THREE project heading down to South West

A new State Government-funded dance project will see three award-winning dancers bring performances and workshops to Manjimup and Nannup in the coming months. THREE is a contemporary dance project supported by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program as part of the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program, and Regional Arts WA. The project will be led by dancers Talitha Maslin, who grew up in Manjimup and has taught with The Ravensthorpe Regional Arts Council, Claudia Alessi, who has a diverse background in theatrical dance, theatre, and aerial dance, working with the Black Swan State Theatre Company and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and multi-awarded dancer, director, and choreographer Chrissie Parrott, who’s creative career spans over four decades. A major component of THREE will be open rehearsals, community workshops, and classes which will focus on physical movement and artistic practices which have direct benefits for health and wellbeing, especially for those who may have experienced the effects of isolation, anxiety, and loss of community connection. Parrott said she was looking forward to bringing the project to the South West and trying to shift people’s opinions on contemporary art in regional areas. “I’m excited to finally be able to share some of this beautiful, professional teaching with the community,” she said. “Also to bring professional artists down into smaller towns. “I think there tends to be a misunderstanding from certain people that country towns don’t appreciate contemporary art and I think that’s wrong. “I think what perpetuates that is that we don’t get enough of it, so it’s a great opportunity.” Classes, rehearsals, and performances are expected in Manjimup from February 25 to March 7, and in Nannup from March 8 to 16. Updates on dates and more information will be available on Manjimup and Nannup community Facebook pages.