28 June 2021 12:57
RAD Australia has curated a series of special interest stories during Pride Month of June
RAD Australia’s commitment to inclusivity is ongoing and whilst we share stories reflective of all areas of our community and our industry on a regular basis, this Pride month we have been pleased to share a series of articles and features to broaden the conversation and increase the exposure of LGBTQIA+ stories and perspectives.
Throughout the Pride month of June we have been dedicating our Sundays to a series on the RAD Australia Facebook page with the following features.
The move towards truth, creativity, authenticity and individuality
Dance Magazine’s Dance in Drag feature explores various points around gender neutral and gender fluid choreography, drag in dance, and the #Queertheballet movement
Image: Duane Gosa with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Vladimir Kevorkov for Show One Productions Courtesy of Les Ballets Trockadero and Dance Magazine
Dr Fen Kennedy talks about being a non-binary dance professor at the University of Alabama
Dance Teacher Magazine’s feature about a non-binary dance professor in the US tells us about their experience of teaching and belonging.
“When I dance, I know that I am right with myself, and that we all deserve to feel right and be welcome. When I teach, I remember my own vulnerability and use it to offer grace and understanding to my students, many of whom are struggling particularly hard with their own vulnerability right now…My teaching, and my dancing, explain that we are nevertheless connected by our shared joy in movement, by our curiosity and our desire to grow. We all belong here.”
Image: Dr Kennedy by Emilia Stuart Courtesy of Kennedy and Dance Teacher Magazine
Male and non-binary dancers who enjoy dancing on pointe
Pointe Magazine’s feature explores the growing push in the US towards more training and performance opportunities for male and non-binary dancers who enjoy dancing on pointe.
Image: Carlos Hopuy and Diego Cruz, Grand Pas Classique by Rob Suguitan Courtesy of Ballet 22 and Pointe Magazine
Groundbreaking all-male pas de deux from American Ballet Theatre
One of the most important moves toward inclusion is for people to see themselves reflected on stage. We are excited to share Touché the groundbreaking new all-male pas de deux from American Ballet Theatre choreographed by Christoper Rudd and performed by Calvin Royal III and João Menegussi with intimacy direction by Sarah Lozoff.
"Watch Touché here "American Ballet Theatre
We also shared the roundtable discussion with the choreographer, dancers and intimacy coordinator for Touché hosted by American Ballet Theatre Principal James Whiteside who spoke of the impact on the work on himself as a potential young person and an adult. You can watch that discussion here.
#Queertheballet and an all-female pas de deux
We have been following and shared news on our channels of the growing #Queertheballet movement founded by Adriana Pierce. As part of this series, we were delighted to share Peirce’s Animals & Angels which premiered in the US with dancers Audrey Malek and Cortney Taylor Key. That work was also followed by a roundtable discussion facilitated by Patricia Delgado.
"Watch Animals and Angels here"#Queertheballet
Other features which may interest you
RAD Voices – Sophie Rebecca
Send us your stories
We’d love to hear from dancers within our community who have stories or perspectives to share which they feel might benefit or uplift our community. Send us your stories, links to social media and images to marketing@rad.org.au