Performing Arts Performing Arts
GIG (Guys in Groove) arly in Term One a surprisingly large number of boys gathered to participate in the break dance workshops conducted by Mr Richard Seidel. The boys discovered parts of their bodies they’d never utilised before and Ms Ruth Bott moved these energetically to Performing Arts Coordinator Richard’s funky soundtracks. GIG members had the opportunity to work with their own choreographic ideas, collaborating beautifully in groups. These sessions gave me the opportunity to see the strengths of the boys and how we might use these for the year’s major dance production.
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The upcoming major dance project for GIG was unique in that it had GIG and BIG (Boys in Groove) members dance together for the first time. It was a successful concept that allowed for the development of a very dynamic form of artistic expression. Being able to incorporate the strength and leadership of the senior boys with the lively junior dancers allowed for exciting choreographic scope. A highlight for me was watching forty-eight Junior and Senior boys working together in small groups in Gibney Hall one Wednesday morning. I had asked each GIG member to join with two BIG dancers and experiment with counterbalance. The boys began by introducing themselves then moved on to experimenting with weight, strength and creativity. The end result was incredible and witnessing the process even more inspiring. A cherished moment for this choreographer. And so i–fly was born, a dance work I imagined while travelling throughout Europe in Term Two. The project saw BIG and GIG dancing together exploring balance, propulsion and turbulence. This contemporary item was performed at a series of concerts and venues in Semester Two. The first of these performances was at Trinity’s inaugural contemporary arts show, Outside Edge. The GIG members danced superbly and in so doing were excellent advocates for dance and the performing arts as a mode of expression at school and amidst society. The members of the community were buzzing with excitement at the successful and novel combination of BIG and GIG. GUYS IN GROOVE (GIG) Back row: Andrew Hortin, Jordan Vernon, Kurt Penney, Aaron Jenkins, Bennett Moran, David Bremner, Ruvan Muthu-Krishna Front row: Ethan Sumich, John Robert Gallagher, Dylan Tarbett, Michael Hortin, Ms Ruth Bott (Director), Richard Sorriba, Jehan Muthu-Krishna, Conor Devlin, Julian Pintaudi Absent: Leon Di Benedetto
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As an extension to this year’s dance program and as another first for the College, two senior members from GIG choreographed their own dance piece with my assistance. These talented dancers, Richard Sorriba and Bennet Moran, were able to combine their great friendship, athleticism and love of dance to produce a dynamic item entitled Symbiotic. Dancing to the solid sounds of Kanye West, Bennett and Richard astounded all when they performed at both Outside Edge and the Middle School Assembly in Semester Two. It was a superb initiative, one that has inspired all dancers and would-be dancers across all years at Trinity College. Further opportunities arose for GIG to perform this year’s major dance piece at the International ACHPER Conference held at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle during the October holidays. The boys displayed maturity and professionalism, dancing beautifully with BIG at this event where they were invited as guests. GIG’s final performance with BIG was at this year’s Senior Speech Night at the Perth Concert Hall on 25th October. It was a wonderful opportunity for the Trinity staff, students and wider community to experience BIG and GIG’s performance of i–fly. The audience responded enthusiastically and I discovered later that some of the teachers and students were also dancing in their seats to the sounds of DJ Shadow, Mr Oizo and The Chemical Brothers. This event was the last time Year 12 student Aaron Jenkins would dance with us. Aaron will be remembered as the first student to dance every year both as a junior boy in BIG and senior dancer in GIG since I began the dance program in 2002. Aaron has worked hard to develop his dance technique and I wish him all the best as he pursues a life of dance. Dancing as a senior boy at Trinity College requires a strong inner belief and a determination to dance for its own sake. Congratulations to all GIG members for demonstrating leadership, strength of character and above all a desire to develop your creative expression. Your inspiring dancing, steadfast commitment and the message you project that dancing is fun have resulted in the recruitment of more boys for next year. As a choreographer, who could wish for a better GIG? Ms Ruth Bott Performing Arts Coordinator
