Synopsis

A group of dancers steal into an abandoned theatre. In a dressing room, they ready themselves with makeup and masks whilst others rehearse in a foyer lit by sunlight. When ready they climb onto a sparsely lit stage. A music box is heard to play. They line up, curtains are drawn and they perform to an empty theatre. Yet, yet there are lights, shadows and music.

A film by choreographers Katrina Rank and Paris Wages and filmmaker Andrew Garton.

Background

The project began with the combination of two community grants from Boroondara and Bayside Councils. Longtime dance professionals Katrina Rank and Paris Wages both teach ongoing Dance for Parkinson’s classes in the Melbourne area. The collaboration brought individuals with Parkinson’s disease together from both their classes.

Andrew Garton, an Adjunct Industry Fellow, Media and Communications, Swinburne University, assembled a crew of students to assist with filming. The 7-minute film was shot at the historic Kew Courthouse over the course of two days. Along with the producers, participants were encouraged to play an active role in the creative process. The film boasts an art-for-art’s-sake approach to broadening the awareness of Parkinson’s disease, giving participants a creative voice.

Acknowledgements

The film was supported by the City of Boroondara, City of Bayside, Rotary Club of Balwyn, Elance Adult Ballet and Media and Communications, Swinburne University of Technology.

The producers of this film recognise the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Wilam clan as the traditional owners of the land we had filmed upon.