• Global Summit 08
• Background
• Conference themes

• Program
• Conference
• Dance Dialogues
• Choreolab
• Masterclasses
• Performances

• Additional information
• Contacts
• Partners

• About WDA–AP

WDA Global Summit 2008

Summit program

1. Conference/Performative Dialogues (presentations and forums) Download a pdf of the Conference/Performative Dialogues program (at 15 May 08). Please note that this program is subject to change—check weekly for updates.
2. Dance Dialogues (a program of four facilitated conversations + the eigth Dame Peggy Van Praagh Memorial Address)
3. Physical Dialogues (International Choreolab & International Masterclasses)
4. Networking Dialogues (Global Assembly of WDA)

Download full Summit Program

Download the WDA Global Summit Program Brochure

Conference/Performative Dialogues

Conference/Performative Dialogues will be a three-day event comprising a series of academic and performative presentations and forums which will explore the Summit’s key issues and themes. Refereed by international panels of scholars and artists, this is a competitive process, and successful submissions will be published in the Conference Proceedings.

Physical Dialogues

These will be explored through an International Choreolab and a program of masterclasses. These two strands will create a significant opportunity for talented artists and future leaders to be exposed to the expertise and mentorship of key cultural figures.

International Masterclasses will comprise leading artists and teachers conducting 2-hour studio workshops over four days (14 – 17 July) for local and visiting artists, teachers and students and workshops will reflect the conference themes.

Dance Dialogues

Dance Dialogues will assemble key international cultural thinkers and artists to engage in and stimulate debate about growing sustainable platforms for international arts business and creative collaborations. It features a program of four facilitated conversations, with each dialogue focussing on one of the Summit themes and a provocateur to ensure lively debate.

As part of this Dance Dialogues series the Summit will also present the Dame Peggy Van Praagh Memorial Address as a dialogue between Professor Susan Street, Dean of Creative Industries at QUT and Ausdance National President, and David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. This special ‘dialogue’ will be facilitated by Professor Shirley McKechnie, founder of Ausdance, the Green Mill Dance Festival and the inaugural speaker of the Dame Peggy Van Praagh address. This event marks the 30th anniversary of Ausdance.

Networking Dialogues

This strand will represent the biennial Global Assembly of WDA members from the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Visiting nation groups include India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Cambodia, Japan, Vietnam, New Zealand, UK, USA, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Canada and Malaysia. This meeting of executive boards, networks and members of WDA will discuss issues of concern and interest to the organisation, and propose future collaborative projects, as well as hold elections for new office bearers. Observers are welcome at these meetings.

Extension programs

The opening event of the WDA Global Summit, to be held at Cascade Court, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), will feature performances by Indigenous and Pacific groups and will also be the occasion for the launch of the new WDA publication, Transcending Borders.

Following the daily Dance Dialogues, an umbrella program of evening performances by leading local professional companies and independent artists will be presented. The Australian Reel Dance (on Screen) Festival is also being scheduled the week of the Global Summit. On the final night of the Summit, WDA delegates will be guests for the opening of the Brisbane Festival and its premiere event of a new dance and music collaboration.