ADC Company Artist Jake McLarnon announces retirement
Australasian Dance Collective has today announced that the supremely talented Jake McLarnon is retiring.
McLarnon, 27, joined Australasian Dance Collective in 2016, after a one-week secondment became an eight-week contract, and then a full-time role. Artistic Director, Amy Hollingsworth spoke of his role with the group, stating how much he has advocated for change in the industry.
“Jake is not just a phenomenally talented dancer commanding great emotional depth, remarkable technique and a profound connection with audiences, he has contributed so much off-stage as well,” Hollingsworth said.
“He is an advocate, an educator, a choreographer and a mentor – his contribution to the collective has been immense. Jake has taken a particular interest in working with our Youth Ensemble – choreographing and guiding these young dancers. While we are so very sad to see him go, he has given so much to the next generation of dancers, his legacy will be felt for many years to come.”
McLarnon’s career has spanned tours of China, Europe and national and regional tours of Australia.
As a choreographer, he created a work for the 2017 Tenerife Festival collaborating artist Matt Sheridan and TWFINEART. Other choreographic works include Isochronism for Australasian Dance Collective’s Converge (a collaboration with Queensland Conservatorium) and shift for Australasian Dance Collective’s Youth Ensemble.
“I feel incredibly privileged and humbled by the career I’ve had,” McLarnon says.
“It’s rare to have a career as long as I have in a company and I certainly feel very fortunate to have been at ADC as long as I have. “It just feels like it’s time. I’ve been dancing professionally now for eight years, but I started dancing when I was 11. I’m 27 now, so that’s 16 years of dancing. It’s time for new challenges and it’s time to give someone else the opportunity.”
McLarnon will farewell ADC fans in his final performances at Aftermath at Brisbane Powerhouse from 11-14 February and he admits it will likely be an emotional experience.
“I’ve always said there is nothing more satisfying and humbling than having an appreciative audience when you’re taking a bow. And the audiences who come and support ADC are so devoted – it’s going to be hard to say goodbye,” McLarnon says.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching the company grow and change around me. Now I’m going to watch it from the audience.”
Catch Jake’s final performance in Australasian Dance Collective’s production of ‘Aftermath’. Tickets are available at the Brisbane Powerhouse website.
