Ausdance is delighted to announce William “Bill” Akers AM as the 2010 recipient of the Australian Dance ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award. This prestigious award honours the past achievements of an outstanding figure in the Australian dance community who has dedicated their life to a career in dance as a performer, choreographer, advocate, educator, administrator or visionary.
In a career that spans half a century, Bill Akers has lit and staged works for every major ballet company in Australia. He worked especially closely with Eduard Borovanksy of the Borovansky Ballet and with Peggy van Praagh and Robert Helpmann after the formation of the Australian Ballet. He has subsequently worked with every following Artistic Director of that company, particularly Maina Gielgud, lighting the majority of new ballets commissioned during her time in Australia and internationally.
Akers began his career as an actor and has worked in various capacities, including as a choreographer and director, in radio, film and theatre. In the 1950s he was engaged by J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd as Assistant Stage Manager for the Borovansky Ballet and between engagements directed the staging for the theatrical impresario. It was during his time with the Borovansky Ballet that Akers also began to light productions. On the death of Borovansky Akers administered the Borovansky Ballet on behalf of the J. C. Williamson organisation until 1960.
Akers joined the Australian Ballet for its inaugural season in 1962 as the company's production director and lighting designer. He worked with the Australian Ballet until 1975 when he left to become theatre planning co-ordinator for the Victorian Arts Centre building committee. He was later appointed production director for the Victorian Arts Centre Trust but returned to the Australian Ballet in 1983 as director of productions.
Robina Beard, Panel Chair says, ‘Bill Akers’ contribution to theatre and dance over the last sixty years is outstanding, not only in Australia, but also internationally. He has been an ambassador for Australian dance around the world and raised the standards of production and lighting design for both theatre and ballet. He is recognised by choreographers the world over for his lighting for theatre and dance, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Chevalier de Sahamet'rei awarded to him by Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, an AM for Services to lighting, ballet and the theatre, and a Green Room Award. His remark “I prefer to be a man that wangles things from behind” is indicative of the nature of his career’.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was decided by a panel of eminent dance professionals from every state and territory: Robina Beard (Chair), Margaret Jolley, Rita Clarke, Margrete Helgeby, Deborah Jones, Patrick Harding-Irmer, Chris Boyd, David McAllister AM, Shaaron Boughen, Marilyn Miller, Annie Greig, Jeff Meiners, Dr Alan Brissenden AM, and Sarah Calver.
Bill Akers will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement award by Lady Southey at the Australian Dance Awards gala ceremony at the Arts Centre State Theatre in Melbourne on Sunday 20 June.
Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners include Lucette Aldous, Paul Hammond OAM, Graeme Murphy AM, Janet Vernon AM, Kathryn Lowe, Julie Dyson AM, Kira Bousloff OAM, Dame Margaret Scott DBE, Cheryl Stock, Meryl Tankard and Valrene Tweedie OAM.
The Australian Dance Awards are a celebration of the excellence and variety of the Australian professional dance sector. It is the one night of the year when dance creators, performers, educators and enthusiasts gather together to acknowledge and honour their peers. It is also a not-to-be-missed opportunity for dance lovers to sample some of the best works of the last twelve months.
Bookings:
www.theartscentre.com.au, 1300 182 183 or in person at the Arts Centre box office
For more information visit
www.australiandanceawards.net.au