Who is Richard Cilli?
A contemporary dancer, currently working with Anouk Van Dijk’s Chunky Move. I’ve danced for Sydney Dance Company, Lucy Guerin Inc, K.Kvarnström & Co. (Sweden), and all sorts of freelance stuff, including making my own work. I’m from Perth, I’m a twin, and I love learning languages!
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I wouldn’t change a thing. The good and the bad, I’ll have it all. Except I wish that all the people I love all lived in the same place. We’re all spread so far apart these days!
Who inspires you and why?
People who work with authenticity, rigour and a little bit of magic. People whose power comes from their softness, playfulness, gentleness.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I aspire to help people connect with their bodies. Be that through teaching them in a dance class, watching me dance, or watching works I create, or through my close relationships with family and friends. For so many people their own body is an unknown place, full of shame or pain. I realise I’m lucky that in working with my body every day I get to explore it and experience such joy and pleasure in it, and so I want to make it possible for others to have those experiences too.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I am pretty well-travelled, and I still have to say Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Just paradise!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I’ve only been living here for a couple of months, but I recently discovered the Capital City Trail on my bike. I didn’t realise there was so much beautiful nature in the middle of the city!
What are you currently reading?
The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk. Neuroscience fascinates me, and it’s so exciting to see new developments unfolding on this frontier.
What are you currently listening to?
The On Being podcast with Krista Tippett, revisiting some old Radiohead, and a lot of 90’s pop music.
Happiness is?
Fully experiencing the sweetness of the present moment (especially if that moment has chocolate in it).
What does the future hold for you?
The very near future holds the premiere of Anouk Van Dijk’s new work Common Ground – a duet for Tara Jade Samaya and myself. Later this year I’m making a work for Link Dance Company in Perth, and training to become a Countertechnique teacher.
Richard performs in the world premiere of Common Ground at Melbourne’s Chunky Move Studios: 26 April – 5 May. Common Ground is then performed at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong on Tuesday 8 May 2018. For more information, visit: www.chunkymove.com for details.
Image: Richard Cilli (supplied)