About the production
This self devised work was developed through a collaboration between one of Australia’s leading dance theatre practitioners, Shaun Parker and teenage performers from Captivate in Western Sydney. Drawing inspiration from William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” and its analysis of human behaviour, The Yard extrapolates these themes and breathes new life into them by way of the Australian school yard. Ultimately finding unity in the diversity of culture, gender and ethnicity that pulsate in “the school yard”, The Yard is taught with the tension and humour of conflicts played out every day even as it celebrates the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Creative Team
Director/Choreographer: Shaun Parker
Composer: Nick Wales
Rehearsal Director: Melanie Palomares
Production and lighting: Terri Herlings
Design: Shaun Parker
Original Performers: The teenagers of Captivate Western Sydney
Dancers/ Collaborators: David Bernal, Darryl Bernal, Michael Flores, Brianna Law, David Mavisa, Renee McClenehan, Libby Montilla, Mark ‘Shutdown’ Manahan, Jayson Reyes, Alex Warrren.
Awards
Nominee 2013 Helpmann Award, Best Presentation for Children
Winner 2012 Australian Dance Award, Outstanding Achievement In Youth And Community Dance
Acknowledgements
THE YARD was first developed in 2011 by Shaun Parker & Company with participants from CAPTIVATE, the Performing Arts Unit of the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, and with the support of Ars Musica Australia.
