OF BOYS AND MEN (the men of shadows), is a raw and authentic disability-led dance-theatre production exploring themes of manhood and identity.

 

Following the collective experiences of five young male dancers navigating their worlds, Of Boys and Men traverses the performers owned experiences and unravels what it means to the performers, dancers, and young men living in today’s world with a disability.

 

Now in its third stage of artistic development, the production brings together Australian male dancers – Lorcan Hopper, Kayah Guenther, Max McAuley, Zakaria Ghomri and Joshua Campton, in collaboration with director Paul Gazzola, designer Gaelle Mellis and composer DJTR!P. The process providing an opportunity for these young men to work with a team of leading SA arts professionals in the creation of a unique disability-led dance theatre work.

 

The reaffirming and positive impacts OF BOYS AND MEN (the men of shadows), are vast and the commitment from its entire team is one of unity and collective development.

 

“As artists, we have lots of creative ideas for text and movement,” said 30-year performer Joshua Campton, a Larrakia, Wadaman and Karajarri man from the Northern Territory.

 

“I can talk with my body and I don’t need to worry about it, I can let my body do the talking.” Said Joshua Campton

 

“When I was a boy, I was different to other people. But having a disability can be creative. This is who I am”. said performer Lorcan Hopper

 

“I am a true dancer and a man with a disability”, said Sydney based Zakaria Ghomri

 

“I have no disability when I dance” said SA performer Lorcan Hopper

 

“We pull all we know and feel inside, lock it in and use it as dance”, said NSW dancer Kayah Guenther.

Of Boys and Men grew out of the existing connections the core artists established during Catalyst/Accessible Arts residencies in Sydney in 2015 and 2016. Over this period, they formed a close working relationship and friendship (calling themselves The Brotherhood), finding for the first time a national peer group they strongly connected with. This project supports them in the further development of their careers as young and emerging artists and creates a platform to develop a unique work referencing their own personal experiences.

 

Of Boys and Men – The Men of Shadows project will give them a voice and a national presence in contemporary dance practice in Australia.

 

This project is supported by Arts South Australia through the Richard Llewellyn Deaf and Disability program, The Government of SA Arts Recovery Fund, The Australia Council for the Arts, the Adelaide Festival Centre’s inSPACE program, Goodwood Theatre and Studios, Oratunga Arts Residencies and OSCA – Open Space Contemporary Arts. Special thanks to Access2arts, Carclew and all the parents and carers.

 

OF BOYS AND MEN (the men of shadows)

Development series #3

2pm, April 30th & May 1st, 2021

The Goodwood Theatre and Studios.

166 Goodwood Rd, Goodwood

Bookings and information:

https://ofboysandmen.eventbrite.com.au

Media kit with images and additional details here: https://bit.ly/3cYHcy3