Primary Stompin Project
Running since 2015 this is Stompin's newest project; an inclusive dance project, inviting students from Northern Tasmanian primary schools, local and regional to join us at our Studio to make a work about issues important to them. Primary Stompin is a way to introduce the values and aesthetics of Stompin to 8 to 12 year olds. It is a simple, fun process with a social conscience and a celebratory outcome.
Primary Stompin 2022
"MAY WE PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION"
Paying attention to the little things - can help you see the big things more clearly.
The 30th Year Celebration is taking place in Prince’s Square Park, the same performance site that Stompin first performed in 1992.
30 years later, the company presents “Seeking Attention” by the Primary Stompers (7-13 year olds) and local choreographer, Rikki Mace.
Stompin’s inaugural work, ‘Keep the Peace’, commented on the historic, social and environmental aspects of Prince’s Square. This work set an identity for Stompin as a site-specific company that interrogates place, issues important to young people and youth culture unique to regional lutruwita/Tasmania.
Continuing this theme, ‘Seeking Attention’ shines a spotlight on Stompin and our young artists. The short work explores how we ask for, demand, shy away from and draw attention.
Primary Stompin 2021
Into View was an exploration into the perspectives of young Tasmanians aged 8 to 18 through a cultural lens, and how the points of view they are surrounded by impact them daily as well as form an overarching context for their worldview, behaviours and presence in society.
Sunday December 5th 2021
Cataract Gorge - Rotunda/Trevallyn side
An excerpt of this work was also a part of Tasdance’s 40th year celebration.
Co-driven by cultural leader Sinsa Mansell, Tasdance’s Artistic Director Adam Wheeler and Situate’s Executive Producer Emma Porteus, ILLUMINATE maps both the history of Tasdance and the island's history through dance. Tasdance will commission work from five distinctive
Tasmanian dance companies: + pakana kanaplila + DRILL Performance Company + Second Echo Ensemble + MADE - Mature Artist Dance Experience + Stompin.
Primary Stompin 2020
Out of Bounds - Presented at Tennis World
The Primary Stompin Company of 2020 worked hard over 9 weeks to create a show that incorporates their creative ideas, their movement and their voices. This work explores the casts' understanding of rules and why they’re important, how to break free of barriers that hold us back, as well as why setting boundaries for ourselves can be extremely useful.
Boundaries are most often intangible things that we carry around with us. Over time we carefully curate our ‘sense of self’ by getting to know our boundaries. We ask questions of ourselves to learn what we can and can’t accept. We look at where we end and others begin and we challenge ourselves to take risks to feel free rather than remain small, safe and limited. Boundaries are invisible lines in the sand that others dare not cross, they are feelings that arise in our bodies before our mind can catch on, or places and spaces that are filled; passively or actively given away. ‘Out of Bounds’ is a dance work that explores the concepts of physical, intellectual, emotional & material boundaries. It is a wondering into unhealthy and healthy boundaries and all the blurred lines that exist in between.
Primary Stompin 2019
Primary Stompin continues to be extremely successful and 2019 was no exception. The program continues to grow each year, and has seen several young people transition into our Core Company for 2020, building from the foundation built through Primary Stompin.
We are so grateful for the support of City of Launceston, University of Tasmania and Tasdance for their assistance in making this project possible.
Local choreographer Rikki Mace and Stompin’s Artistic Director, Caitlin Comerford worked together to teach foundational skills in creative process, technique, collaboration and teamwork. The project culminated with two studio showings and a forum, presenting B R A I N C H I L D, which was an exploration in dance, looking at the workings of mind and body connection, and the endless possibilities for innovation.
The Primary Stompin Project encourages younger people to find their artistic voice and communicate to audiences with confidence, not only through dance but with spoken word and general interaction/answering of audience questions in the forums held after the performances.