Micich to lead Force Majeure
WA dancer-choreographer Danielle Micich will take over the reins at Force Majeure from outgoing artistic director and chief executive Kate Champion, who founded the Sydney dance theatre company 13 years ago.
Force Majeure chairperson Jo Dyer said the board could not think of anyone better to build on Champion's wonderful legacy.
"Danielle's body of work demonstrates an immensely talented and rigorous artist who has thought passionately and deeply about dance theatre and the role it occupies in the Australian and international arts landscape," Dyer said.
"We believe that under Danielle's leadership, Force Majeure will continue to flourish in the unique space Kate has carved out for us, a genuine cross-artform blend of theatre and dance, dedicated to exploring ideas and ourselves."
Micich is currently a core artist with Performing Lines WA and recently premiered her work Overexposed at the State Theatre Centre of WA. She is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and was artistic director of STEPS Youth Dance Company in Perth for four years. Her choreography for Barking Gecko's Driving Into Walls was nominated for a 2012 Helpmann Award and her collaboration with Humphrey Bower, the adaptation of Peter Goldsworthy's novel Wish, won several awards.
"Watching Force Majeure over many years define its unique place in Australian theatre drew me towards making dance theatre myself," Micich said.
"If anyone told me that the last 10 years was preparation for something much bigger, I should have listened earlier. The many people and companies I have worked with along the way have shaped the artist I am today.
"Working with Kate Champion was a defining moment. I knew then I would pursue my practice in dance theatre. It's a great honour to follow on from one of Australia's finest Artistic Directors and continue her legacy. "Seeing the bigger picture is one thing, but knowing how to contribute and lead is another. I am very excited about my role in the future of Force Majeure."
Micich will take up her position in mid-2015.Champion said the appointment represented an exciting new stage in Force Majeure's direction.
