Chunky Move’s new choreographic program

Chunky Move recently announced that Chimene Steele-Prior is the inaugural recipient of a new initiative that gives young choreographers of less than five year’s experience the opportunity to work with Artistic Director Anouk van Dijk on the development of all new Chunky Move productions.

A Victorian first, the Choreographic Secondment Program has been made possible through the support of the Ian Potter Foundation and joins Chunky Move’s other successful professional development initiatives, Maximised and Next Move.

“This new program will give emerging choreographers the enviable opportunity of observing, and assisting with the creation process of our new productions; from the initial development through to rehearsals, production week and opening night,” says Executive Producer Catherine Jones of Chunky Move.

Steele-Prior graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2005 and has since performed with Tim Harvey, Bec Reid, Luke George, Sheridan Lang and Brian Lucas. She has created several short dance works including Among Blue Poles and Archway at The National Gallery of Australia, Filling Up Empty at Melbourne Fringe Festival and in formation at Dancehouse. In 2009, Steele-Prior was the recipient of the Melbourne City Council Young Artists grant to create dance film A Busy Lonely. She most recently undertook a choreographic residency through DirtyFeet Dance Company in New South Wales.

Chunky Move established the Choreographic Secondment Program specifically to provide professional development opportunities for young, emerging choreographers in Victoria. The program aims to help facilitate the transition of professional dancers looking to make the vocational shift into choreography, and for emerging choreographers looking to expand and develop their practice in a professional environment.

“Over the last five years Chunky Move has consistently sought to innovate in the area of sector development with the implementation of our Maximised and Next Move initiatives. The Choreographic Secondment Program provides, what we felt, was the next logical step in the growth and evolution of these programs, while addressing and filling a specific professional gap for the sector,” says Jones. 

Steele-Prior takes up her position on Chunky Move’s new production, 247 Days, which premieres as part of the 2013 Dance Massive Festival on March 16 at the Malthouse Theatre. For more information, visit chunkymove.com.au.

Photo: Chimene Steele-Prior in the studio at work. Photo by Lucy Spartalis Photography.