Claudia Alessi

Claudia has amassed a diverse and considerable suite of experience over a significant multi-disciplinary career in movement, dance, puppetry and film within the arts nationally and internationally spanning 30 years. She’s taught generations of dancers and actors; choreographed, produced significant events; held board positions and continues to champion dance and physical theatre here and abroad.

Over the past 30 years she has contributed to the performing arts sector in Australia as a performer, choreographer, lecturer, movement director, rehearsal director and producer. Her Board positions include of STEPS Youth Dance Co, Ausdance WA, Australia Council Dance Board, Co Vice-President Ausdance National and currently as Vice President for CirQuest. In 2012 Claudia launched ‘Company Complesso’ – a collective from which she continues to develop new independent and collaborative projects. Since ‘93 Claudia has been a sessional lecturer at WAAPA with the dance, theatre, screen and musical theatre departments. During 2015 she held the position as acting head of movement for the Acting department at WAAPA was Associate Director for the Opening Event of the Perth Festival 2022 and works as a Creative Director for Theatre Kimberley delivering work in remote communities.

As a performer Claudia has worked and toured nationally and internationally with dance and theatre companies including in Australia: Chrissie Parrott Dance & Performance Co, skadada, Sydney Theatre Company, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Australian Dance Theatre (under both Leigh Warren & Garry Stewart) and Legs On The Wall. Internationally with: Foundation Jean-Pierre Perreault Canada, Street Theatre Co Plasticien Volants of France & Xarxa Teatre Spain, CIRCA and currently engaged with Co:3 Contemporary Dance. Three times nominee for the Australian Dance Awards ‘Most Outstanding Female Performer’, joint winner of ‘Most Outstanding Female Performer and awarded for Services to Dance for the WA Dance Awards. She has worked prolifically with independent WA artists, performing with choreographers/directors such as, Sue Peacock, Sally Richardson and Adam Mitchell.

As Choreographer/Movement Director Claudia has created various works including Point of Entry, a solo work for Perth International Arts Festival, 4by2, A series of Encounters, Twisting The Straight Line for STRUT Dance. In This a full-length work at The State Theatre Centre ’12 which launched her collective Company Complesso. Nick’ Dusty’d with The King for Perth Fringe World and Mortally Wounded.
Movement directed for Hot Bed Ensemble, Barking Gecko, Yirra Yarkin Aboriginal Corporation, Melbourne Theatre Co and Black Swan State Theatre Co. Claudia continues to develop ideas and new work with WA’s physical Theatre Company MAXIMA and Sydney based aerial company Strings Attached. Claudia continues to develop ideas and new work while continually evolving her craft for the benefit of those she educates, collaborates with, and performs for. Alongside her partner they share a daughter and are owner/ venue managers of their studio known as The Chapel Space in North Perth.

Acknowledgement of Country

Strut Dance acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.

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