DRILL to Farewell Artistic Director Bec Dundas

The Board of DRILL Performance sadly announces that they will be farewelling Artistic Director Bec Dundas, who is stepping down after two pivotal years working with the young people of the company. 

Bec reflects on her time as AD of DRILL:

“I’ve felt incredibly fortunate to be in this role across 2023 and 2024 and be a cultural steward for DRILL and its young people. This company is small but mighty. The impact of our programs on these young artists and the broader independent dance scene is profound, so having the opportunity to experience creating important work with them has truly been a highlight of my career. You always want more time to invest, to create pathways, to push boundaries and grow ideas, but alas – my need for close family support has called us back to the mainland and my hope is that I can continue to be a solid pillar in the development and support of these extraordinary young dancers and a voice of advocacy for youth arts in lutruwita – having lived here for ten years now. I am confident in the Artistic Program for 2025, that the incoming Artistic Director of DRILL will have a diverse and exciting first year in this role and implore the whole community in nipaluna/Hobart to embrace change and welcome in a new era of leadership for the company. I don’t take this experience lightly, I will miss you all”

DRILL’s Chair, Lesley Graham thanked Bec and acknowledged her contribution to the company: 

“It was an easy decision to appoint Bec as DRILL’s Artistic Director to follow the lead of founding AD Joshua Lowe and his wonderful successor Isabella Stone. All three of our ADs have offered their personal interests and experiences while committing themselves wholeheartedly to the vision of the company as a safe place for young people to express themselves through dance. Bec’s contribution has again strengthened our resolve that youth dance practice is a key component in the well being of our young people and in the future of the arts in our community.

Bec is such a calm operator who has demonstrated a deep trust in the value of young people. She has guided the young artists in her care through the inevitable changes that occur in their lives and provided them with skills of resilience and the capacity to trust others through collaborative processes.  Bringing skills from her professional dance practice along with her own learnings from the commercial world of tourism and hospitality, Bec has been the perfect mentor and coach for those seeking a pathway in dance, the arts and in life. As a parent she has modelled a healthy work life balance without balking at deep engagement and applying herself to the multiple responsibilities of a leader in a small arts organisation.

The company’s recent season of ‘The Hearth’ and current Horizon, First Sketch and Indie Projects are strong evidence of her ability to develop skills and capacity in others.

Although her need to prioritise her family has led to Bec’s decision to leave us, the young people have shown her great respect for her commitment and time with them and will keep growing from her guidance.”

Following DRILL’s first development of GAMER in January, Bec will finish her role with the company and make the move with her young family back to South Australia to be closer to their family. 

In the coming weeks DRILL will commence a national call out to recruit a new Artistic Director to lead this wonderful nipaluna/Hobart based company, delivering their 2025 program and contributing to the next Artistic Vision for DRILL.

Visit https://drillperformance.com/ to learn more.

Image by Jade Ellis, from APAF 2023 presented by Theatre Network Australia