Description

LINK Dance Company is a company like no other. Unique in Australia, this graduate dance company based at WAAPA offers tertiary-trained dancers the simulated experience of being a member of a dance company for a year, while attaining a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours). This transition year between undergraduate training and life as a professional dancer occurs within the supportive structure of a conservatoire environment, with access to world-class physical and faculty resources. Established in 2002 by celebrated choreographer Chrissie Parrott as an innovative research project within WAAPA’s Dance Department, LINK has evolved into a resident company with an ongoing commitment to the creation of new works, performance, touring and research. Under Artistic Director Michael Whaites (2006-present), LINK has forged strong connections with the dance industry to help facilitate career pathways for its graduates. LINK Dance Company closely replicates the range of activities experienced in a small professional company. Dancers attend daily class and rehearse with highly regarded Australian and international choreographers to achieve multiple performance and practice-based outcomes including local performances, site-specific work, a dancers’ choreographic season and, when the opportunity arises, either local, national or international touring. The company has access to all WAAPA facilities, including rehearsal space, theatres, musicians, designers, set and costume construction, and production staff. LINK’s ‘simulated workplace’ is practice-as-research, which allows LINK dancers to follow their own interests as they develop their research topic, leading to their thesis. Previous company members have undertaken research on topics as varied as dance film-making, choreography, performance management, dancers’ health and well-being, and injury prevention.