https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/contact daily 0.75 2020-12-29 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/ourstory daily 0.75 2021-01-04 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fe7e72e1c123d7f84c60c2c/1609794883381/Untitled+design+%2820%29.png Our Story https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fe7e958ba5cdf3765959b8a/1609794883387/Untitled+design+%2822%29.png Our Story - Empowering young leaders Young people are behind the direction of the company. We want to allow young people aged 7-25 to be the driving force behind the company, giving young aspiring artists the chance to be leaders in their chosen fields on our various projects. Young people are put in charge of choreography, costuming, lighting design, orchestra management, marketing, photography, videography and fundraising. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fe7e932ba5cdf3765959448/1609794883384/Untitled+design+%2821%29.png Our Story - Mental health and wellbeing SYDC aims to have a positive impact on the mental health of the young people in our company. We aim to encourage the building of strong friendships and support networks, promote dance and the creative arts as healthy outlets for expression, and most importantly we aim to provide a safe, welcoming space for young people on the Mornington Peninsula to be heard, be recognised as artists and to have the chance to connect with like-minded youth. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fe7e9825673bc68c49d2165/1609794883390/Untitled+design+%2824%29.png Our Story - Delivering arts education We want to connect these young people to resources, funding and mentors to help them gain experience and valuable dance and stagecraft industry skills that will not only encourage them to pursue the arts as a career, but to become inquisitive, thoughtful and creative members of society. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fe7e9a4ba5cdf376595a08f/1609794883393/Untitled+design+%2825%29.png Our Story - Promoting physical health through dance Encouraging young people to keep physically active through dance is one of the core reasons we do what we do. We give our young people many opportunities throughout the year to improve their fitness, flexibility, strength and overall stamina as artists presenting work on stage. We promote healthy living through all that we do. https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/home daily 1.0 2021-01-05 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff2ed40673a147fcce9790a/1609756047592/IMG_7723+%281%29.JPG Welcome - 2021 Auditions Sunday 17th January 2021 For ages 8-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fd17e29ce71ee580fa1db38/1607564862919/IMG_1193.jpg Welcome - Meet the Founder: Alex Dellaportas “I founded Spark at age 18 straight out of high school, knowing that I needed a new creative outlet for all my big, crazy dancing ideas. So - Spark was born. A small dance company catering to youth on the Mornington Peninsula. But that wasn’t all it would be. At the end of 2017, balancing three jobs, a uni degree and Spark, I experienced a huge burn out. It came as depression and anxiety and daily meltdowns. I felt lost. I wasn’t enjoying anything, I felt I didn’t belong anywhere. And I always wanted to do more but couldn’t seem to achieve it. Fast forward to 2019 and after lots of doctor and psychologist visits, I was given the diagnosis of ADHD. This was life changing. Suddenly, I knew why I was so different. Why I had excelled at school but completely fell apart at university when I had to suddenly organise myself and manage my own time. It explained my roller coaster emotions and my huge ambition. So, now? I’ve realised that Spark was more than just a space I created to make dance. It was a group I formed because deep down, even before the diagnosis, I knew that I was different and wanted, no, needed a place that made me feel safe to be myself. And in a world that wasn’t made for neurodivergent people, Spark has meant everything to me. And now my hope for Spark is that it is not just a place where kids and youth come to dance. It’s a place where ANY young person can come to feel welcomed, be accepted and loved for who they are and be encouraged to see their differences as strengths - all through the incredible world of dance and live theatre.” - ALEX DELLAPORTAS, DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff384890493bd2827848f9f/1609794775339/IMG_1279.jpg Welcome - Production Stream Our brand new streamlined program for young people interested in all things behind-the-scenes in the theatre. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff3846e0db4f45ccb0ce0a4/1609794789783/IMG_7723%2B%25281%2529.jpg Welcome - Dance Stream Our original youth dance company artists. Audition registrations for 2021 are now open! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff384a30db4f45ccb0ceaf4/1609794764089/IMG_7961%2B%25281%2529.jpg Welcome - Women in the Arts Stream For young women aged 12-25 interested in a career in the arts. A focused program delivering mentoring, networking and valuable experience to encourage a new generation of young leaders. https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/theteam daily 0.75 2020-12-30 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febcf5e62507369ba3cfae7/1609289577656/104668587_3131091560304939_7007321223728585577_n.jpg The Team - Laura Campbell BOARD MEMBER Laura is a woodwind musician from Melbourne, Australia. She specialises in clarinet performance and teaching woodwinds including clarinet, saxophone and flute. Laura completed her Bachelor of music under clarinetist David Griffiths, and received masterclasses from musicians including Sabine Meyer and Paul Meyer. Laura has used her music experience to create her own career pathway, through becoming a woodwind teacher both privately and in schools, as well as creating a name for herself on social media under @laura_clarinetist on instagram, and launching her business Virtual Concert Band. Laura is passionate about exploring different avenues in music, to create value for young musicians, and help keep her passion alive. Her social media presence has brought her to work with brands such as Backun, D’Addario, Legere, Soundbrenner and RatStands. Laura has had the pleasure of playing virtually with Corrado Giuffredi, and even making an appearance on 2 episodes of the Clarineat Podcast by Sean Perrin. Laura aims to bring wind musicians from around the globe together through her Virtual Concert Band endeavours, and to inspire the younger generation through her online content, and teaching. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febd04ba1d2d4271fee9e2e/1609289823943/SPARK%2BPORTRAITS%2B2020%2BBY%2BYANNI%2B25.jpg The Team - Liz Dellaportas TREASURER Liz is our wonderful Treasurer and beloved “Spark Mum”. In her spare time, Liz is the Director of Aspire Accounting Professionals which she founded in 2000, after an early career working for State Bank Victoria and National Australia Bank. Her desire to “actually help people” led her to take up positions in two public accounting firms on the Mornington Peninsula before leaping out on her own at the same time the GST was implemented in Australia. She loves seeing new businesses get started and watching established businesses reward their owners beyond turning a profit. Having grown up on the Mornington Peninsula, Liz has loved raising her family here together with her musician/photographer husband. She loves to read, literally anything, and has been known to lead worship at her local Salvation Army church. Browsing antiques stores, watching great movies or series, dreaming about a return trip to Europe and watching her children spread their wings. Or simply enjoying the wonderful picturesque location she feels privileged to live and work in. She has loved being part of the Spark board since its inception and looks forward to many years working with the wonderful young people of Spark. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febcb8b2e3c733eaaba598d/1609288600155/87310877_1081613162185516_3153979151866658816_n.jpg The Team - Harrison Croft SECRETARY Harrison is 18 years old and has been working with Spark for three years. Currently studying in Year 12, Harrison dedicates his spare time to supporting the local arts scene through community theatre. As well as his work for Spark, Harrison has been a member of Rosebud Theatre Group for almost 10 years, now managing their technical requirements for their season each year. As a dancer for 12 years, Harrison loves the work that Spark does to foster a love of the arts and self-identity through the medium of dance, but his true artistic passion derives from the technical aspects of production. He has been both volunteering and working as a freelance lighting designer and audio operator for 4 years and hopes to pursue this passion into university and beyond. Harrison would like to thank Alex and Spark for providing the opportunity to other young people like himself, to pursue their passion in the arts. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febd0970b3c1a5a46b2c8b3/1609289893303/SPARK%2BPORTRAITS%2B2020%2BBY%2BYANNI%2B06.jpg The Team - Jacqi Russo BOARD MEMBER Jacqi brings expertise in the areas of art, design and wellbeing…and parenthood. As a freelance artist, Jacqi works with clients in Australia and overseas on art and illustration for branding, packaging design and commissioned original art. Jacqi is also an accredited senior yoga instructor of 12 years, working in education, corporate, and defence force settings to bring physical and mental health to the forefront of conversation in these environments. Jacqi is also the mother of two enthusiastic, creative types for whom Spark has become the go-to for honest, authentic expression and connection. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febd02f1dc0105c503b3f24/1609289784911/IMG_1173.jpg The Team - Alex Dellaportas DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT Alex is the Director and President of Spark Productions Australia Inc. and Artistic Director and resident choreographer of Spark Youth Dance Company. Alex started dancing at the age of two, quickly falling in love with ballet and contemporary dance and is now especially passionate about choreography and arts management. She has loved music all her life and has always used music and dance together to tell interesting stories from history, her own experience, and the world’s fascinations. During her years at Rosebud Secondary College, Alex took on the role of School Captain and co-choreographed two award-winning productions for Wakakirri in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, she choreographed The Nutcracker for SYDC and has since choreographed three other full-length works for the company, each with their own touring seasons; Shatter (2017) and Ariadne (2018) and Snow and Rose (2019). Shatter was nominated for an Australian Dance Award in 2018. In 2018 she also made a short piece Weight for SYDC’s triple bill Triplicity. Alex has also choreographed works that have been showcased at the Victorian Dance Festival and at the A Woman’s Place Festival in partnership with Dreamhouse Theatre Company. She regularly speaks at various events including the Victorian Government’s inaugural Youth Summit in 2017 and Wakakirri’s Career Days. Alex brings passion and a fierce belief in the power of dance to the everyday magic that Spark creates and is always exploding with new ideas as she leads the company into an era where young people have a stronger voice than ever before. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5febd0b632da5052ae3a5c0d/1609289922563/0H0A9722%2Bcopy2.jpg The Team - Rohani Bixler BOARD MEMBER https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/pastworks daily 0.75 2021-01-05 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fec6b2911f308112e65471f/1609329484501/Graphic+no+text.png Past Works https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fec70a0dd72a439332e971c/1609330868431/IMG_0761.jpg Past Works https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fec7481ddf1b074673d8dbe/1609331858624/Triplicity+03.jpg Past Works https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fec745bdd72a439332eddfd/1609331826621/Triplicity+04.jpg Past Works https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5fec73edddf1b074673d8196/1609331713928/Triplicity+01.jpg Past Works https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/sponsorship daily 0.75 2021-01-05 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/auditions daily 0.75 2021-01-15 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff3f2301962580de02d8bc0/1609822788482/IMG_0652.jpg 2021 Auditions - Season of Short Works TERM 1: FEB - APRIL (PERFORMANCES IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) You’ll dance in the world premieres of one or two new dance works choreographed by one of our up-and-coming young creators. Dancers will gain valuable ground work experience in contemporary dance technique as well as an introduction to basic production and stagecraft skills. Rehearsals each Sunday in Term 1 will culminate in an exciting season of performances (usually three shows) to an audience or in the event of COVID restrictions, livestreamed online. It is this season of new works each year where many of our dancers often realise that contemporary dance is their favourite genre. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff3f1c7c6d0380271b4fe47/1609822751706/Screenshot+%2824%29.png 2021 Auditions - New Full-Length Story Dance Work TERM 3: JULY - SEPTEMBER (PERFORMANCES IN SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) This will be a brand new full-length work featuring a live professional orchestra performed at Frankston Arts Centre. It will involve an original storyline in Spark’s signature style and new choreography by Alex Dellaportas. Dancers will also have the chance to apply to be a choreographer in this season. Rehearsals will be every Sunday for at least 2-3 hours depending on casting - rehearsal times will lengthen closer to the show premiere dates. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd162f1fe3c2c42edf7e757/t/5ff3f255f90c08416ce44d61/1609822831845/SnowAndRose-182.jpg 2021 Auditions - Victorian Tour of ‘Snow and Rose’ TERM 2: APRIL - JUNE (PERFORMANCES FOR TWO WEEKS IN JUNE) You’ll dance in the world premieres of one or two new dance works choreographed by one of our up-and-coming young creators. Dancers will gain valuable ground work experience in contemporary dance technique as well as an introduction to basic production and stagecraft skills. Rehearsals each Sunday in Term 1 will culminate in an exciting season of performances (usually three shows) to an audience or in the event of COVID restrictions, livestreamed online. It is this season of new works each year where many of our dancers often realise that contemporary dance is their favourite genre. https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/howitworks daily 0.75 2021-01-04 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/membership daily 0.75 2021-01-04 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/make-a-donation daily 0.75 2021-01-05 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/volunteering-jobs daily 0.75 2021-01-05 https://www.sparkproductions.org.au/choreographers daily 0.75 2021-01-31