The Australian Dance Plateau

This chapter brings a historical perspective to the development of dance education in Australia. It begins with Australia’s First Nations people and their impact on the development of dance education and choreography. The historiography forms the foundation for a discussion of contemporary Indigenous dance and the emergence of Australia’s leading First Nations’ dance company, Bangarra Dance Theatre. Other important developments, including the Australian Ballet, are outlined, and the global cultural impact of Australian choreography is explored. The chapter also discusses the arrival of modern dance in Australia from Europe through the work of Gertrud Bodenwieser and others, highlighting the still-limited literature relating to participation in and attendance of dance performances in Australia. The available data remains more concerned with funding and venue usage than the involvement of dancers, audiences or choreographers, and this chapter addresses that gap. The chapter opening figure is a reminder of the physical Australian landscape that is a constant source of choreographic inspiration.