge between education and profession,” Parrott said.

“It’s not only about being a brilliant dancer, it’s about being able to manage your budgets and direct dancers by being on the other side. It’s very rewarding to see the success of the Unkempt Dance girls and dancers in my project with Co3, many who have also come through the LINK course.”

LINK Dance Company will also showcase a new work by Richard Cilli as curtain-raiser to Co3’s WA Dance Makers Project, which launches the 11-day MoveMe Festival on September 12.

Parrott said the festival, a showcase of WA contemporary dance independent choreographers and dancers, was a necessary event.

“The Perth Festival is absolutely fantastic, there’s no question about that, but what it offers is international dance and international dancers,” she said.

“What the MoveMe Festival offers is Australian dancers, usually independent dancers, having the opportunity to have their work produced and seen at a professional level.”

Parrott, who has been a professional dance artist since joining WA Ballet at 19 years old, said she felt privileged to be working in the State Theatre Centre of WA studio with the six Co3 dancers.

“This particular work, In-Lore Act II, is about a stranger, a myth, a pseudo narrative that talks about a group of eccentric people who are interrupted from their daily routine by this outsider,” she said.

“Visually it’s very lyrical and fast. There are scenes where you smile because there’s dark humour in there but it is also very dark and passionate. It’s a strange work but I love it.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: WA Dance Makers Project

Where: Studio Underground

When: September 12-16

Tickets: www.ptt.wa.gov.au