Exploring the Creative Process with Andrew Hallsworth

Andrew Hallsworth is a multi-award-winning choreographer, with three Helpmann Awards, two Sydney Theatre Critics and two Green Room Awards for 'Best Choreography in a Musical' under his belt. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Hallsworth has made a name for himself as one of the most sought-after musical theatre choreographers in Australia.

The chance to collaborate with the distinguished industry veteran was eagerly accepted by Transit Dance for their forthcoming performance season. "We jumped at the opportunity to work with Andrew Hallsworth” remarked Jillian Green, Transit Dance Course Coordinator. “Being able to enlist an incredible artist like him to choreograph a brand new dance work with our second-year performing arts students was an unmissable opportunity for us."

For two weeks, the second year Pre-Professional students engaged in an intensive rehearsal period, collaborating with Hallsworth, exchanging ideas and workshopping their 25-minute production titled "GLAMOUR’E." The end result was an inspiring piece of art that showcased the students' talents and Hallsworth's expertise.

“Inspiration for the work came from the diverse and powerful female personalities that the cast presented during auditions," explains Hallsworth. "The idea is to create a 'cabaret-style' event that showcases women in all their glory, supporting and observing each other. With music sung entirely by women, the tracks feature strong messages about empowerment, self-awareness, humour, and owning one's individuality."

As an experienced choreographer with an actor-driven background, Hallsworth challenged the dancers to explore vulnerability, strength, and maturity during rehearsals. "The challenge for me was to get the dancers to delve deeper and express themselves emotionally through their movements. Building trust was crucial, and I wanted them to know that I was there to support their experience, guiding them to create a fantastic show collaboratively," Hallsworth notes.

“When I'm selecting my cast, I'm looking for dancers that are willing to take risks and push boundaries," says Andrew Hallsworth. "I value uniqueness in dancers and their ability to 'own' their individuality because it allows for an authentic connection with the audience”.

Hallsworth's approach to rehearsals emphasizes collaboration and support, encouraging the dancers to explore, learn, and make mistakes together. "We're all in this together," he adds. "We work out the creative process as a team, which lets us develop a fantastic show."

Course Coordinator, Jillian Green, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to have Hallsworth work with Transit Dance's second-year students. "Having such a highly regarded and experienced choreographer like Andrew mentor our students is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn, grow, and be challenged in their skills and creativity." Green notes that Hallworth's knowledge, expertise, and unique approach to musical theatre choreography bring an invaluable contribution to the program.

Similarly, Andrew Hallsworth expressed his excitement about collaborating with Transit Dance and its rigorous program, which continually challenges dancers to push their boundaries. The collaboration offered the students an opportunity to hone their skills further and step out of their comfort zone. Hallsworth said "it is inspiring to work with these young dancers. They are hungry to learn and progress, and the experience is mutual, energetically uplifting."

Green sums up the collaboration and the impact on the students' experience saying "Andrew’s input has not only provided a unique and exciting perspective on his exceptional craft, but it has built confidence with our students. Seeing him in action is inspiring and has given them new tools to develop their creativity and craft as young artists."

Don't miss the chance to grab tickets for the upcoming Midpoint production. Click the link below to witness this extraordinary event on stage.