Australian Dance Theatre (GA1206)

The Adelaide based Australian Dance Theatre was founded in 1965 by Elizabeth Dalman to provide opportunities for Australian artists to collaborate in the production of new work.

The company presented dance programmes in Adelaide and regional areas of South Australia until late 1975 when the company ceased to operate. In 1977 the company commenced operations again, this time under the Directorship of Jonathan Taylor, a former dancer with the English company Ballet Rambert. In this time, the company developed artistically and began to attract national interest and critical acclaim.

Successful national tours were undertaken, and one of the better known works from this company 'Wildstars' toured nationally and opened the 1980 Edinburgh Festival. It was also during this period that the Australian Dance Theatre began its 5 year partnership with BP Australia Limited as the company's major sponsor. In 1986, joint Artistic Directorship of the company by Anthony Steel and Lenny Westerdijk saw a diverse and sometimes controversial range of works in this interim year of the company's development. In 1987, a new Director Leigh Warren, was appointed and the company became a focus for Warren's own choreography until 1992.

In 1993 Meryl Tankard took up the position of Director and the company underwent a name change to become the Meryl Tankard Australian Dance Theatre. A period of extensive touring to Europe and America followed until 1999 when she left the company following a series of disputes. In the same year, Garry Stewart was appointed to the position of Artistic Director and the company reassumed its original name, Australian Dance Theatre. Some of its works have been...Fools Dream (1981), Circles (1982), A Decent into the Maelstrom (1986), Vast (1988), Nixon in China (1992), Furioso (1993), Thwack (2001).

The Australian Dance Theatre has a Board of Directors. The South Australian Government nominates 5 of which, and 3 who are elected by membership. The company is one limited by guarantee and receives funding from both State and Federal grants in a tripartite agreement between ArtsSA, Australia Council and Australian Dance Theatre. The company makes an income from performances and sponsorships. Expenditure occurs through salaries and wages, administration, marketing and production and venue costs.