By Rain Francis.

Earlier last year, Ballet Theatre of Queensland took an exciting new turn. The state’s leading youth ballet company appointed not one but two new Artistic Directors, Timothy Brown and Libby McDonnell.

The passionate young leaders have been close friends and collaborators for many years. Between them they have a wealth of experience, as both performers and creators. This, combined with their youthful exuberance and vision, made them a perfect fit for the company, which has produced some of Australia’s most renowned and acclaimed dancers.

After auditioning and assembling a new cast, Timothy and Libby’s first project has been to create a brand new ballet, from one of the world’s most beloved stories. Every Sunday since May 2012, this passionate pair has been working with some of Australia’s most talented and dedicated young dancers, rehearsing this exciting new ballet. Peter Pan will launch at the Playhouse, QPAC this January.

Timothy Brown and Libby McDonnell with senior BTQ cast members

When creating Peter Pan, did you start from scratch or work with an existing show?

The ballet plot is based on the original Peter Pan story written by J.M Barrie. However, the interpretation of the story (we have a few new twists), how it is told choreographically and how it looks and feels visually is our own, new work. We have carefully selected our music from many sources and created a never before heard compilation for BTQ’s Peter Pan.

With such a wonderful story to work from, I’m sure there have been some fun moments during creation. Can you tell us a funny story from rehearsals?

During our intensive rehearsal week in the September school holidays, each day the dancers had a dress up in a fun theme. One of our dancers (on crazy hat/hair day) concealed a water bottle in her hair. It was the tallest beehive we have ever seen. She managed to wear it the entire day – it was an impressive effort.

Other great moments are rehearsing the sword fight scenes with our two guest artists Boris Bivona and D’Arcy Brasier – watching these two fight it out with our special rehearsal swords (made from foam) is pretty conducive to a belly laugh or two.

Our ‘Lost Boys’, some of our junior dancers, are a constant source of humour in the rehearsal studio…The list is really endless!

What can audiences expect from this production of Peter Pan?

Queensland’s most talented young dancers performing a two act story book ballet. Stunning new costumes, on a gorgeous new set design. There will of course be imaginative choreography and many fabulous characters to fall in love with. It will be sprinkled with moments of beauty, laughter and adventure. Audiences will see our talented young company – through the magic of ballet – bring the story of Peter Pan to life. And you might just see a few fairies if you’re lucky!

Peter Pan takes place from January 23 to 25, at the Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre. For tickets visit www.qpac.com.au or call 136 246.

Photo: Timothy Brown and Libby McDonnell with senior BTQ cast members.

After many discussions, several drafts of a written application, a nerve-wracking interview, a “nail-biting waiting period” – and lots of coffee – Libby McDonnell and Timothy Brown received “the most wonderful news” of their careers. They had won the post of co-Artistic Directors of Ballet Theatre of Queensland.

By Rain Francis.

Having performed and created together in various capacities over the years, Libby and Timothy have what they call “an unstoppable creative connection”. With their fresh, youthful energy and an obvious commitment to the professional development of young dancers and performers, they seem a wise choice to take the reins of Australia’s longest continuing dance company.

Now entering its 76^th year, Ballet Theatre of Queensland is a not-for-profit organisation which provides “professional performance and stagecraft opportunities to nurture talented young dancers, as well as fostering an appreciation of ballet amongst young and old audiences alike.” The company was founded by Phyllis Danaher (MBE, FRAD), who was the first Queensland teacher to gain the Advanced Teacher Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance. An influential force in Australian ballet history, Miss Danaher taught several dancers who would go on to become dance icons, such as Garth Welch and Lucette Aldous.

Every Artistic Director to succeed Miss Danaher has been a professional dancer; this is something the company prides itself on. For the last decade, the post has belonged to dedicated husband-and-wife team Jodie Anne White-Bivona and Boris Bivona. Sadly, Jodie passed away on the last day of performances in January this year.

Libby McDonnell

Knowing inside-out the demands and enormity of the role, it was under Boris’ recommendation that the title of Artistic Director was again shared by a partnership. And what better partnership in this instance than two friends who are artistically in tune? As Libby and Timothy say, “there are a few people in your lifetime that you have a genuine creative connection with. We share a deep mutual respect for one another and we are very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Libby grew up dancing with BTQ, has since worked as an independent contemporary choreographer and costume designer, and is resident choreographer at Blue Roo Theatre Company. Timothy has danced with Queensland Ballet and Expressions Dance Company and has created works for both companies, as well as The Australian Ballet’s Bodytorque programme. BTQ President Michelle Platz says, “We are so excited to have this young dynamic duo join us. Between their choreography and design skills, they will start another amazing chapter in BTQ’s history.”

That chapter began with Libby and Timothy’s first task: to audition for the new season’s company. Each year, BTQ presents six performances, utilising all dancers in two casts. This gives all the dancers the opportunity to learn and perform in a variety of roles. After seeing 123 talented young dancers over 4 auditions, the “incredibly challenging” task was complete, and the co-Artistic Directors are now embarking on their first artistic adventure, creating Peter Pan. This engagement comes with added importance and significance, being the first ballet that Jodie and Boris created together. Libby and Timothy wish to pay their respects to their predecessors by delivering “an exceptional new storybook ballet”.

Timothy Brown

Libby and Timothy acknowledge that BTQ is a training ground, offering professional company experience for young performers: “We can’t expect them to know all the things we take for granted as adult professionals, such as how to conduct yourself in a theatre and how to emotionally deal with auditioning for lead roles in a professional manner. It is a part of our job to equip them with the tools to conduct themselves as professionals in a dance company, and hopefully inspire them to continue performing in ways they have not yet experienced at a dance school level.”

As Michelle adds, these young dancers learn to work as team, forming “friendships and memories that will last a life time”. In the process, the standard of the work they produce and the expectations placed on them are not far removed from the world of professional ballet. These opportunities provided by BTQ – to learn in such a relevant way – would not otherwise be available to the young dancers of Queensland. The fact that they are, is thanks largely to a dedicated group of volunteers who “love the company [and] who donate extraordinarily” to ensure its continuation.

Libby and Timothy are enthusiastic about getting to know their new company, and about the exciting projects that lie ahead. They say, “BTQ has a long history, and enormous soul. With two of us at its helm, we can support and challenge one another to deliver the best possible experiences for our performers and the highest quality of artistic product.”

Top photo: Dancer from Ballet Theatre of Queensland