Restless Dance Theatre is a place where it is an advantage to have a disability. In residence at Bundanon is Adelaide’s Restless Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading ‘integrated’ dance company working with young disabled and non-disabled people alongside each other. While in residence, they will be working with Sydney-based choreographer/director Dean Walsh.

“What’s exciting about working with Dean is that he brings a set of new skills and vocabulary to the ensemble... he (Dean) will really push the dancers to make great work,” said Artistic Director Philip Channells.

Channells believes that Bundanon will be a perfect location for the development of the dancers and for the creation of a new work: working title In-habit. It will be the third work developed for the Restless Touring Company. The integrated cast has four performers experienced with Restless - all disabled artists - and two able bodied dancers who have worked with choreographer/director Dean Walsh before.

“All the working methods of the company are designed to put the young disabled person in the driving seat; in control in terms of what the content of the dance is and in terms of how that content is expressed.”

While in residence, Restless Dance Theatre will be running two half day workshops with local disability service groups including: Greenacres, House with No Steps, Life without Barriers, ADHC (Ageing, Disability and Home Care) and Shoalhaven Crossroads.

“Working with community groups in an essential part of what we do at Restless and its through having a connection to the community, establishing partnerships and collaborations, that we find it a really unique way of discovering what dance can be, it’s really the grass roots of the company. We also learn very quickly what it’s not – and that changes from group to group. It’s also a great opportunity for our ensemble to take the stand and be role models and leaders in the community.” said Mr Channells.