PLANT NATION
Choreographer
Gregory Lorenzutti, in collaboration with dancers
Creative Collaborator and Executive Producer
Professor Marie Sierra
Original Costume Designer (Theatrum Botanicum)
Rebeca Silveria
Original Costume Associate Designer
Olivia Peters
Costume Supervisor
Rose McCormick
Sound Composer
Ethan Hunter
Stage Manager
Lucie Sutherland
Audio Engineer
Justin Gardam
Production Coordinator
Tia Wojcik
Rehearsal Director
Nicole Corea
Photography: Gregory Lorenzutti
Dancers
Madeline Belli
Alyse Canton
Yinuo Chen
Tash Dotti
Indiana Gordon
Stephanie Kewley
Anastassia Krstevska
Jaden Lal
Elliana Martelli
Toby McKnight
Kamryn McRae
Tessa O’Toole
Ebony Olsen
Wen Chen Ong
Bei Preston Taylor
Opal Russell
Rena Sangawa
Lily Turner
Emily Yamashita
Melody Zhang
"PLANT NATION," inspired by ecological themes, reimagines Gregory Lorenzutti's "Theatrum Botanicum." This site-specific performance invites audiences to explore the deep connections between humans and plants, especially amidst the climate crisis and the phenomenon of "plant blindness." Through dance, it fosters awareness of the vegetal world, emphasizing the vital roles plants play in our ecosystems.
The performance features a collaborative choreographic score that integrates plant perspectives, encouraging participants to reflect on their relationship with nature. Supported by an ARC Linkage Grant and the expertise of academics like Professor Marie Sierra, Dr. Prudence Gibson, and Associate Professor Sigi Jöttkandt, "PLANT NATION" emphasizes ecological thinking in both its creation and production.
Ultimately, the work aims to inspire a renewed appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings and to motivate a more mindful perception of the shared spaces we inhabit, highlighting our responsibility to nurture these essential relationships.
OCEAN AN ARRANGMENT
Stager and Choreographic Advisor
Melissa Toogood
Set and Vision Designer
Alice Huxtable*
Composer & Musician
Cameron Deyell
Costume Designer
Timothy Rutty
Rehearsal Director
Nicole Corea
Lighting Designer
Viv Hargreaves*
Assistant Costume Designer
Seah Lok
Production Team
Stage Manager
Phi Phi Nguyen*
Assitant Stage Manager
Poppy Gordon
Workshop Head of Department (Staging)
Lokan Woerz*
Costume Manager
Sarah Browne*
Costume Assistant
Jamie Garcia
Head Electrician
Georgie Donnelly*
Lighting Programmer and Operator
Alex White
Deputy Electrician
Madelaine Garwood
Photography: Gregory Lorenzutti
Dancers
Madeline Belli
Alyse Canton
Yinuo Chen
Tash Dotti
Indiana Gordon
Stephanie Kewley
Anastassia Krstevska
Jaden Lal
Elliana Martelli
Toby McKnight
Kamryn McRae
Tessa O'Toole
Ebony Olsen
Wen Chen Ong
Bei Preston Taylor
Opal Russell
Rena Sangawa
Lily Turner
Emily Yamashita
Melody Zhang
This interdisciplinary project features a rearrangement of Merce Cunningham’s "Ocean" (1994), originally conceived with John Cage. Celebrating 30 years since its premiere, this iteration, arranged and staged by Melissa Toogood, invites VCA Dance and Design and Production students to explore the choreography and respond creatively through a group devising process.
The title "Ocean" references Joseph Campbell's notion of a future work by James Joyce about water. Cage envisioned the dance performed in a circular space, immersing both audience and performers in sound, redefining the relationship between them. This two-part program showcases the dancers performing a curated arrangement of Cunningham's original choreography alongside their innovative responses.
With designs by Alice Huxtable and costumes by Tim Rutty, this production allows students to engage deeply with Cunningham’s legacy, marking a significant moment as they embody the work in an Australian context for the first time.
