Australian Dance Theatre (ADT) has announced the appointment of Daniel Riley as their next Artistic Director, succeeding Garry Stewart who will leave ADT at the end of 2021.
Announcing the appointment, ADT Chair David Stobbe said Daniel, the company’s sixth Artistic Director in 56 years, was the perfect choice to lead ADT into a bold, new era.
“Daniel is an internationally acclaimed, major talent who has performed extensively around the world as well as having a simply outstanding dance career here in Australia,” said Mr Stobbe.
One of Australia’s leading dancers and choreographers, Daniel is currently a lecturer in contemporary dance at the Victorian College of the Arts, as well as working as an independent artist.
A Wiradjuri man with cultural ties throughout western New South Wales, Daniel began contemporary dance as a 12 year-old at the invitation of ADT’s founder and first Artistic Director, Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM, in Canberra.
At 21, he joined Bangarra Dance Theatre for 12 years, establishing himself as a key collaborator within the company, creating numerous major works and receiving several nominations and major awards.
In 2019, he moved to Melbourne to work with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Chunky Move, and as an in demand independent artist and collaborator.
Since 2010, Daniel has received critical acclaim for more than 15 choreographic works that span youth dance, small companies and major performing arts organisations and festivals, including Bangarra, Sydney Dance Company, Dancenorth, Queensland Ballet and Louisville Ballet (USA).
“It is such an incredible honour to be appointed as the next Artistic Director of ADT,” said Daniel. “To be named alongside some of the most significant choreographers in the history of dance in Australia is an incredible privilege.”
Daniel will commence his tenure as ADT’s Artistic Director in January 2022. For more information, visit: www.adt.org.au for details.
Image: Daniel Riley – photo by Vishal Pandey