The Millennium Project, supported and funded by Country Arts SA, is a new dance work created and choreographed by Jan Cerlienco which explors the bonds between mother and children.
Jan worked with 12 young dancers from across the Riverland, some of whom had no previous dance experience. The project developed the skills of the participants through structured skills development and the creation of choreography.
“The choreography emphasises the support received by mother and child from other females in the village, be they siblings, aunties or neighbours, which is a constant across time and distance”, said Jan. “When explaining this to the young dancers, all who are too young to be mothers themselves, I referred to whales and elephants and their strong female bonds with all their young”.
The project has been a joyful experience for all of the dancers and their own families as they’ve explored this special bond. The opportunity has also further developed and in some cases inspired a deeper appreciation of dance. “I did not know dance could be like this….!!” said particpant Tayla Gwynne.
The work was created for and performed at the Goolwa Dance Showcase in May and will have it’s final performance as part of Riverland Youth Theatre’s KAPOW Thursday on 27 June in Renmark.
Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.