From 19 – 23 February 2018 leading national and international performing arts industry will descend on Brisbane for the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), Australia’s largest internationally focused trade-market for contemporary performing arts.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Brisbane Powerhouse was once again proud to be hosting APAM – Australia’s leading biennial industry event for contemporary performing arts, showcasing the very best performances from Australian and New Zealand.
“APAM 2018 will feature 46 outstanding Australian and New Zealand companies delivering 31 showcases, including full-length productions and excerpts, as well as 15 work in development pitches,” said Mr Stewart.
Mr Stewart said there were a number of good news stories from APAM 2016 and he was confident many of those presenting in 2018 would achieve similar success. “Brisbane based company Circa showcased an excerpt of their work Carnival of the Animals as part of the APAM 2016 official program,” he said.
“Since then Circa have locked in presenting opportunities both internationally and nationally; including a national tour with another work Landscape with Monsters and tours to Mexico and Korea. These tours are as a direct result from their APAM experience.”
Highlights of the 2018 Program include: Indonesia’s music tour-de-force Senyawa and Melbourne’s choreographic luminaries Lucy Guerin and Gideon Obarzanek joining forces with two of Australia’s leading dance companies, Lucy Guerin Inc and Dancenorth, to take you on a unique music/dance ritual in Attractor; while Yumi Umiumare will present the PopUp Tearoom Series – a unique fusion of Butoh, physical theatre and spoken word are interspersed with classical and contemporary tea ceremonies.
Adelaide-based Gravity & Other Myths will take you on a high-octane spree of physical virtuosity in Backbone; the raw, wild energy of a b*boy battle meets skilful contemporary choreography expertly performed by dancers from two different worlds in Between Tiny Cities; and Thomas E. S. Kelly combines Aboriginal cultural knowledge with contemporary gestural motifs in [MIS]CONCEIVE.
James Batchelor and Collaborators combine dance, sound and installation, this mesmerising and intimate performance examines our curiosity for the unknown in Deepspace; Restless Dance Theatre will challenge themes of visibility, authority, self-worth and relationships in Intimate Space; and Jacob Boehme’s Blood on the Dance Floor is an unapologetic, passionate and visceral narrative exploring the legacies and memories of our bloodlines.
The Rabble will explore female power and persecution through JOAN – a spectacular portrayal of France’s medieval heroine, Joan of Arc; a reckless, intoxicating love letter to the subconscious, Side Pony Productions & The Last Great Hunt presents The Irresistible; and Bundjalung and Yaegl choreographer Mariaa Randall presents a playful and multilayered exploration of place, people, landscapes and language in Divercity.
As in previous years, APAM 2018 will feature 30 Display Booths that allow over 60 artists, companies, collectives and funding agencies to promote their work to delegates, and in 2018 there are new additions to the program including Performing Asia – which will provide a platform for market-ready artists and producers to explore relationships and practices developed within the Asia Pacific Region.
The First Timer’s Program will assist first time attendees in navigating APAM to ensure a deeper engagement and experience; and with the support of the Sidney Myer Fund bursaries for independent artists, producers or individuals are available to attend APAM 2018, covering the full cost of a delegate pass.
Established in 1994 by the Australia Council for the Arts, APAM showcases and promotes a thriving, diverse national performing arts sector and stimulates ongoing dialogue and exchange between Australian producers and International presenters.
“Over five days and across five venues APAM brings together over 1,200 influential Directors, Executives, Creatives, Associate Producers, CEOs, General and Program Managers, Artists and Agents from around Australia and the globe,” said Australia Council for the Arts CEO Tony Grybowski.
“It is a unique opportunity to discuss the latest ideas and innovations across performing arts in Australia, while discovering new Australian talent. The Australia Council is proud to have led this initiative for over 20 years, fostering national and international touring opportunities and creating a platform for extraordinary collaborations by Australian artists.”
The 2018 Australian Performing Arts Market runs 19 – 23 February. For more information, to view the full program and to register, visit: www.performingartsmarket.com.au for details.
Image: Dancenorth and Collaborator’s Attractor – photo by Gregory Lorenzutti