Happiness Is...

From 1978 Canberra Dance Theatre has taught, shared, created and performed dance in Canberra. Now it celebrates 40 years with a program of new short works for three nights only!

Featuring work by...

Under the direction of CDT’s Artistic Coordinator Jacqui Simmonds, the program includes reflections of past glories from former Artistic Directors Stephanie Burridge (who also will be performing a personal solo), Amalia Hordern, and Liz Lea; and renowned past CDT dancers Anca Frankenhaeuser, Patrick Harding-Irmer, and Amanda Tutalo.

Even to survive in the arts for 40 years is an achievement, and CDT is showing there’s plenty of life and ideas with a full program featuring a new contemporary ballet work by K-Ballet star Fusako Skelton; Stephanie Burridge’s gothic-inspired masterpiece MIST featuring Anca Frankenhaeuser with live violin accompaniment by Kailin Tong; a re-staging for The Street Theatre of Liz Lea’s Australian Dance Award winning work Annette; and a personal solo by Anca Frankenhaeuser and Patrick Harding-Irmer. You will also see a number of CDT’s performing groups presenting new work including Hilal Dance, and the Fans & Veils with the delightful Jazida (an invited performer at the 2018 Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas).

The extensive program includes a re-staging of noted Elizabeth Cameron Dalman work Woman of the River performed by Amanda Tutalo, and an Amalia Hordern solo Pamoja originally performed with the accompaniment of the Canberra Community Orchestra, now performed by Grace Bannister-Tyrrell. The program finishes with the hilarious new work Happiness Is... collaboratively created with Emma Saunders (The Fondue Set), which will set the course for the next 40 years.

CDT’s origins lie with Dr Graham Farquhar, who formed the National University Dance Ensemble at the ANU in 1970 as a creative outlet to balance his science studies. In 1978 a new organisation evolved, Canberra Dance Ensemble, under the artistic leadership of Stephanie Burridge. A name change in 1989 to reflect the theatrical style gave us Canberra Dance Theatre. Dr Graham Farquhar is patron of CDT, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2015, the Kyoto Prize in 2017, and was named Senior Australian of the Year for 2018.

Canberra Dance Theatre celebrates the diversity of our dance community with a sumptuous evening of dance, served with a generous dash of happiness! Join CDT as we look back at our vibrant history and imagine the future.